This past Sunday was so very powerful! We’re in a series called, “What Would Jesus Say?” And on Sunday I talked about “What Would Jesus Say to the Addict?” What made the day so powerful, was not me or what I had to say, but the authentic video testimony from about a dozen people in our Celebrate Recovery Ministry. We used the day to highlight their Ministry. Celebrate Recovery (CR) meets on Tuesday nights at 6:30pm in our Chapel. While we always highlight CR in our LIFE Group Catalog and on LIFE Group Sunday with a table, CR is not really a LIFE Group. It is an ongoing Christian recovery ministry based on Scripture. And it’s not just for people who struggle with drugs and alcohol. It’s for anyone struggling with any hurts, habits, hangup, or addictions. The people who shared their story in the video did an amazing job! Let’s just say there were a lot of tears on Sunday, a lot of conversations with our CR people at their booth, and a lot of next steps taken. If you are interested in learning more about CR, their ministry, and what they do, please reach out to Chris Jones (not Pastor Chris Jones – or as we call him around here Chris Jones #2).
On Sunday, June 7th, we kick off one of our favorite sermon series traditions here at Coastal – “AT THE MOVIES”! In fact, this is our 17th year doing the series! If you’re new to Coastal, don’t worry, we’re not preaching from the movies themselves. We simply use them as a hook to talk about spiritual truth straight from God’s Word. As always, there will be popcorn, movie trailers, and cool giveaways! Make sure you pick up the microwave popcorn invite tool next weekend to invite your friends to the series. ALL 1st Time Guests (and the person who invited them – YOU) will receive a FREE Movie Ticket to Citadel Mall Theater throughout the entire series! We’ll also be taking the kids (and anyone who wants to come) to a FREE movie (Toy Story 5) on Tuesday, June 23rd at 10am at Citadel Mall Theater (doors open at 9:30am)! So mark Sunday, June 7th, on your calendar, and start praying about who you will be inviting and bringing to church during the series!
If you and your family haven’t yet signed up for multiple projects for Summer of IMPACT, it’s time to do so! And I seriously encourage you to spread the word with your friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers, especially those people in your life who don’t have a church home or who aren’t even believers. Why? Because God created everyone with the desire to be a part of something bigger than yourself and to make a difference. And believe it or not, most churches don’t have a very good reputation for serving and loving their communities unconditionally. So leverage Summer of IMPACT as a way to include those who might not darken the door of a church, but would be willing to volunteer in the community. Don’t you see? Not only is Summer of IMPACT a great opportunity to serve and bless our community and you – but it is also an opportunity for outreach with your friends! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! I love what we get to do TOGETHER! And I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
With Much Love & Gratitude!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, May 22nd; Friday, May 29th, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
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, May 25th; Monday, June 1st, 2pm-3:30pm. Meet at JFM.
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, May 26th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
Brighton Place Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Brighton Place community (here in West Ashley – near Citadel Mall) on Wednesday, May 27th, 6-8:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Serving in the Market at The Outpost: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to The Outpost and help keep the Market stocked and organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, May 28th, 11:30am-1pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
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. We meet at Coastal on Tuesday, June 2nd, 12pm-3pm.
VA Hospitality Project: This team serves at the VA Hospital in Charleston by providing a hospitality cart, greeting incoming patients and employees, visiting patients, and helping Volunteer Services with small sorting projects. Wednesday, June 3rd, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
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, June 3rd, 5pm-8pm.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace Bed Delivery Project: This team from Coastal will help to deliver beds, alongside brand-new linens, to well deserving but underserved children all over Charleston. There will be some light lifting and assembly required but will be heavy on both love and encouragement. We’ll bring comfort, love, and encouragement to the families we serve. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, June 3rd, 6pm-8:30pm.
The Outpost Open House: Before we open it to the general public, we want to open it to you, our church family, to see and experience. So, TODAY Friday, May 22nd, 6pm-8pm, we’re having an Open House at The Outpost (1050 St. Andrews Blvd). We’ll have a Tailgate outside with music, hamburgers & hotdogs. And then you’ll have a chance to tour The Outpost and see how our church will continue to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus right here in our community, where we live, work, parent, and play for years to come!
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. - Mark your calendars now – Coastal’s VBS is July 13th-17th, 6-8:15pm for children 4 years old – 5th Grade. This year’s theme is, “Rainforest Falls – Exploring the Nature of God!” Registration for Volunteers and children is open! Go to our website and register today!
- Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Sunday, May 31st, 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!
- One of the ways our church marks the beginning of Summer every year is through something called Summer of IMPACT! If you are fairly new to Coastal, Summer of IMPACT is a month-long effort (the entire month of June) where we as a church saturate our community with the love of Jesus through simple acts of service. It’s basically what we normally do all throughout the year, but MULTIPLIED during the month of June! In fact, there are over 70 projects this year and there is something for everyone. You simply sign-up and then show-up. It’s that easy. Every project has a leader and every project is well-organized. All the projects are loaded on our website and you can start signing up TODAY!
- Mark your calendar for our next Coastal Night of Worship – Wednesday night, June 3rd, 6:30-8pm! Invite your friends and family to join us for a night of prayer, worship, and encouragement. RSVP now for childcare (birth-kindergarten) on your Connect Card.
P.S. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 7th, at 5pm. You can sign up for it on our website. The only requirement for Baptism is that you have personally given your life to Jesus. Baptism is a public profession of your faith, and it’s a great celebration! It beautifully illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. If you’re unable to participate in our Beach Baptism, remember at Coastal we’re ready for you to get Baptized any service, any Sunday. If you are interested in getting Baptized, simply respond to this email, sign up on your Connect Card, or sign up on our website.
