So here’s the deal – there are only 3 weeks left until Commitment Sunday – November 10th! That’s right – only 3 weeks! It’s hard to believe it’s almost here! What is Commitment Sunday you ask? Hopefully, you’re fully aware of what Commitment Sunday is, but for those of you who have been living under a rock, Commitment Sunday is where we are asking everyone who considers Coastal their home (YOU) to bring a sacrificial offering and a 3 year commitment above and beyond your regular giving toward our Daring Faith Campaign in order to build Phase 2 on our campus (all of which has been spelled out in great detail in our Daring Faith Magazine). We are asking you to sacrifice and give the largest offering you have personally ever given on November 10th. And when together we each make that same generous sacrifice, that’s when God shows up and does a miracle.
So, just to be clear, it’s on Commitment Sunday, November 10th where you will turn in your Sacrificial Offering AND your Commitment Card. Your Offering PLUS your 3 year commitment EQUALS your Daring Faith Commitment. We will mail out another Commitment Card the week before November 10th, and obviously you can pick up one at church on Sunday. If for some reason you can’t be in church on November 10th, you can turn in your Commitment Card & Offering early or during the week immediately after the 10th. We want all Cards and Offering turned in no later than that week so we can make the Big Announcement on Sunday, November 17th – Miracle Sunday! Simply designate everything that you give toward Daring Faith now and over the next 3 years with the words, “Daring Faith.”
By the way, typically between Thanksgiving and the first week of January we challenge everyone to give above and beyond to a special Christmas Offering. We will NOT be doing that this year! Instead we are simply going to designate our entire Christmas Eve Offering to outreach & evangelism – Saturday Serve, Benevolence, Oakland Elementary School, & Easter. This year, Daring Faith and November 10th is the only challenge and special offering we are asking you to consider.
Remember it’s not equal gifts. We all can’t give the same amount. It’s equal sacrifice. And, this is important, EVERY gift & commitment card counts, and EVERY gift & commitment card matters! Together, we all get to be the pioneers and leave a legacy for the next generation. Please take the time and read through the Daring Faith Magazine one more time to prayerfully determine what you and your family will give and what you will commit to give over 3 years. And as always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Daring to Believe With You!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:
Janet and I got a chance to take a quick trip up to Knoxville to see our daughter Lydia and her husband Andrew this past week. We left on Sunday after church and came home Tuesday. Janet and Lydia are big “Downton Abbey” show fans and they were able to have a little Mother/Daughter moment and see the movie together (Andrew & I saw something else – haha). Honestly, the movie was just an excuse for us to see our daughter. Texting, FaceTime, and phone calls are all fine – but sometimes a parent just needs to hug their child’s neck and see them face to face. I bet that’s how God feels. Sometimes I wonder if fasting is just an “excuse” for God to see His children and spend time with them. Funny how we think it’s all about the “movie.” During this season of fasting and faith and growth don’t forget that ultimately our loving, heavenly Father simply longs to see His children and hug their neck.
This coming Sunday I’ll be talking about “Daring to Give God Our Very Best.” Part of growing in our faith and experiencing miracles in our lives is striving to “live a life worthy of our calling.” (Ephesians 4:1) It’s not about striving to earn our salvation or approval before God, but striving BECAUSE we ARE saved and approved by God. You see, our salvation and approval is not because of anything we have done, it’s because of our faith in what Christ has already done. And that’s why I want to give God my best, because of who He is and what He has done. Ask yourself this, are you giving God your very best? If not, why not?
If you haven’t already done so, watch the video above of what we’re getting ready to build in 2020 – the 30 year anniversary of our church! Continue to read through our Daring Faith magazine and pray about what you and your family are going to give on Commitment Sunday, November 10th and what you’re going to commit to give over the next 3 years above and beyond your regular giving. We are going to build that building. The question is, how is God going to build you through the process?
I hope you’re enjoying your LIFE Group and the Daily Devotional as much as I am! Right now we have 460 adults in LIFE Groups and 299 people Fasting & Praying (can we find 1 more)! Is that amazing or what?! I’m loving all the emails and conversations about how God is teaching and moving in your lives! Feel free to keep sharing!
Daring to Believe With You!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”: