Celebration Happenings 
September 12, 2017
SUNDAY MORNING LIGHTS
This is our new theme.....
Check out the hallway of pictures showcasing people being the light.
Check our our new App and new ways to give.
Please download our app so we can continue to be connected with you!
Download the app by clicking here:
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By texting 'celebrationapp' to the number 77977
KICK OFF SUNDAY It was a HUGE SUCCESS!!! Everyone enjoyed the potluck, the inflatables for the kids and had a fun time in giving a few dunks to Pastor Joel before the tank broke. It was an amazing day with so much positive energy! Thank you for being here and CELEBRATING with us!
THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! We can’t begin to express to
everyone how much we appreciate ALL the help in making KICK OFF and our new theme “Sunday Morning Lights” successful. We thank Brooke Fitts for the idea and for making the Holy Grounds chalkboard, Derek/Stacy Thompson for the life-size board that will help us all visualize Sunday Morning Lights ALL YEAR LONG, Michelle Van Egdom for the doors we will be hanging pictures on each week, Mark Ernster for the frames around the mosaic picture and the cardholder for Rejuvenated, Derek for hanging them, Noah and Grant Bakke for getting the TV’s in the foyer working again, Harold Asmus and his friend, Keith, for painting and putting the cupboard doors on Holy Grounds, all the trustees (Randy Gunnink, Brian Hoime, Tim Donovan, Scott Woodward, Pat Meile, Harold Asmus and Mike Vis) for making the VISION of the lighted cross come to life, along with setting up/tearing down the inflatables, and the many other projects, our office helpers Gloria Howard, Glenda Woodward, Pat Dysthe for ALWAYS saying YES to the special projects, Jackie Meisenheimer for helping put the new flag banner up, Tanya Reyelts and her family, Stacy’s kids, Connor, Alanna & Kaidan, Skip Jensen, Randy Gunnink and his brother, Brian, for all the electrical work/changes, Tim for all the additional hours given to prepare for this big event! AND on the day of the event: Sunday School/Wednesday night youth group helpers: S uzann Kluever, Colton Kluever, Aaron/Danica Abels, Kim Hunt, Kelly Buss, Jackie Miller, Ben/Tanya Reyelts, Brooke Fitts, Doris Brekhus, Michele Wheeler, Debbie Willard, Laurie Dysthe, Kirby Mammenga, Dustin/Tiffany Radford, Jen Erickson, Randy Gunnink, Earlene Larsen, Curt VanOort, Lila VanHorn, the set-up crew Scott/Lori Woodward, Max & Jackson Faber, Skip Jensen, Mark & Susan Biggins for serving at Holy Grounds, along with Sharon Meile for stepping in on a second's notice, our photographers Katrina & Cheyenne, our grillers Randy, Brian & Ben, our tech team Noah and Earlene, our friendly greeters Chris & Justin Niessink and Bob/Marilyn Shuck, our serving committee Pat Dysthe, Heather Bratland(also for leading Adult Education), Michelle Van Egdom, Julie Dangel, Glenda Woodward, our clean up crew Ron/Gail Harris, Shane/Suzann Kluever that didn't quit until it was ALL finished, and anyone else that helped in any way that I might have missed. We want to give a huge shout out to the entire staff who worked together to make this happen!!! THANKS a million EVERYONE!!! It truly takes ALL of our LIGHTS to make this vision come true! Thank you with ALL our hearts!!! They are full!!!
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW YOUTH DIRECTOR: WELCOME MARLEE NICHOLSON
Hello! My name is Marlee Nicholson. I am originally from Storm Lake, Iowa, and am currently a junior at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. I am studying psychology, communications, and children and youth with hopes of pursuing a career in counseling and/or ministry. I have worked as a counselor at Ingham-Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp for the past two summers, and I am excited to take my experience in ministry to the next level at Celebration. I look forward to meeting and serving you!
HOW TO HELP WITH HARVEY AND IRMA? If you are interested in helping victims of Hurricane Harvey and Irma, but are not sure how to donate money to a trusted source, The Dakotas Conference has suggested people donate to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Here is a link to offer suggestions on helping How to help. To donate $ to UMCOR, please click the following link UMCOR, Disaster Relief in the United States.
5th QUARTER MIDDLE SCHOOL THIS FRIDAY, We need volunteers THIS FRIDAY, Sept 15! 5th Quarter is a fun activity for middle school and high school students to participate in after home football games. This year events will take place at Brandon Lutheran Church (middle school) and at Assembly of God (high school). The next High School event will be October 6. Middle school events will be this Friday, September 15 and October 13. Volunteers are needed to chaperone an outdoor movie, organize games of 9 Square, 4 Square, and dodgeball, and make smores! To volunteer, please contact Stacy Walters at stacydwalters@gmail.com .
WOMEN'S BRUNCH Have you bought your tickets yet for the Women’s Brunch “God Girlfriends and Chocolate?" You can still purchase them for $30! They will be $35 at the door.
Date: Saturday, Sept 23
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Canned food items can be brought in and will be donated to the Brandon Food Pantry. The Nursery will be staffed and available.Vendors, door prizes every 15 minutes, raffle baskets to be given away, music provided by the Celebration praise team, brunch and speaker Gaye Lindfors. You do not need to be present to win one of the raffle baskets, so purchase your raffle tickets today! “Pamper Yourself” or use the basket items to give as gifts!

VENDORS WANTED!
We still have room for some vendors on Saturday, Sept 23 during the Women’s Brunch “God Girlfriends and Chocolate”. If you have a product or craft items you would like to sell, please contact Julie Johnson 366-1366 or Diana Nelson 360-4689 this week!
FAMILY FUN FEST! New this year! The Family Fun Fest will be October 1 from 3 to 5 PM, at McHardy Park in Brandon. This fun even is sponsored by Circuit Fitness and is $5 or free with a canned good that will be donated to the Brandon Food Pantry. Celebration UMC was asked to do a fun game at this event, we are looking for volunteers to help out from 2:30 to 5:30 PM. For more information or to volunteer contact Stacy Walters at stacydwalters@gmail.com .
SUNDAY SCHOOL/CONFIRMATION
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
SUNDAY SCHOOL "GOD IS WITH US"
*Come and Join Us!
 Sunday School is for Preschool through 5th grade students. It meets at 9:45 AM in the Yellow Room. This year we will explore how God is always with us by learning about the Armor of God, Abraham and Sarah, Joshua, Daniel, Jesus’ baptism and several of Jesus’ parables. Students are assigned to teams based on age/grade level. Each team is led by a shepherd. During each four-week rotation, your child’s team will go with the shepherd to a different station leader to learn more about the story. Stations vary for each story but can be Story/Drama, Games, Cooking, Craft, Science, Movie and Service. Students are dismissed at 10:30 AM. Please register online by clicking here: 

KIDS KINGDOM
Kids Kingdom is for potty-trained toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners during the 10:45 AM service. After the children’s message during second service, kids can meet the teacher at the front of the worship center to walk to the preschool classroom. This year we are doing a unit on being a good helper and then walking through the Bible story. Please have your children bring their information card each time they attend. The information cards are in the blue Connection binder. Students will return to their parents during the last worship song. Please do not send older children to Kids Kingdom. Fifth grade through twelfth grade students may volunteer as helpers, but they must contact Stacy Walters (stacydwalters@gmail.com) ahead of time to be placed on the schedule.

PRAYGOUND – COMING SOON!
A prayground is a place in the worship center where babies and toddlers can stretch out and play quietly with parents while still being a part of the worship experience. Our prayground will be located on the southeast side of the entrance. Please feel free to take your baby or toddler to the prayground at any time during the service.

NURSERY
Our nursery program is located in the north wing of the building across from Pastor Joel’s office. It is staffed for both services. Please sign your child in and out, using the binder beside the rocking chair. 

CHILDREN'S BULLETIN
A children’s activity bulletin related to the sermon is available as you walk in the worship center.

WORSHIP BAGS
The worship bags are available at the back of the sanctuary. They have colors, coloring books, markers, small puzzles, and crafts.

YOUTH MINISTRIES
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Students will meet in grade level teams with mentors as they learn more about the Christian faith, the United Methodist Church, and about themselves. Our Confirmation program is a hands-on experience where your children will learn about themselves and their relationship with God. During Confirmation, students also learn about their spiritual gifts and how they can use their gifts in service to God and to others. Students meet in the worship center from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM. Please register your child online at by clicking here: Confirmation Registration

If there are any high school students who have not been confirmed but would like to go through the Confirmation process, please contact Stacy Walters at stacydwalters@gmail.com for an individualized Confirmation bootcamp.

HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY
High school students will meet in the youth room from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM. This is a great opportunity for high school youth to learn more about what the Bible says about their concerns and to discuss the sermon series. High School students can drop in, but please sign the roster each week with your name, phone number, and email address.

YOUTH GROUP
Youth group meets Wednesday evenings in the worship center. Confirmation youth group runs from 6 PM to 7 PM. High school youth group runs from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. We serve a meal for all youth from 7 PM to 7:30 PM in the worship center. During youth group we will worship, participate in Bible study, and play games. Watch for dates for fun outings such as bowling or the corn maze and for service opportunities such as packing and delivering Christmas Food Boxes and the Fall Children’s Carnival.

 SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CONFIRMATION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! We need volunteers Sunday mornings to help with our Sunday School and Confirmation classes. You can sign up online by clicking here:  Volunteer

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday School Shepherds: Get to know your group of kids. Take them to their rotation. Help the station leader during the lesson (handing out supplies, helping kids with projects).

Sunday School Station Leader: Lead the lesson in either Craft, Cooking, Story, or Game.

Sunday morning sub: Be available to help as a Shepherd or Confirmation Mentor.

Confirmation mentors: Meet Sunday mornings during Confirmation with your group and help with the Confirmation lessons.
ADULT MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Women's Group
BEGINNING THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 @ 6:30 PM at church
Finding I AM  by Lysa TerKeurst
What is the deep cry of your heart? The ache in your soul that keeps you up at night? The prayer you keep repeating? Jesus not only cares about this deep, spiritual wrestling, but He also wants to step in and see you through it. Join us in Women’s Group as we explore the streets of Israel and the seven I AM statements of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. Through this interactive, in-depth study we will be trading feelings of emptiness and depletion for the fullness of knowing who Jesus is like never before. Sheri Carmon will be leading this study. Please contact Jeanne to purchase a Study Guide for $15. Childcare will be available.

Men's Group 
BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 @ 6:30 PM at Pastor Joel's home for a grill out and bean bag toss and from there on, it will be held at Tailgator’s. We will be choosing the topics of the group that night.

Parenting Group
WILL RESUME WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4 @ 6:30 PM at church.
We will be doing “The Five Love Languages of Children/Teenagers”. For more information, 
please see Stacy Walters. There will be periodic break out groups focused on Moms and Dads needs.

Nursery is available Wednesday Night   from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM for infants through 6 years old. If you are interested, please contact the office.  
  Weekly Sermon
September 10, 2017
Click on the link above. 
CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS AND JOYS
Please pray for those suffering from mental illness. ~Anonymous

Pray for my brother, Jim and his wife Katie in Orlando, and my cousin, Ernie and his partner in Ft. Lauderdale, that Hurricane Irma doesn’t cause them too much destruction. They all are staying in their homes during the storm. ~Mary Knebel

Trenton Bass, a senior at Hills-Beaver Creek High School, received a serious neck injury while playing football. Please pray for peace and healing for Trenton, his family, friends, and doctors. ~Anonymous

Pray for Trenton Bass, injured in high school football game this past week. Son of Missy and Jeff Bass from Hills. ~ Peggy Zimmer

Kennth Waldroup, Vietnam Veteran, is battling cancer and has Parkinson’s. He has had issues with medications making him sick and is having a decline in mobility. ~Anonymous

Please pray for Becky Mohr and her family, who lost her Mother.

Please pray for Julie Johnson's son, Eric, who was in a car accident in Minneapolis, MN on Friday. He had surgery and is recovering.

Pleae pray for Mark's sister, Dawn. The oral chemo she has been on for the last several years for CLL has stopped working, and she is being transitioned to a new chemo. Prayers for no complications and for success. ~ Mark and Susan Biggins

Please keep Gary Rommann, his family, and doctors in your prayers. He is working with his doctors to find the cause/source of his chronic headaches and pain.

Thank you so much for the gift of chocolate and balloons on our first day of school! It was busy and hectic, but all in all, went well! We appreciate your support and thoughtfulness!
~ The Staff at Fred Assam Elementary

Please pray for peace and success in Don Paulson’s fight with cancer. He has been down this road three times now. He is in the midst of immunotherapy and is very tired. We pray the treatment works and he can stay strong. ~ Jason Erickson

Just months after celebrating 10 years of being cancer free, my friend, Shawna, found out the cancer is back and has settled in her bones. She is currently undergoing radiation to her spine and hips, and will start chemo soon. This cancer has been determined to be a
re-occurrence of her breast cancer and has been staged at Stage 4. Please pray for her and her 2 kids-one of which is starting her freshman year of college away from Sioux Falls. ~ Nancy Kiesow

Continued prayers for Ruth Howard, who is now recovering at home.

Pastor Joel's Mom, Marion, passed away August 16. Please give prayers of comfort, peace, and support for their family during this time. There will be a memorial service in Sioux Falls, September 16, 2017 at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, SD.
Celebration United Methodist Church | 500 Pasque Flower Trail
Brandon, SD 57005 605-582-7995
www.celebrationbrandon.org | celebration@alliancecom.net

Sunday Worship Services 8:45 AM & 10:45 AM
Sunday School for all ages/Confirmation 9:45 AM 

Celebration Staff: 
Lead Pastor: Joel Higgins
Director of Connectional Ministries/Finance Officer: Jeanne Jensen 
Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries: Stacy Walters
Youth Director: Marlee Nicholson
youth@alliancecom.net
Administrative Assistant: Kari Beckendorf
Environmental Engineer: Tim Donovan
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