Dear Coastal,

Wow – what a great kick-off to our “UNSHAKABLE” series last Sunday!  Our attendance was 547 and we had 28 1st & 2nd time Guest Connect Cards filled out!  It was so exciting to meet so many of your friends who came to church this past Sunday.  If the people you invited to church didn’t come, don’t get discouraged and don’t give up!  Keep praying!  Keep loving!  Keep serving!  And keep inviting!  Remember Coastal, we work like it all depends on us, pray like it all depends on God, walk by faith, and then trust God with the results!

There are a couple of new opportunities for serving here at Coastal you might have noticed.  One is our new Prayer/Decision Team.  These are the people who pray with people during our response time immediately after my sermon and during communion.  If you have a heart for people, if you love helping people take next steps, if you feel comfortable praying with people, this might be the place of service for you.  You can respond to this email or contact Billy Burnette (billy.burnett@GRSI.com) or Perry Moyer (perry.moyer@comcast.net).  They would love to talk with you about this Ministry.

Another opportunity for service is our Monday Morning Follow Up Team.  These are the people who come to the church on Monday morning, 9am-11am, and help us follow up with all of our 1st & 2nd Time Guests.  They write notes, desconstruct the bulletins, prep crafts for Coastal Kidz.  Basically they do anything they can to help us follow up with and reach out to people.  And yes, we provide Childcare (which we also always need help with)!  If this is something you might be interested in helping with, please contact Ashley Hojnacki, one of our office administrators (ashley@coastalcommunitychurch.org).  She helps run this awesome Team!

I really can’t say enough about all the awesome volunteers at Coastal!  We are a church FULL of humble, wiling servants – serving God by serving others.  Together we are literally changing the world, one life at a time.  If you are searching for meaning and fulfillment, it is found when you give your life away through serving.  And there is a place for you to volunteer and serve on a LIFE Team at Coastal.  If you haven’t found that place yet, let us help you.  If at some time you feel you did reach out to us and we dropped the ball and no one followed up with you, I apologize.  We’re not perfect.  We make mistakes.  Don’t give up on us and don’t give up on serving here at Coastal.  Again, there is a place of service for you here at Coastal.  I say all of that not because we’re desperate for warm bodies or our Ministries are struggling to survive.  I say that because YOU need it!  I say that because that’s where the joy comes from, that where freedom and fulfillment is found – through serving.  Whether it’s Student Ministry, Coastal Kidz, Security, Cafe, Prayer, Office Volunteers, LIFE Groups, Worship, Tech Booth, or 1st Impressions, there is a LIFE Team for you!  Simply respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card and we will do our best to get you Connected!

Friday’s 5:

1. We had so much fun last year, we’re doing it again – our 2nd Annual Tailgate Party & Competition – next Sunday, October 2nd – 9am-1pm (before, during, and after church)!  If you are interested in participating, representing your team, sharing your favorite grub, possibly winning some cool prizes, and having a whole lot of fun, simply respond to this email and let us know.  Sign up to participate on your Connect Card.
2. On Friday night, October 7th, our WAVES Student Ministry is having a Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction.  This will be their one big fundraiser for the Fall.  Students are selling tickets for $5.  All proceeds go directly to pay for the Winter Retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN, January 13th-16th.  Let Ryan Spell know if you are willing to help with the dinner (provide spaghetti noodles, sauce, bread, salad).  If you:  own a business, work for a generous company, have any connections, have some cool (and valuable) stuff you are willing to part with, or can donate any goods and services, please contact Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org or sign up on your Connect Card and he will contact you.
3. Interested in going public with your faith through Baptism?  Never been Baptized by immersion?  Our next Baptism Service is Sunday, October 16th.  Sign up on your Connect Card, respond to this email, or sign up today online.
4. Mark your calendar now and make sure you don’t miss Children’s Day, Sunday, October 30th at Coastal.  4 year olds and up will be in the service, our kids will be singing a couple of songs, there will be a Baby Dedication (sign up on your Connect Card), Games, Food, a Petting Zoo, and even a World Champion Juggler!  You, your kids, and their friends won’t want to miss it!
5. It’s that time of year again – time to start collecting items for Operation Christmas Child!  Begin bringing toys, games, supplies, etc. that can fit in a shoebox to church.  There is a collection box in the Welcome Center.  Also, start gathering your shoeboxes.   Our Packing Party will be at the church on Friday, November 11th, 6:30pm.

Standing Strong With You!

Pastor Chris

P.S. Chair set up – tomorrow morning, Saturday at 9am!

Dear Coastal,

So who are you inviting & bringing to church this Sunday, September 18th for the kick-off of “UNSHAKABLE”?  Who are you giving the “Unshakable” book to?  Make a commitment to attend the entire series and bring someone with you (and keep inviting during the entire series).  Pray for everyone that will be invited, for our mailing that went out to all of West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island, and for all of our guests.  Let’s invite people like it all depends on us, pray like it all depends on God, walk by faith, and then trust God with the results!

Wow!  I can not say enough good things about this first week of LIFE Groups!  From all reports this has been one of the biggest and best kick-off weeks we’ve ever had in LIFE Groups!  And it’s still not too late to join a Group.  You can sign up on your Connect Card during one of our services, at the LIFE Group Tables at the back of the auditorium, or at any time directly from our website.

Friday’s 5:

1. Interested in formalizing your commitment to Coastal as your church family?  Climbing up the Leadership Ladder here at Coastal and need to become a Member?  Sign up for our next Membership Class, Saturday, September 17th, 9am-12noon (tomorrow).  If you haven’t already done so, sign up online now, and let us know you’re coming.
2. We had so much fun last year, we’re doing it again – our 2nd Annual Tailgate Party & Competition – Sunday, October 2nd – 9am-1pm (before, during, and after church)!  If you are interested in participating, representing your team, sharing your favorite grub, possibly winning some cool prizes, and having a whole lot of fun, simply respond to this email and let us know.  Sign up to participate on your Connect Card.
3. On Friday night, October 7th, our WAVES Student Ministry is having a Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction.  This will be their one big fundraiser for the Fall.  Students are selling tickets for $5.  All proceeds go directly to pay for the Winter Retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN, January 13th-16th.  Let Ryan Spell know if you are willing to help with the dinner (provide spaghetti noodles, sauce, bread, salad).  If you:  own a business, work for a generous company, have any connections, have some cool (and valuable) stuff you are willing to part with, or can donate any goods and services, please contact Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org or sign up on your Connect Card and he will contact you.
4. Interested in going public with your faith through Baptism?  Never been Baptized by immersion?  Our next Baptism Service is Sunday, October 16th.  Sign up on your Connect Card, respond to this email, or sign up today online.
5. Mark your calendar now and make sure you don’t miss Children’s Day, Sunday, October 30th at Coastal.  4 year olds and up will be in the service, our kids will be singing a couple of songs, there will be a Baby Dedication (sign up on your Connect Card), Games, Food, a Petting Zoo, and even a World Champion Christian Juggler!  You, your kids, and their friends won’t want to miss it!

Standing Strong With You!

Pastor Chris

P.S. Chair set up is back on the normal schedule – tomorrow morning, Saturday at 9am!

Dear Friend,

I just wanted to personally invite you to a brand new sermon series that kicks off this Sunday, September 18th, at Coastal Community Church.  The series is called, “UNSHAKABLE – Standing Strong In the Storms of Life.”

The idea for the series is simple.  Here in Charleston, we’re all very familiar with storms.  My guess is that you’ve probably faced more than a few personal storms of your own.  So each week we’re going to take a look at some of the common storms that we all face and discover how to stand strong – how to be UNSHAKABLE.  Like I said, it’s going to be awesome, don’t miss this Sunday or this series!

It’s also a great time to come back to church!  Not only are we kicking off a brand new series, but the Summer is over, kids are back in school, Labor Day has come and gone, and Football has started.  It’s just a great time to get back in the routine of doing something positive for your spirutal life.  That’s especially true if you have children!  In both of our services we have a great program for children from Birth to 5th Grade.

I would also encourage you to invite and bring a friend with you.  We expect guests at Coastal!  Come early and enjoy some free food & coffee from our Cafe!  There will also be some fun give-aways at the end of each service!

We have 2 services to make it convenient for you:  9:30AM & 11:15AM.  Have a great week!  Hope to see you and your friends this Sunday, September 18th!

Standing Strong Together!
Pastor Chris

Dear Coastal,

For the last several weeks, we’ve been talking about our “Big Day” this Sunday, September 18th – the kick-off of “UNSHAKABLE.”  I want to explain what a “Big Day” is and share with you what you can do to help make it a success.

Obviously, every Sunday is big here at Coastal in the sense that every Sunday is important, every Sunday we share the Gospel, and each week we encourage you to invite and bring your friends.  But a “Big Day” is a strategic day on our church calendar where we tell everyone to pull out all the stops, do whatever it takes, and make that extra push to get your friends to church!  Usually on a “Big Day” we try to break the next attendance barrier and gain momentum for continued growth – basically kick Satan in the teeth!

There are several obvious “Big Days” on the calendar – Christmas Eve & Easter come to mind.  We usually put a “Big Day” somewhere in early February.  The holidays are over and it’s a great push for the New Year.  Mother’s Day is always a huge day for us.  Lately kicking off the Summer with “At the Movies” has been huge too.  The Fall “Big Day” works because Summer is finally over, kids are back in school, Labor Day has come and gone, and the football season has started.  What does all that have to do with getting people in church?  One word – routine.  People are back into a routine and they aren’t traveling as much.

So, this Sunday, we are kicking off a brand new series called, “UNSHAKABLE.”  It’s all about standing strong in the storms of life.  Each week, just like the “Unshakable” book, we’re going to look at a different “storm” that people face.  We really believe that this is going to be a powerful series!  To go along with the “storm” theme, we’re going to give away several “storm preparedness buckets” (flashlights, batteries, gloves, etc.) from Home Depot.  Plus we’re going to give away 1 small gas generator is each service!

So what can you do to help make this Sunday a success?

1. Pray!  Pray for the people you are inviting.  Pray for all the people our church will be inviting.  Pray for people to come to know Jesus.  Pray for me & my messages.  Pray for our staff.  Pray for our volunteers.  Beg God to draw people to Himself through our church.
2. Invite!  Make a personal goal to invite and bring so many people.  Use our “Unshakable” book and the large postcard as invite tools.  Use our little “You’re Invited” business cards.  Send emails.  Send personal messages on facebook and other social media.
   
3. Welcome!  Go out of you way to speak to & welcome all of our guests (or anyone you don’t know).  Help us treat everyone as our welcome, expected guests in our home.  Remember, guests are GIFTS from God!  Help us treat everyone that way!
   
4. Consider serving!  A new series & new people means we need more and more volunteers.  If you’re not already serving somewhere, it’s time to start!  We need you!  Our 1st Impressions Team is a great place to get started.  Give Chris Ranew our 1st Impressions LIFE Team Leader a call or send him an email – 706-941-2044, chrisranew@gmail.com.  Our Children’s Ministry could definitely use more volunteers in Nursery or in any of their classes.  Call Janet, our Children’s Ministry Leader or send her an email – 843-442-8299, janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  Honestly, all of our Ministries need more volunteers!  Give Julie a call at the office or respond to this email and we’ll get you connected – 843-571-1777.
   
5. 3 More Things to Consider on the day of the “Big Day” itself – parking, service time, and seating.  Parking:  the further away you park, the better.  Please park at Oakland and save the closer parking for guests.  Service times:  the key is come to the service that your guests are coming to.  BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT, if it does not matter, PLEASE come to the 11:15am service!  The 9:30am service is by far the largest service.  Seating:  no matter which service you come to, PLEASE sit to the front and center of each section.  This makes more room for people as they come in.  And everyone PLEASE FILL OUT A CONNECT CARD!
   

Whew!  I think that’s about it!  Sunday is going to be AWESOME!  Most importantly, people are going to come to Jesus!  Like I’ve said Coastal, let’s work, invite, and share like it all depends on us.  But then let’s pray and ask God like it all depended on Him.  And then let’s walk by faith and trust God with the results!

Standing Strong With You!

Pastor Chris

Dear Coastal,

Woohoo!  LIFE Groups start NEXT week!  I can’t wait!  It’s still not too late to sign up for the Fall Semester.  We have 3 different ways to sign up, but you only have to sign up one time, one way.  You can sign up on your Connect Card during one of our services, at the LIFE Group Tables at the back of the auditorium, or at any time directly from our website.

Well, thankfully from all reports, it looks like all Charleston got from Hurricane Hermine was a lot of rain and some wind.  However, we are right smack in the middle of Hurricane Season.  Our new series, “Unshakable – Standing Strong in the Storms of Life,” could not come at a better time.  The truth is, storms ARE a fact of life.  You are either heading into a storm, right in the middle of one, or coming out of one.  You can’t stop them from coming, but you can learn how to stand strong – how to be UNSHAKABLE.

So who are you inviting & bringing to church on Sunday, September 18th?  Who are you giving the “Unshakable” book to?  Start praying now for your friends and everyone you will be inviting.  Pick up some more “Unshakable” books on Sunday and our large “Unshakable” postcards and use them as an invite tool.  Pray for everyone that will be invited, for our mailing that will go out to all of West Ashley, James Island, and Johns Island, and for all of our guests.  Let’s invite people like it all depends on us, pray like it all depends on God, walk by faith, and trust God with the results!

Friday’s 5:

1. New to Coastal and interested in taking next steps?  Like to meet other new people, our Staff, and learn a little bit more about our church?  Come to our next Newcomer’s Lunch, immediately following our 11:15am service this Sunday, September 11th (approx. 12:30pm).  If you haven’t already signed up, let us know you’re coming by signing up online now.
2. Interested in formalizing your commitment to Coastal as your church family?  Climbing up the Leadership Ladder here at Coastal and need to become a Member?  Sign up for our next Membership Class, Saturday, September 17th, 9am-12noon.  Refreshments & Childcare provided.  You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or you can sign up online now.
3. We’re having a BIG DAY on Sunday, September 18th as we kick off our new Fall Sermon Series, “UNSHAKABLE – Standing Strong in the Storms of Life.”  It’s based on the book that I wrote the forward to, that we give away.  I really believe it’s going to be a great series and more importantly an easy way to invite and bring friends!  In fact, use the book as an invite tool to bring your friends!
4. We had so much fun last year, we’re doing it again – our 2nd Annual Tailgate Party & Competition – Sunday, October 2nd – 9am-1pm (before, during, and after church)!  If you are interested in participating, representing your team, sharing your favorite grub, possibly winning some cool prizes, and having a whole lot of fun, simply respond to this email and let us know.  You can sign up to participate on your Connect Card beginning next Sunday.
5. On Friday night, October 7th, our WAVES Student Ministry is having a Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction.  This will be their one big fundraiser for the Fall.  Students will be selling tickets starting next week for $5.  All proceeds go directly to pay for the Winter Retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN, January 13th-16th.  Let Ryan Spell know if you are willing to help with the dinner (provide spaghetti noodles, sauce, bread, salad).  If you:  own a business, work for a generous company, have any connections, have some cool (and valuable) stuff you are willing to part with, or can donate any goods and services, please contact Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org or sign up on your Connect Card and he will contact you.

ALL IN!

Pastor Chris

P.S. Due to some work being done in the new building, we had to change our chair set-up time this week from Saturday (tomorrow)at 9am until tomorrow night at 7pm.  Please join us if you are available.  It only takes 30 minutes or less with 6 or more people.

Dear Coastal,

I hope you’re staying dry today!  Let’s pray for safety and protection for our community and all of our neighbors in the Southeast.  Our new Fall Series that begins Sunday, September 18th, “Unshakable – Standing Strong in the Storms of Life,” couldn’t be any more timely.  Start praying now for your friends and everyone you will be inviting.  Pick up an “Unshakable” book on Sunday and use it as an invite tool.  Pray for everyone that will be invited, for our mailing that will go out, and all of our guests.  Let’s invite people like it all depends on us, pray like it all depends on God, walk by faith, and trust God with the results!

Don’t forget, there will only be 1 Worship Service this Sunday – 9:30am – for Labor Day Weekend.  There will be no 11:15am service.  If you’re in town, make every effort to be in church.

Wow – was LIFE Group Sunday amazing or what?  I told you it would be!  It’s always one of my favorite Sundays of the year!  All of our LIFE Group Leaders did an awesome job!  But do you know what was the greatest thing to come out of LIFE Group Sunday?  Right now 368 adults have signed up for LIFE Groups!  That represents our LARGEST Semester EVER!!  WOW!  Don’t forget the new semester of LIFE Groups start the week of September 11th.

Last week I mentioned our Growing Nursery and Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry.  WE NEED YOU!  If you are willing, able, and interested in volunteering, simply respond to this email and we will put you in touch with Janet – our Children’s Director.  Or you can email her directly at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  Don’t forget, “One person, in one service, once a month makes a HUGE IMPACT!”  There is no such thing as the “Black Hole of Nursery” at Coastal – in other words you won’t get stuck in there if it’s not a fit and you won’t miss worship.

Well, I want to let you know about something exciting that we’re going to be doing this Fall to emphasize our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry – we’re having a Children’s Day on Sunday, October 30th!  Outside there will be games, food, and a petting zoo!  All kids, 4 year olds and up will be in both services where there will be a Champion Christian Juggler performing!  Trust me – I’ve seen him – it’s going to be AWESOME!  Mark your calendars now – don’t miss it!  Invite and bring your friends!

Friday’s 5:

1. New to Coastal and interested in taking next steps?  Like to meet other new people, our Staff, and learn a little bit more about our church?  Sign up and come to our next Newcomer’s Lunch, immediately following our 11:15am service on Sunday, September 11th (approx. 12:30pm).  You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or you can sign up online now.
2. Interested in formalizing your commitment to Coastal as your church family?  Climbing up the Leadership Ladder here at Coastal and need to become a Member?  Sign up for our next Membership Class, Saturday, September 17th, 9am-12noon.  Refreshments & Childcare provided.  You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or you can sign up online now.
3. We’re having a BIG DAY on Sunday, September 18th as we kick off our new Fall Sermon Series, “UNSHAKABLE – Standing Strong in the Storms of Life.”  It’s based on the book that I wrote the forward to, that we give away.  I really believe it’s going to be a great series and more importantly an easy way to invite and bring friends!  In fact, use the book as an invite tool to bring your friends!
4. We had so much fun last year, we’re doing it again – our 2nd Annual Tailgate Party & Competition – Sunday, October 2nd – 9am-1pm (before, during, and after church)!  If you are interested in participating, representing your team, sharing your favorite grub, possibly winning some cool prizes, and having a whole lot of fun, simply respond to this email and let us know.  You can sign up to participate on your Connect Card beginning next Sunday.
5. On Friday night, October 7th, our WAVES Student Ministry is having a Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction.  This will be their one big fundraiser for the Fall.  Students will be selling tickets starting next week for $5.  All proceeds go directly to pay for the Winter Retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN, January 13th-16th.  Let Ryan Spell know if you are willing to help with the dinner (provide spaghetti noodles, sauce, bread, salad).  If you:  own a business, work for a generous company, have any connections, have some cool (and valuable) stuff you are willing to part with, or can donate any goods and services, please contact Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org or sign up on your Connect Card and he will contact you.

ALL IN (Go Tigers)!

Pastor Chris

P.S. Don’t forget – only ONE service on Labor Day Weekend, this Sunday, at 9:30am.