Dear Coastal,

We’ll be wrapping up our “Simple Life” series this Sunday.  Go ahead and read Luke 10:38-42 in preparation for this week’s message.  In May, we kick off a series entitled, “Amazing Grace.”   Many people think they have an understanding of grace, “It’s God’s gift to me.  I know I don’t work my way to heaven.”  But then they don’t live it.  In fact, they constantly think that God disapproves of them.  And even though they know they’re not saved by their efforts, they’re constantly trying to appease God.  Maybe you can relate.  You get up thinking, “God’s mad at me.”  Some of you think of God as this unpleasable parent saying, “It’s not good enough.  Can’t you do any better.”  He’s got this constant scowl on His face thinking, “Come on!  Get your act together.  When are you going to start doing right?”  You have this constant sense of condemnation and that’s why you struggle getting to know God and having a relationship with Him, because you think He’s angry at you.

In this new series, I want you to not just understand grace;  I want you to feel it.  Maybe for the first time in your life, I want you to feel loved by God, to feel and experience the unconditional grace of God.  There are many, many definitions of grace.  Grace is like a multi-faceted diamond.  It has many different sides and shapes.  And so each week, during May we’ll be looking at a different aspect of God’s Amazing Grace.

Friday’s 5

1. Interested in officially making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is THIS Monday night, April 30th, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided. You can sign up online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or respond to this email.

2. Our next “Saturday Serve” is Saturday, May 5th (the first Saturday of every month)!  Meet at the church at 8:30am, learn about some awesome service opportunities, pray, and GO SERVE!

3. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day, May 13th, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email.  Please include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending – 9:30am or 11:15am.

4. Attention all LIFE Group Leaders & LIFE Team Leaders (and spouses):  our End of the Semester Celebration/Party is Friday night, May 18th, 6:30pm-8:30pm!  Dinner & childcare provided!  Don’t miss it!  If you lead a Life Group or a Ministry, this is a great opportunity to celebrate all that God has done and to plan for the future!  Please RSVP!

5. Mark your calendars and save this date – Coastal’s VBS this year is Monday, July 16th – Friday, July 20th, 6pm-8pm, 4 year olds – 5th Grade.  The theme is Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus!  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/VBS!  Spread the word and register today!  We also need wrapping paper tubes (don’t throw them away) donated NOW for VBS decorations.  Drop them off at the Coastal Kidz Child Check-In area.
   

Simply,

Pastor Chris

P.S. Digital Giving allows you to give as God blesses you.  There are multiple ways to give digitally at Coastal.  You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337!  It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient!  Give it a try today!

Dear Coastal,

It’s pretty obvious that my message last week on slowing down really struck a chord.  The reality is we all struggle in this area – your Pastor included.  Well, don’t miss this Sunday as we talk about creating margin in your life.  What is margin, you ask?  You’ll have to come on Sunday to find out what it is, why it’s important and how to develop it.  Don’t miss it! 

I’ve got some pretty cool news to share that goes in the “making an IMPACT in our Community” column.  I was asked to speak again at Oakland Elementary School’s 5th Grade Graduation this year (not the cool part).  The real exciting part is that I suggested the possibility of us hosting the graduation on our campus, in our building, and they said, “YES!”  I’m super excited!  We’re going to pull out all the stops and really make it special!  We only have limited parking, so we’ll be running our Golf Carts from the Oakland Parking Lot to ours.  We’ll be serving refreshments, setting up a “photo booth” for parents/graduates, FREE Kona Ice for everyone, and a gift bag from Coastal for all Graduates!  This is a great opportunity to make a real IMPACT in our Community!  The Graduation service is Wednesday, May 30th at 9:30am.  If you’re available (any time between 8:30am-12noon) and interested in volunteering (Greeting, Serving, Driving Golf Carts, cleaning up, etc.) respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.

I really appreciate all of you who “check-in” regularly on Facebook on Sunday mornings (or at Groups or events during the week) and share our posts and leave comments!  It’s great FREE advertising for our church and many times starts a conversation.  Keep it up!

Friday’s 5

1. Join one of our office volunteer groups: Monday Morning Follow-Up (Mondays from 9-11am) or Super Service Friday (Fridays 10am-12noon) in the Coastal Kidz Building. Enjoy snacks, coffee & fellowship. Childcare provided upon request. Respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card.

2. Interested in offically making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is Monday night, April 30th, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided. You can sign up online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or respond to this email.

3. Our next “Saturday Serve” is Saturday, May 5th (the first Satuday of every month)!  Meet at the church at 8:30am, learn about some awesome service opportunities, pray, and GO SERVE!

4. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day, May 13th, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email.  Please include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending – 9:30am or 11:15am.

5. Attention all parents and volunteers, as you start to make your Summer plans, mark your calendars and save this date – Coastal’s VBS this year is Monday, July 16th – Friday, July 20th, 6pm-8pm, 4 year olds – 5th Grade.  The theme is Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus!  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/VBS!  Spread the word and register today!
   

Simply,

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Remember to pray for your ONE!  We will reach our IMPACT goal of 100 Salvations & Baptisms this year ONE life at a time!  Make sure you check out our IMPACT sign this Sunday!

Dear Coastal,

Well, maybe Spring has finally “Sprung” – we’ll see!  One of the markers of Spring here in the Lowcountry was this past weekend – what I like to call, “the busiest weekend of the year in Charleston.”  We had the Bridge Run, the Volvo Tennis Cup, the Flower Town Festival, and the Cajun Festival!  I doubt there was a hotel room available for miles.  If you have children, the warm weather also brings with it Spring Sports and afternoons at the ball field (and yes the bugs).  Many parents are already scrambling for spots for their children for Summer Camps. 

In the midst of all of this busyness and activity we are in a series at Coastal called, “The Simple Life.”  Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with activities and sports.  Let’s just make sure that we’ve really thought through what’s most important, what we’re really trying to become, and the legacy we want to leave behind – focus.  Let’s make sure we carve out time not just for good things, but for the best things – getting to know & love God, worship, service, sharing our faith, loving our families and the people in our lives.  This week’s message is all about s-l-o-w-i-n-g down – something we all need – your Pastor included.  Hope to see you and your friends and family this Sunday!

Friday’s 5

1. I know this is late notice, but if you’re looking for something fun to do, the CSDA (Charleston Swing Dance Association) is having their dance at our Auditorium this Saturday night!  Beginner & Intermediate Lessons, 7-8pm.  Social Dance, 8-11pm.  Normally, the cost for lessons is $8 and $5 for the Social Dance.  However, for this Saturday night for everyone from Coastal it’s FREE!  Adults of all ages & abilities are welcome (no childcare).  Students are welcome, but everyone under 18 must sign a waiver.

2. Our next Newcomer’s Reception is THIS SUNDAY, April 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 or simply by responding to this email now.  This is a great opportunity for anyone new to Coastal to meet our Staff, our Ministry Leaders, and learn more about Coastal!  It’s a great introduction to Coastal!

3. Interested in offically making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is Monday night, April 30th, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided. You can sign up online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or respond to this email.

4. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day, May 13th, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email.  Please include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending – 9:30am or 11:15am.

5. Attention all parents and volunteers, as you start to make your Summer plans, mark your calendars and save this date – Coastal’s VBS this year is Monday, July 16th – Friday, July 20th, 6pm-8pm, 4 year olds – 5th Grade.  The theme is Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus!  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/VBS!  Spread the word and register today!
   

Simply,

Pastor Chris

P.S.  Mark your calendars – the next “Saturday Serve” is Saturday, May 5th (the first Satuday of every month)!  Meet at the church at 8:30am, learn about some awesome service opportunities, pray, and GO SERVE!

Dear Coastal,

For those of you who have children in school or work in the school system, I hope everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable Spring Break!  Hopefully, you saw my previous email about the awesome Easter Weekend at Coastal!  By the way, it’s the first week of April and we now have 42 people who have indicated that they gave their life to Jesus at Coastal this year!  Is that awesome or what?!

For the month of April we’re going to be in a series called, “The Simple Life.”  It all about focusing our lives on the things that really matter, moving from a life of selfishness to a life of significance.  As always, this is a great series to invite and bring your friends.  Don’t miss it!

Friday’s 5:

1. Looking for a way to serve our community and make an IMPACT?  Come and be a part of Saturday Serve!  Saturday Serve meets the first Saturday of every month (TOMORROW MORNING) at 8:30am in the Old Welcome Center (in the old building this month – they will be getting ready for a wedding in the new building).  They will explain all the different opportunities for that day, pray, and then send everyone off.  For more information or to share any ideas or to be added to a “Saturday Serve” Group, contact Kiersten Brown 918-798-7299 or  kbrown@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  You can also visit our website each month to check out the different areas of service:  https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/connect/missions-outreach.

2. Our next Newcomer’s Reception is Sunday, April 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 or simply by responding to this email now.  This is a great opportunity for anyone new to Coastal to meet our Staff, our Ministry Leaders, and learn more about Coastal!  It’s a great introduction to Coastal!

3. Interested in offically making Coastal your church home?  Our next Membership Class is Monday night, April 30th, 6-9pm.  Childcare and refreshments provided. You can sign up online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or respond to this email.

4. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day, May 13th, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email.  Please include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending – 9:30am or 11:15am.

5. Attention all parents and volunteers, as you start to make your Summer plans, mark your calendars and save this date – Coastal’s VBS this year is Monday, July 16th – Friday, July 20th, 6pm-8pm, 4 year olds – 5th Grade.  The theme is Shipwrecked – Rescued by Jesus!

Simply,

Pastor Chris