Celebrate Recovery August Newsletter
August Newsletter

Matthew Penman • Celebrate Recovery Coordinator
August 28, 2026

5 Minute Read

VOLUME 12 | AUGUST 2026

THIS MONTH’S FOCUS

August has focused on forgiveness, making amends, and learning to walk in freedom.

As we worked through Principle 6 and Steps 8 and 9, we were reminded that recovery includes looking honestly at our relationships. That means becoming willing to forgive those who have hurt us while also taking responsibility for the harm we have caused others.

Principle 6

Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for the harm I have done, except when doing so would harm them or others.

“Happy are the merciful.”
Matthew 5:7

“Happy are the peacemakers.”
Matthew 5:9

Forgiveness is not pretending that the hurt did not happen. It does not remove consequences, erase accountability, or require us to return to an unhealthy or unsafe relationship.

Forgiveness is surrender.

It is releasing the person, the pain, and the outcome into God’s hands instead of allowing resentment and anger to continue controlling us.

Sometimes forgiveness happens quickly. Other times, we may need to surrender the same hurt to God again and again.

Romans 12:18 reminds us:

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

We are responsible for our part. We cannot control how another person responds.

FORGIVENESS AND AMENDS

This month we also looked at the difference between forgiving others and making amends for our own actions.

Step 8

We made a list of everyone we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:31

Step 9

We made direct amends whenever possible, except when doing so would harm them or others.

Making amends requires honesty and humility.

It means being able to say:

“I was wrong.”

“I hurt you.”

“I take responsibility.”

“What can I do to make this right?”

We do not make amends to force someone to forgive us, trust us, or rebuild a relationship with us.

Our responsibility is to own our part, repair what we can, and surrender the outcome to God.

Forgiveness releases what we believe someone else owes us.

Amends takes responsibility for what we owe others.

Both can be difficult, but both can lead us toward greater freedom.

RECEIVING GOD’S FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness is not only something we give to others. Recovery also requires us to learn how to receive the forgiveness God has already given us.

Many of us carry guilt or shame from our past. We may believe God can forgive someone else while continuing to punish ourselves for what we have done.

But God’s grace is greater than our past.

Recovery requires both grace and accountability.

Without grace, accountability can become shame.

Without accountability, grace can become an excuse.

God gives us both grace and truth.

We can admit where we were wrong, take responsibility, make amends when possible, learn from our mistakes, and still accept the forgiveness Christ offers us.

Our past does not have more power than the cross.

RECOVERY IS A PROCESS

One of the most important reminders from this month is that we do not graduate from recovery.

Whether someone has been in recovery for a few days or many years, there will always be areas where God continues to work.

We continue surrendering anger, resentment, fear, pride, control, shame, and our need to be understood.

We continue making healthy choices one day at a time.

Forgiveness does not change what happened in the past, but it can change the power the past has over us.

Forgiveness is not weakness.

Forgiveness is not pretending.

Forgiveness is not permission for abuse.

Forgiveness is surrender.

Forgiveness is freedom.

God is still working, and recovery reminds us to remain willing to take the next step with Him.

LIFT US UP IN PRAYER

As we move into another month, please continue lifting Celebrate Recovery at Mercer Creek Church up in prayer.

Pray for everyone already walking through recovery with us. Ask God to give each person courage to face the places where anger, resentment, guilt, shame, fear, or unforgiveness may still be holding them back.

Pray for those working through amends. May God give them humility, wisdom, courage, and discernment as they take responsibility for their part while also maintaining healthy and safe boundaries.

Please pray for our leaders, volunteers, testimony speakers, worship team, and everyone who helps create a welcoming and safe place where people can be honest about their hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

Most importantly, pray for the people who have not walked through our doors yet.

Pray for the person who is tired of fighting alone.

Pray for the person who feels trapped in addiction, anger, fear, grief, shame, trauma, codependency, or another hurt, habit, or hang-up.

Pray for the person who believes they are too far gone or that freedom is no longer possible for them.

We believe God has more people He wants to reach.

May He open doors, remove barriers, and give people the courage to seek help. May He continue to use Celebrate Recovery as a place where people encounter His grace, truth, healing, and freedom.

We believe God is still changing lives, and we pray that He will continue bringing people into freedom in Him and through Him.

One day at a time. One step at a time. Together in Christ.

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Matthew Penman

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August 28, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Celebrate Recovery August Newsletter
VOLUME 12 | AUGUST 2026 THIS MONTH’S FOCUS August has focused on forgiveness, making amends, and learning to walk in freedom. As we worked through Principle 6 and Steps 8 and 9, we were reminded that recovery includes looking honestly at our relationships. That means becoming willing to forgive those who have hurt us while also taking responsibility for the harm we have caused others. Principle 6 Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for the harm I have done, except when doing so would harm them or others. “Happy are the merciful.” Matthew 5:7 “Happy are the peacemakers.” Matthew 5:9 Forgiveness is not pretending that the hurt did not happen. It does not remove consequences, erase accountability, or require us to return to an unhealthy or unsafe relationship. Forgiveness is surrender. It is releasing the person, the pain, and the outcome into God’s hands instead of allowing resentment and anger to continue controlling us. Sometimes forgiveness happens quickly. Other times, we may need to surrender the same hurt to God again and again. Romans 12:18 reminds us: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We are responsible for our part. We cannot control how another person responds. FORGIVENESS AND AMENDS This month we also looked at the difference between forgiving others and making amends for our own actions. Step 8 We made a list of everyone we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 Step 9 We made direct amends whenever possible, except when doing so would harm them or others. Making amends requires honesty and humility. It means being able to say: “I was wrong.” “I hurt you.” “I take responsibility.” “What can I do to make this right?” We do not make amends to force someone to forgive us, trust us, or rebuild a relationship with us. Our responsibility is to own our part, repair what we can, and surrender the outcome to God. Forgiveness releases what we believe someone else owes us. Amends takes responsibility for what we owe others. Both can be difficult, but both can lead us toward greater freedom. RECEIVING GOD’S FORGIVENESS Forgiveness is not only something we give to others. Recovery also requires us to learn how to receive the forgiveness God has already given us. Many of us carry guilt or shame from our past. We may believe God can forgive someone else while continuing to punish ourselves for what we have done. But God’s grace is greater than our past. Recovery requires both grace and accountability. Without grace, accountability can become shame. Without accountability, grace can become an excuse. God gives us both grace and truth. We can admit where we were wrong, take responsibility, make amends when possible, learn from our mistakes, and still accept the forgiveness Christ offers us. Our past does not have more power than the cross. RECOVERY IS A PROCESS One of the most important reminders from this month is that we do not graduate from recovery. Whether someone has been in recovery for a few days or many years, there will always be areas where God continues to work. We continue surrendering anger, resentment, fear, pride, control, shame, and our need to be understood. We continue making healthy choices one day at a time. Forgiveness does not change what happened in the past, but it can change the power the past has over us. Forgiveness is not weakness. Forgiveness is not pretending. Forgiveness is not permission for abuse. Forgiveness is surrender. Forgiveness is freedom. God is still working, and recovery reminds us to remain willing to take the next step with Him. LIFT US UP IN PRAYER As we move into another month, please continue lifting Celebrate Recovery at Mercer Creek Church up in prayer. Pray for everyone already walking through recovery with us. Ask God to give each person courage to face the places where anger, resentment, guilt, shame, fear, or unforgiveness may still be holding them back. Pray for those working through amends. May God give them humility, wisdom, courage, and discernment as they take responsibility for their part while also maintaining healthy and safe boundaries. Please pray for our leaders, volunteers, testimony speakers, worship team, and everyone who helps create a welcoming and safe place where people can be honest about their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Most importantly, pray for the people who have not walked through our doors yet. Pray for the person who is tired of fighting alone. Pray for the person who feels trapped in addiction, anger, fear, grief, shame, trauma, codependency, or another hurt, habit, or hang-up. Pray for the person who believes they are too far gone or that freedom is no longer possible for them. We believe God has more people He wants to reach. May He open doors, remove barriers, and give people the courage to seek help. May He continue to use Celebrate Recovery as a place where people encounter His grace, truth, healing, and freedom. We believe God is still changing lives, and we pray that He will continue bringing people into freedom in Him and through Him. One day at a time. One step at a time. Together in Christ.

Matthew Penman

Celebrate Recovery Coordinator