Prayer Chain
We all know about the power of prayer. Many in our congregation serve in this ministry as "pray-ers", praying for those they may not even know. If you would like to be one, please send an email note to Jill, our Parish Administrator. Prayer requests can be emailed to the same address or called in to the church office at 253-848-1098 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
AA
Alcoholics Anonymous welcomes you to weekly meetings on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8 pm at church.
Peace Meal
Twice a year in April and October, the youth of our congregation volunteer to serve a hot meal to needy residents and homeless in the Hilltop area of Tacoma. Members of our congregation volunteer to make casseroles, salads, donate fruit, milk and rolls and paper plates to provide the meal. This ministry is a partnership with Peace Lutheran Church in Tacoma, where the meals are served. This is a wonderful outreach program. We typically feed 75 to 125 people each visit. Look for information and sign up sheets in the spring and fall. Even if cooking isn't your forte, we value your contribution.
Stephen Ministries
Stephen Ministries is a service that extends confidential Christian care on a one-on-one basis to people who need love and support. Although those who serve as Stephen Ministers receive extensive training, they are not therapists, problem-solvers, or casual visitors. They are dependable Christian friends who stand ready to extend their love and nurturing to others throughout our congregation and community. If you know of anyone who could use this support, or if you are interested in learning more about becoming a Stephen Minister, contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Retirement Ministries
Celebration Lutheran Church leads weekly mini-worship services at Meridian Hills and once-a-month worship at Willow Gardens (both local retirement communities). Retirement ministers read lessons, lead songs (to prerecorded music), serve communion, and provide fellowship. Although the 20-minute service is brief, our retirement congregational members eagerly anticipate these services. Many of our retirement ministers have found this work so fulfilling that they have served the retirement community for several years. Even so, new leaders are encouraged to participate in this rewarding opportunity. Training in the form of job shadowing and written notes is provided, but according to our Retirement Ministry Coordinator, Duncan Johnson, a retirement minister’s duties can best be compared to “a loving visit to your grandparents for half an hour.” If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, give us a call at 253- 848-1098. We would be happy to take you on a trial run so that you can see what it’s all about.
Tecate Mexico Ministry
Mission trips provide our high school youth with meaningful experiences. Many summers these trips are planned to Tecate, Mexico where youth from our church, and participating churches, directly help a family in need. Working side by side with families to build their home start to finish in a month's time. Other ministry activities can be arranged in Tecate, such as visiting and playing at a local orphanage. In addition, it is our goal to have groups enjoy cross cultural experiences while in Mexico, making friends, strengthening relationships, meeting new challenges, and discover the power of God working in and through them.
Cambodian Orphanage Ministry
The mission of Caring for Poor and Orphaned Children (CPOC) Foundation is to alleviate poverty and suffering in Cambodia by providing orphaned and abandoned children a safe home, food, clothing, health care, education and love. The center is located 45 minutes south of Phnom Penh in a large building in one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. The director, Kim Ny, and his family help to care for children both orphaned, abandoned in need. The main sponsor of this orphanage is Celebration Lutheran Church located in Puyallup, Washington, USA.
Even though there are 14 children living under the roof of Caring for Poor and Orphaned Children, our new center is becoming much more than an Orphanage. It is starting to be a Center for the community. Mr Kim is teaching English and Khmer classes and providing day care for the working poor. We have just purchased over 100 toothbrushes and toothpaste free for the children living around the center and teaching free hygiene classes to both the children and adults of the community. Day care is already watching 20 plus children a day and about forty children a day come to the center for English classes. The center has purchased two computers and has limited Internet. Kims plan is to start teaching internet classes to the older children soon. None of these opportunities would be available to the children from this rural area.
If you ever wanted to help, but thought that you could not make a difference, just look into the eyes of these children. You can make a difference to them. CPOC does not receive any Cambodian government or non-governmental organization (NGO) help. They are totally dependent on private donations. You can make a tax deductible donations to Celebration Lutheran Church and mark the check CPOC Foundation or we can set up electronic transfer of donations to better meet your needs. Join us as we do God’s work toward improving a community 9,000 miles away.
Check out what is happening currently at CPOC Orphanage on Facebook.
Click here to see more images of the children.
