Monthly Archives

September 2017

""/

Friday’s Five – 9-29-17

Dear Coastal,

Hopefully by now you’ve heard that this Sunday we’re kicking off a new message series at Coastal on the life of David called, “After God’s Heart.”  After both services on our front lawn we’re having a Tailgating Party (wear your Team Colors/Jersey to church)!  There will be plenty of food, Jump Castles, Kona Ice, and Baptisms!  It’s going to be a great opportunity to have some fun, meet people in our community, and usher in the Fall!  If you’re in town this weekend, make every effort not only to attend but most importantly to invite and bring a friend!  By the way, if you’re out of town (or home sick), don’t forget that you can now watch our services live from our website at https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/media/live.

Last week I told you about a couple Coastal Staff Updates.  I have a couple more exciting annoucements!

  • Kiersten Brown is our new Director of Missions & Outreach!  If you’ve met Kiersten even for just a moment, you know she has a passion for serving and ministry.  She will be in charge of promoting, training, leading, and organizing local, national, and international service projects.  She will work alongside our LIFE Groups and other Ministries to promote service opportunities in our church, our community, and our world.

  • Brian Hill is our new Worship Pastor!  Brian has led worship for us twice in the last month.  Most recently, Brian was the Student Worship Pastor at Northwood Church in Summerville.  While Coastal has been blessed with talented musicians and vocalists, it’s going to be a great addition to our church to have central person on stage each week leading our church in worship.  Christopher will continue as our Band Director and together they will form an unbelieveable team!

Make sure you welcome Kiersten and Brian (and Brian’s wife Haley) to the Coastal Team!  A growing church requires a growing/expanding Staff!  I am so blessed to lead and serve alongside such an amazing Staff!  WE are truly blessed as a church!      

Friday’s 5:

  1. New to Coastal?  Like to meet our Staff, Ministry Leaders and other new people like yourself?  Like to learn more about Pastor Chris and the history of our church?  Make plans to attend our next Necomer’s Reception, Sunday, October 15th, immediately after our 11:15am service (it’s only about 30 minutes).  Childcare and pizza are provided.  You can sign up for our Newcomer’s Reception on our website, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or simply by responding to this email now.

  2. Looking for an awesome place to serve?  Have some available time during the week?  Consider joining our “Monday Morning Follow-Up Team” or our “Super Service Friday Team.”  The Monday Team meets on Mondays from 9-11am.  The Friday Team meets Fridays from 10:30am-12:30pm.  Both of these Teams are essential to accomplishing what we do on Sundays!  If you’re interested in serving, simply respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  If you’re a mom with small children, we’ll even provide Child Care (just let us know the ages and number of children).

  3. We could always use a few more TAILGATERS for our Big Day, this Sunday, October 1st.  Respond to this email if you’d like to participate and we’ll send you the details.

  4. On Sunday, October 1st, after each service, in the center of all the Tailgating Tents we’re going to have an outdoor Baptism Service!  You can sign up to get Baptized on our website or simply respond to this email.

  5. It seems like it’s a long way off, but we need to get the WAVES Student Ministry Silent Auction & Dinner on your radar.  The date will be Friday, November 17th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  All the proceeds go to the Winter Retreat.  The reason you need to know about it now is that Ryan needs to start collecting a list of goods/services/items that you might be willing to donate for the auction.  If you have something to donate, you can sign up on your Connect Card or email ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

All In Baby!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  I know it sounds early, but trust me it’s not – October is Operation Christmas Chlid month!  There will be an insert in the bulletin on Sunday listing different items to start purchasing now.  Our Wrapping & Packing Party will be Friday, November 10th, 6-8pm.

Uncategorized
""/

Our “Big Day” & How You Can Help

Dear Coastal,

For the last several weeks, we’ve been talking about our “Big Day” this Sunday, October 1st – the kick-off of “After God’s Heart.”  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, “After God’s Heart.”  It’s all about the life of David and having a heart for God.  The good thing about this series is that even your friends who have never been to church in their life have heard something about the life of David (Goliath, Bathsheba, for example).  To kick off the series, we’re also having a big Tailgating Party (wear your favorite Team Colors/Jersey) outside on our campus after both services complete with Food, Jump Castles, and Kona Ice – all FREE!

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 – the large postcards that hit West Ashley this week.  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 it a personal goal to invite and bring so many people.  Send emails.  Send personal messages on facebook and other social media.  Share my Facebook post.  Use the invite cards we’ve been handing out.
  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!  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 is also a great place to serve on Sunday morning.  Call Janet, our Children’s Ministry Leader or send her an email – 843-442-8299, janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
  5. Give.  Special Days incur special expenses.  Even though there will be a lot going on after each service, come prepared to give generously.  Or better yet, you can give any time using any of the different ways we have to give at Coastal – our website, texting (843-277-8337), or our app.
  6. 4 More Things to Consider on the day of the “Big Day” itself.  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, come early!  Everything goes smoother (Child Check-In, coffee, getting a seat, helping our guests) when you come a little earlier.   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 finally, 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 pray and beg God like it all depended on Him.  But then let’s work, invite, and share like it all depends on us.  Then let’s walk by faith and trust God with the results!

See You & Your Friends Sunday!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  We’re also setting up our Portable Baptistry for Baptisms outside on Sunday!  If you are interested in going public with your faith and getting Baptized, please respond to this email and let us know!  It’s going to be a great celebration!

Uncategorized
""/

Friday’s Five – 9-22-17

Dear Coastal,

We’ve had such a great start to LIFE Groups!!  If you’re not in one yet, it’s still not too late to sign up!  While there are multiple ways to sign up, you only have to sign up ONE TIME, ONE WAY!  1.) You can view the LIFE Group Catalog and sign up online.  or 2.) There will be several tables in the back of the auditorium with all the different sign up lists – you can sign up there.  Once you sign up, your LIFE Group Leader will reach out to you.

Keep praying for our Big Day on October 1st.  Pray for your ONE and everyone our church will be reaching out to with invitations.  Pray for my message.  Pray for our Staff and Volunteers.  In fact let’s pray like it all depends on God!  Beg Him to use you and our church to draw people to Himself.  And then let’s work and serve and reach out and invite like it all depends on us!  Reach out to everyone you know – friends, neighbors, family, co-workers.  Use your Social Media.  Use our Invite Cards.  And together, let’s walk by faith and trust God with the results.    

A Few Updates:
Julie Kelly has been serving as my Administrative Assistant for over 5 years now.  I jokingly tell people all the time that she’s “the Wizard behind the curtain” (Wizard of Oz reference)!  In other words, she the one who makes this thing work.  In fact on Sunday mornings when people ask me a question, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “See Julie.”  Well, everything and everyone has a season, even employees.  If you haven’t heard yet, Julie has accpeted a position at James Island Christian School as their new Preschool Director.  Before Julie came to Charleston she ran a very large and very successful Preschool in Maryland.  This is a great opportunity for Julie and we’re all very happy for her and very proud of her.  In fact, her daughter teaches there and her grand kids go to school there.  The good new is, she’s not leaving Coastal, just changing jobs.  We’ll still see her smiling face on Sunday’s and see her serving in various ministries.  However, I just couldn’t miss an opportunity to thank her in a more public way for her faithful service!  Not only has she been the very best of employees, but she’s been a good friend and a part of my family!  She has helped to make me a better Pastor!  The good news is that Julie and Ashley Hojnacki have been serving together as quite the dynamic duo for some time now.  Ashley has already stepped up to “Chief Wizard Behind the Curtain” and is now being joined by Rachel Speer!  Wow what a Team!  When you see Julie, thank her and congratulate her!  And now if you have any questions . . . see Ashley!

– If it’s been a while since you’ve visited our website, drop by and check it out – https://coastalcommunitychurch.org!  We are unveiling a brand new look!  It’s definitely picture driven and get this – all the pictures are actually real pictures of us (not stock photos)!  A big shoutout goes my daughter-in-law, Lizzy Rollins, our photographer!  She’s responsible for all of our Social Media photography and now our website!  Check out her own site at: http://elizabethervin.com

– Last week I asked you to please pray for Matt Beam as he was having a tumor removed from one of his kidneys.  The surgery went well.  The next step, was patiently waiting on the pathology.  Kathy called yesterday with the GOOD NEWS – the tumor was BENIGN!!  Matt has been feeling stronger everyday and now they are waiting to hear about next steps.  They are grateful, humbled, and overjoyed – and so are we!  Feel free to send Matt a note at: mattbeam13@yahoo.com

Josh & Carson Boyd’s home is almost completely dried out from the storm/flood!  They have been overwhelmed with the support from friends, family, and Coastal!  If you are interested in helping with the remodeling phase or helping financially, you can reach out to them at: cvchristenson@yahoo.com

Friday’s 5:

  1. Looking for an awesome place to serve?  Have some available time during the week?  Consider joining our “Monday Morning Follow-Up Team” or our “Super Service Friday Team.”  The Monday Team meets on Mondays from 9-11am.  The Friday Team meets Fridays from 10:30am-12:30pm.  Both of these Teams are essential to accomplishing what we do on Sundays!  If you’re interested in serving, simply respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  If you’re a mom with small children, we’ll even provide Child Care (just let us know the ages and number of children).

  2. Sunday, October 1st is going to be a BIG DAY at Coastal!  We’ll be kicking off a new series, “After God’s Heart.”  It’s a series about the life of David.  Begin praying now about who you will invite and bring!  Pray for your ONE!  There will be Tailgating, Food, Jump Castles, Kona Ice, and Baptisms! 
  3. WE NEED TAILGATERS for our Big Day, Sunday, October 1st.  Respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday if you’d like to participate. 
  4. On Sunday, October 1st, after each service, in the center of all the Tailgating Tents we’re going to have an outdoor Baptism Service!  You can sign up to get Baptized on our website, on your Connect Card, or simply respond to this email. 
  5. It seems like it’s a long way off, but we need to get the WAVES Student Ministry Silent Auction & Dinner on your radar.  The date will be Friday, November 17th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  All the proceeds go to the Winter Retreat.  The reason you need to know about it now is that Ryan needs to start collecting a list of goods/services/items that you might be willing to donate for the auction.  If you have something to donate, you can sign up on your Connect Card or email ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

I LOVE OUR CHURCH!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Don’t forget, you can support the ministry of Coastal any time and any where by giving through our website, our app, or through TEXTing (843-277-8337).  Coastal is fully funded by the generous, consistent giving of it’s members – YOU!  I want to thank those of you who remained faithful in your giving through the Summer and even when we had to cancel our service due to the storm!

Uncategorized
""/

Friday’s Five

Dear Coastal,

I AM SO READY TO SEE EVERYONE ON SUNDAY!!  We are back to our regular service times – 9:30am & 11:15am.  The next two weeks are going to be awesome as we prepare for our Big Day on October 1st.  Yes, it’s official, we’re kicking off our “After God’s Heart” series on Sunday, October 1st with Tailgating, Kona Ice, Jump Castles AND outdoor Baptisms!  Don’t miss it!  Start thinking now about who you’re going to invite and bring!  With moving the date, we could definitely use some more “Tailgaters”.  Respond to this email or sign up on Sunday if you can participate.

LIFE Groups start this Sunday!  It’s not too late to sign up!  While there are multiple ways to sign up, you only have to sign up ONE TIME, ONE WAY!  1.) You can view the LIFE Group Catalog and sign up online.  2.) You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  3.) There will be several tables in the back of the auditorium with all the different sign up lists – you can sign up there.  Once you sign up, your LIFE Group Leader will contact you before the Group begins.

Yes, we are still collecting supplies/donations the month of September for Hurricane Relief to send to Parkway Fellowship Church in Katy, TX http://parkwayfellowship.com/harvey.  (See the list at the end of this email.)  You can bring the supplies to the church during the week or on Sundays.  If you would like to give above and beyond your regular giving, directly toward the Flood Relief, you can give through TEXTing.  TEXT the amount to 843-277-8337 (space) and then type the keyword “Harvey” or “Irma”.  The money given toward Irma will go toward relief here in Charleston or in Florida.

Speaking of relief here in Charleston, Josh and Carson Boyd from our church (you’ve probably seen Carson in the Nursery or in Child Check-In where she serves) had over 8 inches of water flood their home on James Island during the storm.  They have two small children – a 2 year old girl and a 2 month old little boy.  Right now, they’re living with family.  They’ve already gutted their home, waiting on it to dry out, and then begins the process of rebuilding – sheetrock, flooring, etc. That’s where WE come in!  I’ll be in touch with the Boyd’s and when the rebuilding process begins we’ll spread the word!  If you’re willing and able to help, please let us know by responding to this email.  Feel free to send a word of encouragement to Josh and Carson at: cvchristenson@yahoo.com  Thank you in advance for having such caring/giving hearts.

Friday’s 5:

  1. Please be praying for Matt Beam, one of our Elders, as he is having a tumor removed from one of his kidneys today at MUSC.  We are praying for NO CANCER and complete healing.  Matt will be out of work for approximately 2 weeks and won’t be able to lift anything for about a month.  Feel free to send Matt & Kathy a note of encouragement at: mattbeam13@yahoo.com.  Among many other things, Matt & Kathy also lead our awesome Cafe Team.
  2. Looking for an awesome place to serve?  Have some available time during the week?  Consider joining our “Monday Morning Follow-Up Team” or our “Super Service Friday Team.”  The Monday Team meets on Mondays from 9-11am.  The Friday Team meets Fridays from 10:30am-12:30pm.  Both of these Teams are essential to accomplishing what we do on Sundays!  If you’re interested in serving, simply respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  If you’re a mom with small children, we’ll even provide Child Care (just let us know the ages and number of children).
  3. Sunday, October 1st is going to be a BIG DAY at Coastal!  We’ll be kicking off a new series, “After God’s Heart.”  It’s a series about the life of David.  Begin praying now about who you will invite and bring!  Pray for your ONE!  There will be Tailgating, Food, Jump Castles, Kona Ice, and Baptisms!
  4. WE NEED TAILGATERS for our Big Day, Sunday, October 1st.  Respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday if you’d like to participate.
  5. On Sunday, October 1st, after each service, in the center of all the Tailgating Tents we’re going to have an outdoor Baptism Service!  You can sign up to get Baptized on our website, on your Connect Card, or simply respond to this email.

I LOVE OUR CHURCH!

Pastor Chris

Hurricane Relief:
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
Bottled water
Hygiene items
toothpaste
toothbrushes
deodorant
feminine products
bar soap
Shampoo / Conditioner Razors
Shaving Cream
New, packaged underwear & socks (all sizes)
Diapers
Wipes
Blankets
Pillows
Contact Lens Saline Solution
Infant formula

Clean Up Supplies:
Buckets
Shovels
Heavy duty trash bags
Plastic bins
Tarps
Packing/Shipping Tape
Box cutters / Sheetrock knives
Wheelbarrows
Box fans
Laundry detergent
Cleaning rags
Gift Cards in increments no larger than $100 (groceries, gas, Lowes/HomeDepot)
Clorox wipes
Ziplock bags (quart & gallon)
Sharpies

Uncategorized
""/

Good Sunday Morning!

Dear Coastal,

Good morning!  Can you believe it – two years in a row now and we cancel services because of a Hurricane!  And what a crazy Hurricane this one in particular has been!  Well, what did I expect?  After all, this is hurricane season and this is Charleston.  And like I’ve said over and over again, “Storms are a fact of life.  You’re either coming out of one, heading into one, or you’re smack dab in the middle of one right now.”

The truth is we could all just as easily say, “I didn’t expect to lose my job.  I didn’t think the economy would tank like it did.  Never in a million years did I think I would get cancer.  I never thought my husband would have an affair.  I never dreamed that my kids would make such poor decisions.  I never pictured being a widow at this age.  You’re not supposed to bury your children.”  Life is unpredictable.  But God is faithful.  “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” -James 4:8

I’ll be honest with you, it feels really weird not to be getting ready to head to church this morning and worship together with you.  So, make sure you take some time today to give God thanks today.  If you’re frustrated or angry, pour out your heart to Him.  Remember, His love for you is big enough – big enough to even handle your anger and pain.  Pray for those people who did not fare as well as Charleston through this storm.  Pray for people of Florida and the people of Texas.  Take some time today to help a neighbor.  Smile, laugh, hug your children.  Remember Coastal, we don’t just go to church – we what?  WE ARE THE CHURCH!  So let’s be the church, today and everyday, where we live, where we work, and where we play.  Let’s let the light of Christ shine through us, in our actions and in our attitudes.

Also, take time today and honor God and worship Him through Giving.  Your tithes and offerings make a REAL difference at Coastal and are vital to the every-day ministry and mission of our church. With a Holiday Weekend last Sunday and no services this Sunday, our online/mobile giving becomes more important and even more practical.  You can give online from our website, from our app, or via text at 843-277-8337.

Oh and just in case you are REALLY MISSING MY PREACHING, we have a little surprise for you!  For a little over a month now, we’ve been recording the video of our messages!  Here is a link to our USTREAM channel where you can watch any of our previous 6 messages.  Just scroll down past the livestream channel and you’ll see them.  Enjoy!

I really believe that 27 years ago, in many ways, God used Hurricane Hugo to till the soil of people’s hearts, to prepare them for the Good News of the Gospel.  And I believe He can do the same thing today with Hurricane Harvey and Irma.  Together let’s pray for that!  And as the news comes in about Florida, just like Texas we will be praying about what we can do together to respond.

Well, I can’t wait hear all your stories, HUG ALL YOUR NECKS, and see you and your friends next Sunday!  I love you Coastal!  And I love what we get to do together!

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Don’t forget:

– All LIFE Groups are being officially postponed one week and unless notified otherwise will now start the week of September 17th.
– We are postponing our BIG DAY/Tailgating Party/Outdoor Baptism origninally scheduled for September 17th.  Right now we hope to reschedule it for Sunday, October 1st.  But we will make that official call after the storm.

Uncategorized
""/

Hurricane Irma (Sunday Services Cancelled)

Dear Coastal Friends & Family,

By now you’re probably making your final preparations for Hurricane Irma. This is certainly a storm to take seriously, and I want you to know that myself and Janet, and all of our pastors and staff are praying for you and for our community in the days ahead.

And while it’s still too early to tell exactly what impact Irma will have on our area, I wanted to write to share a few important updates AND a little hope and encouragement for you today.

#1 – In light of Hurricane Irma, school closings, and probable evacuation, all services this Sunday, September 10th, will be cancelled.  We do plan to meet next Sunday, September 17 at 9:30am and 11:15am like normal, so watch your email and social media for updates.

#2 – Our Membership Class originally scheduled for this Saturday is cancelled and will be rescheduled.

#3 – All LIFE Groups are being officially postponed one week and unless notified otherwise will now start the week of September 17th.

#4 – We are postponing our BIG DAY/Tailgating Party/Outdoor Baptism origninally scheduled for September 17th.  Right now we hope to reschedule it for Sunday, October 1st.  But we will make that official call after the storm.

With the storm making it’s way to us, I know many people are stressed and worried. Storms, however, really are a part of life, whether we give them names like Hugo, Matthew, Harvey, and Irma, or names like depression, bankruptcy, cancer, divorce, and death.  God never promises us a storm free life, not even to the faithful, but He does promise to walk with us through the storm.  He promises to never leave us or forsake us.  And if we let Him, He even has the miraculous ability to use our greatest storm, our deepest pain, for our good and His glory.   Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

There is help.  There is healing.  And there is hope.  His name is Jesus.  And that’s not just a trite saying, a t-shirt, or a meme.  If you will draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.  I know that to be true personally and so do many of you.  In the days ahead, let’s strive to be a calming presence in the midst of the storm.  Let’s show kindness where others show anger and hostility.  Let’s be patient when surrounded with impatience.  Let’s be the hands, heart, feet, and voice of Jesus to our community.  Remember Coastal, we don’t just GO to church, WE ARE THE CHURCH!  And as always, together we will look for ways to serve our community!

If you have any prayer requests or needs before, during, or after the storm, please send me an email or a text.  Know that you are loved!  I’ll check in with you again soon.  Be smart. Be safe. Be prayerful!

Psalm 62:5-8, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Matthew 14:27, “…But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”

Standing Strong With You & Praying For You!
Pastor Chris
pastorchris@coastalcommunitychurch.org
843-442-8820

P.S.  Your tithes and offerings make a REAL difference at Coastal and are vital to the every-day ministry and mission of our church. Since we will not be meeting this Sunday, September 10th for our normal worship services, you can give online from our website, from our app, or via text at 843-277-8337.

Uncategorized
""/

Friday’s Five / Hurricane Relief

Dear Coastal,

DON’T FORGET – ONLY 1 SERVICE THIS SUNDAY – 9:30AM – NO 11:15AM SERVICE!  If you’re in town this Labor Day weekend, let’s pack out our building with one huge combined service!  You might even get to meet some people you don’t normally see from another service!

Okay, now that that’s out of the way – WOW – I can’t say enough good things about LIFE Group Sunday last week!  Each and every one of our LIFE Group Leaders did such an amazing job with their Tables/Booths!  And the best part is that we had over 300 LIFE Group Sign-Ups!  LIFE Groups begin the week of September 10th.  It’s not too late to sign up!  While there are multiple ways to sign up, you only have to sign up ONE TIME, ONE WAY!  1.) You can view the LIFE Group Catalog and sign up online.  2.) You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  3.) There will be several tables in the back of the auditorium with all the different sign up lists – you can sign up there.  Once you sign up, your LIFE Group Leader will contact you before the Group begins.

Hurricane Harvey Relief:
Living in Charleston, we are well acquainted with hurricanes and storms.  We’ve all seen the heartbreaking images coming out of Texas and the Houston area in particular as they begin what looks like a very, very long recovery process from Hurricane Harvey.  As a church we’ve been praying about how we can help.  Most of you know that I’ve been in a Pastor’s Coaching Network for a number of years.  About 5 times a year I meet with 25-30 Pastors from around the country for a time of learning and coaching.  In fact it’s how I met our new Associate Pastor Scott.  Well it just so happens that one of those Pastors that both Scott and I have been in Coaching with is Mike McGown of Parkway Fellowship Church in Katy, TX (basically a suburb just west of Houston – http://parkwayfellowship.com/harvey).

We got in touch with Pastor Mike and asked how we could help (most of this week, Pastor Mike has been trapped at his home surrounded by water).  We decided to partner with their church in helping with their recovery.  Their church is being used as a collection/distribution center.  They sent us a list of needs that they are collecting for Flood Relief.  During the month of September (beginning this Sunday) we are going to be collecting these items at the church and then look to deliver these items in early October (some items/supplies will be shipped/sent earlier).  We’ve also talked to our good friends at Oakland Elementary School across the street and the students/faculty will be joining with us in collecting these items (how awesome is that!).

Here is the list we were sent:
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
Bottled water
Hygiene items
toothpaste
toothbrushes
deodorant
feminine products
bar soap
Shampoo / Conditioner Razors
Shaving Cream
New, packaged underwear & socks (all sizes)
Diapers
Wipes
Blankets
Pillows
Contact Lens Saline Solution
Infant formula

CLEAN-UP SUPPLIES
Buckets
Shovels
Heavy duty trash bags
Plastic bins
Tarps
Packing/Shipping Tape
Box cutters / Sheetrock knives
Wheelbarrows
Box fans
Laundry detergent
Cleaning rags
Gift Cards in increments no larger than $100 (groceries, gas, Lowes/HomeDepot)
Clorox wipes
Ziplock bags (quart & gallon)
Sharpies

One of our “Tailgating” Tents, on Sunday, September 17th will be set aside specifically for Hurricane Relief Collection!  When you invite & bring your friends to church that day, encourage them to bring supplies!

A portion of our offering over the next month will be given/sent directly to Parkway Fellowship Church for Flood Relief.  If you would like to give above and beyond your regular giving, directly toward the Flood Relief, you can give through TEXTing.  TEXT the amount to 843-277-8337 (space) and then type the keyword “Harvey”.

Obviously we can give to/through many different organizations, but I thought it might be good to have a contact there in the area that we actually know and trust – and who can get the supplies/money to the people who need it most.   If you are interested in making the trip with us to Houston or if you have access to a large trailer or shipping/delivery contacts, please let us know.  Thank you in advance for having such caring/giving hearts.

Friday’s 5:

  1.  Have you heard yet that this Sunday, September 3rd (Labor Day Weekend) we will only have one Sunday morning Worship Service – our 9:30am service – no 11:15am service?
  2. Our next Membership Class is Saturday, September 9th, 9am-12noon.  Childcare and refreshments provided. You can sign up online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or respond to this email.
  3. Sunday, September 17th is going to be a BIG DAY at Coastal!  We’ll be kicking off a new series, “After God’s Heart.”  It’s a series about the life of David.  Begin praying now about who you will invite and bring!  Pray for your ONE!  There will be Tailgating, Food, Jump Castles, Kona Ice, and Baptisms!
  4. WE NEED TAILGATERS for our Big Day, Sunday, September 17th.  Respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday if you’d like to participate.
  5. On Sunday, September 17th, after each service, in the center of all the Tailgating Tents we’re going to have an outdoor Baptism Service!  You can sign up to get Baptized on our website, on your Connect Card, or simply respond to this email.

I LOVE OUR CHURCH!

Pastor Chris

P.S. Travel weekends (like Labor Day Weekend) are a great time to watch our services live online and to take advantage of all the digital ways to give to Coastal and automate your giving:

  • TEXTing (843-277-8337)
  • Our App (did you know Coastal has an App?  Look for our FREE App in your App Store – Coastal Community Church of Charleston)
  • Or our website.
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.