First of all, some good news! The OCC Shoeboxes are GONE! That’s right all 2000 shoeboxes have been taken! You guys are amazing! Last Sunday we had just over 700 shoeboxes left. And after all three services and people picking up the remaining few during the week, they are all gone. Now, the only thing left is for all of you who took home boxes, to fill them with toys, gifts, and supplies and bring them back to the church between this Sunday and Sunday, November 16th. We’ll have designated areas (the long kiosk and wall between the Cafe & the Auditorium) ready to receive them. Starting Sunday, November 2nd we’ll have one of Coastal’s Box Trucks out front for you to drop them off. Use this opportunity to teach your children about giving and the real meaning of Christmas. As a family, pray over your boxes and for the children who will receive them. Again, thank you for your generosity!
This Sunday as we make our way through the New Testament book of Ephesians, I’ll be in Ephesians 3:14-21. It’s another beautiful prayer that the Apostle Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians and for us. There are so many great parts to this prayer, passages that you are very familiar with, and some in fact that many of you may have memorized. In vs. 18 he prays that we would “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” In vs. 20 we are reminded that He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” But in vs. 17 there is this little phrase that you might miss. It says, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” That verb “dwell” is a wonderful word! It’s actually a compound form of two Greek words that mean “down” and “home.” In fact, the NLT of that verse is, “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.” The idea is to settle down and feel at home.
What did Paul mean? Why that word? He’s emphasizing the fact that Jesus wants to be more than just a guest in our lives, He’s the owner or master of the house. Christ wants our life to become His home. There’s a big difference between being a guest in a house and actually being the owner of your house. Would you agree? And there’s more to becoming a Christian than just believing a set of beliefs. Now don’t get me wrong. The facts ARE important. They DO matter. But some people think that as long as you believe the facts, then you’re a Christian. No, not necessarily. James 2:19, “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” Even the demons believe the facts. So it’s not just simply BELIEVING. There’s also got be a RECEIVING. We actually receive Jesus Christ into our life. John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
That’s what Paul is describing in verse 17, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” So here’s the question: Is Jesus living inside your life? That’s what it means to be a Christian. But even more, is He merely visiting as a GUEST, or is He dwelling there as the Lord and Owner of your life? Coastal, I love you! I love being your Pastor! And I love what God has called us to do together! I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
MUCH LOVE,
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: TODAY, Friday, October 17th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Lowcountry Orphan Relief: Lowcountry Orphan Relief provides support services and aid to meet the needs of Lowcountry children identified as at-risk or suffering from abandonment, abuse and/or neglect. Coastal will be serving there TODAY, Friday, October 17th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Hollywood Clothing Distribution: We will get the opportunity to take one of our Mobile Outreach Clothing Vehicles out to distribute clothing while loving on those we encounter. TOMORROW, Saturday, October 18th, 8am-11am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
Hollywood Free Laundry: Partnering alongside the owners of We-Fold-It, we are able to serve the community of Hollywood by getting to pay for their laundry! We will host a table with snacks, coffee and water for those who are waiting on their laundry, help people bring their laundry in and out of the facility, fold their laundry and use iPads to start the machines so that those we serve never have to open their wallets! TOMORROW, Saturday, October 18th, 8am-11am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, October 20th, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Hope Center Tailgate: The Hope Center, managed by the city of Charleston, serves as a one-stop shop in downtown Charleston to assist those who are homeless or who are at-risk of being homeless. We’re sending a Tailgate Team to serve dinner to anyone who is hungry. Meet at Coastal on Tuesday, October 21st, 12pm-3pm.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, October 22nd, 5pm-8pm.
Brighton Place Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Brighton Place community (here in West Ashley – near Citadel Mall) on Wednesday, October 22nd, 6-8:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Food Pantry Sort & Stock: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to the church and help keep our Food Pantry organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, October 23rd, 11:30am-1pm.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, October 24th, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
As always, if you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or sign up now on our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - Coastal Young Adults have several events coming up:
– Bonfire! We will be hosting a Bonfire right down the road from the church on Friday, October 31st! There will be dinner, games, and time to celebrate the close of the month! Join us at 3876 New Hope Road at 6:30pm.
– Young Adults’ Retreat! We are going to Folly Beach on November 14-16! We will have worship and devotions brought to us by key ministry leaders in our church. We will have direct access to the beach, plenty of space for games and group activities, and all of your meals are provided. This is all included in the $60 cost! Go online and reserve your spot! - Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Sunday, November 9th, from 5pm-8pm, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Dinner & childcare provided!
- CSM Serve Weekend – October 24–26 (Friday-Sunday)! This is a major yearly event. Serve Weekend is a powerful event designed to help students learn what it means to serve and love like Jesus. Students will participate in worship, teaching, a community tailgate, and time in host homes. It’s a ton of fun and an event our students really look forward to. Your student won’t want to miss this! THE ENTIRE WEEKEND COSTS JUST $75! Drop-off: Friday evening, 5pm @ Coastal. Pickup: Sunday after 3rd service. The full itinerary is available upon registration. You can register by clicking this link.
- Coastal Blood Drive: Literally give the gift of LIFE! We still need donors for our community blood drive happening at our next Saturday Serve – Saturday, November 1st, 8:30am-1:30pm, at the church. Click on this link and sign up today!
P.S. Baptism is a public profession of a believer’s faith in Christ. On Saturday, November 22nd, at 10am, we will be hosting a “polar plunge” Beach Baptism at Folly Beach County Park. There will also be opportunities to be baptized in all 3 of our services on Sunday, November 23rd. If Baptism is your next step, indicate on your Connect Card or sign up online.
