Monthly Archives

January 2017

Friday’s Five – 1-17-17

Dear Coastal,

Well, I hope you’re as excited as I am for LIFE Group Sunday this week at Coastal!  That’s right!  It’s time to get everyone signed up for the Winter/Spring Semester of LIFE Groups!  LIFE Group Sunday is similar to a Job/College Fair, but for LIFE GROUPS! You’ll come to our Worship Service & check in your kids, just like normal, but our Worship Service will be a little shorter and then we’ll dismiss our adults (not the children) to go out to the giant tent to check out all the different groups (we’ll let you know when to go pick up your kids at the normal time).

Not only will you get to check out all the different Groups, but you will get to meet the Group Leaders, enjoy some great snacks, and have a BLAST!  You also get to vote: Best Overall Booth, Best Snack, Best “Sales Pitch”, Most Creative, Most Informative (the only time we allow judging at Coastal). And most importantly – you can sign up for a LIFE Group! Don’t miss it!  And as always – invite & bring a friend!  My sermon is entitled, “I Will Get Connected!”

In fact, you can go ahead and check out all our different Groups online and sign up today!  There are basically 3 different ways to sign up for a Group each semester, but you only have to sign up one time, one way.  You can sign up online, on your Connect Card, or at the Groups Sign-Up Tables (on Sunday these will be underneath the tent).

I wanted to let you know where I’m going with my next sermon series after “I Will.”  On February 19th (President’s Weekend) I’m kicking off a series entitlted, “UNITED We Stand.”  It’s going to be a short series on a very important issue today – unity!  With the current climate of our culture, regardless of your political persuasion, I feel like this is going to be a needed series.  I’ll be talking about unity, what it is, what it’s not, and how you walk it out in daily life – especially in your home (husband/wife/parents), in the church, and in our community.  Is it possible to agree to disagree with someone respectfully and still have unity?  What does it mean to speak the truth in love?  How important is it to have unity in your home with your spouse?  How important is it to be on the same page as your raise your children?  And can you have unity without uniformity in the local church?  How do you really live out the statement, “In the essentials we have unity;  in the non-essentials we have liberty;  in all things we show charity”?  As I hope you can see, this is going to be a powerful series and a great series to invite your friends!  Keep praying for your ONE!

Friday’s 5:

  1. We’re having a Baptism Service on Superbowl Sunday, February 5th in both services!  If you’ve given your life to Jesus, this is your next step – going public with your faith through Baptism!  Or, maybe you’ve never been Baptized by immersion in the example of Jesus.  If you’d like to participate and be Baptized, respond to this email, sign up online, or let us know on your Connect Card on Sunday!
  2. Our wonderful Cafe needs volunteers!  Each week at Coastal we give away A LOT of coffee and food!  That means each week our wonderful volunteers set up, set out, make, put away, and clean up!  If you love people, love serving, and have a little bit of hospitality in your heart, consider serving in our Cafe!  You can respond to this email, sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday, or email Matt Beam directly at mattbeam13@yahoo.com!
  3. LIFE Group Training for ALL Leaders, Assistants & Hosts is this Saturday, January 28th, 10am-12noon.  LIFE Group Sunday (where you can sign up for a Group and we set up a Big Tent with LIFE Group Booths) is this Sunday, January 29th  and the new LIFE Group Semester will start the week of February 12th.  It’s going to be a great LIFE Group Semester!
  4. Looking for a place to serve at Coastal?  Don’t want to miss a service?  Enjoy technology and fast on your feet (fingers)?  We’re looking for volunteers in our Tech Booth – specifically with computer (slide presentation), lights, and video.  If you’re slightly tech savvy and have the desire, we’d love to train you!  Respond to this email, contact Christopher (chrisrollinsjr@gmail.com), or let us know on your Connect Card.
  5. Our Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) semester is back in full swing!  There is a House Party tonight!  They’re meeting at the church at 6pm and leaving for a Stingrays Hockey Game (game at 7pm)!  Transportation and Ticket provided.  Bring money for food and/or souvenirs.

I Will!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Unless you hear otherwise, Chair set-up is always on Saturdays at 9am!  Love for you to join us!  With 6 or more people it only takes 30 minutes or less!  Great exercise, great service, and great fun!

Uncategorized

Friday’s Five – 1-20-17

Dear Coastal,

We kicked off a new series this past Sunday at Coastal called, “I Will” – not “I Could”, “I Might”, or “I Should”, but “I Will!”  It’s all about taking action and making commitments in this new year that will lead toward our growth.  Last week was, “I Will Reach My Friends for Christ.”  This week is, “I Will Get Healthy.”  Yes, we’re going to be talking about our physical health.

It’s been exactly 1 year since I’ve been on this health journey and although I’ve still got a long way to go, one thing I’ve learned is that the Bible definitely has a lot to say about our physical health. Join us this Sunday and make the commitment – “I Will Get Healthy in 2017!” No matter where you’re at, everyone has next steps to take. It’s all about small changes for life. We greatly overestimate what we can do in a week, but we underestimate what we can accomplish in a year.

Oh, and for a little extra fun, we’re giving away some fun health related stuff at the end of both of our services: a $50 gift card to Whole Foods, a brand new Fitbit Charge 2, and a FREE 6 month membership to Chucktown Fitness (my gym – the best gym in Charleston – and home away from home this past year!) that includes a Fitness Evaluation/Consultation, 1 Infinity Massage Session & 3 Ultimate Workout Classes!

Beginning this Sunday, you’ll see our “ONE” sign mounted in the auditorium as you enter and exit.  We will be officially lighting the bulbs starting this week for the number of people who have given their lives to Christ so far this year through the ministry of our church!  Keep praying!  Keep serving!  Keep loving!  Keep inviting!  And don’t forget – each one of us, praying once a day, for 1 minute, at 1pm, for 1 person – the Power of ONE!

Friday’s 5:

  1. Our wonderful Cafe needs volunteers!  Each week at Coastal we give away A LOT of coffee and food!  That means each week our wonderful volunteers set up, set out, make, put away, and clean up!  If you love people, love serving, and have a little bit of hospitality in your heart, consider serving in our Cafe!  You can respond to this email, sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday, or email Matt Beam directly at mattbeam13@yahoo.com!
  2. LIFE Group Training for ALL Leaders, Assistants & Hosts is next Saturday, January 28th, 10am-12noon.  LIFE Group Sunday (where you can sign up for a Group and we set up a Big Tent with LIFE Group Booths) is January 29th  and the new LIFE Group Semester will start the week of February 12th.  It’s going to be a great LIFE Group Semester!
  3. New to Coastal?  Want to learn more about the church and find out how to get connected?  Join us for  the next Newcomer’s Reception, THIS Sunday, January 22nd, immediately following the 11:15am service in the Welcome Center.  Meet other new people and our staff, enjoy some great desserts and coffee, win some prizes and discover possible next steps.  Sign up online or on your Connect Card on Sunday.
  4. Interested in offically making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is THIS Monday, January 23rd, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided.  Sign up online or on your Connect Card on Sunday.
  5. Looking for a place to serve at Coastal?  Don’t want to miss a service?  Enjoy technology and fast on your feet (fingers)?  We’re looking for volunteers in our Tech Booth – specifically with computer (slide presentation), lights, and video.  If you’re slightly tech savvy and have the desire, we’d love to train you!  Respond to this email, contact Christopher (chrisrollinsjr@gmail.com), or let us know on your Connect Card.

I Will!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Unless you hear otherwise, Chair set-up is always on Saturdays at 9am!  Love for you to join us!  With 6 or more people it only takes 30 minutes or less!  Great exercise, great service, and great fun!

Uncategorized

Friday’s Five – 1-13-17

Dear Coastal,

Okay, bear with me and let me get this out of the way first – how ’bout them TIGERS!  Woohoo!  National Champions – finally!  I’ll be picking up and framing a copy of this week’s Sports Illustrated with Clemson on the cover.  It will join my framed copy of the 1981 Sports Illustrated in my office.  Hopefully, I won’t have to wait another 35 years to add to the collection.

I stayed up way too late Monday night after the game.  I was so amped up, I couldn’t sleep.  I wanted to watch all the celebrations, all the interviews.  I’m glad I did.  I loved a quote from Coach Dabo Swinney.  He said, “And I told the team, I said, ‘You know you guys, we’ve got a great opportunity to hopefully give a lot of people some hope out there, that greatness is for all of us. It’s not just for the Alabamas, the Ohio States, the Notre Dames, it’s for all of us. Nobody is better than us. You’ve got to believe man, you’ve got to believe.’”  Man I like that.  That’ll preach!  Greatness is for all of us.  You’ve got to believe.

If you were at church this past Sunday then you know that I introduced a year long goal at our church called “The Power of ONE” Campaign.  I preached a message from Luke 15, a passage that we’ve looked at many times here at Coastal.  Jesus tells 3 stories back to back to back to explain His mission and to give a look at the heart of God.  It’s the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son or the Prodigal Son.  In each of these stories something of great value is missing.  At Coastal, we believe that people are either dead in their sin or alive in Christ.  Our goal this year is to see 52 people cross the line of faith and give their lives to Jesus.  52 people who once were lost, become found.  52 people who once were dead in their sin, come alive by the resurrection power of Jesus through the ministry of our church!  In other words, over the course of the year, we want to average at least one person each week getting saved.

And to serve as a visual reminder of our goal and our purpose this year, we had this sign built that spells the word ONE!  In the individual letters of the sign are 52 light bulbs.  Each light bulb represents one person.  We’re going to mount it in our building for everyone to see, and each time someone gives their life to Christ this year, we’re going turn on a light.  After all 52 lights are lit, we’re going to have a huge party – just like in Luke 15!

This Sunday, I begin a new series called “I Will” – not “I Could” or “I Might” or “I Should,” but “I Will!”  The idea for the series comes from the little book by the same title by author Thom Ranier.  The tagline of the book is “Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian.”  Each week we’re going to look at a commitment worth making in 2017.  This Sunday starts with, “I Will Reach My Friends For Christ.”  In some ways it’s a continuation of last weeks message.  In fact, we’ll be leaving out our ONE sign completely lit one more week before we mount it.  But here’s the GREAT NEWS – we already have ONE light to turn on as soon as we mount it!!!!  Last week we had one woman give her life to Christ and she’s already signed up to get baptized at our next baptism!  How AWESOME is that!

Make sure you keep all of our Students in your prayers this weekend!  59 (Students & Volunteers) of them just left for the Strength to Stand Youth Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN.  They will return on Monday night!  Pray for their safety, that they have fun, that they grow together as a group, and most importantly that they grow closer to God.  Let’s pray that at least ONE more light gets turned on because one of our Students gives their life to Christ!

Friday’s 5:

  1. Speaking of out ONE Campaign – join our church, praying once a day, for 1 minute, at 1pm, for 1 person – the Power of ONE!
  2. We finalize our LIFE Group catalog this coming week!  All Group details must be turned in to Julie by Tuesday, January 17th.  LIFE Group Training is Saturday, January 28th.  LIFE Group Sunday is January 29th and the new LIFE Group Semester will start the week of February 12th.
  3. New to Coastal?  Want to learn more about the church and find out how to get connected?  Join us for  the next Newcomer’s Reception, Sunday, January 22nd, 2017 immediately following the 11:15am service in the Welcome Center.  Meet other new people and our staff, enjoy some great desserts and coffee, win some prizes and discover possible next steps.  Sign up online or on your Connect Card on Sunday.
  4. Interested in offically making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is Monday, January 23rd, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided.  Sign up online or on your Connect Card on Sunday.
  5. Looking for a place to serve at Coastal?  Don’t want to miss a service?  Enjoy technology and fast on your feet (fingers)?  We’re looking for volunteers in our Tech Booth – specifically with computer (slide presentation), lights, and video.  If you’re slightly tech savvy and have the desire, we’d love to train you!  Respond to this email, contact Christopher (chrisrollinsjr@gmail.com), or let us know on your Connect Card.

Go Tigers!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Chair set-up this Saturday at 9am!  Love for you to join us!  With 6 or more people it only takes 30 minutes or less!  Great exercise, great service, and great fun!

Uncategorized

Friday’s Five – 1-6-16

Dear Coastal,

I’m so pumped about this Sunday!  I’m sharing (literally revealing – you’ll see) an exciting year long goal for our church for 2017!  Christmas & New Year’s has come and gone, kids are all back in school, everyone is back in town – so, make every effort to start the new year off right and be in church this Sunday.  You won’t want to miss it!  And don’t let the cold weather keep you away.  I promise the coffee will be hot and the buildings will be toasty warm!

I don’t know if you’ve heard the news or not, but Clemson plays Alabama for the second year in a row for the National Championship this Monday night!  Woohoo!  I am a life long Clemson fan.  If you grow up in these parts, you just end up picking sides.  Growing up I had a lot of family and friends who went to Clemson.  My Grandfather’s brother was a Clemson Graduate.  In my desk at the office I have his 1930 class ring.

The truth is however, I’ve always liked Alabama.  From Danny Ford to Dabo Swinney, there are a lot of Alabama connections with Clemson.  But just like last year, I can’t help think about my good friend Scott Gamel.  Scott was as big of an Alabama fan as I am a Clemson fan.  His dad was an Alabama State Trooper that guarded legendary Alabama Coach Bear Bryant.

Well, two years ago I got a text from one of my best friends, Buck Wardle, that simply said, “Call me.  It’s an emergency.”  Buck is a Pastor of a church in Virginia.  I called him up and he told me the news.  One of our mutual best friends, Scott Gamel, had just died of heart attack.  I’ve known Scott since I was 16 years old.  Scott & Buck are a few years older than me, and I met them at a camp I went to when I got saved.  I was in High School and Scott & Buck were traveling for the Bible College that we all ended up going to.  We all became life long friends. Scott was in my wedding.  We talked at least once a week about life, about ministry, about family, and about you.

The truth is, Scott was overweight.  Like me, and maybe like some of you, Scott struggled with his weight most of his life.  Well, he was doing something about it.  In fact, he had recently lost some weight.  And then two years ago on a Monday morning, as was his routine, he was out walking with his wife Vicki.  They were on a walking trail with a couple of other people from their church.  Scott stopped at a bench for a breather, stooped over, and dropped dead of a heart attack. Scott and Vicki had 6 children, 6 boys, between the ages of 10 & 24.  He was 52 years old and the Pastor of a loving, growing church in Indiana.

I don’t know why I shared all that with you.  Just thoughts in my head as I think about the Clemson/Alabama Game.  I miss my friend.  I wish I could call him up and finally rag him out after a Clemson victory.  I turn 50 this year.  My mantra is fit by 50.  I’m not there yet, but I’m healthier than I’ve been in a long time.  Every day is a gift.  I have two children.  I just had the privilege of performing the wedding of my son.  I want to walk my daughter down the aisle of her wedding one day.  I want to see my kids have children of their own.  This February 14th, Janet and I celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary.  I want 30 more.  I have been blessed to Pastor the best church in world for the past 26 years.  My calling is stronger today than it’s ever been, and I feel like we’re just getting started.  There are so many more people to reach, serve, love, and save.  I’ve said this before, but the hope and promise of heaven gets sweeter and sweeter to me each year that passes and after each loved one that I know goes on to glory.  Make the most of every day.  Love God.  Love people.  And day by day, as many days as you have left, until God calls you home or the sky splits, the trumpet sounds and Jesus returns, become more and more like Him.  That’s all that really matters.  I love you Coastal.  And, oh yeah – GO TIGERS!

Friday’s 5:

  1. Everyone has 1 week to finalize plans to lead, assist, or host a LIFE Group.  We are sending out email reminders and making phone calls, but you could help us out so much by simply responding to this email or calling the office (843-571-1777) and speaking with Julie Kelly directly.  LIFE Group Training is Saturday, January 28th.  LIFE Group Sunday is January 29th and the new LIFE Group Semester will start the week of February 12th.
  2. There is a First Impressions Team Oyster Roast/Chilli Supper Planning Meeting this Sunday, January 8th, 4-6:30pm at Coastal!  It’s for all current 1st Impressions Team Members and those interested in serving!  Our 1st Impressions Team are the folks who greet, hand out bulletins, open doors, drive the Golf Carts, work in the Parking Lot, usher, check the restrooms, take up the offering, and so much more!  They help to create a warm, welcoming environment for our guests.  Love for you to join the Team!
  3. New to Coastal?  Want to learn more about the church and find out how to get connected?  Join us for  the next Newcomer’s Reception, Sunday, January 22nd, 2017 immediately following the 11:15am service in the Welcome Center.  Meet other new people and our staff, enjoy some great desserts and coffee, win some prizes and discover possible next steps.  Sign up online or on your Connect Card on Sunday.
  4. Interested in offically making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is Monday, January 23rd, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided.  Sign up online or on your Connect Card on Sunday.
  5. Looking for a place to serve at Coastal?  Don’t want to miss a service?  Enjoy technology and fast on your feet (fingers)?  We’re looking for volunteers in our Tech Booth – specifically with computer (slide presentation), lights, and video.  If you’re slightly tech savvy and have the desire, we’d love to train you!  Respond to this email, contact Christopher (chrisrollinsjr@gmail.com), or let us know on your Connect Card.

Happy New Year!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  We’ve had a nice break, but this Saturday at 9am we’ll be setting up our chairs again!  Love for you to join us!  With 6 or more people it only takes 30 minutes or less!

Uncategorized

Christmas Offering Update

Dear Coastal,

I just wanted to give you an exciting update on our Christmas Offering and remind you that this Sunday, January 8th, is the last day to give towards it.  Our B.H.A.G. (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) is $50,000.  Honestly, the last couple of years that we set our goal at $50,000 we’ve always had at least one person make a very large donation – up to $25,000.  We haven’t had that this year (yet – haha).  Instead, it’s just been the generous giving of so many people!  And right now, we have collectively given just over $41,000!  I’m already so excited and so proud of our church!  And you never know where it might end up.  We still have 4 days remaining to give.  If you text (843-277-8337), give online, use our app, or send a check, just make sure you designate it with the word, “Christmas.”  Like I said on Sunday, at Coastal we always “work (or give) like it all depends on us, pray like it all depends on God, walk by faith, trust God with the results, and celebrate the outcome!”  Truthfully, I’m already celebrating!

A couple of other quick things:

Don’t miss this Sunday!  I’m sharing (literally revealing – you’ll see) an exciting year long goal for our church for 2017!  Christmas & New Years has come and gone, kids are all back in school, everyone is back in town – so, make every effort to start the new year off right and be in church this Sunday.  You won’t want to miss it!

– And speaking of this Sunday, we’re having an OYSTER ROAST & Chili Supper (4-6:30pm) for everyone on our 1st Impressions Team and anyone looking to serve on our 1st Impressions Team.  Our 1st Impressions Team are the folks who greet, hand out bulletins, open doors, drive the Golf Carts, work in the Parking Lot, usher, check the restrooms, take up the offering, and so much more!  They help to create warm, welcoming environment for our guests.  Love for you to join the Team!

– Everyone has 1 week (by the end of next week) to finalize plans to lead, assist, or host a LIFE Group.  We are sending out email reminders and making phone calls, but you could help us out so much by simply responding to this email or calling the office (843-571-1777) and speaking with Julie Kelly directly.  LIFE Group Training is Saturday, January 28th.  LIFE Group Sunday is January 29th and the new LIFE Group Semester will start the week of February 12th.

ALL IN!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Did I already mention not to miss this Sunday?  DON’T MISS THIS SUNDAY!

Uncategorized

Online Connect Card

  • If this is your 1st or 2nd time joining us, we'd love to mail you a little more information about Coastal along with a thank you for tuning in today.