In Mark 11:22-24 Jesus said this, “Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

What in the world is Jesus talking about here?  One of the reasons I’m so excited about this “Daring Faith” series is we’re going to see some flat out miracles in people’s lives.  Because every time you stretch your faith God does miracles – every . . .single. . . time.  My question for you today is this, are you in need of a miracle?  What’s the mountain in your life?  What’s the mountain that needs to be moved?  What is the mountain in your life that you’ve been saying, “It’s never going to change?”  That’s a self-defeating, self-fulfilling prophesy.  How do you know?  Maybe God wants to do a miracle in your life.  Well, it’s faith that opens the door for miracles. God is in the mountain moving, miracle performing business.  This coming Sunday I’m going to be talking about how to prepare for a miracle.  Maybe you need a miracle in your marriage.  Maybe you need a miracle in your finances.  Maybe you need a miracle in a relationship.  Don’t miss this Sunday!  Invite and bring a friend!  Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and He wants to move in your life! 

I can’t say enough good things about the kickoff to our “Daring Faith” series – most importantly our LIFE Groups!  Get this – 453 adults have signed up for a LIFE Group this semester!!  Even though our Groups have already started this week, the actual study portion of the Groups begins this coming week.  So if you haven’t joined a Group yet, it’s still not too late.You can sign up right now online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or at the LIFE Group Tables on Sunday.  The Groups only last for a total of 8 weeks.  Join a Group and see what all the excitement is about!

The other part of the “Daring Faith” series that I’m excited about is the 40 Day Fast and Daily Devotional!  The Fast & Daily Devotional all begin this coming Monday, September 30th and end on Friday, November 8th.  Begin praying now about what you will give up for the Fast.  This truly IS going to be a move of God at our church!  We already have over 175 people who have decided to join us in our fast.   If you would like to participate with us, simply respond to this email or you can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  It’s that simple.  We’ll then add you to a specific email group and send you periodic notes of encouragement and information over the course of the fast.  Your 40 Day Daily Devotional also begins this coming Monday. The Devotional is a part of the LIFE Group Study Guide.  If you didn’t already pick one up at church or from your LIFE Group Leader, you can pick one up at church this Sunday. 

Daring to Believe With You!

Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with local churches around the world to deliver over 157 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in need in 160 countries. Each one—packed full of fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items—is sent with prayer that the child who receives it will experience God’s love through their simple gifts.  Between now and November 10th we’re asking everyone to bring any toys that will fit in a shoe box (no perishables, liquids, used items, candy, or toys associated with war or fighting).  We will be Sorting & Setting Up everything on Friday, November 15th, 4-8pm.  Our Wrapping & Packing Party will be Saturday morning, November16th, 10am at the church.  Here are some suggested things to bring:  Hot Wheels cars, children’s jewelry, small balls, stuffed animals, books, noise makers, yo-yo’s, travel size games, cards, small craft kits, stickers, flashlights with batteries, brushes, combs, toothbrushes, hairbands, small notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, solar powered calculators, markers, crayons, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, socks.
2. We are collecting bags of candy for Oakland Elementary School’s Annual “Trunk or Treat” on Thursday night, October 24th, 5-6:30pm.  You can bring the candy to church any time between now and Sunday, October 20th.
3. Did you know that there are 359 children in foster care in Charleston County, and only 134 foster homes to care for them?  Coastal has the opportunity to come alongside existing foster families to support children in foster care in our community through prayer support, bringing meals, and child mentoring/babysitting.  We are currently seeking additional Advocates to join the leadership team at Coastal for this ministry.  We ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity and contact Tami Gilbert at gilbert_tami@yahoo.com for more information.
4. Did you know that we now have a College & Young Adult (18-25) Ministry at Coastal?  Scott Huff, our new Associate Pastor, is leading this Ministry.  In fact, he’s hosting a College/Young Adult “Daring Faith” LIFE Group at his home this semester on Tuesday nights at 7pm.  You can sign up online or at the church this Sunday! We’re also taking our College Students & Young Adults to this year’s Passion Conference, Dec. 31 – Jan. 2 in Atlanta, GA!  What an awesome way to usher in the New Year!  The total cost for the trip is $230.  That cost includes conference, travel, & lodging (food is the only additional cost).  If you’re interested in going and would like more information, please contact Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  You can also reserve your spot today from our website!
5. Mark your calendars – our next Saturday Serve is NEXT Saturday, October 5th!  If you haven’t come to a Saturday Serve yet, make plans to come in October!  I promise you, you’ll be glad you came and that you will receive so much more than you give.  Saturday Serve is open to EVERYONE in our community.  You do not need to be a Member of our church to participate (you don’t even have to be an attender).  We meet in the Coastal Café at 8:30am. After a few minutes of getting to know one another, leaders of multiple projects will brief you on the particulars of the projects they are leading. Afterwards, you’ll choose the project that’s of interest to you and off you’ll go!  All projects are typically finished before lunchtime, so it’s not a sacrifice of your entire Saturday.  Come out and help us tangibly share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with our community!
   
   P.S. People are so excited about what we’re getting ready to build that many people have already started giving toward our “Daring Faith” Giving Campaign!  If you would like to start giving toward your commitment (above and beyond your regular giving) all you have to do is designate your gift, “Daring Faith”on your check or under “Add special instructions to the seller” on PayPal on our website.  If you are texting your gift, text any amount to 843-277-8337 with the keyword, “daringfaith” (all one word).  As always, we are keeping records of your giving and whatever your give now will be added to your total amount on Commitment Sunday, November 10th.  As always, you can give through our website, our App (yes, we have a FREE App), or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337!  Try it today!

So, if you’ve been to any of our “Daring Faith” Campaign Information Meetings you’ve already seen the short video above.  It’s a 3D rendering from our architects of what we’re going to be building this year, Phase 1, with a little teaser at the end, of Phase 2.  Coastal, this is what we’re stepping out in faith and attempting to accomplish in 2020 – the 30 year anniversary of our church!  Join us in the adventure of faith!  The entire “Daring Faith” Campaign kicks off on Sunday, September 22nd – NEXT SUNDAY!  Don’t miss it!  It’s going to be a Big Day in the life of our church!  Make sure you invite and bring a friend!  Lives are going to change and miracles are going to happen in this series!  

And this is why it’s so important for you to come to one of the remaining information meetings.  In fact, there are now 7 meetings left for you to choose from.  At these meetings you’ll receive your “Daring Faith” packet, coloring book, offering bank, and commitment card.  I’ll explain the entire giving campaign, what we’re going to build, and how you can be a part of it.  We’re providing childcare (except for the 7am Wednesday meeting) & food at each meeting.  We’re doing everything we can to make it easy and convenient for everyone to attend just one of these meetings.  There are three meetings this weekend – today at 12noon, Saturday morning (tomorrow) at 9am, and Sunday night at 6pm.  Today for lunch we’re having Spaghetti Bake, Saturday morning we’re having a Pancake Breakfast, and on Sunday night we’re having Fried Chicken (yes, we’re shamelessly luring you with food)!   You can sign up right now online.  These meetings are NOT LIFE Groups.

Our “Daring Faith” LIFE Groups start the week of September 22nd – in just ONE WEEK!!  Several Groups are already full, but there are still a lot to choose from.  You can sign up now online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or at the LIFE Group Tables on Sunday.  You only have to sign up one time, one way.  If you’ve already signed up for a Group, you are signed up.

During the “Daring Faith” Campaign we’re asking everyone to participate in a 40 Day Fast!  The Fast & Daily Devotional all begin on Monday, September 30th and end on Friday, November 8th.  Begin praying now about what you will give up for the Fast.  This truly IS going to be a move of God at our church!

Daring to Believe With You!

Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. New to Coastal?  Join us THIS Sunday, September 15th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service for our next Newcomers Reception.  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  Pizza and childcare provided.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.  You can also simply respond to this email and let us know that you’re coming.
2. Waves Student Ministry fall semester has begun!  From 6pm-8pm every Wednesday, Students 6th-12th Grade are invited to bring all their friends to come out for a night filled with food, games, worship, message and small groups. You’re not going to want to miss out!  Plus, make sure you pick up our NEW T-SHIRT!  Make sure to check out the Waves Student Ministry Instagram for more updates – @wavesstudentministry.
3. Did you know that there are 359 children in foster care in Charleston County, and only 134 foster homes to care for them?  Coastal has the opportunity to come alongside existing foster families to support children in foster care in our community through prayer support, bringing meals, and child mentoring/babysitting.  We are currently seeking additional Advocates to join the leadership team at Coastal for this ministry.  We ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity and contact Tami Gilbert at gilbert_tami@yahoo.com for more information.
4. Did you know that we now have a College & Young Adult (18-25) Ministry at Coastal?  Scott Huff, our new Associate Pastor, is leading this Ministry.  In fact, he’s hosting a College/Young Adult “Daring Faith” LIFE Group at his home this semester on Tuesday nights at 7pm starting September 24th.  You can sign up online or at the church this Sunday!
   We’re also taking our College Students & Young Adults to this year’s Passion Conference, Dec. 31 – Jan. 2 in Atlanta, GA!  What an awesome way to usher in the New Year!  The total cost for the trip is $200 due by September 15th.  The cost will go up to $230 after September 15th – THIS SUNDAY!  That cost includes conference, travel, & lodging (food is the only additional cost).  If you’re interested in going and would like more information, please contact Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  You can also reserve your spot today from our website!
5. We’re looking for volunteers to serve over at Oakland Elementary School this year – the Elementary School across the street from our church.  At Coastal, we believe that if you change the life of a child, you help to change the world!  We have a special relationship with Oakland that has been built on years and years of service and generosity (and quite a few doughnuts and lots of coffee).  If you would be willing to assist in a classroom, help classes in the lunchroom, or even be a Lunch Buddy, please respond to this email or reach out to Susan Cumbie at Susan.Cumbie@us.bosch.com.  Let’s help make this the best year ever at Oakland!
   
   P.S. Have you heard?  There are 3 “Daring Faith” Information Meetings THIS WEEKEND – 1 today at 12noon, 1 at 9am on Saturday morning(tomorrow) and 1 at 6pm on Sunday night.  You can sign up right now online.  Remember, these are NOT LIFE Groups!  It’s at these meetings that you’ll receive your “Daring Faith” packet, coloring book, offering bank, and commitment card!  Pastor Chris will explain the entire giving campaign, what we’re going to build, and how you can be a part of it. Childcare & food provided at both meetings.  We’re doing everything we can to make it easy and convenient for everyone to attend.

Dear Coastal Friends & Family,

By now you’ve probably heard the evacuation order, lane reversal, and school closings from the Governor of SC regarding Hurricane Dorian. 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 I ask you to do the same.

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

In light of Hurricane Dorian, school closings, and evacuation:

#1 – WAVES Wednesday kick-off (Student Ministry) has been cancelled this week.

#2 – All of our “Daring Faith” Campaign Information meetings scheduled for this week (Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, & Friday night) have been cancelled.  We will probably schedule additional meetings, but we are asking everyone who signed up for one of the meetings this week to go ahead and find another meeting to attend and sign up online. 

#3 – Right now, we feel it’s too early to make a decision about Saturday Serve.  We are hoping and praying for the best.  If everything in the low country goes well, hopefully those who have evacuated will be returning over the weekend.  Saturday Serve might be a great opportunity for those available volunteers to serve the hungry/hurting and help those in need.  We will make updates as we have more information.   

#4 – We are believing that we WILL have services THIS Sunday, September 8th.  Again, right now, we feel it’s still too early to make any call concerning this weekend.  Like you, we’ll be watching the storm and the aftermath and will make the appropriate decision as soon as possible.  Please be on the lookout for updates on our social media, text, and our calling service (the perfect time to use this tool).

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, Irma, and now Dorian, 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.  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.”

Standing Strong With You & Praying For You!
Pastor Chris

Let me just start out by saying that we had another AWESOME LIFE Group Sunday this past week!  Our attendance was 768, and we had a ton of people sign up for our “Daring Faith” LIFE Groups!  In fact, several of our Groups are already FULL!  All Groups start the week of September 22nd, so you still have a month to sign up for those Groups that aren’t full yet.  You can sign up now online, on your Connect Card on Sunday, or at the LIFE Group Tables on Sunday.  You only have to sign up one time, one way.  If you signed up this past Sunday for a Group, you are signed up.  This truly IS going to be a move of God at our church!  

Our church wide “Daring Faith” Campaign officially kicks off on Sunday morning, September 22nd!  Don’t miss out on what God is going to do in our church and in your life personally this Fall.  If you haven’t already done so, make sure you sign up for one of the Daring Faith Campaign Information Meetings!  These are NOT LIFE Groups!  We have 13 different meetings to choose from – different days and times.  In fact, there are 4 meetings next week – Tuesday evening at 7pm, Wednesday morning at 7am and then again at 9am, and then Friday evening at 7pm.  We’re providing childcare & food at all of them.  We’re doing everything we can to make it easy and convenient for everyone to attend just one of these meetings.  It’s at these meetings that you’ll receive your Daring Faith packet, coloring book, offering bank, and commitment card.  We’ll explain the campaign, what we’re going to build, and how you can be a part of it.  You can sign up 1 of 4 ways:  on your Connect Card on Sunday, at the Daring Faith Campaign Table in the back of the auditorium, respond to this email, or directly from our website.

This coming Sunday is a part of Labor Day weekend.  We’re starting a short 3 week series on work.  Over the next 3 weeks leading up to our “Daring Faith” Campaign we’re going to talk about things like viewing our work as an opportunity for worship, how to to determine God’s will for your career, and how to share your faith with your co-workers.  Don’t miss it!

Daring to Believe With You!

Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Did you know that we now have a College & Young Adult (18-25) Ministry at Coastal?  Scott Huff, our new Associate Pastor, is leading this Ministry.  In fact, he’s hosting a College/Young Adult “Daring Faith” LIFE Group at his home this semester on Tuesday nights at 7pm starting September 24th.  You can sign up online or at the church this Sunday!  
   We’re also taking our College Students & Young Adults to this year’s Passion Conference, Dec. 31 – Jan. 2 in Atlanta, GA!  What an awesome way to usher in the New Year!  The total cost for the trip is $200 due by September 15th.  The cost will go up to $230 after September 15th.  That cost includes conference, travel, & lodging (food is the only additional cost).  If you’re interested in going and would like more information, please contact Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  You can also reserve your spot today from our website!
2. Get Ready! On Wednesday, September 4, our Waves Student Ministry will be kicking off their new semester! From 6pm-8pm every Wednesday, Students 6th-12th Grade are invited to bring all their friends to come out for a night filled with food, games, worship, message and small groups. You’re not going to want to miss out!  Make sure to check out the Waves Student Ministry Instagram for more updates – @wavesstudentministry.
3. Mark your calendars – our next Saturday Serve is Saturday, September 7th!  If you haven’t come to a Saturday Serve yet, make plans to come in September!  I promise you, you’ll be glad you came and that you will receive so much more than you give.  Saturday Serve is open to EVERYONE in our community.  You do not need to be a Member of our church to participate (you don’t even have to be an attender).  We meet in the Coastal Café at 8:30am. After a few minutes of getting to know one another, leaders of multiple projects will brief you on the particulars of the projects they are leading. Afterwards, you’ll choose the project that’s of interest to you and off you’ll go!  All projects are typically finished before lunchtime, so it’s not a sacrifice of your entire Saturday.  Come out and help us tangibly share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with our community!
4. New to Coastal?  Join us Sunday, September 15th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service for our next Newcomers Reception.  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  Pizza and childcare provided.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.  You can also simply respond to this email and let us know that you’re coming.
5. We’re looking for volunteers to serve over at Oakland Elementary School this year – the Elementary School across the street from our church.  At Coastal, we believe that if you change the life of a child, you help to change the world!  We have a special relationship with Oakland that has been built on years and years of service and generosity (and quite a few doughnuts and lots of coffee).  If you would be willing to assist in a classroom, help classes in the lunchroom, or even be a Lunch Buddy, please respond to this email or reach out to Susan Cumbie at Susan.Cumbie@us.bosch.com.  Let’s help make this the best year ever at Oakland!

P.S. We’re looking for volunteers to help set up the chairs in the auditorium each Saturday morning at 9am (except for the 1st Saturday of each month – Saturday Serve does it at 8:30am).  It’s a great way to get some exercise, meet other people, and serve our church all at the same time!  If you are interested in being part of our “chair ministry”, please reach out to Joey Broach at 843-901-6455.  You can literally just show up this Saturday at 9am to help set up the chairs.  With 6 or more people, it takes less than 30 minutes!