Pastor J. Howard Mettee was called to be the mission developer for Celebration. He had been serving as Associate Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, in Warren, Michigan.

December 1, 1980 - Pastor Mettee arrives in Mt Juliet and begins to gather people interested in starting a Lutheran congregation.

February 1, 1981  -The first worship service was held and was attended by ten people (five of which were the Mettee family) and was held in the Mettee home.

By March 1, 1981, the fledgling group rented space in the storefront location that used to be a shoe store. There were affectionately dubbed “The Shoe Store Ministry.” Over the next eight months, many families joined the new group of Lutherans.

November 22, 1981 - The congregation is officially organized with forty baptized members. The congregation was named Celebration after the radio show hosted by Pastor Mettee while he was in Michigan. It was the second congregation to be named Celebration Lutheran Church in the entire United States.

June 1, 1986 - Celebration completed the first building program an moved out of the “shoe store” onto the current site on Mt Juliet Rd.

September 1990 - The second building program that added a fellowship hall/day school area to the existing sanctuary, education, and office space was completed.

September 30, 1992 - Pastor Mettee accepted a call to Greenville, Tennessee.

October 11, 1992  - Pastor Joyce Arnold began her tenure as part-time Interim Pastor. She served until the arrival of Pastor Doug Hill

July 1, 1994. - Pastor Doug Hill arrives. Celebration was a first call for Pastor Hill who had just graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH.

2004 - Pastor Doug Hill accepts call and leaves Celebration

2005 - Pastor Larry May is called

2007 - Pastor Larry May Resigns

2007 - Pastor Howard Mettee takes over as interim Pastor.

August 1, 2007 - Pastor Kevin Martin is called and arrives in Mount Juliet with his family.