Today was an amazing day for progress in the relief efforts to support and prepare Journey Church for the harvest of donations, volunteers and ultimately, people serving through the house of the local church.

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We were able to accomplish so many things today that will help Journey sustain their support to the Moore community.  The Celebration Serve Team led the Logistical coordination efforts.  In just a few short hours, we were able to train and deploy an entire data entry team and an outbound call center team, round up forklifts, trailers, roofing contractors, boxes, freezer trucks, pallets, an old airplane hangar for a storage warehouse, establish supply donation facilities and so much more.  Not only that, but we had a few men out in the disaster area ministering life to families and victims that had lost everything.  We were there to pray for people, help them find precious belongings, give big hugs and share the love of Jesus with many who were hurting.

The best part of the day was working closely together with other churches from around the country to focus on a common goal… to serve the community of Moore, OK!  God Bless you all and be sure to check out how you can get involved at www.celebrationchurchtx.com.

Our Mission in Moore

With the level of devastation, we know that it is our duty to help our brothers & sisters in need.  Moore Oklahoma has been thrashed by an 5F tornado and everyone wants to help.   All eyes are on this devastated land.

Our goal on this initial trip is to assist the local Church and partner with other leaders creating a system that will help “The Church” rise in this time. As we met with Pastor Bryan of Journey Church yesterday, I was assured that our trip to Moore Oklahoma is more than needed.  His heart is for the people and the people are many.  The latest count of homes destroyed is now over 2500.  Initial planning partners are Ignite Church (Joplin, Mo), Fellowship Church, DRADT & ADRN.  Many other church partners are assembling teams and preparing to help as I write.

Tuesday: Our DRC (disaster relief coordinator) James Davis and Russ Rutledge headed out early.  Taking a van an a box full of tools, they arrived in Moore at 4:00pm making the initial meetings with church leaders.

Wednesday: Charlie Bravo Aviation / Sky Hope was so gracious to offer a flight for 5 team members.  Derick Zwerneman, Tim Ryle, Richard Ryle, Aharon Kreiter and Robert Hall completed the team and landed in Norman at 8:30am.

Walking house to house yesterday and assisting families brought tears at times and smiles of relief at others.  Mica at 133 SW 8th street and his wife Jackie captured our hearts as we rolled up to finally find them.  This family was referred to us by Pastor Karen Douglas our pastoral care pastor at Celebration.  Their main concern was finding a jewelry box.  Well… Finding things seemed to be our gift   We did find the jewelry box.  And we will be back to assist with other needs and bring the entire neighborhood volunteer support with the support of our church partners.

If you are interested in learning about our next trip to serve, email serve@celebrationchurchtx.com

There will be many opportunities through the summer to HELP MOORE.

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After spending the day on the phone with many of our local and national Disaster Relief partners, we have made the decision to take a small team to Moore Oklahoma.  There, we will be working along side Ignite Church and Pastor Heath Mooneyham which know this scenario very well (City was devastated by a tornado – Joplin MO 2011).  In Moore, we will be partnering with Journey Church which is an ARC church caught in the middle of the Oklahoma tornados that we have all been following on TV.  ADRN (Austin Disaster Relief Network), Convoy of Hope and DRADT (Disaster Relief and Disaster Training) are some of the organizations that will add to the support for Journey Church and the community which is still in shock.

As with the Joplin disaster, our plan is to assist the local church and lift them up.  We have systems set in place which our Celebration teams have implemented on many occasions and they work.  We know that the first 24 hours is critical and it is the reason that we are leaving first thing Tuesday morning.  There are many hurting people that need to find refuge in the house of God.  We will assist Pastor Clark Mitchell and his team and prepare them for the things to come!  Please pray safety over our trip.

Ready Volunteer Team – email us at

Serve@celebrationchurchtx.com

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*There will be a donations banner set up at www.Celebrationchurchtx.com Tuesday morning.  Please know that every dollar collect will go to help the victims of recent tornadoes.  Updates to come..

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Updated: 5/16 (6:00am)

Thank you for signing up to serve with us this Saturday May 18th!   Every year, many lives are changed and many relationships are built!  As we finish the final preparations for this incredible day, I want to encourage you to stand with us in prayer.

-Pray that every need is met -Pray for God connections -Pray that relationships are built -Pray that the name of Jesus will be lifted high -Pray that you will meet new people and will grow -Pray that every child sees Jesus !

Still time to get involved!  VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

*IMPORTANT DATES & TIMES*

Friday 17th :

WESTINGHOUSE CAMPUS VOLUNTEER MEETING 7:00pm-8:00pm

((Anderson Mill Teams will not meeting Thursday or Friday))

Saturday 18th:

ANDERSON MILL and WESTINGHOUSE CAMPUS (see timeline below)

6:00am: Doors open

6:30am: Donuts and Coffee

7:00am: TEAM MEETING (Be on time)

7:30am: Go to Team areas

8:00am: Be ready for Guests!

12:00pm: Last vehicle checked in – Lunch is served!

*VOLUNTEER INFORMATION*

Click on the two links for more information about the flow and order of Saturdays event!  You are a huge part of the success and we want to make sure that you have all of the information possible to make it happen.

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**Please fill out a volunteer application online if you have not completed the form before.. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION for the online form**

This weekend is a chance for you to help make a difference!

1 Peter 4:10-11
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Special Thanks to our friends at Christian Brothers Automotive for providing oil change vouchers for our annual Single Mom’s & Military Wife’s Oil Change!  This years contributions will cover our Anderson Mill Location!  Thank you for your generosity!  Click on the picture to find the Christian Brothers location nearest you!

Single Moms and Military Wives CLICK HERE to register for the Oil Change event at BOTH Celebration Church Campuses on May 18th! 8:00am-12pm

Once again, Thank you Christian Brothers Automotive for your contribution to our annual event!

This years 3on3 Red Poppy Basketball tournament went to another level thanks to our partners with the city of Georgetown, Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown and incredible volunteer leaders!  The action in the two day event was not lacking as we hosted 18 teams all determined to win.  At the end of day 2, the High School division was dominated by the CCYA Tigers while the adult men division was finally taken by the Yankees.  The biggest win was raising nearly $1000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown! Thanks to all who contributed by playing in the tournament and everyone who bought tshirts!  It was our honor at Celebration Church to host this 2nd annual event and we look forward to 2014!

Tournament Champions:

KNOCK OUT Champion

Katelyn Cron

Classic moment!  All of these men got beat down by the this little girl   Katelyn Cron has a great shot and just finished leading her Round Rock Dragons 5th grade select team to a 1st place win in the Red Poppy Classic. Congratulations!

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High School Division Champions

“CCYA TIGERS”

Jarren Wright

Gabe Roberts

Kameron Scott

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Mens Division Champions

“YANKEES”

Jordon LeuVoy

Eric Kleinhans

John Roche

Last year, Celebration Church blessed nearly 200 ladies with this incredible event!  With the anticipation for this year, we are expecting to take it to another level!  Join us for this amazing day of blessings and build some new relationships.  If you are a Single Mom or Military Wife, we would love to meet you and give you a morning of relaxation as your children have the time of their life in the KiDs department!  This a totally free event!  This event is taking place on May 18th at both Westinghouse and Anderson Mill Campus!

*Volunteers still needed*

Specialty needs – Waxing, Massage Therapist  & Nail Techs

Men:  Still adding to Oil Change Teams & Valet Teams

Number of Single Moms and Military Wives Preregistered:

5/17/2013 - 300 limit!

5/16/2013 – 271

5/15/2013 – 219

5/14/2013 – 186

5/13/2013 – 175

5/10/2013 – 159

5/9/2013 – 144

5/8/2013 – 132

5/7/2013 – 114

5/3/2013 – 84

4/30/2013 – 61

4/28/2013 – 42

4/23/2013 -  26

News: A fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. As of Thursday morning, 50-75 homes destroyed, 1 apartment complex of 50 unites destroyed, 1 nursing home destroyed and they believe the death toll will rise above 50. Search and rescue are on the scene.

Thursday April 25th, 2013 – Celebration Church assisted local officials and West Fire Department with transportation needs.  Family of the Firefighters killed in the West explosion were transported to the Memorial Services in Waco.  These incredible Servants – James Davis, Ben Soliz, Gary Iwers, Bill Dye and Larry Young pulled a 14 hour day to take care of this specific request.

Our goal at Celebration Church is to support where help is needed.  As the cameras leave and residents of West need help, we will organize and assist those in need.  At this time, we are helping only when we are requested.  See below for how you can get involved.

HELP WEST

YOU CAN HELP NOW – Three ways you can help

1. Pray

• Pray for the safety of emergency service workers. (Firefighters, EMS, Police & Military)
• Pray for the families that have lost loved ones.
• Pray CISM teams that are en route to the location to help counsel survivors.
• Pray for organization and unified efforts to help people in the most impactful ways

2. Donate (BRING GIFT CARDS THIS WEEKEND)

Everyone one wants to help!  After a week of working with ADRN (Austin Disaster Relief Network) and other organizations on the ground in West, it is apparent that the largest need for families is monetary support.  WalMart gift cards are requested by local officials.  Please click below if you would like to donate toward the purchase of gift cards or bring gift cards with you this weekend and drop them off at the Connection Center.  Thank you for your support!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE (click Disaster Relief Tab on Donation form)

3. Sign up for Serve Updates

Sign up to be a part of our “Ready List” to help WEST.  If you are available to help in anyway possible and can be ready to mobilize for clean up, donation receiving or any other capacity needed within a couple of hours.  Please sign up and we will send you the opportunities as they arise.  You will need to respond quickly to any requests.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER (you will be added to our “READY LIST”)

Please continue to to check back on this site for up to date information.

God Bless,

Derick Zwerneman

Outreach Director

EASTER OUTREACH 2013

This Easter we went out to our first Adopt A Block and blessed children with a first class Easter Celebration!  Complete with a Resurrection Skit performed by our very own Avaire, FJ & London.  It was an attention grabber for all of the children!  The Skit was followed by an Easter Egg hunt like no other!  Thousands of Eggs provided by our Celebration Women’s Tuesday Bible study groups!  Check out these pictures and know that you are making a change in this community!

To get involved with Celebration Outreach, Email Serve@celebrationchurchtx.com – Our Goal is to CONNECT You to your CALL through serving our Local community!

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Bring PLASTIC EASTER EGGS and your favorite wrapped candy to Celebration Church & Support Inner City Outreach!

Thee times you can bring EGGS:

1. Bring Eggs – Saturday to Prayer & Volunteer Training at Westinghouse campus @ 9:00am

2. Bring Eggs – This Sunday to Connection Center (Westinghouse Campus or Northwest Campus)

3. Bring Eggs – During business hours (9am – 5pm) next week – Westinghouse Campus

Egg Stuffing **We will have a team stuffing Eggs at Team Thursday -3/28 (Westinghouse Campuse)  at 10:00am!  Special Friends will also have a time to stuff at 1:00pm – led by Donna Harp in Blend.  Join us for this opportunity to Serve our community from the Hill!!

Where are the EGGS going??

Satrday March 30th – Meet at Westinghouse Campus 9:00am

Join Celebration Serves as we head out to host an inner city Easter Egg hunt!   Our team will be heading downtown Austin to bring the Story of Easter and lots of goodies to our Inner City friends!

KiDs are expecting us at 10:00am!

Together we can make a difference!

Please send any questions to serve@celebrationchurchtx.com