Well, to be honest, I completely forgot about my Friday 5 email this week. Actually, between my hospital stay and recovering at home, I think I lost all track of time. I’m not sure how many times I get to use “heart failure” as an excuse or if I should waste it on something as minor as forgetting an email, but I guess I’m using it!
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I came home from the hospital late Monday. I’m on 7 different medications, most of which are designed to improve the functionality of my heart. Apparently, for some unknown reason, the left side of my heart has been damaged and is not pumping blood/oxygen to my body like it should. It has shown up in fluid buildup, shortness of breath, and fatigue – all of which were getting worse. However, they are quite confident, because of my age, overall health, and other numbers/criteria, these family of medications over time should greatly improve all of that. In fact, they will test that in 3 months. Of course, I would add because of the power of prayer. God has already answered so many prayers and has shown up in so many powerful ways through this whole ordeal. While I know it’s not over yet, I am humbly aware of God’s presence through all of it and grateful for your continued outpouring of love and prayer!
Now, unless the Lord has other plans, I will be preaching my “Year In Review/Year Ahead” message this Sunday. Don’t miss it! It’s one of my favorite messages of the year and gives me a chance to cast some vision for the new year! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And if you’re reading this, God is not finished with you or me – even when I forget things!
Much, Much Love & Gratitude in My Heart!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Clothing Team: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! TODAY Friday, January 9th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
NHC Fellowship & Activity: Those in skilled-nursing centers are arguably some of the most neglected people in our society. Many in these facilities rarely, if ever, receive visitors. The hope of this project is to send a reminder to the residents of the facility, in which we are serving, that they are not alone. This kid-friendly project will consist of loving on the staff and residents through words of encouragement, quality time and hot chocolate! This project is a great way to serve those who are always in need of a little extra love! TODAY, Friday, January 9th, 10am-12pm. Meet at: NHC Skilled Nursing Facility, 2230 Ashley Crossing Dr, Charleston, SC 29414.
2nd Saturday Meal: TOMORROW, Saturday, January 10th, 9am-11am. Come serve with us as we prepare a hot meal in the Coastal kitchen and then deliver those meals to one of our awesome ministry partners – organizations like Charleston Vets, S.C. Strong, Brighton Place, Joseph Floyd Manor and more!
Double Tailgate Day – Meeting Street & Joseph Floyd Manor: TOMORROW, Saturday, January 10th, 10:30am-1:30pm. Meet at the church and then pick which Tailgate you’d like to serve.
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, January 12th, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Soldier’s Angels: We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, January 13th, 8am-12pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
Brighton Place Fellowship Activity & Devotion: This project will allow us to spend some time with the residents and get to know them better through a lively game of Chair Volleyball, a meal, and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, January 13th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
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, January 14th, 5pm-8pm.
Charleston Vets Tailgate: Charleston Vets is home to 35 struggling, local veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation. Join us as we head out to connect with these veterans, share an evening meal, laugh alongside them, play some lively rounds of Bingo and share a devotion to help them grow closer to the Lord! Wednesday, January 14th, 6pm-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, January 15th, 11:30am-1pm.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, January 16th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Kid Friendly Clothing Packing Party: Equipping the future of our church, we will be hosting a Kid-Friendly Clothing Night! This project is designed to get our youngest members involved and understanding what our amazing clothing ministry really does for the people of Charleston. This is a great project for families to do together, serving alongside each other, packing and prepping our clothes to be handed out at Clothing Distributions, Tailgates and more! Friday, January 16th, 6pm-7:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
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. Saturday, January 17th, 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! Saturday, January 17th, 8am-11am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
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 Kidz is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Night for our amazing CK Volunteers on Friday, January 30th from 6:30-8:30pm. Please join us for an evening of dinner, conversation, gifts, and honoring all of YOU! Click this link to sign-up (an option for childcare is included) so we can plan for food. This is not a required event, but one we hope you will partake in.
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, February 1st, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). 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. You can sign up on our website today!
- LIFE Groups have been formed (there will be 74 this semester) and the catalog will be revealed online in 2 weeks! Now it’s time to equip and prepare all of our Leaders, both returning and new. The required Leader Training for RETURNING leaders is THIS Sunday night (1/11) at 7pm online. Pastor Scott will send a link Sunday afternoon to the Zoom. NEW Leaders, you have two options to attend a required Leader Training. One option is Monday night (1/12) at 6:30pm at the church and the other option is next Saturday morning (1/17) at 9am at the church. If you have any questions about LIFE Groups, please contact Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
- Text the keyword ME to 843-571-1777 to view and update your contact information, manage your giving, access your giving statement, and more! If you receive an error, that means we do not have your cell phone number in our church system – fill out your Connect Card with your information and check the “change in contact information” box. Questions about anything Coastal? Simply text your question to the number above and we’ll assist you.
P.S. This Sunday, January 11th is the last week to give to this year’s Annual Christmas Offering! As you know, Coastal is known for all of the Outreach we do throughout our community and beyond. Much of it is funded every year through our annual Christmas Offering. This year’s goal is $200,000. The money will be used for New Life Children’s Home in Peru, Soldier’s Angels Food Distribution, Summer of IMPACT, VBS, CSM Summer Camp Scholarships, & Auditorium Lighting. The money is also used for Benevolence & General Outreach. What we’ve discovered is that we reach our goal when EVERYONE participates. We can’t all give the same amount, but we can all make a sacrifice. Every gift counts, every gift matters. No gift is too small, and no gift is too large. To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, online, or TEXTing (843-571-1777).
