WOW – what a great kick off to “Christmas at Coastal” this past Sunday!  All the decorations were a huge hit, we had a big crowd, lot’s of guests, 24 people stuck around for our Newcomer’s Reception, we sold out of our One Year Bibles (we got more for this Sunday), and one person gave their life to Jesus!  It just doesn’t get any better than that!

If you haven’t heard yet, one of the biggest things we are doing this year for Christmas is putting on a HUGE Christmas Party for the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor.  And the event is just ONE WEEK AWAY!  Joseph Floyd Manor is a public housing building in downtown Charleston. It is home primarily to limited income, disabled, and older residents of our city.  The date of the party is Saturday, December 18th, from 9:30am (meet at the church at 9:30am) until 1:30pm. We’re hoping to provide a huge holiday meal with turkey & all the trimmings, a Christmas stocking packed with goodies, and a Christmas gift for every resident! This is a wonderful opportunity because the gifts are actual items the residents have requested.  What’s important to know is the Christmas party we’re hosting on the 18th will be the only Christmas many of these residents will experience.  It’s a great opportunity for us, as a church, to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus!

Picture in your mind all the gifts, stockings, food, a Christmas cookie decoration station, games with prizes, and a coffee & hot chocolate bar!  And then we’ll top off the event with singing Christmas carols!  This will be an event that will positively impact the community and help the residents of the manor feel loved and appreciated.  And by the way, this event is family friendly, and all are welcome (a great way to show your kids the true meaning of Christmas). 

Now, a project this size needs two things:

1. Lots of volunteers!  We want to flood Joseph Floyd Manor with love.  Go to our website, give us your contact info, scroll down to this event/date & click, and then scroll down and hit the “click here to register” button. 
    
2. An event this size also requires lots of supplies and resources. Your help is needed to help provide the meal (right now probably the biggest need), the gifts, the Christmas cookie decorating supplies, and the goodies for the stockings (see sign up lists below). 

 There are multiple sign up lists to help out:

The Meal:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CADA929ABF58-christmas

The Gifts:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044FA4A929A1FA7-joseph

The Stockings:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CADA929ABF58-stockings1

The Cookies:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094aa8a92fa0fa7-jfmcookie

To Serve:
https://www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/missions

If you have any questions about this event, please respond to this email or reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes TODAY, December 10th, 9:30am-11:30am.  Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, this Saturday (TOMORROW), December 11th, 10am-1pm.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, December 14th, 8am-1pm.  Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
   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, Friday, December 17th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Christmas at JFM Prep –  We’ll be packing and staging everything for our BIG Christmas Party at Joseph Floyd Manor on Friday night, December 17th, 6-8pm at the church!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Our goal for our 9th Annual Christmas Offering is $125,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 9th (5 more weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 5 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering.  With this year’s offering we are purchasing a second box truck and remodeling our old auditorium (turning it into a Chapel). 
3. We’re excited to announce that starting January 1st, 2022 we’re going to be reading through the Bible together this year at Coastal!  We’ll be following the One Year Bible reading plan (a daily reading of the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs).  We’ll have a limited number of One Year Bibles for purchase at the church ($10) if you’d like a hard copy, or you can purchase them online.  You can also simply choose the One Year Bible reading plan through the YouVersion app or Bible.com.  You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday, and we’ll add you to an email list for regular encouragement and Study notes throughout the year!  If you’ve never read through the Bible, this would be a great way to get started!  
4. SPRING LIFE GROUP LEADERS! If you are interested in Leading, Co-Leading, or Hosting a Spring 2022 LIFE Group in-person or online, sign up on your Connect Card.  For more details or to answer any of your questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
5. Young Adults Ice Skating Night – all young adults are invited to the Carolina Ice Palace on Friday, December 17 for ice skating from 8-10pm. The cost is $14 which includes skates. We will meet at the Ice Palace at 7pm to eat before we skate.  If you would like to join us or if you have any questions, contact Pastor Scott Huff – scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Sunday, December 19th, is going to be “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” at Coastal!  We’re encouraging everyone to break out and wear that ugly Christmas sweater! We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve Services on Friday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Childcare (Birth-5th Grade) will be provided for all 3 Christmas Eve services with a Christmas Pajama Party for children 2 years old and up.  Sunday, December 26th, there will be NO IN-PERSON SERVICES.  All services will be ONLINE ONLY.  Sunday, January 2nd, there will one in-person service at 9:30am.  As always, the service will be online live at 9:30am, and rebroadcast online at 11:15am and 6pm.

We need your help! I am reaching out everyone at Coastal to help us provide a wonderful Christmas to the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor.  Joseph Floyd Manor is a public housing building in downtown Charleston. It is home primarily to limited income, disabled, and older residents of our city.  Coastal is partnering with “Friends of Joseph Floyd Manor” (one of our many ministry partners) to host a Christmas Party at the manor on Saturday, December 18th, from 9:30am (meet at the church at 9:30am) until 1:30pm. We’re hoping to provide a huge holiday meal with turkey & all the trimmings, a Christmas stocking packed with goodies, and a Christmas gift for every resident! This is a wonderful opportunity because the gifts are actual items the residents have requested.  What’s important to know is the Christmas party we’re hosting on the 18th will be the only Christmas many of these residents will experience.  It’s a great opportunity for us, as a church, to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus!

Picture in your mind all the gifts, stockings, food, a Christmas cookie decoration station, games with prizes, and a coffee & hot chocolate bar!  And then we’ll top off the event with singing Christmas carols!  This will be an event that will positively impact the community and help the residents of the manor feel loved and appreciated.  And by the way, this event is family friendly and all are welcome (a great way to show your kids the true meaning of Christmas). 

Now, a project this size needs two things:

1. Lots of volunteers!  We want to flood Joseph Floyd Manor with love.  Go to our website, give us your contact info, scroll down to this event/date & click, and then scroll down and hit the “click here to register” button. 
    
2. An event this size also requires lots of supplies and resources. Your help is needed to help provide the meal (right now probably the biggest need), the gifts, the Christmas cookie decorating supplies, and the goodies for the stockings (see sign up lists below). 

 There are multiple sign up lists to help out:

The Meal:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CADA929ABF58-christmas

The Gifts:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044FA4A929A1FA7-joseph

The Stockings:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CADA929ABF58-stockings1

The Cookies:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094aa8a92fa0fa7-jfmcookie

To Serve:
https://www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/missions

If you have any questions about this event, please respond to this email or reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris

P.S.  Again, right now the food for the meal is probably the biggest need.  Go to this link and sign up today:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4CADA929ABF58-christmas

One of the challenges that most of us face every Christmas is connecting with the Christmas story with a fresh set of eyes that hasn’t been glazed over with familiarity.  A lot of us have heard the story of Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men so many times, that our brains can easily shift into neutral whenever we hear it.  In fact, it’s easy to mentally check out because we already know the story.  I mean, we LOVE the story, but we sometimes no longer HEAR the story.

And so to combat that tendency, each year we Pastors try to look at the story from a slightly different angle –– not so much to see “new” things –– but to see the same great truths with a new freshness!  And this year I want us to experience the wonder and joy of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the Wise Men and the gifts that they brought Jesus.  

Matthew 2:1-2 says, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  Verse 11 of that same chapter says, “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”  So who were these Magi or Wise Men from the East?  And what if anything is the significance of these gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh?  Join us this Sunday, December 5th, as we kick off “Christmas at Coastal” and discover the answers to those questions and so much more!

And speaking of Christmas at Coastal – a few other things to make note of:  

• Our facility looks AWESOME (thank you Teresa Spell for your vision and all your hard work)!  You’re definitely going to want to get family pictures in our facility!  
• Sunday, December 19th, is going to be “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” at Coastal!  We’re encouraging everyone to break out and wear that ugly Christmas sweater! 
• We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve Services on Friday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Childcare (Birth-5th Grade) will be provided for all 3 Christmas Eve services with a Christmas Pajama Party for children 2 years old and up.  
• Sunday, December 26th, there will be NO IN-PERSON SERVICES.  All services will be ONLINE ONLY.
• Sunday, January 2nd, there will one in-person service at 9:30am.  As always, the service will be online live at 9:30am, and rebroadcast online at 11:15am and 6pm.

Invite and bring someone to church during the Christmas season!  Let me ask you a question – how did YOU find Jesus?  My guess is that Jesus drew you to Himself through His Spirit and His Word.  But He also provided a “star,” a travel guide, someone to help lead you to Jesus.  It might have been your Mom and Dad who pointed the way.  It may have been someone at work, a neighbor, a close friend, a teacher, a pastor – someone that God had cross your path.  It was probably someone whose light was bright, whose love was real.  Well, guess what?  God wants to use you as His star!  Who do you know in your “universe” (where you live, work, parent, and play) who needs to be guided to Jesus?  Daniel 12:3 says, “…and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever.”  Be that guiding light, that bright star, and invite and bring someone to Coastal.  And you never know, maybe, just like the Wise Men, they will bow down and worship Him!
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is tomorrow, Saturday, December 4th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Neighbors Together (formerly Tri-County Ministries) –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, December 8th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate –  We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, December 9th, 6-8:15pm.  Meet at Coastal’s Welcome Center.
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes Friday, December 10th, 9:30am-11:30am.  Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, Saturday, December 11th, 10am-1pm.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Our goal for our 9th Annual Christmas Offering is $125,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 9th (6 more weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 6 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering.  With this year’s offering we are purchasing a second box truck and remodeling our old auditorium. 
3. We’re excited to announce that starting January 1st, 2022 we’re going to be reading through the Bible together this year at Coastal!  We’ll be following the One Year Bible reading plan (a daily reading of the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs).  We’ll have a limited number of One Year Bibles for purchase at the church ($10) if you’d like a hard copy, or you can purchase them online.  You can also simply choose the One Year Bible reading plan through the YouVersion app or Bible.com.  You can sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday, and we’ll add you to an email list for regular encouragement and Study notes throughout the year!  If you’ve never read through the Bible, this would be a great way to get started!   
4. SPRING LIFE GROUP LEADERS! If you are interested in Leading, Co-Leading, or Hosting a Spring 2022 LIFE Group in-person or online, sign up on your Connect Card.  For more details or to answer any of your questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is THIS Sunday, December 5th, in the new Gather Space next to the cafe immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  Childcare provided.
   
   P.S. We’ll be back at Joseph Floyd Manor on Saturday, December 18th for a HUGE Christmas Party! We would love for you to join us! You can sign up to bring food, buy gifts, stuff stockings, and/or assist at the cookie decorating station here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4cada929abf58-christmashttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044fa4a929a1fa7-josephhttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4cada929abf58-stockings1https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094aa8a92fa0fa7-jfmcookie

Okay, okay, we’re not really having a “Black Friday Sale” at Coastal!  I just thought it might be a creative way to get you to open and read my “Friday 5.”  I know how some of you get when you hear the word SALE!  I hope you and your family truly had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!  Today is traditionally called “Black Friday.”  And then next week we have “Cyber Monday” and “Giving Tuesday”!  Regardless of what labels we assign these days, the reality is that more people will buy more STUFF online this weekend and over the next month than any other time of the year. That’s not a bad thing, BUT it isn’t eternal.  Our church exists to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston & the world – and that IS eternal!

So, while you’re shopping online today and over the next month, why not consider doing one of 2 things.  And here’s my CYBER OFFER: 100% of your investment will go to reaching people for Jesus!

1. Go here and give to God through the local church from our website. The investment is eternal.  It lasts way longer than a big screen, toy, or new shoes.
    
2. Give toward our Christmas Offering – simply use the keyword “Christmas” (see below).  Each and every gift counts – small and large.  We can’t all give the same amount, but we can each sacrifice.  And when all of us do that together, that’s when God does a miracle.  Our goal this year is $125,000.  With that money, we’ll be purchasing a second Box Truck and remodeling our old auditorium into a beautiful Chapel! 

Many people give to Coastal with their smartphone through TEXTING!  After a one step, one time registration process (takes less than 2 minutes), you simply text any amount to 843-277-8337 and hit send.  GIVE IT A TRY!  You can give any amount, any where, any time, any place.  It is not billed to your phone.  It is through your Bank/Credit Card that you register.  It is simple, safe, and secure.

Whether you and your family are here in Charleston or out of town this weekend, I hope to see you at Coastal on Sunday – in-person or online!  However, remember we are only having 1 in-person service this Sunday – 9:30am.  As always, the service will be online live at 9:30am, and rebroadcast online at 11:15am and 6pm. We kick off our “Christmas at Coastal” series on Sunday, December 5th.  Take advantage of this season and this series and invite your friends to church!

On a very personal note, I’m asking you to please pray for a friend of mine – Mike Diamond.  He has COVID-19, and I just found out that he’s been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.  He’s had many respiratory issues over the years, so this is very serious.  I say my friend, but in all reality he’s my Dad.  He was the one who led me to the Lord, he was my Youth Pastor growing up, he was the best man in my wedding, he’s my mentor, my Pastor, and my spiritual Father.  I’m pretty sure I’ve talked to him every week of my life for the past 41 years.  Pray for his wife, his children, and his grand children.  Pray for his church.  He’s the Pastor of Victory Christian Church in Goose Creek, a small church that he started years ago.  I will keep you updated as I hear more.  Thank you! 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, December 4th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Seacoast Church Warming Shelter –  We will be assisting with meals for the new homeless warming shelter right around the corner from our church at Seacoast West Ashley.  Breakfast Bag Team, Saturday, December 4th, 6-8pm & Dinner Team, Sunday, December 5th, 5-8:30pm.  Both Teams will meet at Coastal’s Welcome Center.
   Neighbors Together (formerly Tri-County Ministries) –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, December 8th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate –  We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, December 9th, 6-8:15pm.  Meet at Coastal’s Welcome Center.
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes Friday, December 10th, 9:30am-11:30am.  Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Our goal for our 9th Annual Christmas Offering is $125,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 9th (7 more weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 7 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering.  With this year’s offering we are purchasing a second box truck and remodeling our old auditorium. 
3. Our Christmas at Coastal series kicks off on Sunday, December 5th!  Our new facility will be beautifully decorated and a great place to get pictures!  Sunday, December 19th is going to be “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” at Coastal!  We’re encouraging everyone to break out and wear that ugly Christmas sweater!  We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve Services on Friday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Childcare (Birth-5th Grade) will be provided for all 3 Christmas Eve services with a Christmas Pajama Party for children 2 years old and up.
4. Don’t forget – there will only be one in-person service THIS Sunday, November 28th at 9:30am.  The service will be online at 9:30am live and replayed online again at 11:15am and 6pm on Sunday.  If you’ve got friends and family in town from Thanksgiving, bring them with you to church!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, December 5th, in the new Gather Space next to the cafe immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
   
   P.S. SPRING LIFE GROUP LEADERS! If you are interested in Leading, Co-Leading, or Hosting a Spring 2022 LIFE Group in-person or online, sign up on your Connect Card.  For more details or to answer any of your questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

First of all, I just want to thank everyone who participated in Operation Christmas Child this year!  It looks like we filled around 900 shoeboxes this year!  I say around 900 because we had multiple people take shoeboxes directly over to Charleston Baptist after we had already loaded ours up and taken them over.  Plus you can still build boxes online until November 22nd. Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoeboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places.”  Here’s the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Think about it – that’s over 900 opportunities to share and experience the life and love of Jesus with children around the world!  And as we say here at Coastal, if you change a child’s life, you change the world!  Thanks for being a world changer!

Also, I want to encourage you to come tonight to our Night of Worship, 7pm, here in our main auditorium.  And that’s exactly what it’s going to be – a night of worship and praise, singing to and about our awesome God!  You need this.  We need this.  The Holidays tend to be a very stressful time of the year for a lot of people.  Add that to the stress of this past year, plus just the normal stuff of life, and you have a recipe for disaster.  The theme of the night is peace.  Come worship and experience the Prince of Peace together with your church family.  This service will NOT be online.  It’s in-person only.  Honestly, I think that’s good sometimes for a church.  There is just something powerful and different about the gathered church.  In fact, all through the Bible you find example after example of God moving in powerful ways when His people gathered together to worship Him.  Come and gather with us – 7pm tonight, childcare only for children Birth-Kindergarten.  Everyone else will be in the auditorium.  I hope to see you!

Have you and your family prayed about what you can give to our Christmas Offering this year (see below)?  Have you made an initial gift?  Our goal this year is $125,000.  Big Goal.  But guess what?  After just one week, we’ve already received $22,935!  How awesome is that?!  As we’ve learned time and time again, not everyone can give the same amount, but everyone can make the same sacrifice.  The amount will look different from person to person, family to family.  What’s a sacrifice to one family, might not be a sacrifice to another.  But, when we all sacrifice together and give generously by faith, that’s when God shows up and does a miracle!  What do we say at Coastal?  We’re going to work like it all depends on us, pray like it all depends of God, walk by faith, trust God with the results, and celebrate what He does in our midst!

We wrap up our series on the Fruit of the Spirit this Sunday.  I’ll be talking about self-control.  I hope you’ll make it and that you invite and bring a friend.  I also hope you’ll make a real push to invite and bring someone over the month of December and especially Christmas Eve (see below).  People are open to spiritual things throughout the Holidays.  Leverage that, use that openness for the Kingdom.  People are most open to an invitation to church during times of trouble, transition, and tension.  That pretty much describes the times in which we live.  And people especially feel that way during the Holidays.  Pray for the open door and then boldly walk through it.  What’s the worst thing that could happen?  They say no.  What’s the best thing that could happen?  They could give their life to Jesus, and you were just used by God to help change someone’s eternity.  It doesn’t get any better than that!  I love you Coastal!  And I love being your Pastor!  I never want to take that for granted, and I never want to take for granted what God is doing through our church!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes TODAY, November 19h, 9:30am-11:30am.  Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
   Thanksgiving at Joseph Floyd Manor –  Wednesday, November 24th, 9:30am-1pm, we’re going to be putting on a huge Thanksgiving Meal for the folks at Joseph Floyd Manor.  The food is covered, but we really need volunteers to come and serve.  Joseph Floyd Manor is public assistance housing and has a large number of low income elderly and disabled people.  Meet at the church.
   Neighbors Together (formerly Tri-County Ministries) –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, November 24th (and Wednesday, December 8th), 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, December 4th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Our goal for our 9th Annual Christmas Offering is $125,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 9th (8 more weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 8 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering.  With this year’s offering we are purchasing a second box truck and remodeling our old auditorium. 
3. Our Christmas at Coastal series kicks off on Sunday, December 5th!  Our new facility will be beautifully decorated and a great place to get pictures!  Sunday, December 19th is going to be “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” at Coastal!  We’re encouraging everyone to break out and wear that ugly Christmas sweater!  We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve Services on Friday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Childcare (Birth-5th Grade) will be provided for all 3 Christmas Eve services with a Christmas Pajama Party for children 2 years old and up.
4. Don’t forget – there will only be one in-person service on Sunday, November 28th (the Sunday after Thanksgiving) at 9:30am.  The service will be online at 9:30am live and replayed online again at 11:15am and 6pm on Sunday.  If you’ve got friends and family in town from Thanksgiving, bring them with you to church!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, December 5th, in the new Gather Space next to the cafe immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
   
   P.S. SPRING LIFE GROUP LEADERS! If you are interested in Leading, Co-Leading, or Hosting a Spring 2022 LIFE Group in-person or online, sign up on your Connect Card.  For more details or to answer any of your questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

Shoeboxes, Shoeboxes Shoeboxes!  Don’t forget, all filled and completed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child must be returned by this Sunday!  You can also build and send these boxes directly through OCC’s website without even leaving your home!  Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoeboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places.”  Here’s the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Together, with Christians all around the country, we get to be a part of reaching thousands of children all around the world!  How exciting is that!  None of this would be possible without YOU and your generosity!

And speaking of Christmas and generosity, I hope you saw my email yesterday about this year’s Annual Christmas Offering!  Our goal is big – $125,000!  But I believe that over the next 9 weeks, with God’s help, together we can reach it!  Beginning this Sunday, November 14th, through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 9th (9 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during those 9 weeks (Nov. 14th – Jan. 9th) at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Friday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. 

So what are we going to do with that $125,000?  Mainly 2 things: 1. We are going to be purchasing our SECOND “Box Truck”!  Given the popularity of the tailgating outreach at Coastal, the number of volunteers who attend these types of events, and the impact made in the community, the deployment of a 2nd truck would potentially double the impact of our outreach efforts.   2. We’re going to remodel our old auditorium into a Chapel.  As a Chapel, it will serve many purposes – not only for kids, but for students, overflow worship, LIFE Groups, community meeting space, weddings, and funerals.  Specifically, we hope that this Christmas Offering will help purchase the flooring, paint, chairs, lighting & AV equipment. 

So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering and maybe make an initial gift this weekend.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.

And speaking of generosity – I say it all the time – I want our church to be known in the community as a generous church.  Well, you might be wondering what we did with all the cases and equipment that we were setting up for the past year for Coastal Kidz over at Orange Grove Middle School?  WE GAVE IT AWAY to a new church plant in Roswell, GA!  We probably saved them $50,000!  Here’s a part of an email we got back from them:  

• “I wanted to reach back out to you and tell you how incredibly thankful we are! We were able to open and go through everything today with our Children’s Director… and she was blown away!  You guys are such a blessing to us and our mission to reach Roswell, GA. Thanks for being an example of radical generosity that we will be able to model in the future. We pray for blessings on your staff and church as you all enter into this new season of ministry!  With the supplies you donated to us we are able to provide an incredible environment for our families and the children of the community! Again, I can’t say enough how thankful we are!” 

Thank you Coastal for your continued generosity!  I love you and I love being your Pastor!  Have a great Friday!  Can’t wait to see you over the weekend – Saturday: Membership Class 9am at the church (or Zoom – see below), chair set-up at 9:30am, Tailgating at the Pink House 10am (see below), or Sunday: Worship in-person or online, 9:30am & 11:15am!  Oh and speaking of Sunday services, there will only be one in-person service on Sunday, November 28th (the Sunday after Thanksgiving) at 9:30am.

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes on Friday, November 19h, 9:30am-11:30am.  Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
   Thanksgiving at Joseph Floyd Manor –  Wednesday, November 24th, 9:30am-1pm, we’re going to be putting on a huge Thanksgiving Meal for the folks at Joseph Floyd Manor.  The food is covered, but we really need volunteers to come and serve.  Joseph Floyd Manor is public assistance housing and has a large number of low income elderly and disabled people.  Meet at the church.
   Neighbors Together (formerly Tri-County Ministries) –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, November 24th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Our Divorce Care Support Group is having a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar on Tuesday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Divorce Care contact Tracy Trunkle at tandttrunkle@aol.com  or register at www.divorcecare.org/holidays.  This event will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.    Spread the word – the Group and this event are open to the public!
3. Our Christmas at Coastal series kicks off on Sunday, December 5th!  Our new facility will be beautifully decorated and a great place to get pictures!  Sunday, December 19th is going to be “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” at Coastal!  We’re encouraging everyone to break out and wear that ugly Christmas sweater!  We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve Services on Friday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Childcare (Birth-5th Grade) will be provided for all 3 Christmas Eve services with a Christmas Pajama Party for children 2 years old and up.
4. Mark your calendars now!  Coastal will be hosting a Night of Worshipon Friday night, November 19th, from 7-8:30pm.  Invite your friends and family to join us for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement.  Childcare will be provided for Birth to Kindergarten.  This service will be in-person only.  Don’t miss it!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, December 5th, in the new Gather Space next to the cafe immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
   
   P.S. SPRING LIFE GROUP LEADERS! If you are interested in Leading, Co-Leading, or Hosting a Spring 2022 LIFE Group in-person or online, sign up on your Connect Card.  For more details or to answer any of your questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

I am so excited to share with you our plans for our 9th Annual Christmas Offering!  Over the years, this offering has made a huge IMPACT on our ministry!

For example, the Christmas Offering has enabled us to:

• fully fund our “Summer of IMPACT”
• complete a well for a community in Haiti 
• re-roof our entire building 
• renovate a home for a family on Wadmalaw Island
• fully fund our Summer VBS
• pay down the cost of Camp & the Winter Retreat for our Student Ministry
• pay for our Easter Outreach
• pay for the Oakland Elementary School Annual T-Shirt 
• buy our first Box Truck for Community Outreach 

God has used our church and the Christmas Offering to do all of that and so much more!   Well, beginning THIS Sunday, November 14th, through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 9th (9 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.

To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during those 9 weeks (Nov. 14th – Jan. 9th) at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our Christmas Eve Services.  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering.

Why a Special Offering?  It’s a way for us to grow in our faith and to prepare us for what God wants to do through our church in a bigger way in 2022.  It’s a way for us to sacrifice together as a church family and give generously.  Christmas is all about giving.  Many people, during this time of year, are in fact looking for opportunities to give.  And there is no better place to give than to your local church.

What is our goal and where is the money going?  Our overall goal is $125,000 – our largest Christmas Offering to date!  Is that a big goal?  Yes!  Can we reach it?  Absolutely!  As always, I am very excited about where this year’s money will be going and the potential Kingdom impact.  The money will be used for Community Outreach & Remodeling Our Old Auditorium.  Let me specifically explain each:

• Community Outreach.  This year I’m excited to announce that we are going to be purchasing our SECOND “Box Truck”!  Since purchasing our first Box Truck we have hosted 39 Tailgate Parties serving the homeless, hurting, and hungry all over Charleston.  The average tailgate provides food for approximately 200 people.  A quick run of the math concludes that the box truck in its first year of service has fed approximately 7,800 people!  Tailgating is arguably one of the most popular serving opportunities at Coastal. On average, a tailgate event will draw as many as 40 volunteers.  Most of our church’s tailgates typically require 12 to 15 volunteers.  Given the popularity of the tailgating outreach at Coastal, the number of volunteers who attend these types of events, and the impact made in the community, the deployment of a 2nd truck would potentially double the impact of our outreach.  As part of the Christmas offering, we’d also replace our grills to units that are more robust and able to endure the stresses of our outreach events.  We’d also improve and expand exterior lighting on the vehicles so that Coastal can host a greater number of evening outreach events.
   
• Remodeling our old auditorium.  For the past year, during construction, our old auditorium has served as storage for EVERYTHING in our old building.  Now that we’ve moved into our new facility, we’re going to remodel the old auditorium and transform it into a Chapel.  Prior to construction, that space was used very specifically as a Children’s Auditorium for our 1st-5th Graders.  Now, as a Chapel, it will serve many purposes – not only for kids, but for students, overflow worship, LIFE Groups, community meeting space, weddings, and funerals.  Specifically, we hope that this Christmas Offering will help purchase the flooring, paint, chairs, & AV equipment.

How much should you give?  Prayerfully consider giving a gift that will stretch your faith and include your whole family.  For some people, coming up with “extra” money is difficult.  We’ve learned that as we give, God provides.  Maybe you decide to give up eating out or buying coffee for 9 weeks and give that money to the Christmas Offering.  Maybe you sell something or have a yard sale.  For some people $1000 above your regular giving is a huge sacrifice.  For others, it’s not.  

Maybe there is someone who might be willing to give a large matching gift this year.  Just like our “Daring Faith” Giving Campaign that has enabled us to build our new building and all the other Christmas Offerings we’ve done in the past, we can’t all give the same amount, but TOGETHER, we can ALL make a sacrifice.  That’s when God does a miracle, when together we ALL step out in faith.

Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through us as together we stretch our faith.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris Rollins

P.S. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  The easiest and fastest way to give to the Christmas Offering is through TEXTing.  Simply TEXT any amount followed by the word “Christmas” to 843-277-8337 (Example:  “$100 Christmas”).  If you haven’t signed up for TEXT-to-Give it’s a quick, simple, and secure process!

WOW! WOW! WOW!  Grand Opening Weekend was truly AMAZING at Coastal!  Honestly, we really didn’t know what to expect at the Open House on Friday night.  Would anyone actually show up and drop-by?  Well, show up you did!  In fact, several hundred people showed up!  And then Sunday came – the Grand Opening – our first official Sunday using our new space.  I was speechless!  It all started with our VIP Volunteer Meeting at 9am.  We were two deep with Volunteers in our circle in the new Gather Space.  And speaking of Volunteers, I can’t say enough good things about all of our Sunday morning LIFE Team Volunteers.  You guys ROCK!  From First Impressions, to the Cafe, to Security, to Coastal Kidz, to Worship and Tech, and the Prayer Team – all of you showed up in full force and served with love, joy, and excellence!  I am so proud of all of you and can’t thank you enough!  We had 662 people in person and another 475 people online!  I think my jaw was sore Sunday afternoon from all the smiling.  Finally seeing all the children in their classrooms, playing on the playgrounds, seeing all the people in the Gather Space getting coffee and snacks from the new Cafe, talking and connecting before and after services – it all filled my heart with so much joy and gratitude! 

But like I said on Sunday, God is not finished with us and we’re just getting started!  We’re going to keep loving, keep serving, and keep sharing and experiencing the LIFE and LOVE with Jesus with Charleston and the world!  The new facility is just a tool to leverage towards that end.  We’re going to use it, fill it up, add another service and keep growing!

If you were unable to be a part of Grand Opening weekend in-person, no worries!  I can’t wait to see you this Sunday or very soon.  And for those of you who came in person for the first time in a long time, I can’t tell you how great it was to see you.  You made my day!  There’s just something about the “gathered church” that being online can’t replace.  It’s a great tool, one that we’re going to continue to use and improve, but don’t think for a second that it’s the same.  It’s not.  For those of you who have not yet returned to in-person worship, it’s time to come home.  Use the opening of the new facility as a great time to return.  In fact, the opening of the new facility is an opportunity for all of us to use to invite and bring friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to come and see. 

For those of you who were a part of our “Daring Faith” Giving Campaign or you have given generously and consistently to our church, thank you!  We could not do what we do – including this new facility – without you.  Now let’s finish what we started.  We have 1 year left in our “Daring Faith” Campaign.  Continue to give in faith.  For those of you who weren’t a part of “Daring Faith” or who don’t give consistently or generously, it’s time to start – not for us, but for you.  You are missing out on the joy of giving and the blessing of God. 

Back to Volunteers for just a moment – don’t think for a second that we have all the Volunteers we need and that there’s not a place for you.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  There is a place for you and you are needed!  Go to our website, check out all the LIFE Teams, and sign up to Volunteer today!

One last thing, speaking of leveraging our new facility.  If there are any stay at home parents with small children looking for a fun play date, feel free to use our indoor & outdoor playgrounds, Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm.  And yes, feel free to invite and bring other friends with kids to join you.  Or maybe you’re looking for a quiet place to work, use the internet, get away from your office or home office for a bit, feel free to utilize our great Gather Space during those same times.  We have a great facility – now let’s use it!

I jump back into our series on the Fruit of the Spirit this weekend, and I’ll be talking about faithfulness.  Read Luke 7:1-10 in preparation for my message on Sunday. And this Sunday is Time Change!  Enjoy that “extra” hour as your clocks “Fall Back” one hour.  I love you Coastal, and I love being your Pastor!  I hope to see you Saturday at “Saturday Serve” and on Sunday for worship!

LIFE & LOVE
Pastor Chris

1. Just a couple more weeks to pick up and return your shoeboxes for  Operation Christmas Child! Simply pray and ask God how many shoeboxes He wants you to fill, take home the shoeboxes we provide, pack them as a family, and then bring back your completed boxes to the church between now and Sunday, November 14th.  Our kiosk in the Welcome Center is filled with shoeboxes ready to take home!  This is a GREAT opportunity for you to teach your children about generosity, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of Jesus.  You can also build and send these boxes directly through OCC’s website without even leaving your home!  Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoeboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places” by abiding by strict custom regulations.  Here’s the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Help us reach our goal of packing over 1000 shoeboxes this year and share the love of Jesus with children all around the world!
2. Winter Retreat signups are open for all 6th-12th graders!Winter Retreat is Jan. 15-17 in Pigeon Forge, TN with worship led by Rush of Fools & concerts by Crowder & Kari Jobe. Speakers are: Scott Dawson, Ed Newton, KB, & Ben Stuart. The cost is $225. Students can sign up on their Connect Card or on www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/connect/students/ 
   Sign up today for the best weekend of the year!
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is THIS Saturday (tomorrow), November 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, November 9th, 8am-1pm.
   Neighbors Together (formerly Tri-County Ministries) –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, November 10th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   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, Friday, November 12th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, Saturday, November 13th, 10am-1pm.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our November 6th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-12:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/179413.
5. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, November 13th, 9-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. Our Divorce Care Support Group is having a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar on Tuesday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Divorce Care contact Tracy Trunkle at tandttrunkle@aol.com  or register at www.divorcecare.org/holidays.  This event will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.    Spread the word – the Group and this event are open to the public!
   
   P.S. Mark your calendars now!  Coastal will be hosting a Night of Worship on Friday night, November 19th, from 7-8:30pm.  Invite your friends and family to join us for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement.  Childcare will be provided for Birth to Kindergarten.

Woohoo!  It’s hard to believe it’s finally here – Grand Opening Weekend!  Can you believe it?  I’m not sure I can!  I don’t use the word “surreal” very often, because I think it’s way over used.  But it feels appropriate for this moment.  We’re having an Open House Party, TONIGHT, 6-8pm, and YOU ARE INVITED!  There will be food, balloons, music, pictures of the past year, and you’ll be able to walk through all the classrooms, playgrounds, and office space!  Don’t miss it!  Come and celebrate with us!  It’s a drop by, so even if you’ve got other plans, drop by and celebrate with us!

And then, THISSunday, October 31st will be our Grand Opening Sunday!! Our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry will be meeting in their new facility! It’s going to be a great day! Invite and bring your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors! If you serve in Coastal Kidz, Cafe, 1st Impressions, or Security, contact your LIFE Team Leaders and let them know you’re willing to jump in wherever needed.  It’s going to be an “all hands on deck” kind of day!  And if you’re interested in serving, there IS a place for you!  Respond to this email, and we’ll get you connected.  I hope to see you over the weekend!

On Sunday, please park as far away as possible to make room for our guests.  If you have kids, please come early to help check-in go as smoothly as possible.  While the new drive/road around the back of our building will be open, parking in the very back of our property will not be available yet.  We need to wait on the grass to grow.  You WILL be able to park immediately down the first drive and next to the old auditorium.  Please try to come to the Open House.  That’s really the time to walk around the entire new facility and check everything out.  On Sunday morning, during services, Coastal Kidz will be a secure space and only parents, volunteers, and children going to class will be able to enter.  Tonight you can park over at Orange Grove Middle School if our parking lot is full. If you have any questions, please reach out.

And one more thing, I don’t do this very often, but I’m asking everyone to give something above and beyond this weekend as a way to simply give thanks to God for everything He has done and provided for us through this new building.  I don’t care about the amount, that’s between you and God, but let it serve as a tangible way to recognize your excitement, gratitude, and desire to leverage everything we have (including this new facility) for the Kingdom of God. 

I love you Coastal, and I love being your Pastor!  And I can’t wait to see you and your friends over the weekend!  Together, let’s mark this moment in time and celebrate everything God has done in our midst!

Pastor Chris 

1. Just a couple more weeks to pick up and return your shoeboxes for  Operation Christmas Child! Simply pray and ask God how many shoeboxes He wants you to fill, take home the shoeboxes we provide, pack them as a family, and then bring back your completed boxes to the church between now and Sunday, November 14th.  Our kiosk in the Welcome Center is filled with shoeboxes ready to take home!  This is a GREAT opportunity for you to teach your children about generosity, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of Jesus.  You can also build and send these boxes directly through OCC’s website without even leaving your home!  Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoeboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places” by abiding by strict custom regulations.  Heres the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Help us reach our goal of packing over 1000 shoeboxes this year and share the love of Jesus with children all around the world!
2. Winter Retreat signups are open for all 6th-12th graders!Winter Retreat is Jan. 15-17 in Pigeon Forge, TN with worship led by Rush of Fools & concerts by Crowder & Kari Jobe. Speakers are: Scott Dawson, Ed Newton, KB, & Ben Stuart. The cost is $225. Students can sign up on their Connect Card or on www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/connect/students/ 
   Sign up today for the best weekend of the year!
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, November 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, November 9th, 8am-1pm.
   Neighbors Together (formerly Tri-County Ministries) –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, November 10th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   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, Friday, November 12th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, Saturday, November 13th, 10am-1pm.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our November 6th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-12:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/179413.
5. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, November 13th, 9-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. Two of our Support Groups –  Grief Share & Divorce Care –  are both having a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar.  Grief Share’s seminar will be Thursday night, November 4th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Grief Share contact Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com  or register at www.griefshare.org.  Divorce Care’s seminar will be Thursday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Divorce Care contact Tracy Trunkle at tandttrunkle@aol.com  or register at www.divorcecare.org/holidays.  Both of these events will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.    Spread the word – both of these Groups and this event are open to the public!
   
   P.S. Mark your calendars now!  Coastal will be hosting a Night of Worship on Friday night, November 19th, from 7-8:30pm.  Invite your friends and family to join us for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement.  Childcare will be provided for Birth to Kindergarten.

This Sunday we’ll be in week 6 of our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, which means I’ll be talking about goodness.  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness. . .”  One of the main points that we’ve made in this series is that the fruit of the Spirit is a gift.  In other words, it is received by grace at salvation.  That gift must then be developed.  But God isn’t going to force you.  And it doesn’t happen automatically.  We have to work at it.  We have to cooperate with God in the process – not out of fear or obligation.  Heaven is already ours if Jesus is in our life.  But we strive for goodness out of love and appreciation for what God has already done for us – out of a desire that God puts in our hearts to be truly good.  

Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work (Notice that it is God’s work.  We are dependent on Him.  We can’t do it ourselves.) until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”What does that mean?  You see, even though when you become a follower of Jesus you are saved instantly and your eternity in heaven is secured instantly, it doesn’t mean you become “good” instantly.  

You begin a process (the theological word is “sanctification”) where you gradually become more and more like Jesus every day.  This continues the rest of your life – you cooperating with God to become good and develop all of the fruit of the Spirit in your life.  But you never completely finish that process on this side of eternity – not until the day you stand before Jesus at the end of your life and He makes you perfect in every way!

Coastal, don’t miss this Sunday AND please invite and bring a friend with you!  Invite your “ONE”, the person you’re praying for to receive Christ and come to faith.  I am specifically going to be talking about how we are made good in God’s eyes through faith in Christ.  I will be clearly sharing the good news of the Gospel, and I truly believe that people are going to be saved.  Will you join me in praying for that?  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  And I can’t wait to see you and your friends on Sunday!

BEING & DOING GOOD BECAUSE OF JESUS!
Pastor Chris 

1. One of our favorite missions that we support here at Coastal is Operation Christmas Child (OCC) – sharing the love of Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel through gifts & supplies in a simple shoebox.  What we are asking our church (YOU) is to simply pray and ask God how many shoeboxes He wants you to fill, take home the shoeboxes we provide, pack them as a family, and then bring back your completed boxes to the church between now and Sunday, November 14th.  Our kiosk in the Welcome Center will be filled with shoeboxes ready to take home each Sunday.  This would be a GREAT opportunity for you to teach your children about generosity, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of Jesus.  This year, you can also build and send these boxes directly through OCC’s website without even leaving your home!  Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoesboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places” by abiding by strict custom regulations.  Heres the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Through this link, you will also see a running total of how many online boxes are built and credited to Coastal’s count for this year.  Help us reach our goal of packing over 1000 shoeboxes this year and share the love of Jesus with children all around the world!  Pray about how many boxes your family would be willing to pack, step out in faith, grab a few shoeboxes on Sunday, and help us do just that!
2. Young Adults (18-25 years old) join us for Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA on Jan. 2-4! Join 40,000+ other 18-25 year olds while being challenged by God’s Word to be a movement of His love to this world with amazing speakers, artists, & musicians. You will worship, celebrate, grow in your faith, & build new friendships. Cost is $225 due by Nov. 30th. See more details and signup at www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/passion-conference/
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, Friday (TODAY), October 22nd, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, October 27th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes on Friday, October 29h, 9:30am-11:30am.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our November 6th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-12:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/179413.
5. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, November 13th, 9-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. Two of our Support Groups –  Grief Share & Divorce Care –  are both having a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar.  Grief Share’s seminar will be Thursday night, November 4th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Grief Share contact Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com  or register at www.griefshare.org.  Divorce Care’s seminar will be Thursday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Divorce Care contact Tracy Trunkle at tandttrunkle@aol.com  or register at www.divorcecare.org/holidays.  Both of these events will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.    Spread the word – both of these Groups and this event are open to the public!
   
   P.S. Mark your calendars now!  Coastal will be hosting a night of praise and worship on Friday night, November 19th, from 7-8:30pm.  Invite your friends and family to join us for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement.  Childcare will be provided for birth to kindergarten.

A good friend of mine pastors a church in New York City.  He says that he hears people say all the time, “New Yorkers are rude!”  His response,  “No, we’re just in a hurry.”  Haha – I’m not sure if either statement is completely accurate, but I do know this – rudeness and meanness are definitely on the rise today.  You see examples of that everywhere – people losing it on airplanes, cursing outbursts in grocery stores, fights at school board meetings, and the utter nastiness all over social media.  I mean people are more abusive of each other, physically and verbally, than at any other time before.  It just seems like people are on edge, ready to go off at any moment.  What we used to know as common courtesy is just not so common anymore.  Obviously, people are in a hurry today, but I think it’s more than that.  I think being self-absorbed is probably the #1 reason we aren’t kind anymore.  We are thinking about ourselves so much that we just don’t notice the opportunities we have all around us to show God’s love through kindness.

But we can’t let that happen.  And here’s why.  Because God gives us divine moments every day.  Moments where God orchestrates encounters between us and another person so that we can show them kindness in a way that might change their life, that might show them God’s love!  Kindness is so much more than just being nice or agreeable.  It’s not just NOT hurting someone else.  It’s love in action!  Kindness looks for a way to improve somebody’s life.  Kindness builds people up.  Again it’s LOVE IN ACTION.

And that’s what we’ll be talking about on Sunday as we continue our series on the Fruit of the Spirit.  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness. . .”  Out of all of the fruit listed in Galatians 5, kindness may be one of the most underrated fruits on the stand and yet the most needed today.  The famous Quaker missionary, Stephen Grellet, once said, “I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”  He’s right.  We only have one life to live.  I pray that God would open our eyes and our hearts to see all the opportunities for kindness around us and that we would actually DO them – love in action.  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  And I can’t wait to see you and your friends on Sunday!

BE KIND!
Pastor Chris

1. One of our favorite missions that we support here at Coastal is Operation Christmas Child (OCC) – sharing the love of Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel through gifts & supplies in a simple shoebox.  What we are asking our church (YOU) is to simply pray and ask God how many shoeboxes He wants you to fill, take home the shoeboxes we provide, pack them as a family, and then bring back your completed boxes to the church between now and Sunday, November 14th.  Our kiosk in the Welcome Center will be filled with shoeboxes ready to take home each Sunday.  This would be a GREAT opportunity for you to teach your children about generosity, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of Jesus.  This year, you can also build and send these boxes directly through OCC’s website without even leaving your home!  Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoesboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places” by abiding by strict custom regulations.  Heres the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Through this link, you will also see a running total of how many online boxes are built and credited to Coastal’s count for this year.  Help us reach our goal of packing over 1000 shoeboxes this year and share the love of Jesus with children all around the world!  Pray about how many boxes your family would be willing to pack, step out in faith, grab a few shoeboxes on Sunday, and help us do just that!
2. Young Adults (18-25 years old) join us for Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA on Jan. 2-4! Join 40,000+ other 18-25 year olds while being challenged by God’s Word to be a movement of His love to this world with amazing speakers, artists, & musicians. You will worship, celebrate, grow in your faith, & build new friendships. Cost is $225 due by Nov. 30th. See more details and signup at www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/passion-conference/
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate –  We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Patriot Villas, Wednesday, October 20th, 6pm-8:15pm. 
   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, Friday, October 22nd, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, October 27th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Clothing Team –  Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes on Friday, October 29h, 9:30am-11:30am.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our November 6th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-12:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/179413.
5. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, November 13th, 9-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. Two of our Support Groups –  Grief Share & Divorce Care –  are both having a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar.  Grief Share’s seminar will be Thursday night, November 4th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Grief Share contact Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com  or register at www.griefshare.org.  Divorce Care’s seminar will be Thursday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm.  To RSVP or for more information on Divorce Care contact Tracy Trunkle at tandttrunkle@aol.com  or register at www.divorcecare.org/holidays.  Both of these events will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.    Spread the word – both of these Groups and this event are open to the public!
   
   P.S. Mark your calendars now!  Coastal will be hosting a night of praise and worship on Friday night, November 19th, from 7-8:30pm.  Invite your friends and family to join us for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement.  Childcare will be provided.

This Sunday we’re in week 4 of our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, and I’ll be preaching on PATIENCE!!   “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience. . .”  Of all the fruit of the Spirit, I bet this is the one that most people would say is the one they need to work on the most.  So what is it?  Other translations use the word forebearance, long suffering.  That’s the idea here.  Being long tempered, the ability to be inconvenienced or even taken advantage of, and yet it doesn’t blow up, fly off the handle, or respond in kind.

Proverbs 14:29 says, “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.”  That’s a great description of this word.  It conveys the idea of being slow to get angry, of having a long fuse and a short memory.  Unfortunately, we get that turned around, some of us have a short fuse and a long memory.  The word literally means “wrath that is put far away.”  If we are being controlled by the Spirit, then fits of rage will be put far away.  Patient people are hard to provoke.  Their temper can absorb a lot before they “lose it.”

In Colossians 3:12 patience is one of the character traits that Paul mentions that we’re to literally clothe ourselves with, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clotheyourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  So patience is part of our new wardrobe in Christ.  It’s interesting, when Paul describes life outside of Christ, he often describes an angry life.  In fact, right before he lists the fruit of the Spirit, he gives us another list, remember?  And among the works of the flesh or the acts of the sinful nature that are listed earlier in Galatians 5, Paul mentions “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, and factions.”  What do they all have in common?  They’re all rooted in irritation and anger.  We need a change of clothes!  We’re to put off those things, and in their place, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  The point is that these new clothes are a gift, but every day we have to choose to put them on.  Make the decision today to put on patience.  Come this Sunday and discover how!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  And I can’t wait to see you and your friends on Sunday!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. One of our favorite missions that we support here at Coastal is Operation Christmas Child (OCC) – sharing the love of Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel through gifts & supplies in a simple shoebox.  What we are asking our church (YOU) is to simply pray and ask God how many shoeboxes He wants you to fill, take home the shoeboxes we provide, pack them as a family, and then bring back your completed boxes to the church between now and Sunday, November 14th.  Our kiosk in the Welcome Center will be filled with shoeboxes ready to take home each Sunday.  This would be a GREAT opportunity for you to teach your children about generosity, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of Jesus.  This year, you can also build and send these boxes directly through OCC’s website without even leaving your home!  Go to Coastal’s Build a Shoebox Online Challenge Page and for only $25 you can build shoesboxes that are used to reach “the ends of the earth – hard to reach places” by abiding by strict custom regulations.  Heres the link https://sampur.se/3Ao3bXv.  Through this link, you will also see a running total of how many online boxes are built and credited to Coastal’s count for this year.  Help us reach our goal of packing over 1000 shoeboxes this year and share the love of Jesus with children all around the world!  Pray about how many boxes your family would be willing to pack, step out in faith, grab a few shoeboxes on Sunday, and help us do just that!
2. Coastal’s CARE Team coordinates baskets, meals, and cards for those in our church and community who need additional encouragement.  The CARE Team will be hosting an information and training session THIS Sunday, October 10th, at 6pm for anyone who is currently serving or interested in joining the Team.  RSVP to rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, THIS Saturday (TOMORROW), October 9th, 10am-1pm.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, October 12th, 8am-1pm.  Meet at:1113 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Charleston (Elks Lodge).
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, October 13th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Joseph Floyd Manor Tailgate –  Our Tailgate will be rolling and serving our friends downtown at the Joseph Floyd Manor –  Thursday, October 14th, 9:30am-12:30pm. (Meet at the church at 9:30am)
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Coastal is hosting “Celebrate Christmas at Joseph Floyd Manor” on Saturday, December 18th!  Are you interested in serving on the Planning Team as we prepare to host a Christmas Party to remember for the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor?  Let us know on your Connect Card, and we’ll reach out to you with more details.
5. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, November 13th, 9-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. Many of you might not be aware of this, but our church has a Grief Share Support Group that meets on Monday nights, 6:30pm at the church.  Grief Share is a support group for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one and need support, encouragement, and hope.  On Thursday night, November 4th, 6:30pm-8:30pm  our Grief Share Group is hosting a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar.  This event will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.  Contact Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com to RSVP or for more information or register at www.griefshare.org.  Spread the word – the Group and this event are open to the public!
   
   P.S. Mark your calendars now!  Coastal will be hosting a night of praise and worship on Friday night, November 19th, from 7-8:30pm.  Invite your friends and family to join us for an evening of worship, prayer, and encouragement.  Childcare will be provided.

Probably the most asked question I get lately is, “When are we moving in to our new facility?”  Typically, my answer is, “As soon as I know, you will know.  And right now. . . I just don’t know.”  Several weeks ago, I mentioned that this weekend, October 3rd, was a possibility.  Well, that possibility has come and gone.  However, we are making big strides every day and we are getting very, very close.  Every Thursday afternoon I have an OAC Meeting (Owner, Architect, Contractor) and after this week’s meeting, there is a very strong possibility that we’ll have a temporary CO (Certificate of Occupancy) sometime at the end of next week.  Now, there are still several things that have to fall into place, but as I said, we are very, very close.  I really think our first Sunday fully occupying our new space will either be October 17th or 24th.  Once we get our CO, we still need about a week to move in all of “our stuff” and make sure all of our rooms and technology are ready and prepared for operation.  So once all that takes place, we’ll announce our Open House Party and Grand Opening Sunday Celebration!

I actually think it will be quite funny and fitting if we do get our CO sometime next weekend.  Why you ask?  Well because we’ll be in week 4 of our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, and I’ll be preaching on PATIENCE!!  Does God have a sense of humor or what?  This whole process has definitely been a lesson in patience.  But before we get to patience, this Sunday I’ll be talking about peace.  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace. . .”  The Bible refers to God as the “God of peace.”  Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace.”

The last year and a half has been anything but peaceful. Just the opposite.  Turn on the news, and what do you see?  Terrorist bombings, school shootings, racial tension, and political hatred and division.  In fact, you honestly find yourself asking this question:  “Well, if Jesus is the Prince of Peace, did He fail?”  At the conclusion of Jesus’ ministry, before He goes back to Heaven, Jesus said this, John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  And then in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  Jesus came to bring peace.  He said it Himself.  So, again, did Jesus fail?

Well, I think it all depends on how do you define peace?  The world defines peace as the absence of conflict, the absence of trouble.  But obviously, Jesus had something else in mind.  In fact, back in those verses in John, He said, “And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. In this world you will have trouble.”  So that can’t be the kind of peace He’s talking about.

I meet and talk to a lot of people.  You could say that comes with my job.  It’s really rare to find people who are at peace.  I talk to people all the time.  I meet people who are busy.  I meet people who are stressed out.  I meet people who are tired, who are beat down, relationally, financially, and emotionally.  I rarely meet people who are totally at peace, at peace with themselves, at peace with the world, and at peace with God.  What about you?  That really is the question of the day, are you at peace?  How would you answer that question?  Think it through.  Are you at peace in the different areas of your life?  Are you at peace relationally, financially, emotionally, physically?  Are you at peace with yourself?  Are you at peace with the other people in your life – your family, your friends, your co-workers?  And most importantly, are you at peace with God?  Don’t miss this Sunday as we continue this discussion.  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  See you Sunday!

PEACE!
Pastor Chris 

1. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is THIS Sunday, October 3rd, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email or sign up on our website.
2. Coastal’s CARE Team coordinates baskets, meals, and cards for those in our church and community who need additional encouragement.  The CARE Team will be hosting an information and training session on Sunday, October 10th at 6pm for anyone who is currently serving or interested in joining the Team.  RSVP to rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is THIS Saturday, October 2nd (TOMORROW).  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!  If you’re coming, park over at Orange Grove Middle School and walk over.  It looks like they’ll be paving our new drive & road on Saturday!
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, Saturday, October 9th, 10am-1pm.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, October 12th, 8am-1pm.  Meet at:1113 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Charleston (Elks Lodge).
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, October 13th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Joseph Floyd Manor Tailgate –  Our Tailgate will be rolling and serving our friends downtown at the Joseph Floyd Manor –  Thursday, October 14th, 9:30am-12:30pm. (Meet at the church at 9:30am)
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Coastal is hosting “Celebrate Christmas at Joseph Floyd Manor” on Saturday, December 18th!  Are you interested in serving on the Planning Team as we prepare to host a Christmas Party to remember for the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor?  Let us know on your Connect Card, and we’ll reach out to you with more details.
5. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, November 13th, 9-11:30am. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
   
   P.S. Right now it looks as though they will probably be paving our new road and drive at the church this Saturday!  That’s a huge step as we move closer to opening up our new facility!  However, it does mean that on Saturday, we need everyone to park over at Orange Grove Middle School and walk over for Saturday Serve.  Thanks in advance for your flexibility, servant’s heart, and PATIENCE!! 

We’re in week 2 of our series on the “Fruit of the Spirit” and this week I’ll be talking about joy.  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy. . .”  God wants to cultivate joy in your life.  However, joy is often misunderstood.  We tend to equate happiness with joy, and while there’s definitely some overlap, at the same time, there are some differences because they each spring from a different source.  For example, one comes from the world around me, and the other originates directly from the Spirit of the living God.

Happiness is based on happenings.  In other words, it’s conditioned by and dependent upon what’s happening to me – my circumstances.  If the sun is shining and people are nice and everything is going well in my life, then I am HAPPY!  But if my circumstances fluctuate and bottom out, well then I’m unhappy!

Joy, on the other hand, is different.  It’s not solely dependent upon what may or may not be happening to me in the moment.  In fact, since it originates with the Holy Spirit, it has a divine component that is capable of actually transcending my circumstances.  But let me give you a gentle caution.  I’m not suggesting that Biblical joy is about denying reality.  We live in a jacked-up, fallen world where we’re often confronted with things like pain, disappointment, stress, heartache, loss, anxiety, suffering, and death.

But if joy transcends our earthly circumstances, then hey, if you’re truly filled with it, doesn’t that mean that you’ll just skate right along above all those things?  You’re a joyful Christian, right?  Well, then surely you don’t ever get sad or fearful or stressed out or down or depressed!  Okay if that’s true, let me be the first to say, “Then I am not a Christian!”  I’m simply saying that Biblical joy is not about denying reality.  In fact, sometimes it’s experienced in the very midst of sadness and hardship and heartache.  Regardless of what you’re facing today, your life can be full of joy.  Philippians 4:4 (this week’s memory verse) reminds us of this, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”  So how do we make this joy a reality in our lives? How do we cultivate the fruit of joy?  Come to Coastal this Sunday and discover how!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  See you Sunday!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, October 3rd, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
2. Coastal’s CARE Team coordinates baskets, meals, and cards for those in our church and community who need additional encouragement.  The CARE Team will be hosting an information and training session on Sunday, October 10th at 6pm for anyone who is currently serving or interested in joining the Team.  RSVP to rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, September 24th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, September 29th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, October 2nd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, Saturday, October 9th, 10am-1pm.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Coastal is hosting “Celebrate Christmas at Joseph Floyd Manor” on Saturday, December 18th!  Are you interested in serving on the Planning Team as we prepare to host a Christmas Party to remember for the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor?  Let us know on your Connect Card, and we’ll reach out to you with more details.
5. Interested in serving in our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade)?  Go to our website, check out all the different volunteer positions, and sign up today!  It’s that easy!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299. 
   
   P.S. Have you signed up for a LIFE Group yet?  As always, there are multiple ways to sign up for a Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center.  And this semester, we have the most Groups we’ve ever had – 29 different LIFE Groups – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, support Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Most of our Groups just started this week, so it’s not too late to sign up!  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!

We’re kicking off our new series on the Fruit of the Spirit this Sunday, September 19th!  Don’t miss it!  Our memory verse for this week is Galatians 5:22-23, which says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  Each week of the series, there will be a memory verse and a daily devotional which will be emailed out Monday through Saturday.  Several of our LIFE Groups are going to use small group questions that we provide each week to dig deeper into that week’s message. (By the way, most of our LIFE Groups start this coming week!  Woohoo!) 

This week’s sermon is on love.  In preparation for Sunday, I would encourage you to read through 1 Corinthians 13 – the love chapter of the Bible.  Some have suggested that this is the greatest, strongest, and deepest passage ever written about love.  It is, no doubt, the most read passage of scripture at weddings.  But it’s interesting, when Paul wrote this chapter, he was not thinking about weddings or romance, at least, not primarily.  Chapter 13 comes right in the middle of a lengthy discussion on the use of spiritual gifts in the church.  The Corinthians had turned that into a battle ground.  They argued about which gift was the most significant.  They were selfish and they were taking each other to court.  Seriously, the Corinthian church was literally plagued with disputes, dissension and division.

It was into THAT context that Paul introduced the Corinthians to a new kind of love – God’s love.  So as you read through 1 Corinthians 13, don’t just think about your spouse or your boyfriend or girlfriend.  Think about how you treat other people in the church, people you come into contact with in the community – where you live, work, parent, and play.  Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”  You see, the distinguishing mark of a Christian is not a cross.  The sign of the Christian is not a crucifix.  It’s not a dove.  It’s not a fish on your car.  The distinguishing mark of a Christian is love.  So, how many people know that you are a Christian because of your loving lifestyle?  One of the most loving things you could do this week is to invite and bring someone to church with you!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1.  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, October 3rd, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
2. Have you signed up for a LIFE Team yet – Coastal Kidz, First Impressions, Cafe, Security, Worship, Tech?  Our LIFE Teams are the volunteers who carry out the mission of Coastal.  To see a complete list of our LIFE Teams go to our website and sign up today!
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate –  We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Patriot Villas, Thursday, September 22nd, 6pm-8pm.  Meet at church Welcome Center.
   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, Friday, September 24th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, September 29th, 9:45am-12:30pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, October 2nd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Waves Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) is back and meeting regularly on Wednesday nights!  Doors will open at 6pm and all Students 6th-12th grade are invited to come out and join in a night of fellowship and growth from 6pm-8pm.  Food, games, worship, a Biblical message and small groups are all part of a Wednesday night at Waves Student Ministry, so invite and bring a friend!  For any questions, reach out to Pastor Scott at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org, 859-230-5129.
5. Interested in serving in our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade)?  Go to our website, check out all the different volunteer positions, and sign up today!  It’s that easy!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299. 
   
   P.S. Have you signed up for a LIFE Group yet?  As always, there are multiple ways to sign up for a Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center.  And this semester, we have the most Groups we’ve ever had – 29 different LIFE Groups – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, support Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Unless otherwise indicated, most of Groups begin the week of September 19th and last 8-12 weeks.  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!

I’M BACK!  Not that I’ve actually gone anywhere, but this Sunday I’m back preaching!  Before we kick off a new series (more about that in just minute), before we open up our new facility, I think it’s important to look back at where we’ve been, to mark this moment in time, and remember what and who got us here.  And that’s what I want us to do on Sunday.  So don’t miss it!  I really believe it’s going to be a powerful Sunday.

And then on the following Sunday, September 19th, I’ll be kicking off a brand new series that I’m very excited about.  It’s a 9 week series on the Fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23 says this, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Earlier in Galatians the Apostle Paul uses this little phrase, “until Christ is fully developed in your life.”  That’s what the fruit of the Spirit is.  It’s a picture of Jesus fully developed in your life.  You see, Jesus is love.  Jesus is joy.  Jesus is peace.  Jesus is patience.  He’s kindness.  He’s goodness.  He’s faithfulness and gentleness and self-control.  And so each week, we’re going to look at each one of those qualities and talk about what it looks like to have that quality fully developed in your life.  And not only that, but we’re going to be giving everyone a daily devotional that follows along with each week of the series.  Several of our LIFE Groups are going to use small group questions that we provide each week to dig deeper into that week’s message.  I really believe it’s going to be a great series.  You’re not going to want to miss it.  In fact, I want to challenge you to invite and bring someone with you to church.

Our new facility is really taking shape!  I can’t wait for everyone to see it!  All the carpet and flooring has been installed, furniture has been delivered and unpacked, the indoor playground has been installed, and some of the concrete out front has been poured.  There are still a lot of details, technology, and sitework to be completed, but the end is definitely in sight.  It’s looking more and more like our first Sunday using the new facility will be October 3rd.  But again, as soon as I know, you will know, and we will PARTY!

I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, October 3rd, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
2. Have you signed up for a LIFE Team yet – Coastal Kidz, First Impressions, Cafe, Security, Worship, Tech?  Our LIFE Teams are the volunteers who carry out the mission of Coastal.  To see a complete list of our LIFE Teams go to our website and sign up today!
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, TOMORROW, Saturday, September 11th, 10am-1pm.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, September 14th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, September 15th, 9:45am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Waves Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) is back and meeting regularly on Wednesday nights!  Doors will open at 6pm and all Students 6th-12th grade are invited to come out and join in a night of fellowship and growth from 6pm-8pm.  Food, games, worship, a Biblical message and small groups are all part of a Wednesday night at Waves Student Ministry, so invite and bring a friend!  For any questions, reach out to Pastor Scott at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org, 859-230-5129.
5. Interested in serving in our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade)?  Go to our website, check out all the different volunteer positions, and sign up today!  It’s that easy!   There will be a Training THIS Sunday night, September 12th, 5pm-6:30pm.  We will meet in the worship auditorium or you can attend through Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4864196205).  This will be a great time for us to pray, plan, and prepare for all that God has in store for Coastal KIdz as we move into our new facility. Plus you can get a sneek peek at our new facility! This is also a great time for returning or new volunteers to get connected in Children’s Ministry at Coastal.  If you have any questions or to RSVP, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299. 
   
   P.S. Have you signed up for a LIFE Group yet?  As always, there are multiple ways to sign up for a Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center.  And this semester, we have the most Groups we’ve ever had – 29 different LIFE Groups – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, support Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Unless otherwise indicated, most of Groups begin the week of September 19th and last 8-12 weeks.  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!

So, have you signed up for a LIFE Group yet?  If you haven’t heard, we unveiled our 2021 Fall Semester LIFE Group Catalog last week!  You can go to our website right now, check out all the different Groups and sign up today.

But why?  Why should you sign up for a LIFE Group?  Let me give you 3 good reasons.  First of all, I need others to WALK with me.  In other words, I need people to help me grow spiritually.  Colossians 2:6, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him…”  The Bible often calls your spiritual life, your walk.  Why?  Because life is a journey.  You’re always growing.  And all through the Bible we’re instructed how to walk this walk.  But this is important:  God never intended for you to walk through life alone.  Never.  Now some of you might say, “Well what’s wrong with walking alone? I like to walk alone.  I prefer to walk alone.  I get my own way when I walk alone.”  Well, that’s part of the problem, you’re not learning cooperation.  You’re not learning relationships.  You’re not learning love.

Hebrews 10:25 says this, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”  I need people to encourage me in my daily walk.  And how do you do that?  He says, “By meeting together.”  He’s talking about community.  It’s possible that you don’t have community when you come to Coastal for worship.  Community is what develops over time when you do life with a small group of people.  You get to know them, and they get to know you.  You see, you could be in a crowd, you could come to church every week for years and still be lonely because you never know anybody.  We need a few people in our lives that we know really well, and they know us really well.  And we all need a place, a group, where we can practice relationships and learn to love.

Another reason you need to join a LIFE Group, I need others to WATCH OUT for me.  I need people who will defend me, who will protect me, who will stand up for me, who will help me stay on track, who will warn me.  I need people to watch out for me.

Philippians 2:4 says this, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Now that’s a countercultural statement because in America, everybody says, “It’s all about me, my needs, my interests, my hurts, and the rest of you, forget you because it’s all about me.”  And yet the Bible says, “Look out for one another’s interests.”

What do we do when we go out of town?  We find people to watch our pets and our stuff – because those things are important.  Well, let me ask you, do you have anybody looking out for your soul?  Because your soul is more important than your stuff – right?  Is there anybody who is helping you out in your spiritual journey?  Who’s watching out for you?  To make sure that you’re still growing?  To make sure that you’re not getting discouraged and depressed and feel like giving up?

Ecclesiastes 4:12, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer.  Three are even better for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”  That’s why you need a LIFE group.  Who’s watching your back right now, spiritually?  And who’s back are you watching out for?  You can’t expect anybody to watch out for you if you’re not watching out for anybody else?  That’s one of the values of LIFE groups.  It gives us support.

A third reason you need a join a LIFE Group,  I need others to WAIT AND WEEP with me, to wait and weep with me.  What am I talking about here?  I need people who are going to be there in the inevitable crises of life.  Now as your pastor, I feel this one really deeply because I see it all the time.  There are many situations in life that nobody should ever have to go through alone.  Nobody should ever have to sit alone in a hospital, waiting during a life or death surgery.  No woman should have to wait alone while she’s waiting for a lab test from a problem pregnancy.  No man or woman should have to spend the night alone when the wife walks out, or the husband has walked out.  I could go on and on and on.  No one should ever have to stand at an open grave alone.

Now the fact is some of these things are going to happen in your life.  They are going to happen.  We’re all going to lose loved ones.  And only a fool would go through life unprepared for what they know is inevitably going to happen.  You need the support network in your life now because you don’t know when the crisis is going to come.  You need that support group.  You don’t need a hundred, but you do need five or six people in your life who are going to be there when you need them.  And the time to prepare is now.  We need each other.  We need other believers to walk with us, to watch out for us, and to wait and weep with us.  Those are just 3 reasons for joining a LIFE Group.  Check out our catalog and sign up today!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. ATTENTION EVERYONE:
   Don’t forget that THIS Sunday, September 5th (Labor Day Weekend), there will only be ONE in-person service – the 9:30am service.  There will be NO 11:15am service in-person.
2. Have you signed up for a LIFE Team yet?  Our LIFE Teams are the volunteers who carry out the mission of Coastal.   To see a complete list of our LIFE Teams go to our website and sign up today!
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, September 4th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, Saturday, September 11th, 10am-1pm.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, September 14th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, September 15th, 9:45am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Waves Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) is back and kicking off its Fall semester on Wednesday, September 8th!  Doors will open at 6pm and all students 6th-12th grade are invited to come out and join in a night of fellowship and growth from 6pm-8pm.  Food, games, worship, a Biblical message and small groups are all part of a Wednesday night at Waves Student Ministry, so invite and bring a friend!  The Students are also going Bowling this Sunday night, 6-8pm at Ashley Lanes!  For any questions, reach out to Pastor Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
5. Interested in serving in our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade)?  Go to our website, check out all the different volunteer positions, and sign up today!  It’s that easy!   There will be a Training on Sunday, September 12th, 5pm-6:30pm.  We will meet in the worship auditorium, but we will not have childcare because we don’t have a place for it yet.  This will be a great time for us to pray, plan, and prepare for all that God has in store for Coastal KIdz as we move into our new facility hopefully in September. Plus you can get a sneek peek at our new facility! This is also a great time for returning or new volunteers to get connected in Children’s Ministry at Coastal.  If you have any questions or to RSVP for a Training time, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.
   
   P.S. Have you considered automating your giving? It’s a great way to stay consistent in your giving. You can do that through your Bank, through our TEXT to GIVE provider (843-277-8337), or our Offering Envelope.  If you have any questions you can call the church (843-571-1777) and Ashley will step you through it.  Just remember that the Ministry and IMPACT of Coastal continues whether you’re here on a Sunday or not.  And everything we do is made possible by your consistent, generous giving.  You can give through our website or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337.

I love what we do here on Sunday mornings!  I do!  I love the music.  I love watching people come to faith.  Coastal is an exciting place to be.  I don’t understand how you would ever want to miss it.  I love attracting a crowd and sharing the Good News of the Gospel with as many people as possible.  Jesus attracted a crowd.  There’s nothing wrong with large numbers of people.  The early church grew very large, very fast.

But. . . there is one weakness with a crowd.  It’s hard to grow in a crowd.  You don’t live out/walk out your faith in a crowd.  You need community.  You and I were created for community.  Now, at Coastal, what do we use to live out that community?  What do we call them?  LIFE Groups!  And this coming Sunday is LIFE GROUP SUNDAY!  What does that mean?  It means that we will be unveiling our 2021 Fall Semester LIFE Group Catalog and you can start signing up for a Group!

I love our LIFE Groups.  I love the community I’ve experienced over the years in our LIFE Groups.  I love that I have 3 o’clock in the morning friends because of a LIFE Group I’ve been a part of.  I love that I know many of your stories and you know mine because we’ve been in a LIFE Group together over the years.  I love that the first call many people here at Coastal make when they’re in need is their LIFE Group members and leaders – not me.

Notice what the Bible says in Romans 12:5, “Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other and each of us needs all the others.”  We need each other!  So let me just be as straight forward as I can and tell you exactly what I want you to do.  I want everyone here at Coastal to join a LIFE Group!  It’s as simple as that.  I want to challenge you to make the time, re-prioritize your life, and get in a LIFE Group for one semester, one semester, not for life, 10-12 weeks.

I can already hear some of your excuses.  And here is the biggest one of all.  “But Pastor Chris, I just don’t have the time.  I’m too busy.”  Hear this with all the love I can muster.  You have time to do whatever it is you value – tv, social media, sports, hobbies.  It’s just not that important to you yet.

Or here’s another excuse, “But I don’t know those people.”  First of all, no one bites.  But listen, every relationship you currently have, you have because you got out of your comfort zone and met someone.  I’m not saying that everyone in your group will overnight become your best friend.  But it will provide you an opportunity to meet people and put you in the atmosphere where you can develop friends.  After all, that’s what we’re all looking for anyway.  People don’t just want a friendly church, they want friends.

Here’s another excuse, “But people are weird and they have issues.”  Listen, they’re thinking the same thing about you!  Everyone’s got issues.  Everyone’s a wackjob.  And if you think no one’s got issues in your group and no one is a little weird – guess what?  You’re the weird one – haha!

Bottom line, you need it, and it’s worth it.  You can not grow to become the person God intended you to become on your own.  You need other people.  Once you learn something, you have to live it out.  You can learn about love all week, but it gets fleshed out in the context of community, with people.  Patience, kindness, generosity, faith are all lived out in community, in relationships.  At Coastal, LIFE Groups are the primary vehicle of the church being the church – of living out your faith, of care, fellowship, love, prayer, discipleship.  

As always, there are multiple ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the Welcome Center.  And this semester, we have the most Groups we’ve ever had – 29 different LIFE Groups – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, support Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Unless otherwise indicated, most of Groups begin the week of September 19th and last 8-12 weeks.  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. ATTENTION EVERYONE:
   Don’t forget that on Sunday, September 5th (Labor Day Weekend), there will only be ONE in-person service – the 9:30am service.  There will be NO 11:15am service in-person.
2. Have you signed up for a LIFE Team yet?  Our LIFE Teams are the volunteers who carry out the mission of Coastal.  Several of our LIFE Teams are having Interest & Information Meetings as we head into the Fall and the opening of our new facility.  The First Impressions Team is having a meeting on Monday, August 30 at 7pm, at the church.  For more information on our First Impressions Team, reach out to Chris Ranew at chrisranew@gmail.com, or call/text him at 706-941-2044.  (For information about serving in Coastal Kidz, see below.)  To see a complete list of our LIFE Teams go to our website and sign up today!
3. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, August 27th, 10am-12noon. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, September 1st, 9am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, September 4th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
4. Building Update:  I don’t know if you realize this or not, but it was almost a year ago that demolition began on our old building in preparation for construction!  It’s been one year of setting up and breaking down Coastal Kidz across the street, one year of being reminded of just how flexible our Staff truly is, one year of seeng miracles because of your generosity!  Coastal we’re getting close.  Right now we’re hoping to open our new facility sometime between mid and late September.  Trust me, as soon as we know, you will know!  AND we will celebrate!  We’ll have an Open House and a Grand Opening.  Until then, keep praying, keep giving, keep inviting, keep loving, and keep serving!  And if you’d like a behind the scenes tour, drop by the church any time!
5. Interested in serving in our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade)?  Go to our website, check out all the different volunteer positions, and sign up today!  It’s that easy!   There will be a Training on Sunday, September 12th, 5pm-6:30pm.  We will meet in the worship auditorium, but we will not have childcare because we don’t have a place for it yet.  This will be a great time for us to pray, plan, and prepare for all that God has in store for Coastal KIdz as we move into our new facility hopefully in September. Plus you can get a sneek peek at our new facility! This is also a great time for returning or new volunteers to get connected in Children’s Ministry at Coastal.  If you have any questions or to RSVP for a Training time, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.
6. Waves Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) is back and kicking off its Fall semester on Wednesday, September 8th!  Doors will open at 6pm and all students 6th-12th grade are invited to come out and join in a night of fellowship and growth from 6pm-8pm.  Food, games, worship, a Biblical message and small groups are all part of a Wednesday night at Waves Student Ministry, so invite and bring a friend!  For any questions, reach out to Pastor Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Fall LIFE Group Leader Training!  Attention all LIFE Group Leaders, Assistants, and Hosts:  If you did not already attend the earlier Training Session this week, make sure you’re at the Training on Saturday (TOMORROW), August 28th, 9am-10:30am (online or in-person).  Fall LIFE Groups kick off the week of September 19th.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  

It’s easy to look at all the events of our world lately and feel heartbroken and absolutely overwhelmed – Haiti, Afghanistan, the rising COVID numbers.  It’s a daily reminder of just how desperate we should be for Jesus and His Kingdom here on this earth.  In Matthew 6:10 we are instructed to pray, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.”  It also leaves us with a desire to do something to help.  But what can we do?  

Let me offer 3 suggestions:  Pray, Serve, Give.  Pray:  I heard a Pastor share this prayer, “Father, you are the God of peace, the ‘…rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes…’ (Isaiah‬ ‭58:12‬). We pray for the people of Afghanistan and Haiti. We ask you for their safety, provision, and hope. Lord, have mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.”  Join me in praying this simple prayer.

Serve:  You’re probably not going to be able to go to Haiti or Afghanistan any time soon and physically help those in need there or assist our Military.  But you could do something here.  Go back to that passage in Isaiah.  Isaiah 58:9-10 says, “Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors (do we need to hear that message today or what?!  That will preach!)!  Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble (doesn’t get any simpler than that does it?).”   You want to support our Troops?  Honor their service and their legacy by serving and feeding them at our next Veteran’s Tailgate at the Patriot’s Villas (see below) or the next time we’re serving alongside Soldier’s Angels (Tuesday, September 14th).  Join us at the next Saturday Serve (September 4th), here at the church, when we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus right here in our own community, bringing a little bit of “the up there, down here.”  Go to our website and sign up for these or other opportunities!

Give:  Here are 3 good organizations, all doing great relief work here and around the world.  

• SAMARITAN’S PURSE:  https://www.samaritanspurse.org
• COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL DISASTER FUND: https://www.compassion.com
• WORLD RELIEF FUND:  https://worldrelief.org 
• And, of course, it is your consistent, generous giving to Coastal that enables our church to “share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and world.”

So, what’s the result of our faithful prayer, service, and giving?  Isaiah 58:10-11, “Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.  The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength.”  Our light will outshine the darkness and God will give us direction and restoration!  The very last verse in the Bible says this, “Amen!  Come, Lord Jesus!  May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.”  Until the Lord Jesus calls us home or comes again, I pray He finds us faithful – loving, serving, sharing, giving – beating down the gates of Hell, rescuing people, doing anything short of sin to see all people come to know Him!  Come, Lord Jesus!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. Have you signed up for a LIFE Team yet?  Our LIFE Teams are the volunteers who carry out the mission of Coastal.  Several of our LIFE Teams are having Interest & Information Meetings as we head into the Fall and the opening of our new facility.  The Security Team is having a meeting on Wednesday, August 25th at 6:30pm, at the church.  For more information on the Security Team, reach out to Bryan Miller at bryan.bcmill@gmail.com, or call/text him at 843-296-2991.  The First Impressions Teamis having a meeting on Monday, August 30 at 7pm, at the church.  For more information on our First Impressions Team, reach out to Chris Ranew at chrisranew@gmail.com, or call/text him at 706-941-2044.  (For information about serving in Coastal Kidz, see below.)  To see a complete list of our LIFE Teams go to our website and sign up today!
2. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate –  We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Patriot Villas, Thursday, August 26th, 6pm-8pm.  Meet at church Welcome Center.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, September 1st, 9am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
3. The new school year would be a great time to checkout “Ramsey+”.  Simply because you are a part of Coastal, you have access to ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps.  If you were to sign up for this on your own it would cost $130.  NOT NOW!  All of that and more will be FREE for our entire church!  You’ll have access to everything at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Simply go to this link and sign up today!
4. Interested in serving in our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade)?  Go to our website, check out all the different volunteer positions, and sign up today!  It’s that easy!   There will be a Training on Monday, August 23, 6:30pm-8pm OR Sunday, September 12th, 5pm-6:30pm.  All volunteers need to attend just one.  We will meet in the worship auditorium, but we will not have childcare because we don’t have a place for it yet.  This will be a great time for us to pray, plan, and prepare for all that God has in store for Coastal KIdz as we move into our new facility hopefully in September. Plus you can get a sneek peek at our new facility! This is also a great time for returning or new volunteers to get connected in Children’s Ministry at Coastal.  If you have any questions or to RSVP for a Training time, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.
5. Waves Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) is back and kicking off its Fall semester on Wednesday, September 8th!  Doors will open at 6pm and all students 6th-12th grade are invited to come out and join in a night of fellowship and growth.  Food, games, worship, a Biblical message and small groups are all part of a Wednesday night at Waves Student Ministry, so invite and bring a friend!  For any questions, reach out to Pastor Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Fall LIFE Group Leader Training!  Attention all LIFE Group Leaders, Assistants, and Hosts:  RSVP on your Connect Card for a Training Session on either Tuesday, August 24th, 6:30pm-8pm OR Saturday, August 28th, 10am-11:30am.  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  Fall LIFE Groups kick off the week of September 19th.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org. 

Well, Teachers have made their way back to their classrooms and Students will be joining them on Wednesday!  One of the things that I look forward to every year is seeing all the first day of school pictures!  No matter what school looks like for you this year – public, private, charter, homeschool, college – will you join me in praying for our Teachers, Students, and Parents?

So, have you signed up for a LIFE Team yet?  For the month of August, we’ve made a huge push to get everyone at Coastal serving on a LIFE Team.  Today, I’d like to make a plug for our Security Team.  You’re probably aware that we typically have 2 City of Charleston Police Officers on our campus on Sunday mornings – one in Coastal Kidz and one in front of our Auditorium.  But did you know that we also have a Security Team?  No one can prevent every situation or scenario from taking place.  However, people want to know, have you reasonably done everything you can to help provide a safe and secure environment for them and their children.  Simply put, that’s what we are trying to do at Coastal through our Security Team.  As our church continues to grow and expand, we need more and more volunteers in this important Ministry.

The Security Team is led by Bryan Miller, a former SC State Trooper.  If you are interested in learning more about the Security Team and possibly volunteering, you can respond to this email, sign up on your Connect Card or at the LIFE Team Sign-Up Table on Sunday, email Bryan directly at bryan.bcmill@gmail.com, or call him at 843-296-2991.  There is an important Security Team Meeting on Wednesday, August 25th at 6:30pm, at the church.  This meeting is for all current Team Members or those interested in joining the Team! 

And speaking of important LIFE Team meetings, there will be a First impressions Team Training on Monday, August 30 at 7:00pm.  Please email Ashley at ashley@coastalcommunitychurch.org to let us know you are coming!  This will be a great time to meet Pastor Scott and Chris Ranew, hear about why First Impressions is so important, learn some of the positions that we need the most help with, learn the roles/duties of these positions, and how you can get involved (plus you’ll get a tour of our new facility).  Mark it on your calendar and tell us you’re coming!

And last, but not least, join us tomorrow morning over at Orange Grove Middle School at 8am for Coastal Kidz Setup.  When that’s done we head over to our auditorium (around 8:30/8:45am) for Chair Setup.  And then you might as well stick around and help us get ready for the Pink House Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, & BACK TO SCHOOL BASH!  

I Love You Coastal!
Pastor Chris 

1. In addition to all the ways that you can give to our church – our website, our app, in-person offering envelope, texting (843-277-8337), giving kiosk – you can now use our Venmo account!  Our business username is:  @coastalcommunitychurchCHS.
2. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, & BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, Saturday, August 14th, 10am-1pm. 
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, August 18th, 9am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate –  We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Patriot Villas, Thursday, August 26th, 5:30pm-8pm.  Meet at church Welcome Center.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
3. The new school year would be a great time to checkout “Ramsey+”.  Simply because you are a part of Coastal, you have access to ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps.  If you were to sign up for this on your own it would cost $130.  NOT NOW!  All of that and more will be FREE for our entire church!  You’ll have access to everything at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Simply go to this link and sign up today!
4. Attention all Coastal Kidz Volunteers or those interested in serving!  There will be a Training on Saturday, August 14, 10am-11:30am, OR Monday, August 23, 6:30pm-8pm. All volunteers need to attend just one.  We will meet in the worship auditorium, but we will not have childcare because we don’t have a place for it yet.  This will be a great time for us to pray, plan, and prepare for all that God has in store for Coastal KIdz as we move into our new facility hopefully in September. Plus you can get a sneek peek at our new facility! This is also a great time for returning or new volunteers to get connected in Children’s Ministry at Coastal.  All volunteers need to attend just one meeting, but we’re offering it twice to accommodate everyone.  If you have any questions or to RSVP for a Training time, please reach out to Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.
5. The last Student Ministry Event of the Summer – BOWLING NIGHT – is this Sunday night, 6:30pm-8:30pm August 15th (meet at Ashley Lanes)!  The event is FREE!  Waves Student Ministry is back and kicking off its Fall semester on Wednesday, September 8. Doors will open at 6pm and all students 6th-12th grade are invited to come out and join in a night of fellowship and growth. Food, games, worship, a Biblical message and small groups are all apart of a Wednesday night at Waves Student Ministry so invite and bring a friend. For any questions, reach out to Pastor Ryan Spell at ryan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Fall LIFE Group Leader Training!  Attention all LIFE Group Leaders, Assistants, and Hosts:  RSVP on your Connect Card for a Training Session on either Tuesday, August 24th, 6:30pm-8pm OR Saturday, August 28th, 10am-11:30am.  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  Fall LIFE Groups kick off the week of September 19th.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org. 

Two weeks ago I reminded everyone that our church has purchased a site license for something called, “Dave Ramsey+”.  What that means is that simply because you are a part of Coastal, you have access to ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps.  If you were to sign up for this on your own it would cost $130.  NOT NOW!  All of that and more will be FREE for our entire church!  You’ll have access to everything at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Simply go to this link and sign up today!

We see this as an investment in you, your finances, and your future!  It’s also a way to practically express our generosity and love toward you and our community and to be a real source of help.  Think about it – what if you had gone into the “shutdown” debt free and with money in the bank?  What if you could have hope for your life, including your finances? That’s what Dave Ramsey+ is all about – giving you a plan and hope so you can experience financial peace.

I hope you’re as excited about this as I am.  And more importantly, I hope you’ll sign up and access the material.  We want to be known as a generous church and we also want to do everything we can to equip our church and community to experience true financial peace in these difficult times! 

While the Summer is not technically over yet, we have begun stacking and packing our chairs again in our auditorium on Sunday mornings after the second service (we hosted a Volleyball Camp this week and Teachers report next week).  What that means is that Saturday morning Chair Setup resumes again tomorrow morning.  Typically, Chair Setup takes place on Saturday mornings at approximately 8:45am, immediately after Coastal Kidz Setup.  However, this Saturday is also Saturday Serve.  So, we’ll be over at Orange Grove Middle School at 8am for Coastal Kidz Setup (that also resumes this Saturday), at our auditorium at 8:30am for Chair Setup, and then Saturday Serve begins at 9am.  I hope to see you there!

And finally, have you signed up to serve on a LIFE Team yet (especially a Sunday morning LIFE Team)?  I told you last week that my wife Janet has a goal to see 40 new volunteers this year in Coastal Kidz.  She’s already at 19!  We hope to open our brand new, multi-million dollar Children’s facility some time in September.  We would love for you to be a part of this Team!  If you think you might be interested or would just like to know what different opportunities are available in Coastal Kidz, either respond to this email or reach out to Janet directly – janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.  This past Sunday I think we also added over a dozen new volunteers in 1st Impressions!  But maybe for you it’s our Cafe, or the Security Team, or the Tech Booth, or countless other opportunities.  This Sunday, stop by the LIFE Team Tables, check out all the different opportunities to serve, and sign up!  

In His Service & Yours!
Pastor Chris 

1. Don’t forget that we are providing school supplies for the families in the Ardmore/Sherwood Forrest neighborhoods!  Collect supplies from the list in your bulletin last Sunday (or on our Facebook page) and then drop them off at the Coastal Outreach Box Truck before our services THIS SUNDAY August 8th. You can also drop them off at the office during the week. Supplies will then be distributed at the PINK House Tailgate on Saturday, August 14th!
2. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, August 7th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, August 10th, 8am-1pm.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, & BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, Saturday, August 14th, 10am-1pm. 
   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 at 843-870-4613.
3. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is THIS Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
4. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park is THIS SUNDAY, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website.  
5. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They’ve had a great Summer, with lots of events, but it’s quickly coming to an end.  There is a Bowling Night, next Friday night, August 13th (meet at Ashley Lanes at 6:30pm)!  Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. Right now, we are in the process of planning out our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups!  If you are interested in possibly leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group (in person or online), please sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or respond to this email.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

I love our volunteers here at Coastal – I do!  I love that people value serving here and that anyone can get involved.  I truly believe we have some of the best volunteers any church could imagine.  I believe that we have done a great job of both elevating the value of volunteering here at Coastal and valuing our volunteers.

Now over the years at Coastal, I’ve preached a lot of messages about serving.  We’ve had countless Ministry Fairs where we transformed our building into a Ministry Expo, where we highlight each and every ministry of our church with a booth and challenge you to find a place to serve and volunteer.  I’ve preached entire sermon series on serving, spiritual gifts, and plugging into ministry.

Now while I believe that we as a church have to constantly improve our systems in helping people take next steps in their spiritual journey, I don’t think the reason more people don’t serve in ministry or volunteer is because they didn’t go to a ministry fair.  I don’t think the reason more people don’t serve in ministry or volunteer is because they haven’t taken a spiritual gift assessment or personality test.  

I think the reason we have a high number of committed volunteers here at Coastal is two-fold.  People will serve when they fall more deeply in love with Jesus.  Service is an outflow of a love relationship with Jesus.  We serve because of our devotion to Jesus.  Sometimes, the danger of a sermon on serving and volunteering is that you can either feel guilty for not doing more or you can run like crazy into multiple ministries.  The key is to grow in your love for Jesus and when you do, you’ll understand who He has made you to be and then you’ll WANT to serve Him by serving others.  We don’t want to guilt you into serving or giving.  Instead we want to GRACE you into it, because of all that He has done for you.  You are loved more than you can imagine;  you are treasured more than you know, because you matter to God.  Let His love for you become the motivation for your serving and giving.

Here’s the other reason I believe we produce a lot of committed volunteers here.  We consistently teach that the Christian life is fundamentally a life of servanthood.  That’s our primary position – servant.  Jesus is our Master and we are His servants.  Whatever He says goes.  In our world where we are the center of the universe and everything revolves around me and my needs, we have to continually remind ourselves that we serve God by serving others, by putting others ahead of ourselves.  And even in the modern church where we have created a culture of finding a church that offers the best and the most and “I didn’t get anything out of that service” and “I’m burned out” and “I’m too busy” and “I’ve served my time,” somewhere in all of that we have forgotten that we are here to glorify God, reach out to people who are far from Him, and to be a servant to all.  It’s not about me and you.  It’s about Him.  Matthew 20:26-28, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   

We talk about life all the time here.  We exist to share and experience what?  The LIFE and LOVE of Jesus.  Jesus came that we might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.  Well, Jesus said something very interesting about LIFE in Luke 9:23-25, “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.  If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.  And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?”  Jesus is saying that we find our lives not by focusing on ourselves, but by giving away our lives for the sake of Jesus.

The month of August, as we move into the Fall and make plans to move into our new facility, we’ll be focusing on finding a place to serve in the family here at Coastal.  It’s real simple.  If you call Coastal your home, ask yourself this question – what is my ministry and where am I serving on Sunday mornings?  My wife Janet has a goal to see 40 new volunteers this year in Coastal Kidz.  Maybe that’s your ministry.  If so, either respond to this email or reach out to Janet directly and let her know that you’re in – janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.  But maybe it’s 1st Impressions, or our Cafe, or the Security Team, or the Tech Booth, or countless other opportunities.  This Sunday, stop by the LIFE Team Tables, check out all the different opportunities to serve, and sign up!  

In His Service & Yours!
Pastor Chris 

1. Help provide school supplies for the families in the Ardmore/Sherwood Forrest neighborhoods!  Collect supplies from the list in your bulletin (or on our Social Media posts) and then drop them off at the Coastal Outreach Box Truck before any service THIS SUNDAY, August 1st or next Sunday, August 8th.  Supplies will then be distributed at the PINK House Tailgate on Saturday, August 14th!
2. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, August 4th, 9am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, August 7th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, August 10th, 8am-1pm.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, & BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, Saturday, August 14th, 10am-1pm. 
   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 at 843-870-4613.
3. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
4. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park is Sunday, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website.  
5. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all summer!  There is a River Dogs Game TONIGHT, July 30th (be at the church at 6pm to catch the bus to the game)!  On Wednesday, August 4th, 6pm at the church there is a Guys/Girls Night!  Friday, August 6th, Frankie’s Fun Park (leave from the church at 6pm)! Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. Right now, we are in the process of planning out our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups!  If you are interested in possibly leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group (in person or online), please sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or respond to this email.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  

I’M BACK!  Janet and I got back from our vacation earlier this week.  We had a great time, but as always, it’s also good to be home.  I’m also excited to be preaching again for the next couple of weeks!  I’ll be kicking off our “Summer Reading” series this Sunday with the book, “Love Your Life, Not Theirs” by Rachel Cruze.  I hope to see you in church this Sunday!

Now, what I’m about to tell you is probably going to blow you away – it’s very possible that our new facility will be completed in about 6 weeks!  If everything continues to stay on schedule (and yes, that is a BIG if), we are hoping to get a temporary CO (Certificate of Occupancy) by Labor Day.  In other words, it’s about to get crazy busy on our campus over the next 6 weeks!  I’m asking you to commit this final stretch to prayer.  As it gets closer, and those dates get confirmed, we’ll let everyone know about an Open House Party, a “soft opening” (the first Sunday with Coastal Kidz in the new building), and a Grand Opening for our community.

But before we open the doors to our new multi-million dollar facility, I need to have a little Pastoral “heart to heart” conversation with you and just lay it on the line.  If you consider Coastal your church family, we need you serving in some Ministry on Sunday mornings.  This beautiful new facility brings with it a need for new volunteers in almost every Sunday morning LIFE Team – Coastal Kidz, Cafe, Security, 1st Impressions, Communion, Parking, Prayer Team, Worship, Tech.  From a purely practical standpoint, just think about how the enlarged facility will require more 1st Impressions Volunteers (more doors/entry points), more Security Volunteers (more space to cover), and more Coastal Kidz Volunteers (more classrooms/classes).

In fact, let’s talk about Coastal Kidz for a just a moment.  The truth is, the focus of this new facility really is on our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry.  We strongly believe that if a church is going to continue to grow, we must have a growing, thriving Children’s Ministry.  And when it comes to our facility (when we were portable or in our current building) our church has always done the very best we can with what we have.  But now Coastal Kidz (our Children’s Ministry – Birth to 5th Grade) is getting ready to move into a brand new, bigger, newly furnished facility.  There will be a secure indoor and outdoor playground.  The classrooms will be equipped with the latest technology and security.  In fact, parents will now be able to open an app on their phone and literally watch their child in their classroom, during the service (talk about peace of mind, especially for new parents).  And because of our additional classroom space we’ll be able to offer more age appropriate classes to better meet the needs of our children. 

Now, the saddest thing I could imagine is that we open up this new facility, and we literally don’t have enough volunteers in Coastal Kidz to pull it off.  Don’t let that happen!  If you used to serve in Coastal Kidz, but you took a break during the shut down and haven’t yet jumped back in – JUMP BACK IN!  If you’ve been thinking about serving, but just haven’t pulled the trigger, stop thinking about it and JUST DO IT!  If you’ve been coming on Sunday mornings, enjoying the service, maybe even sending your children to Coastal Kidz, it’s time for you to get involved and give back.  Honestly, if you come to Coastal and you don’t have a Sunday morning Ministry where you’re serving in some capacity (at least once a month), it’s time for you to get off your you know what and get involved.  And you should be serving, not just because there is a need (there is always a need), but you should be serving because this is your family, and we’re on a mission – to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world!  And Jesus said that you find LIFE by giving your life away in service to others.  And at Coastal we sincerely believe that if you change the life of a child, you change the world!  Join Coastal Kidz and be a world changer!

My wife Janet, our Children’s Director, has a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)!  She wants to see 40 new volunteers this year in Coastal Kidz (returning volunteers & brand new volunteers).  Those volunteers include Teachers, Assistants, Nursery, and Child Check In.  Will you be one of those new or returning volunteers?  If you’re currently serving, will you help recruit those new volunteers?  I believe that Coastal should have one of the best Children’s Ministry’s in town!  Let’s make that happen!  Stop what you’re doing right now and either respond to this email or reach out to Janet and let her know that you’re in – janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299. You might not even know what you want to do or where you want to serve, but there is nothing Janet enjoys more than talking to people about Coastal Kidz and helping them find a place to serve (and if Coastal Kidz isn’t for you, she’ll even help you find another Ministry). She is having a Coastal Kidz Volunteer Training on Saturday, August 14, 10:00AM – 11:30AM, or Monday, August 23, 6:30PM – 8:00PM (all volunteers need to attend just one).  This will be a great time to pray, plan, and prepare for all that God has in store for Coastal KIdz (plus you’ll get a tour of our new facility).  Mark it on your calendar and tell Janet you’re coming!  Let’s do this Coastal!  

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

1. Help provide school supplies for the families in the Ardmore/Sherwood Forrest neighborhoods!  Collect supplies from the list in your bulletin this Sunday and then drop them off at the Coastal Outreach Box Truck before any service on August 1st or August 8th.  Supplies will then be distributed at the PINK House Tailgate on Saturday, August 14th!
2. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, July 23rd, 10am-12noon. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, August 4th, 9am-1pm.  Meet at: 2105 Cosgrove Ave. North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, August 7th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
3. Our “Summer Reading” series starts THIS Sunday, July 25th.  “Summer Reading” is another favorite Summer tradition here at Coastal where we pick a group of books for you to read over the Summer and then the subject matter of each of those books becomes the sermon topic for that particular Sunday. Here are all the books and their links.  Happy Reading! 
   Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze
   U-Turns by Tony Evans
   The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
   Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
   Uncommon Ground by Timothy Keller
   Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
   The Praying Life by Paul Miller
4. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park is Sunday, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website.
5. What are your Next Steps at Coastal?  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is THISSunday, July 25th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or simply show up on Sunday.  
   Another next step is officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member. Our next Membership Class is Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all summer!  There is a Gaming Tournament TONIGHT at 6pm at the church and a River Dogs Game next Friday night, July 30th!   Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. I know it seems like a long way off, but we are in the process of thinking through and planning out our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups.  If you are interested in possibly leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group (in person or online), please sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or respond to this email.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  

Mountain Rest.  That’s actually where Janet and I are going next week on vacation – Chattooga Lake in Mountain Rest, SC (see picture above).  It’s located in Oconee County, the northwestern most corner of the state where South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina all meet.  We leave this Sunday after church and will be gone a little over a week.  Our daughter and her husband are even going to be joining us for a few days.  There will be no cell phone coverage and no internet – and we can’t wait!  This is actually the first vacation, where we’ve gotten out of town, away from Coastal, in over a year and a half.  Now some of that has been because of COVID and the shutdown and Coastal Kidz set-up and the new construction.  But it’s definitely been way too long and way overdue.  We don’t have a lot of plans other than resting, relaxing, and just having fun.  Janet’s bringing her sewing machine, so I’m sure she’ll be in undistracted sewing heaven.  We’ll take a few day trips to Highlands NC, various waterfalls, and the Holy City (Clemson).  I’ll be fishing, canoeing, and grilling.  Again, we can’t wait!

I tell you all of that, to ask you this question:  how are you doing at obeying the Sabbath Principle?  God’s word, the Bible, is filled with principles for life.  It is the owner’s manual for life.  You obey it, your life gets blessed.  If you ignore it, you do it to your own detriment.  When God puts a command in the Bible, He doesn’t do it capriciously.  He doesn’t do it because He wants to make your life miserable or limit your fun.  God puts a principle in the Bible because He knows what’s best for you.  It’ll save you a lot of heartaches and a lot of problems.  When you follow the owner’s manual, then life is a whole lot easier and a lot less stressful.  

Of all the commands in the Bible, the most famous are God’s Big Ten – the Ten Commandments.  One of God’s Ten Commandments is about rest.  Exodus 20:9-10, “Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.”  Rest in your life as a human being is so important, God put it in the Big Ten, right up there with “Don’t steal”, “Don’t murder”, “Don’t commit adultery”.  He says every seven days you take a day off.  That’s how important He considers rest.

Many of you would say, “I’d never murder anybody; I’d never commit adultery,” but we violate the spirit of the fourth commandment all the time.  God says it’s just as important.  Six days you’re to work.  Every week you take one day off to recharge.  That’s the Sabbath principle.  Sabbath simply means a day of rest.  Sunday is not a Sabbath for me.  Sundays are workdays for me.  So I have to take my Sabbath some other day.  You may too.  For most of you, Saturday or Sunday is going to be your day off, your day of rest.  Now, what are you supposed to do on your Sabbath?  What we usually do is play catch up on all the work we didn’t get done.  That’s not taking a day off.  You should use your day off, your weekly Sabbath, for three things:  

1. Restyour body.  You’re not wired to go 24-7, every day, work, work, work, with no break.  Your brain, your body is not built for that.  You’re wired to rest your body.  Have you discovered that if you don’t take time off, your body will make time off?  It will shut down.

2. Rechargeyour emotions.  You can’t keep charging without recharging.  Eventually, you’re going to drain the battery.  You need to know what recharges your emotions.  And that’s different for different people.  For some people, solitude recharges their emotions.  When was the last time you were just by yourself without the computer or TV on?  For many people just being with people you love is recharging.  Different recreational activities can be rejuvenating for different people – a long walk on the beach, being outdoors, a good book, sewing, painting, fishing, hunting – as crazy as this sounds to me, some people are actually recharged by doing yard work.

3. Refocusyour spirit.  There’s a word for that in the Bible.  It’s called “worship” – refocusing my spirit on God.  It’s reconnecting with God.  You need that.  One of the benefits of worship is it helps give you a bigger perspective on life.  You can have a problem and it starts to overwhelm you.  Your life becomes smaller and smaller, and it starts caving in.  Then you worship and think about how big God is, and all of a sudden the problem isn’t as big anymore.  Nothing else in life can give you that kind of perspective like worship.

So, how about you?  How are you doing at obeying the Sabbath Principle.  Did you know that God wants you to enjoy your rest?  Psalm 127:2, “It is useless to rise up early and go to bed late and work your worried fingers to the bone.  Don’t you know that God enjoys giving rest to those He loves?”  Mountain Rest.  Moses had to go to a mountain to be reminded just how important it is to rest – I guess I do too.

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Attention all Young Adults (college to 30ish)!  We’ll be gathering at Frankies Fun Park on Saturday, July 17th at 6pm.  Spread the word – invite and bring a friend!  Email Pastor Scott scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org with any questions. Also, text @yacoastal to 81010 to receive text updates about this event and other young adult events and opportunities.
2. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party and Clothing Distribution, (TOMORROW) Saturday, July 10th, 10am-1pm. 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, July 13th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, July 21st, 9am-1pm.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
3. Our “Summer Reading” series starts Sunday, July 25th.  “Summer Reading” is another favorite Summer tradition here at Coastal where we pick a group of books for you to read over the Summer and then the subject matter of each of those books becomes the sermon topic for that particular Sunday.  There will be a very small number of the books available for purchase (at a discounted price – $10 each) at the church.  Here are all the books and their links.  Happy Reading! 
   Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze
   U-Turns by Tony Evans
   The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
   Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
   Uncommon Ground by Timothy Keller
   Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
   The Praying Life by Paul Miller
4. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website. 
5. What are your Next Steps at Coastal?  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, July 25th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  
   
   Another next step is officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member. Our next Membership Class is Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
6. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all summer!  Tonight, 8-10pm, they are having a Movie Night (seeing “Black Widow”) at Citadel Mall Theater. This coming week the Middle School Students will be going to Summit Park on Wednesday, July 14th, 10am-12noon.   Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. I know it seems like a long way off, but we are in the process of thinking through and planning out our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups.  If you are interested in possibly leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group (in person or online), please sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or respond to this email.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org. 

First of all, I just want to thank everyone for all the love you’ve shown me, your Pastor, this week!  My Birthday was yesterday (I turned 54), and I was overwhelmed by all the expressions of love!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Coastal is not just a church that I attend or a job where I work.  It’s a family that I’m a part of!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  

This Sunday is 4th of July (WE’LL ONLY HAVE 1 SERVICE: 9:30am)!  I realize we are facing a lot of problems in our country today and that the divisions seem to be greater and deeper than ever before, but I believe we still have much to be grateful for in our great country.  I am so thankful to God for the birth of America and the privilege that was mine to be born here in the land of the free and home of the brave. As we celebrate our independence may we as individuals, families, and as a church recognize our dependence on God. He alone is our source of blessing, and let us prayerfully humble ourselves in obedience to God and His Holy Word.  Ultimately, the hope of the world is not and never has been a President, a Political Party, or a Platform – it’s in the person of Jesus Christ.  And it’s our mission to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world!  Maybe it’s time we spent less time complaining on social media and more time praying and being the light of the world that Jesus talked about in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.”  The truth is, the darker this world gets, the greater our opportunity to shine!

Speaking of being the light of the world – another Summer of IMPACT is in the books!  As I said last week, it’s been the BEST SUMMER OF IMPACT EVER!  Here are just a few examples of what I mean:  Last Saturday over 30 volunteers boxed, delivered, and gave away 867 meals in our “Grab & Go Meal Drive-Thru!”  On Monday night almost 80 volunteers met at Coastal to pack 140 “On the Go Meal Kits” for the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston (and they did it in less than 40 minutes!).  Every Wednesday night a large group of Volunteers has been sewing pillowcases for the kids at’ MUSC Children’s Hospital.  They’ve now sewn over 100 pillowcases!  Seriously, I could go on and on and on.  This year’s Summer of IMPACT projects had 531 volunteer serving 1,455 hours!  And 75 brand new volunteers!  In the days ahead, be on the lookout for a little slide show of the various projects.  And make sure that you reach out to Chris Jones, our Outreach Pastor, and tell him what an awesome job he did of leading and organizing this year’s Summer of IMPACT.  I know what he’ll tell you – that it could not have been done without all the awesome Project Leaders and Volunteers.  And most importantly, continue to pray for all the seeds of love that were planted, that they will bear much fruit for years to come!

Making An IMPACT With You!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, July 7th, 9am-1pm.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party and Clothing Distribution, Saturday, July 10th, 10am-1pm. 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, July 13th, 8am-1pm.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Our “Summer Reading” series starts Sunday, July 25th.  “Summer Reading” is another favorite Summer tradition here at Coastal where we pick a group of books for you to read over the Summer and then the subject matter of each of those books becomes the sermon topic for that particular Sunday.  There will be a very small number of the books available for purchase (at a discounted price – $10 each) at the church.  Here are all the books and their links.  Happy Reading! 
   Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze
   U-Turns by Tony Evans
   The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
   Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
   Uncommon Ground by Timothy Keller
   Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
   The Praying Life by Paul Miller
3. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website. 
4. What are your Next Steps at Coastal?  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, July 25th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  
   Another next step is officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member. Our next Membership Class is Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
5. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all summer!  This coming week the High School Students will be going to Top Golf on Wednesday, July 7th, 10am-4pm;  Movie Night “Black Widow” at Citadel Mall Theater on Friday, July 9th, 8-10pm. Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. I know it seems like a long way off, but we are in the process of thinking through and planning out our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups.  If you are interested in possibly leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group (in person or online), please sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or respond to this email.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

Including today, there are 6 days left of Summer of IMPACT and 6 projects (yes – July is just 6 days away)!  I know we’ve said this over and over, but it’s true – this has been the BEST SUMMER OF IMPACT EVER!  We’ve had more projects, more volunteers, more hours served, and more new people serving than ever before!  A huge shout out goes to Chris Jones our Pastor of Outreach who oversees, organizes, and leads Summer of IMPACT.  But I know Chris Jones, and he wouldn’t want his name mentioned without applauding all of this year’s Leaders and all of the Volunteers!  We couldn’t do what we do without all of them!  And they truly knocked it out of the park this year!  So the only thing left to do, is to go to our website and sign up today! 

Speaking of remaining projects, I’m excited to “resurrect” our Grab & Go Meal Drive-Thru this Saturday, 11am-1pm!  It’s a way to commemorate all that we did a year ago during the shutdown.  While we’re at capacity with the Volunteers who have already signed up to serve, there are several key ways that everyone can help:  

1. Come through the drive-thru (11am-1pm), pick up a few meals (pulled pork BBQ, Mac n’ Cheese, Green Beans, Dessert) and bless someone you know who might be in need or someone who just needs a little encouragement.  Maybe you take a few meals to the 1st Responders you know.  
2. We need donations of pre-packaged/homemade desserts dropped off by Saturday morning at 10am (cookies, brownies, Rice Krispy Treats, Little Debbies, etc.).  Desserts either need to be individually wrapped or can easily be put in ziploc baggies.
3. Our Food Bank is getting dangerously LOW!  Come through the Drive-Thru on Saturday and drop off any canned goods or non-perishable food items for our Community Food Bank.    
4. Give financially.  If you would like to help sponsor the meal financially you can do so by giving on our website: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/give/ or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337 and use the key word “meals” (ex. $100 meals).
5. Spread the word!  Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and encourage them to drive through. 

I hope you’re enjoying our “At the Movies” series this year!  This past week we took 170 people to see “Peter Rabbit 2” at the Citadel Mall Theater!  And speaking of the Citadel Mall Theater, don’t forget that all 1st Time Guests AND the person who invited them receive a FREE movie ticket!  So INVITE & BRING GUESTS!

One last thing, July 4th this year falls on a Sunday – we will only have 1 service, the 9:30am service.  So before you hit the beach, head out on the boat, or fire up the grill, join us for worship!

Making An IMPACT With You!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Typically, in this section of our Friday 5, we list all the upcoming Outreach Projects.  For the month of June – there really is only ONE thing we want you to focus on:  SUMMER OF IMPACT!  Simply click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/.  Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word  and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!  If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!
   If you have any questions about Summer of IMPACT and the different projects, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Our “Summer Reading” series starts Sunday, July 25th.  “Summer Reading” is another favorite Summer tradition here at Coastal where we pick a group of books for you to read over the Summer and then the subject matter of each of those books becomes the sermon topic for that particular Sunday.  There will be a very small number of the books available for purchase (at a discounted price – $10 each) at the church beginning this Sunday, June 27th.  Here are all the books and their links.  Happy Reading! 
   Love Your Life, Not Theirs by Rachel Cruze
   U-Turns by Tony Evans
   The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
   Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
   Uncommon Ground by Timothy Keller
   Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
   The Praying Life by Paul Miller
3. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website.
4. What are your Next Steps at Coastal?  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, July 25th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  
   Another next step is officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member. Our next Membership Class is Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
5. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all through June, July, and August!   This coming week alone they’ll be serving at the Grab & Go Meal Drive-Thru on Saturday, serving at Tricounty Family Ministry on Tuesday, and enjoying the Ropes Course at Wild Blue on Wednesday. Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. I know it seems like a long way off, but we are in the process of thinking through and planning out our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups.  If you are interested in possibly leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group (in person or online), please sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or respond to this email.  If you have any questions you can also reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org. 

THIS Saturday, June 26th, from 11am-1pm, I want to invite you to come out to Coastal for our “Grab & Go Meal Drive-Thru” and pick up a box meal as a celebration of the free meals we gave away during the Covid Shutdown in 2020. We literally gave away thousands of meals last year through the “Drive-Thru” (AND thousands of rolls of toilet paper)!  The menu this Saturday is Pulled Pork BBQ, Mac ‘n Cheese, Green Beans, and a dessert!  We do need donations of prepackaged/homemade desserts dropped off this week by Saturday morning at 10am (cookies, brownies, Rice Krispy Treats, Little Debbies, etc.).  Desserts either need to be individually wrapped or can easily be put in ziploc baggies.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD SO OUR COMMUNITY CAN STOP BY FOR A FREE MEAL!  This meal is for anyone and everyone!  If you’re hungry, in need, or know someone who is, we’d love to help.  Sometimes, just one meal that you don’t have to buy/cook for the family goes a long way.  

Now, I know what you might be thinking, “Pastor Chris, I don’t fit into any of those categories.  Our family has plenty of food.”  Well, this is how YOU can help.  Come through the Drive-Thru on Saturday, pick up boxes and deliver them to people you know (maybe Neighbors, Nurses, First Responders, etc.). It’s our way to help you love and serve our community!

Another way that ANYONE could definitely help would be to come through the Drive-Thru on Saturday and drop off any canned goods or non-perishable food items for our Community Food Bank.  Our Food Bank is getting dangerously LOW! Also, if you would like to help sponsor the meal financially you can do so by giving on our website: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/give/ or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337 and use the key word “meals” (ex. $100 meals).

Hope to see you come through the Drive-Thru on Saturday!

Pastor Chris

First of all, before I jump into this Sunday and Father’s Day, let me just say that this has already been our BEST SUMMER OF IMPACT EVER!  We’ll share some overall numbers at the end of Summer of IMPACT, but here are just a few fun facts.  We have already exceeded the number of individual sign ups from ANY previous Summer of IMPACT!  And it looks as though we will exceed the number of overall volunteer hours by 545 hours!  June is quickly coming to an end, but there is still about a week and a half of opportunities to serve.  Two projects in particular could definitely use more Volunteers:  Tricounty Family Ministries-Emergency Grocery Distribution & Project Uplift-Ardmore.  Go to our website and sign up today! 

I also want to put a plug in for a project that I’m helping to lead – the Grab & Go Meal Drive-Thru on Saturday, June 26th.  Volunteer-wise, we’re looking pretty good, but here’s where you could help – come through the drive-thru (11am-1pm), pick up a few meals and bless someone you know who might be in need or someone who just needs a little encouragement.  Maybe you take a few meals to the 1st Responders you know.  Also, look for our social media posts next week about this project and start sharing and spreading the word!  The church is taking care of the meal itself (pulled pork BBQ, Mac n’ Cheese, Green Beans), but we need desserts!  We’re looking for people to drop off prepackaged cookies, brownies, Rick Krispy Treats, Little Debbies, etc. next week.

One last thing for you to consider about Summer of IMPACT:  it is your generous, consistent giving that enables our church to do all that we do – including Summer of IMPACT.  This month alone we’re putting on 7 different Tailgate Parties (not including the Grab & Go Meal Drive-Thru), feeding literally hundreds and hundreds of people in our community.  Our church gladly buys all the food and supplies for these and other projects.  But when I say the church, keep in mind that means YOU.  You are the church.  People tend to travel and go on vacations over the Summer, which is great (Janet and I are looking forward to getting away this Summer).  Just remember that the Ministry and IMPACT of Coastal continues whether you’re here on a Sunday or not.  And everything we do is made possible by your consistent, generous giving.  You can give through our website or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337.

And finally, this Sunday is FATHER’S DAY!  There will be FREE Kona Ice for everyone, Baby/Child Dedication, a gift for all the guys (I’m real excited about the gift), and some fun giveaways (yes, probably MEAT) at the end of each service!  Don’t miss it!  Invite and bring your friends!  And remember, every 1st time guest (and the person who invited them – YOU) gets a FREE Movie Ticket to Citadel Mall Theater during our “At the Movies” series!

Making An IMPACT With You!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Typically, in this section of our Friday 5, we list all the upcoming Outreach Projects.  For the month of June – there really is only ONE thing we want you to focus on:  SUMMER OF IMPACT!  Simply click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/.  Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word  and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!  If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!
   If you have any questions about Summer of IMPACT and the different projects, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. As a fun way to celebrate the Summer and our “At the Movies”series, we’ll be taking anyone who is available to see the new “Peter Rabbit 2” movie THIS Tuesday, June 22nd, 10am (doors open at 9:30am) at the Citadel Mall Theater.  And we’re picking up the cost of the ticket!  It’s our way to thank you and bless our community (your friends – yes, please invite and bring friends).  Simply let us know how many people you’ll be bringing to the movie (respond to this email or let us know on your Connect Card). 
3. Our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park has been RESCHEDULED to Sunday, August 8th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public,” 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 or sign up on our website.
4. What are your Next Steps at Coastal?  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, July 25th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  
   Another next step is officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member. Our next Membership Class is Monday night, August 9th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
5. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all through June, July, and August!   This coming week alone they’ve got an Instagram Food Hookup on Monday, Movie on Tuesday, Carowinds trip on Wednesday, and serving at the church on Saturday. Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details. Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. Janet and I will be back on Facebook LIVE Wednesday evening, June 23rd at 8pm from my own personal Facebook page for Cookin’ & Dishin’ (or Grillin’ & Chillin’) with PC & Janet!  We’ll be cooking a meal (and giving it away to a lucky winner), talking about all things Coastal, and as always laughing and having fun!  We would love for you to join us!

This coming Sunday is Father’s Day and I want to personally invite you to spend part of your day with us at Coastal Community Church!  Father’s Day is always a lot of fun at Coastal – Baby Dedication, FREE Kona Ice for everyone, a special gift for all the men (trust me guys – you’re going to LOVE it!), and we even have a some fun giveaways at the end of each service!

We have 2 identical services to make it convenient for you:  9:30am or 11:15am.  We’re in a series right now called, “At The Movies!” where we use current/popular movies to talk about spiritual truth.  And speaking of movies, we’re also taking anyone who is available to see “Peter Rabbit 2” FREE, ON US, this coming Tuesday morning at the Citadel Mall Theater!  Doors open at 9:30am – movie starts at 10am.  If you haven’t already signed up to come, simply respond to this email and let us know how many people you’re bringing or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday  And yes, as always, invite & bring your friends!

As you can see, Father’s Day is going to be AWESOME at Coastal!  So if you are in town, please come and join us – 9:30am or 11:15am.  If you’re out of town, you can catch both services live online.  We also have a dynamic Children’s Ministry called Coastal Kidz for all kids Birth-5th Grade during both services.  I promise you – you’ll be glad you came!

Hope to see you & your friends on Sunday!

Pastor Chris

I know I say this a lot – but don’t miss this Sunday at Coastal!  In fact, if you haven’t made it back to in-person worship, this would be a great week to come back!  We’re kicking off a favorite sermon series tradition here at Coastal – “At the Movies!”  We originally did this series back in 2008, brought it back in 2011, and have done it every Summer since.  Anybody here remember the first movie you ever went to see as a kid?  One of the first movies I remember seeing as a kid was Bambi at the old Ultravision Movie Theater where Moe’s is now on Sam Rittenburg.  And yes, I cried when Bambi’s mother got shot.  I remember the first time I saw The Wizard of Oz and being freaked out by the flying monkeys.  I remember seeing the movie Jaws in the Pinehaven Movie Theater in North Charleston and then being afraid to get in the water that whole summer at Folly Beach.

Without a doubt, our world today still has a love affair with the movies.  In fact, I will go as far to say that our culture gets a lot of what it believes about God, about spirituality, and about life from the movies they watch and the music they listen to.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying they get it right.  But through movies and music they are asking questions and raising issues.  The good news is that as followers of Jesus we’ve got answers.  So instead of imitating, condemning, or ignoring the culture, why not seek to engage the culture, to redeem the culture.  That’s what Jesus did.  That’s what we do here at Coastal, and that’s what this series is all about.  We’re going to open up God’s word and boldly proclaim the truth.  The 6 movies we’re going to use are all just hooks to have some fun and get the conversation started.

And not only will we be serving popcorn and giving away several free movie tickets & other fun prizes to people at the end of each service this Sunday, but every 1st time guest during the entire 6 week series will receive a FREE MOVIE TICKET to the Citadel Mall movie theater (yes, they’re open again)!  And if you bring a friend with you – you get a ticket too!  On top of all that, we’re having a BEACH BAPTISM this Sunday afternoon at 5pm out at Folly Beach County Park.  Come out early and enjoy the day at the beach with your Coastal family!  Like I said, “DON’T MISS THIS SUNDAY! & BRING A FRIEND!”

I can’t say enough great things about the start to “Summer of IMPACT”!  In just the first two weeks alone, we’ve seen 222 Volunteers, over 15 different projects, volunteering 667 hours!!  There are still plenty of opportunities to sign up and serve, but 2 projects in particular could definitely use more Volunteers:  Tricounty Family Ministries-Emergency Grocery Distribution & Project Uplift-Ardmore.  Go to our website and sign up today!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.  And if you’ve already signed up, the only thing left to do is to show up!

Making An IMPACT With You!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Typically, in this section of our Friday 5 we list all the upcoming Outreach Projects.  For the month of June – there really is only ONE thing we want you to focus on:  SUMMER OF IMPACT! Simply click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/.  Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word  and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!  If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!
   If you have any questions about Summer of IMPACT and the different projects, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. As a fun way to celebrate the Summer and our “At the Movies”series, we’ll be taking anyone who is available to see the new “Peter Rabbit 2” movie on Tuesday, June 22nd, 10am (doors open at 9:30am) at the Citadel Mall Theater.  And we’re picking up the cost of the ticket!  It’s our way to thank you and bless our community (your friends – yes, please invite and bring friends).  Simply let us know how many people you’ll be bringing to the movie (respond to this email or let us know on your Connect Card). 
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park THIS Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website. 
4. Father’s Day, June 20th, is going to be a lot fun at Coastal!  First of all, we’re having another Baby/Child Dedication.  If you would like your family to participate, sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  There will also be FREE Kona Ice for everyone, a gift for all the guys (I’m real excited about the gift), and some fun giveaways (yes, probably MEAT) at the end of each service!
5. If you haven’t already seen it, make sure you check out our WAVES Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Summer Calendar.  They have a ton of events, activities, and service projects all through June, July, and August!  Go to our website, their Instagram page, or reach out to Ryan Spell for all the details.  This Saturday they are going to Paintball of Charleston and will be leaving the church at 11:30am and returning at 5pm.  Oh and by the way, all the events are FREE!!  Bring your Student and invite a friend!
   
   P.S. On Tuesday, June 15th, Coastal is hosting Oakland Elementary School’s Kindergarten Graduation at 9am and their 5th Grade Graduation at 11am.  Oakland’s Graduation is Students only, but we would still like a few volunteers to help with doors and gifts.  If you are interested in serving at this Graduation, please respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  This is a great opportunity to make a huge IMPACT in our community.

I just wanted to personally invite you to a new sermon series that kicks off this Sunday at Coastal Community Church called, “At The Movies!”  I think you’d agree that our world has a love affair with movies – I know I do!  So for the next 6 weeks, we’re going to use 6 different current/popular movies to talk about Biblical truth.  This week I’ll be using the movie, “Cruella.”  Come enjoy great music, a relevant message, and an awesome Children’s Ministry for kids birth to 5th grade.

I would also encourage you to invite and bring a friend with you – we expect guests at Coastal!  In fact, here’s where the FREE MOVIE TICKETS come in.  Not only will we be serving popcorn and giving away several free movie tickets & other fun prizes to people at the end of each service this Sunday, but every 1st time guest during the entire 6 week series will receive a FREE MOVIE TICKET to the Citadel Mall movie theater (yes, they’re open again)!  And if you bring a friend with you – you get a ticket too! 

Come a few minutes early and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or a treat from our Cafe – all FREE!  It’s going to be a great day and an awesome series!  We have 2 services to make it convenient for you:  9:30am or 11:15am (in-person or online)!

Have a great week!  Hope to see you and your friends on Sunday!

Pastor Chris

P.S. As another fun way to celebrate our “At the Movies”series, we’ll be taking anyone who is available to see the new “Peter Rabbit 2” movie on Tuesday, June 22nd, 10am (doors open at 9:30am) at the Citadel Mall Theater.  And we’re picking up the cost of the ticket!  It’s our way to thank you and bless our community (your friends – yes, please invite and bring friends).  Simply let us know how many people you’ll be bringing to the movie (respond to this email or let us know on your Connect Card this Sunday). 

This Sunday, I’ll be closing out our “Conversations” series.  The idea for the series has been that there are many important conversations that every believer needs to have a handle on and every parent needs to be prepared to pass on to the next generation.  So far, we’ve talked about our identity in Christ, developing friends, being a Christian in the digital age, and holding on to our faith.  There are many, many other subjects that we could talk about – sex/relationships, money/finances, just to name a few.  But there’s one topic I felt compelled to talk about this week, one that we definitely need to have a grasp on, and one that we definitely need to be prepared to talk with our kids about – failure.  

Failure is a part of life.  And yet many parents today will do everything in their power to create this unrealistic, pain-free bubble of success around their children.  But if you provide such a safety net for your little child that he or she never has an opportunity to fail, you’re doing them a dis-service.  You’re setting them up for greater pain.  You see, when they get out in the real world, they’re going to lose; they’re going to fail.  Nobody wins all the time.  Part of maturity is learning that.  They need to learn that it’s ok to make mistakes, it’s ok to fail.  What you want them to do is to learn from it.  That’s what we’re going to talk about on Sunday – how to handle failure.  And you never know, it’s possible that your greatest life message, your greatest contribution, your most significant input in this world, might just be in the area of your greatest failure, if, if you give it to God.  Don’t miss it!

It’s been a great start to “Summer of IMPACT”!  Already we’ve had Teams of Volunteers help with small home repairs in the Ardmore Neighborhood, sew pillowcases for MUSC Children’s Hospital, and feed the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor.  And that’s just over the last 3 days!  But we’re just getting started!  There’s still plenty of different projects to be a part of.  Simply click on this link: Summer of IMPACT, take a look at all the different opportunities, find the project(s) right for you, and then sign up today! One great opportunity tomorrow is Saturday Serve!  We meet at the church at 8:30am, hear a “pitch” from the leaders of the different projects that day, pray, and you pick what you want to do and go serve.  It’s THAT easy!  And it’s the backbone of all our serving at Coastal.  We would love to see you in the morning!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.  And if you’ve already signed up, the only thing left to do is to show up!

Don’t forget that we kick-off “AT THE MOVIES” on Sunday, June 13th!  “At the Movies” is where we take current or popular movies and use them as a hook to talk about spiritual truth.  The movies we are using this year are:  “Cruella”, “Peter Rabbit 2”, “Fast & Furious 9”, “Black Widow”, “Space Jam”, and “Jungle Cruise.”  ALL 1st Time Guests will receive FREE Movie Tickets to Citadel Mall Theater (and the person who invited them – YOU) throughout the entire series.  There will be popcorn, movie trailers, and cool giveaways!  And this Sunday we’ll have a special invite tool for you to use to invite your friends to the series. 

One more thing.  I’ll say it as simply as I can.  It really is time for most of you to return to in-person worship!  Don’t put it off any longer, come back this Sunday!  I miss you! 

Making An IMPACT With You!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Typically, in this section of our Friday 5 we list all the upcoming Outreach Projects.  For the month of June – there really is only ONE thing we want you to focus on:  SUMMER OF IMPACT! Simply click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/.  Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word  and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!  If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!
   If you have any questions about Summer of IMPACT and the different projects, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. As a fun way to celebrate the Summer and our “At the Movies”series, we’ll be taking anyone who is available to see the new “Peter Rabbit 2” movie on Tuesday, June 22nd, 10am (doors open at 9:30am) at the Citadel Mall Theater.  And we’re picking up the cost of the ticket!  It’s our way to thank you and bless our community (your friends – yes, please invite and bring friends).  Simply let us know how many people you’ll be bringing to the movie (respond to this email or let us know on your Connect Card). 
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website.  
4. Father’s Day, June 20th, is going to be a lot fun at Coastal!  First of all, we’re having another Baby/Child Dedication.  If you would like your family to participate, sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  There will also be FREE Kona Ice for everyone, a gift for all the guys (I’m real excited about the gift), and some fun giveaways (yes, probably MEAT) at the end of each service!  
5. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our June 5th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-1:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/162166.
   
   P.S. Coastal is hosting the 8th Grade Graduation for Orange Grove Middle School on Thursday, June 10th, at 9:30am. Our auditorium will be standing room only!  If you are available, we need volunteers to help make this a wonderful experience for all of our guests!  We need people to work the cafe (cookies & lemonade), run golf carts, open doors, take pictures at a selfie/photo booth, and greet all of our guests.  And then on Tuesday, June 15th, we are hosting Oakland Elementary School’s Kindergarten Graduation at 9am and their 5th Grade Graduation at 11am.  Oakland’s Graduation is Students only, but we would still like a few volunteers to help with doors and gifts.  If you are interested in serving either or both Graduations, please respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  These Graduations are a great opportunity to make a huge IMPACT in our community.

Well, typically, Memorial Weekend officially marks the end of the school year (almost, but not quite this year) and the beginning of Summer.  In fact, this year, Memorial Day is actually the last day of May – Monday, May 31st!  But no matter when your child gets out of school this year, Summer begins this Tuesday, June 1st!  I am seriously excited about all the awesome things happening at Coastal this Summer and in particular during the month of June – the biggest of which is Summer of IMPACT!     If you and your family haven’t yet signed up for multiple projects, 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 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 way to include those who might not darken the door of a church yet, but would be willing to volunteer in the community.  Don’t you see?  Not only is Summer of IMPACT an opportunity to serve and bless our community and you, but it is also an opportunity for outreach!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.

Another reason I’m excited about June here at Coastal is that on Sunday, June 13th, we kick off one of our favorite sermon series traditions here at Coastal – “AT THE MOVIES”!  It’s where we take current or popular movies and use them as a hook to talk about spiritual truth.  ALL 1st Time Guests will receive FREE Movie Tickets to Citadel Mall Theater (and the person who invited them – YOU) throughout the entire series.  There will be popcorn, movie trailers, and cool giveaways!We’ll also be taking anyone who is available to see the new “Peter Rabbit 2” movie on Tuesday, June 22nd, 10am at the Citadel Mall Theater.  And we’re picking up the cost of the ticket!  It’s our way to thank you and bless our community (your friends – yes, please invite and bring friends).  Simply let us know how many people you’ll be bringing to the movie (respond to this email or let us know on your Connect Card). 

But the best part of our “At the Movies” kick-off on June 13th is that it’s also the day of our Beach Baptism out at Folly Beach County Park at 5pm!  Come out early (traffic might be an issue) and make it a fun day for your entire family!    If you are interested in getting Baptized, simply respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  Either way, come out and celebrate with us!

And then, of course, there is Father’s Day on Sunday, June 20th! There will be FREE Kona Ice for everyone, a gift for all the guys (I’m real excited about the gift), and some fun giveaways (yes, probably MEAT) at the end of each service!  Oh, and on top of all of that (Summer of IMPACT, At the Movies, Beach Baptism, Father’s Day), our Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) just unveiled their Summer Calendar with a ton of events, activities, and service projects!  Go to their Instagram page and see Ryan Spell for all the details.

As you can see, it’s going to be a great Summer at Coastal!  The only thing that’s potentially missing right now is. . .YOU!  We can only provide the opportunities for connections, community, and service.  You have to make the choice to participate.  I hope you will!  I love YOU, I love being your Pastor, and I love what we get to do together!

Making An IMPACT With You!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Typically, in this section of our Friday 5 we list all the upcoming Outreach Projects.  For the month of June – there really is only ONE thing we want you to focus on:  SUMMER OF IMPACT!  Simply click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/.  Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word  and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!  If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!
   If you have any questions about Summer of IMPACT and the different projects, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is?  You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Tuesday, June 1st, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal.  Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there.  Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse.  Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website. 
4. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
5. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our June 5th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-1:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/162166.
   
   P.S. The Summer is a great time to consider automating your giving!  You can do that through your Bank, through our TEXT to GIVE provider (843-277-8337), or our Offering Envelope.  If you have any questions you can call the church (843-571-1777) and Ashley will step you through it.   People tend to travel and go on vacations over the Summer.  Just remember that the Ministry and IMPACT of Coastal continues whether you’re here on a Sunday or not.  And everything we do is made possible by your consistent, generous giving.  You can give through our website or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337.

WE’RE BACK Baby!  Not sure if it’s by “popular demand” or not, but either way our little Cooking Show – Cookin’ & Dishin’ (sometimes called Grillin’ & Chillin’) with Pastor Chris & Janet will be back on Facebook Live THIS Wednesday (TOMORROW) evening, May 26th at 8pm!  This was something we did during the COVID Shutdown to connect with everyone and wound up having a lot of fun in the process.  It’s from my own personal Facebook page, so if we’re not friends yet, please friend me.  Just like we did before, we’ll be cooking a meal, talking about all things Coastal, and as always a lot of laughing and having fun!  And as an added bonus, we’ll actually be drawing names and giving away 2 FREE MEALS!  

This week’s menu is: Tomato Soup (Janet’s favorite), Cheese Biscuits (these are LEGIT – you’ll never want a Red Lobster cheese biscuit again), and Brownies (some of the best – and easiest – I’ve ever had)!

I hope you’ll join us!  

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Summer of IMPACT is now less than two weeks away!! 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.  There is something for everyone – from serving through our existing partnerships with non-profit organizations all over Charleston like the Lowcountry Food Bank, Soldiers Angels, the Ronald McDonald House, Tri-County Family Ministries, and Lowcountry Orphan Relief, to sewing pillowcases for the Children’s Hospital, to helping widows, the elderly, and single moms with small home projects, to feeding, clothing, and bring supplies to literally hundreds of hungry, hurting, and homeless people all over Charleston. There are opportunities nearly every day of the month. You simply sign-up and then show-up. It’s literally that easy.  Every project has a leader and every project is well-organized. 

So here’s what I am asking you to do RIGHT NOW:  Click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/.  Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word  and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!  If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!  I love you, I love our church, and I love being your Pastor!    

Speaking of Making an IMPACT, this past week has been Teacher Appreciation Week over at Oakland Elementary School.  There are two schools directly across the street from our church, Orange Grove Charter Middle School (the older school which originally housed Oakland), and Oakland Elementary School (the newer building behind Orange Grove).  During the first 14 years of our church, when we were portable, I promised God that wherever He physically planted our church that we would be a good neighbor to our community.  Well, when we ended up in our current location at 460 Arlington Dr. you’d have to be blind not see the little Elementary School right across the street.  It was the perfect place to start loving and serving our community.  And that’s exactly what we’ve done for the past 17 years.  And now, words truly can’t describe the special relationship that we have with Oakland.  I wish each and every one of you could have heard all the words of gratitude and goodwill expressed about our church (YOU) this week from the Staff at Oakland.  Every day this week each Teacher and Faculty member got a gift or some treat from our church.

Just remember that all of this (including Summer of IMPACT) is made possible by your consistent, generous giving.  You can give through our website or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337. I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor! 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, Friday, May 21st, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, May 26th, 9am-12noon.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is?  You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Tuesday, June 1st, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal.  Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there.  Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse.  Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website.
4. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
5. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our June 5th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-1:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/162166.
   
   P.S. WE’RE BACK by popular demand!   Janet and I will be back on Facebook LIVE Wednesday evening, May 26th at 8pm from my own personal Facebook page for Cookin’ & Dishin’ (or Grillin’ & Chllin’) with PC & Janet!  We’ll be cooking a meal (and giving it away to a lucky winner), talking about all things Coastal, and as always laughing and having fun!  We would love for you to join us!

Wow – what an AMAZING Mother’s Day at Coastal this past Sunday!  We kicked off our new series called “Conversations,” talking about our identity in Christ.  We had 9 families participate in our Baby/Child Dedication (Our next one will be Father’s Day – sign up on your Connect Card).  And we continue to see families each week that we haven’t seen in-person in over a year.  In fact, other than Easter weekend, this was the first Sunday that we were well over 50% of our normal in-person attendance.  I hope that trend continues.  But most importantly, whether you’re in-person or online, continue to invite your friends to join us!

This Sunday in our “Conversations” series, I’ll be talking about forming healthy friendships.  The importance of making Godly friends is a valuable life skill whether you’re 12 or 27 or 53 (like me), whether you’re  single, married, kids or no kids.  1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”  “Don’t be fooled.”  In other words, “Don’t delude yourself into thinking that you are incapable of being impacted by other people.”  I’ve heard it said, and you’ve probably heard it too, “Your character is the sum total of the 5 people you spend the most time with.”  In other words, the kind of friends you have determine the kind of person you’re becoming.  Think about that.  That’s why we have to be intentional about the people in our lives and the people in our kids’ lives.  Don’t miss this Sunday and this crucial conversation.

And speaking of conversations, there has been a lot of talk this week about masks/face coverings.  First of all, let’s just make sure that whatever conversation you engage in that you always keep Ephesians 4:29 in mind, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”  Since the beginning of the pandemic our church has been following our local and state government mask mandate.  This week those mandates have been officially lifted in our State, County, and City.  As a church, we have been requiring our Staff & Volunteers to wear masks and simply encouraging others to do so.  Beginning this Sunday, we will no longer require Staff or Volunteers to wear them.  However, we will continue to provide them for those who need one.  And we know and understand that many people, including Staff & Volunteers will still choose to wear facemasks, and we fully support their personal decision to do so.  As we always do at Coastal, continue to use wisdom and discernment and above all else, show love and grace to all people in whatever personal decision they make.  And even on occasion, be willing to set aside your own personal preferences for the love of others.  

Oh and on an unrelated note, not only were people freaking out this week over a possible gas shortage, but evidently there is/was a Chick-fil-a Sauce shortage and a chicken wing shortage!  I seriously wish we would display the same sense of urgency with “sharing and experiencing the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world” that we do with the silly and ultimately unimportant things of this world.  

I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor! 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   THIS Saturday, May 15th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   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, Friday, May 21st, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, May 26th, 9am-12noon.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is?  You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Tuesday, June 1st, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal.  Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there.  Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse.  Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website. 
4. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  The 2021 Summer of IMPACT Catalog with all the details is now available online.  Check out all the different opportunities and sign up today!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
5. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our June 5th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-1:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/162166.
   
   P.S. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is THIS Sunday, May 16th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.

It’s almost here – SUMMER!!  One of the ways our church marks the beginning of Summer 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.  There is something for everyone – from serving through our existing partnerships with non-profit organizations all over Charleston like the Lowcountry Food Bank, Soldiers Angels, the Ronald McDonald House, Tri-County Family Ministries, and Lowcountry Orphan Relief, to sewing pillowcases for the Children’s Hospital, to helping widows, the elderly, and single moms with small home projects, to feeding, clothing, and bring supplies to literally hundreds of hungry, hurting, and homeless people all over Charleston. There are opportunities nearly every day of the month. You simply sign-up and then show-up. It’s literally that easy.  Every project has a leader and every project is well-organized. 

So here’s what I am asking you to do RIGHT NOW:

Click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach/

Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.  And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate!  Spread the word (forward this email) and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve!

If you are looking to Make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!  Let’s make this the best Summer ever!  I love you, I love our church, and I love being your Pastor!    

In His Service & Yours,
Pastor Chris

Alright everyone – this Sunday, May 9th, is Mother’s Day!  We kick off a new series called, “Conversations.”  The idea for the series is that there are some important, crucial conversations that every parent needs to be prepared to have with their kids.  But don’t worry, this series is for everyone, whether you’re a parent or not, because what we’re going to be talking about in this series are some foundational life truths that all of us need to have a handle on and, yes, have the ability to pass on to the next generation.  We’ll cover things like forming healthy friendships, being a disciple in the digital age, holding on to your faith.  And this Sunday we begin with one of the most important conversations you need to be prepared to have and have a grip on – don’t let anyone steal your identity.  It’s going to be a great series to kick off on Mother’s Day and take us to the Summer.  Don’t miss it!  And as always, make sure you invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers!  It’s going to be a BIG DAY!  We have a gift for all the Moms (and women), fun giveaways at the end of each service, a photo booth, Baby/Child Dedication during the service, and FREE Kona Ice!  It’s going to be a great day for many of you to return to in-person worship!  

I also want to thank those of you who started parking further away on Sunday mornings.  That will be especially important this Sunday on Mother’s Day!  There is plenty of parking at Oakland Elementary School, down the first drive right past the Greenway.  There is also parking available behind the Middle School where our Coastal Kidz container is located.  Again, think with our Guests in mind.

And speaking of the Coastal Kidz container – every Saturday morning at 8am we meet there to unload it and set everything up at Orange Grove Middle School.  When we’re done we go over to the church and set up the chairs.  We could always use your help!

The other thing that May always marks is Teacher Appreciation Week at Oakland Elementary School – Monday, May 17th – Friday, May 21st.  We have a special relationship with the school.  Each year we go over the top to express our love and appreciation to the Teachers and Staff of Oakland.  We have several special things planned – lunch, breakfast, gift cards, small gifts.  Just remember that all of our community outreach projects (this one included) are funded by your consistent, generous giving.  You can give through our website or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337. 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party and Clothing Distribution, Saturday, May 8th, 10am-1pm. 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, May 11th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, May 12th, 9am-12noon.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Saturday, May 15th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is?  You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Tuesday, June 1st, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal.  Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there.  Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse.  Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website.  
4. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  The 2021 Summer of IMPACT Catalog with all the details is now available online.  Check out all the different opportunities and sign up today!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
5. We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves – literally! As part of our June 5th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a Blood Drive from 8:30am-1:30pm at the church.  Every donor will receive a $10 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/162166.
   
   P.S. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, May 16th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.

Check out the progress pictures above of our new facility (thanks to the Speer family for the drone shots)!  Things are really starting to take shape.  If it’s been a while since you’ve seen our campus, come by and I’d love to give you a tour.  None of this would be possible without your consistent generous giving!  Thank you for your faithfulness! 

This Sunday, I’ll be wrapping up our “Bridges” series (and yes, I will be preaching).  I’ll be talking about how once we cross the bridge of faith, God then uses us to be bridge builders to the world around us.  We become bridge builders where we live, work, parent, and play.  In a way, it’s like a family trait that gets passed down to us from our Heavenly Father.  You and I are to be constantly building bridges to reach out to people who are disconnected from God.

And then on the following Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 9th, we kick off a new series I’m excited about (I know, I get excited about every series we do) called, “Conversations.”  A couple of years ago I read a really good book on communication called, “Crucial Conversations:  Tools For Talking When Stakes Are High.”  Well, the idea for this series is that there are several “crucial conversations” that every parent needs to have with their children — not letting anyone steal their identity, forming healthy friendships, following Jesus in a digital age, and holding on to your faith (just to name a few). Kids can easily get confused between what the world says and what God says.  And if you’re a parent, you might feel unprepared to have difficult, yet crucial conversations with your kids. In this series you’ll get practical advice for talking with your kids about the stuff that matters.  But trust me, even if you aren’t a parent, the truths you’ll learn from this series will help you grow in your own faith and find significance in the God who created you.  It’s going to be a great series to kick off on Mother’s Day and take us to the Summer.

And speaking of Mother’s Day – invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers!  It’s going to be a BIG DAY!  We have a gift for all the Moms (and women), fun giveaways at the end of each service, a photo booth, Baby/Child Dedication during the service, and FREE Kona Ice!  

Now, there are two things I need your help with.  One is parking.  Actually, you can start helping with parking this Sunday.  As more and more people are making their way back to church that means more parking spaces are needed.  I am asking all of our regular attenders to start parking as far away as possible so that when a guest shows up on our campus they can easily find a parking space. Typically in our early Sunday morning Volunteer Meeting I tell all our Volunteers, “The further away you park, the more you love Jesus.”  So where am I asking you to park?  There is plenty of parking at Oakland Elementary School, down the first drive right past the Greenway.  There is also parking available behind the Middle School where our Coastal Kidz container is located.  Again, think with our Guests in mind.  When our construction is completed, we’ll have more parking available.

The other thing I need your help with is our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry (Birth – 5th Grade).  It’s been so awesome the last several weeks, seeing more and more people starting to return to in-person worship.  But more people means more kids which means more volunteers.  I want to invite you to check out Coastal Kidz and see if this is the place for you to start serving. Teaching a child about Jesus or caring for a little one so their parents can grow closer to Jesus is not only alot of fun, but you are also making an eternal IMPACT.  Most of our Coastal KIdz volunteers serve once or twice a month.  

If you used to serve in Coastal Kidz and just now started coming back to in-person worship, we’re ready for you to jump back in.  In fact, this Spring & Summer is going to be the perfect time to prepare our Coastal Kidz Volunteers before the Grand Opening of our new Children’s Facility in the Fall!  If you are interested in Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry, simply respond to this email, indicate it on your Connect Card, or directly contact our Children’s Director, Janet Rollins, at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is tomorrow, May 1st.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party and Clothing Distribution, Saturday, May 8th, 10am-1pm. 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, May 11th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, May 12th, 9am-12noon.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is?  You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Tuesday, June 1st, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal.  Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there.  Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse.  Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website.  
4. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  The 2021 Summer of IMPACT Catalog with all the details is now available online.  Check out all the different opportunities and sign up today!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
5. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day (May 9th) or Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
   
   P.S. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, May 16th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.

My little girl came home this week.  Okay, she’s not so little anymore.  She’s married and turns 30 next week.  We had a great visit.  Before she came, she told Janet she wanted to learn to sew this week.  My son-in-law Andrew LOVES my grilling.  So as you can imagine, we’ve both been in heaven this week – sewing, grilling, and loving on our kids.  In fact, as I type these words, they just left minutes ago and headed back to their home in Knoxville, TN.  We hugged, cried, and waved good bye.  Family.  There’s nothing like it.  

When I went off to college (years ago), my only contact with friends and family back home was a pay phone in my dorm hallway and handwritten letters.  I kept a jar of quarters in my room for those late night phone calls and always looked forward to one of the guys in the dorm answering the pay phone and calling out, “Phone call for Chris!”  For those of you under 30, google “pay phone” to see what I’m talking about.  By the time my daughter went off to college and then out to Los Angeles, to say that I was thankful for all the technology changes that allowed us to talk at any time or to “see” each other via Zoom or FaceTime would be quite the understatement.  And now, even though they are a lot closer in Knoxville, we so look forward to those phone calls, even if just for a minute or two to check in.  However, as thankful as I am for all the technology, nothing compares to when I get to physically see and hug my little girl.

That’s kind of how I feel about church online.  When the world shut down, I can’t begin to express my gratitude for all the technology we’ve invested in that enables us to communicate, “see” each other, and stay connected.  And it’s not going way – it’s here to stay.  It is a great tool that we will continue to invest in, develop, and leverage for the Kingdom.  However, it’s not a replacement for the gathered church.  It’s not the same as actually seeing each other in person, worshipping together, hugging each other.  I saw a family of 5 last Sunday that I had not seen in person in over a year.  It’s hard to describe the emotion that welled up inside of me as I hugged each one of them.  Honestly, it was kind of like seeing my daughter this week.  Why?  Because we’re family.  

So, I’ll say this as simply as I can.  It’s time for many of you to come back to in-person worship.  It’s time.  Sure, there are a few of you who are genuinely immunocompromised or caring for those who are.  But many of you have simply gotten out of the habit.  You are out and about in the community, your kids are in school (in person) and in sports, you’re going to restaurants, Costco, Wal-Mart, and grocery stores.  It’s simply become easy and convenient just to stay home on Sunday morning and “watch it online.”  But it’s not the same.  It’s not.  If you’re concerned, wear a mask and come to the 11:15am service. I say it all the time and I sincerely mean it – I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor.  A Pastor is a Shepherd and sometimes a Shepherd has to call the sheep home.  Come home.   

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, April 23rd, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, April 28thh, 9am-12noon.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, May 1st.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is?  You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Tuesday, June 1st, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal.  Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there.  Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse.  Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website.
4. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  The 2021 Summer of IMPACT Catalog with all the details is now available online.  Check out all the different opportunities and sign up today!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
5. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day (May 9th) or Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
   
   P.S. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, May 16th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.

Life.  Despite all of our knowledge and all of the medical and scientific advances, from the very beginning to the very end, life is so very fragile and mysterious.  This past week I saw that spectrum up close and personal.  I met and prayed with a young couple from our church struggling with the pain and heartache of miscarriage – the beginning of life.  I also met and prayed with a wife and her 13 year old son who just lost their husband and father to a sudden heart attack – the end of life.  

Even though we know the passages that are often quoted at times like these that talk about heavenly mansions and new bodies and that life is just a mist or a vapor, that is here for a moment and then gone – it is difficult when that mansion and that new body and that mist is made personal and real and given a name.  The name of the man who died of a heart attack was Chris Osteen.  He got up early Tuesday morning, fixed Walker, his son, breakfast and took him to school, as was his custom.  He came home and breathed his last breath.  He was 50 years old.  I have known Chris, his wife Brandi, and their son Walker for the past 10 years.  Brandi & Walker came to Coastal this past Easter and walked across the Bridge.  Brandi indicated on her Connect Card that she walked across the Bridge because she needed to be reminded of the hope of heaven.  Little did she know on Easter Sunday just how real that Bridge walk would become.  

But we don’t know, do we?  We never do.  I was 13 years old, just like Walker, when my Dad died.  Honestly, all of it at the time was a blur.  I was hurt, angry, and lost.  I remember a lot of adults, who I didn’t really know, saying a lot things to me.  But at the end of the day, I just wanted my Dad back.  I don’t have easy answers for the wonderful couple who just so desperately want to have a baby and can’t, or for the 13 year old boy who wants to know why his dad will never get to see him hit a home run or teach him to drive.  I get upset when Christians offer 2 cent answers to million dollar questions.  What I’ve learned is that what people really need in moments of deepest grief is simply to know that you’re there for them – in whatever way they need.  

It took me a while, but I eventually learned that God did not cause my Dad to die.  He did, however, use his death in a powerful way in my life.  He brought something very beautiful out of it.  My guess is that a lot of adults said those same things to me when I was Walker’s age.  But at the time, I just needed someone to love me, to be there for me, after the service was over, after the food was gone, and after everyone else went on with there lives.  And I’m so very thankful, that by the grace of God, He put those people in my life.  That’s the beauty of true fellowship, of the church – people who, over time, walk out the truth that God’s love for you is big enough to handle your pain, your grief, your doubt and even your anger.  They just keep loving you through it.  

Pray for that young couple struggling with infertility and the loss of life at its very beginning.  Be willing to walk through the fire with them.  Pray for the Osteen family and the long road ahead.  Chris’ funeral will be this Sunday at 5pm at Coastal.  Pray for me and our church as we serve and minister to this family.  Hug your loved ones tight tonight and tell them you love them.  And by the way, if you are hurting and struggling with grief and loss, we have a great Support Group at Coastal called Grief Share filled with people willing to walk with you and love you through it.  They meet at the church on Monday nights at 6:30pm.  If you have any questions about the Group, please reach to Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com.  

I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor.  No one is guaranteed their next breath.  It’s all a gift from God.  So why not live and love each day like it’s our last!  One day we will all walk across that bridge, and the only thing that will matter is our faith in Jesus.  So until He calls us home or comes again, let’s “share and experience the life and love of Jesus with Charleston and the world!”

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Saturday, April 17th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, April 20th, 8am-1pm.
   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, Friday, April 23rd, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning (TOMORROW), April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website. 
4. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  The 2021 Summer of IMPACT Catalog with all the details is now available online.  Check out all the different opportunities and sign up today!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
5. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day (May 9th) or Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
   
   P.S. Coastal is 100% fully funded by the generous, consistent giving our our people.  We could not do what we do without you!  And whether we gather in-person or online, the ministry and impact of Coastal never ceases.  Your weekly gifts are a vital resource that allow us to continue the work that God has called us to do.  If you need us to mail you offering envelopes or step you through online giving or TEXT Giving (text any amount to 843-277-8337), please respond to this email or call the church office (843-571-1777).  Thank you so much for your continued faithfulness!

Wow – we had an amazing Easter Weekend at Coastal!  First of all, I can’t thank all of our volunteers enough for all of your hard work – 6 services over 3 days!  All of our Teams – Praise & Worship, Tech, Coastal Kidz, Security, Cafe, Prayer, 1st Impressions – knocked it out of the park!  Many, many people were at multiple services and some were at all 6.  We seriously have the best volunteers at Coastal and could not do what we do without you!  We kicked off a new series over the weekend called, “Bridges,” and hundreds of people literally walked across a bridge, representing various next steps in their faith.  It was a very moving moment in each service.  Going into the weekend, I seriously had no idea how many people to expect in attendance in-person.  For the last several months we’ve been averaging around 350 people in-person (about 40% of our pre-covid in-person attendance).  I really thought that if we doubled that in-person (700) it would be a miracle.  Well, we had 1081 people in-person over the weekend!  And then we had another 1175 online – for a grand total of 2256!  

Like always, we had a lot of 1st time guests – people who were invited by a friend or who saw an ad, received a post card, or found us online.  But what was also so powerful is that I saw people in each one of our 6 services that I literally haven’t seen in-person in over a year.  Easter was their first time back in-person since the shutdown.  It was very emotional for me as a Pastor/Shepherd and for them – most were in tears.  I expect to see more and more of that in the weeks ahead, people starting to return to in-person worship.  Again, if you are out and about in the community, your kids are in school (in person) and in sports, you’re going to restaurants, the gym, Costco, Wal-Mart, Target and grocery stores. . . it’s time to come back to in-person worship.  Consider this a loving, Pastoral nudge.

Don’t forget that we go back to our regular Sunday morning worship services times this week – 9:30am & 11:15am.  Also, there is no Coastal Kidz set-up or Chair set-up tomorrow as we were able to leave everything up this week for Spring Break.  We will be stacking and packing our chairs and breaking down Coastal Kidz after the 11:15am service on Sunday.  If you took home and put up a Yard Sign, please pick them up and return them to the church.  We really try to do our best to reuse them each Easter.  

If it’s been a while since you’ve been by our campus, I can’t wait for you to see all the progress on our new facility!  It’s really beginning to take shape.  In fact, if you are ever in the area, I’d love to give you a tour!  I love you Coastal!  And I love being your Pastor!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party and Clothing Distribution, Saturday, April 10th, 10am-1pm. 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, April 13th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, April 14th, 9am-1pm.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Saturday, April 17th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach on Sunday, June 13th, 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.  At Coastal we call it “going public” 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 or sign up on our website.  
4. We are excited to announce that Coastal is starting a Celebrate Recovery Support Group/Ministry!  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  If you have a track record of personal recovery and you are interested in possibly serving in this Christ-centered ministry, please let us know on your connect card or you can reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
5. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day (May 9th) or Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
   
   P.S. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  The 2021 Summer of IMPACT Catalog with all the details will be available both in-person in the bulletin and on our website on Sunday!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.

Finally – Easter Weekend is here!  Today is Good Friday.  Think about this.  While you were asleep last night/early this morning, nearly 2000 years ago Jesus was captured in the Garden and condemned to die by the Jewish leaders who hated him.  As you were waking up Jesus was being shuffled back and forth between Pilate and Herod for even more trials and abuse. While you were getting dressed, the Roman soldiers were brutally beating Him and putting thorns on His head.  By the time you were on your way to work He was on his way to the cross.  Satan was laughing –  convinced that he won.  It was Friday. . . but here’s the GOOD NEWS – Sunday was coming!  Can’t wait to celebrate that with you and your friends & family this weekend – Friday (tonight), April 2nd, 7pm (this is the only service that will have NO COASTAL KIDZ); Saturday, April 3rd, 4:30pm, 6pm;  Sunday, April 4th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.  (FREE KONA ICE at the Saturday and Sunday services for the kids!)

It’s still not too late to make that call, send that email or text, walk across the street or the office, and invite someone to church for this weekend!  You never know the power of a simple invitation.  40 years ago a friend from school invited me to church.  I ended up giving my life to Jesus and committing to full-time Christian ministry!  Simply put, it changed my life!  Who do you know that needs Jesus?

A few other quick reminders about Easter at Coastal: Parking & Seating really is important on Big Services like Easter.  Please, please park as far away as possible and sit to the front and center of each section.  And this is important – COME EARLY!  With more guests on our campus, make sure you’re even more gracious, kind, loving, and helpful to everyone!  Treat everyone as your welcomed, expected guest in your home.  I also want to challenge you to give above and beyond this Easter Weekend toward our construction project.  You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient!   If it’s been a while since you’ve been by our campus, I can’t wait for you to see all the progress on our new facility!  We are just past the midway point and hope to have a Grand Opening in late August or early September!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is THIS Saturday (tomorrow), April 3rd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party and Clothing Distribution, Saturday, April 10th, 10am-1pm. 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, April 13th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, April 14th, 9am-1pm.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Saturday, April 17th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. Is Baptism your next step? The only requirement for Baptism is that you have personally given your life to Jesus.  Baptism is a public profession of your faith.  At Coastal we call it “going public” and it’s a great celebration!  It beautifully illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  And 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 or sign up on our website.  We are also planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach on Sunday, June 13th, at 5pm.  You can also sign up for that on our website.
4. We are excited to announce that Coastal is starting a Celebrate Recovery Support Group/Ministry!  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  If you have a track record of personal recovery and you are interested in possibly serving in this Christ-centered ministry, please let us know on your connect card or you can reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
5. If you would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day (May 9th) or Father’s Day (June 20th), sign up on your Connect Card.  Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.  Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation or commitment to Christ. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need.  Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
   
   P.S. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  In the next few weeks, be on the lookout for our 2021 Summer of IMPACT calendar with all the details!  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.

I want to personally invite you and your friends & family to attend one of Coastal Community Church’s 6 Easter Services this weekend!  We begin a brand new 5 week series called, “Bridges.”  The idea for the series is that Jesus is the bridge we need to cross in a variety of areas of our life.  Jesus is the bridge to peace, reconciliation, freedom, and of course on Easter – Jesus is the bridge to eternal life!

Our 6 Identical Easter Service Times are:
– Friday, April 2nd: 7pm (only service without Coastal Kidz/Nursery)
– Saturday, April 3rd: 4:30pm & 6pm
– Sunday, April 4th:  8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.
(There will be FREE Kona Ice on Saturday and Sunday!)

Please let us know which service you plan on attending by registering at EasterAtCoastal.com.  Our regular Nursery & Children’s Ministry (Birth-5th Grade) will be provided during Saturday and Sunday services (not Friday night).  Your kids will be safe & secure and will have a blast!  Our Cafe provides great coffee and a treat for free; the music will be ROCKIN’; the message will be straight from God’s Word and apply to your every day life; and you’ll meet a bunch of people just like you!  We expect guests each week at Coastal, so invite and bring someone with you (all 1st time guests receive a FREE Gift)!  I promise you, you’ll be glad you came!

Hope to see you, your friends, and family on Easter Weekend!
Pastor Chris Rollins (friend me on Facebook or Instagram)
Coastal Community Church
460 Arlington Dr.
(directly across the street from Oakland Elementary and Orange Grove Middle Schools)

P.S.  If it’s been a while since you’ve been by our campus, I can’t wait for you to see all the progress on our new facility!  We are just past the midway point and hope to have a Grand Opening in late August or early September! 

Well, it’s time – time to make the ask and invite your friends to church this Easter!  Our Easter services are officially ONE WEEK AWAY!  Hopefully by now you’re well aware that we’re having 6 identical services over three days:  Friday, April 2nd, 7pm (this is the only service that will have NO COASTAL KIDZ); Saturday, April 3rd, 4:30pm, 6pm;  Sunday, April 4th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.  And speaking of making the ask, what’s the worst thing that can happen?  They say no.  And by the way, just because someone says no, keep praying, keep loving, keep serving, look for the open door and ask again later.  But think for a moment about the best thing that could happen.  You could be used by God to literally affect someone’s eternity.  It’s possible that they hear the Good News of the Gospel and give their life to Jesus!  We have the opportunity to literally change the trajectory of entire generations by a simple ask.  Don’t  believe me?  You’re a part of Coastal today because a friend invited me to church when I was 13 years old.  One week later from that ask I gave my life to Jesus and felt God’s call for ministry.  Make the ask! 

For those of you on Social Media, please go to our Easter at Coastal webpage and click on the “Download Shareable Easter Invite Images for Social Media” button.  A zip file containing a folder of 10 different images will automatically download on your computer.  Or you can simply click on this link and download them now!  These are great images to use on Facebook and Instagram to get the word out and invite people to Coastal for Easter!

And while you’re on our Easter At Coastal page, make sure you go ahead and register for the service you and your family and friends are planning to attend!  That way we can spread everyone out and let people know when a service is reaching capacity.  Make sure you connect with your Ministry Leader and sign up now to serve at one or more of our services.  If you are not currently serving in a Ministry, Easter is a great time to get started!  Respond to this email and we’ll put you in touch with a Ministry Leader.

For many of you, I believe that Easter weekend is a great time to come back to in-person worship!  I am so thankful for the online ministry of our church during the pandemic.  We’ve gone “all in” and made a huge investment in this ministry.  It is here to stay, and it will continue to be a powerful tool to leverage for the community and for the Kingdom.  However, it is NOT a replacement for gathering together in person for worship and fellowship.  If you are out and about in the community, your kids are in school (in person) and in sports, you’re going to restaurants, Costco, Wal-Mart, and grocery stores. . . it’s time to come back to in person worship.  Our staff and volunteers continue to wear masks and so do many others.  We’ve made many other adjustments in our facility and our service – prepackaged communion, touchless entry/exit, hand sanitizing & mask stations. We no longer pass the offering buckets or offer self serve at our Cafe. We’ve also removed almost half of our chairs to spread people out.  On top of all of that, I’ve heard that many people at Coastal have been vaccinated – including by the way ALL 4 OF YOUR PASTORS (we get our 2nd shot early this coming week).

I say none of that to guilt or pressure anyone.  There are some in our community at Coastal who are elderly, sick, immunocompromised, and who have still been diligently avoiding crowds or all in person interactions at all costs.  You are loved, you are in my prayers daily, and you are a valuable part of our community.  And having talked to many of you, I know you are sincerely looking forward to the day when you will rejoin us in person soon.  Until that day, stay online, stay engaged, and please feel free to reach out to me personally to check in.  I love hearing from you!  However, my point is that many do not fall into those categories and for the most part, with taking a few precautions, you’re fully engaged in the community.  If that’s you, consider this a loving, Pastoral nudge to join us again for in person worship.  Trust me, I look forward to the day when we no longer have to navigate any of this.  But until that day, let’s continue to show grace and kindness to everyone (it seems like I’ve read that somewhere).  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!    

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, March 31st, 9am-1pm.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, April 3rd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. Did you know that Coastal’s Prayer Team is now ready and available to pray with people in-person during our Worship Services?  During both services our Prayer Team volunteers will be wearing Red Lanyards.  All you have to do is tap anyone on the Prayer Team on the shoulder for prayer and they will step off to the side and pray with you.  Prayer Team members will also be sitting in the front row to the left of stage during the response time (the end of each sermon/communion time) ready to pray with anyone during the last songs of the service.  If you are interested in joining our Prayer Team, please reach out to Galen Moyer at galen.moyer@comcast.net.
4. We are excited to announce that Coastal is starting a Celebrate Recovery Support Group/Ministry!  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  If you have a track record of personal recovery and you are interested in possibly serving in this Christ-centered ministry, please let us know on your connect card or you can reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.  
5. How awesome was it that we Baptized an entire family of 4 this past Sunday during our 11:15am service?!  Is that possibly your next step? The only requirement for Baptism is that you have personally given your life to Jesus.  Baptism is a public profession of your faith.  At Coastal we call it “going public” and it’s a great celebration!  It beautifully illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  And 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 or sign up on our website.  We are also planning our Annual Beach Baptism out at Folly Beach on Sunday, June 13th, at 5pm.  You can also sign up for that on our website.
   
   P.S. I want to challenge you to give toward our “Daring Faith” offering for Easter Weekend.  Because a large number of people stepped out in faith and gave to “Daring Faith,” our church was able to begin our construction project.  You can visit our Daring Faith page on our website to learn more about the project.  It’s slated to be complete in late August!  Easter Weekend would be a great time for you and your family to give above and beyond as a step of faith toward this project.  You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient!

Bridges.  They are an integral part of the life and community here in Charleston.  They are an every day part of your life and my life that we take for granted.  In fact, depending on how you count, there are 14 major bridges across waterways in the Charleston area.  And if you’ve been in Charleston for any length of time, think about all the memories you’ve had over bridges.  Growing up I can remember singing, “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go” when we headed downtown and crossed the Ashley River Bridge to see my grandmother.  Depending on your age, maybe you remember the first time you drove over the old two lane Cooper River bridge (that was scary)!  Of course a common bridge memory for literally tens of thousands of people is the annual Bridge Run.  Now think for a moment what life would be like without bridges.  We would be a separated, lonely people, living on islands unto ourselves, never connecting and communicating with the world around us.

Well, on Easter weekend we are beginning a brand new 5-week series at Coastal called “Bridges.”  The idea for the series is that Jesus is the bridge we need to cross in a variety of areas of our life.  Jesus is the bridge from death to life (Easter Weekend).  Jesus is the bridge from religion to a relationship.  Jesus is the bridge from brokenness to restoration. Jesus is the bridge from division to reconciliation. And finally, Jesus is the bridge from us (the church) to our community.  I really believe that it’s going to be a great series!  

And speaking of Easter Weekend, here’s your Easter Countdown: Easter Weekend (Friday, April 2nd-Sunday, April 4th) is now just 14 days away!  Hopefully by now you’ve started inviting your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.  Make sure you pick up all the different invite tools at church this weekend to help you make that invitation – yard signs, books, and tickets! 

We also need you to go to our Easter at Coastal webpage and click on the “Download Shareable Easter Invite Images for Social Media” button.  A zip file containing a folder of 10 different images will automatically download on your computer.  Or you can simply click on this link and download them now!  Start using these images on Facebook and Instagram to get the word out and invite people to Coastal for Easter.  

And while you’re on our Easter At Coastal page, go ahead and register for the service you and your family and friends are planning to attend!  That way we can spread everyone out and let people know when a service is reaching capacity.  Make sure you connect with your Ministry Leader and sign up now to serve at one or more of our services.  If you are not serving in a Ministry, Easter is a great time to get started!  Most importantly, bathe all of this in prayer!  Ask God to use our church to draw people to Himself and to prepare the hearts and minds of everyone we will be reaching out to.  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor! 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, March 19th, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Oakland Elementary School Outdoor Movie Night –  Our church is putting on an outdoor movie for our friends over at Oakland Elementary School TONIGHT!  We’ll be setting up our truck (with music) and tents, and giving away popcorn and drinks.  Gates open at 6:30pm and movies starts at 7:30pm.  Great opportunity for the whole family!
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a clothing distribution TOMORROW, Saturday, March 20th, 10am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, March 31st, 9am-1pm.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, April 3rd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. Did you know that Coastal’s Prayer Team is now ready and available to pray with people in-person during our Worship Services?  During both services our Prayer Team volunteers will be wearing Red Lanyards.  All you have to do is tap anyone on the Prayer Team on the shoulder for prayer and they will step off to the side and pray with you.  Prayer Team members will also be sitting in the front row to the left of stage during the response time (the end of each sermon/communion time) ready to pray with anyone during the last songs of the service.  If you are interested in joining our Prayer Team, please reach out to Galen Moyer at galen.moyer@comcast.net. 
4. We are excited to announce that Coastal is starting a Celebrate Recovery Support Group/Ministry!  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  If you have a track record of personal recovery and you are interested in possibly serving in this Christ-centered ministry, please let us know on your connect card or you can reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
5. Did you know that we have 5 Blessing Boxes in the community!  Consider choosing a Blessing Box as a family and restock it with non-perishable food, toiletries, and even notes & cards of encouragement. This can be done by going directly to the Blessing Box.  Here are the addresses to our Boxes:

• 413 Geddes Avenue, Charleston
• 928 Savage Road, Charleston
• 2758 East Surrey Drive, North Charleston
• 1998 Hugo Avenue, North Charleston
• 1050 St. Andrews Blvd., Charleston 

P.S. I want to challenge you to give toward our “Daring Faith” offering for Easter Weekend.  Because a large number of people stepped out in faith and gave to “Daring Faith,” our church was able to begin our construction project.  You can visit our Daring Faith page on our website to learn more about the project.  It’s slated to be complete in late August!  Easter Weekend would be a great time for you and your family to give above and beyond as a step of faith toward this project.  You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient!

Easter Weekend (Friday, April 2nd-Sunday, April 4th) is now just 17 days away!  It’s time to start inviting your friends and getting the word out.  And that’s where we need your help!  First of all, drop by the church this week and pick up EasterAtCoastal.com yard signs!  Put one in your yard and then strategically place others in neighborhoods, shopping centers, high traffic areas, and intersections.  Take a picture of your signs and share it on social media with the hashtag #easteratcoastal.  

We have a little Easter book that we want to give to you as a gift as you finish out your Easter Fast and for you to give to a friend. The book is entitled, “At the Cross.” It looks at the different people who were at the cross with Jesus.  The last chapter is entitled, “You, At the Cross.”  It’s a great tool for sharing the Gospel with someone.  You can pick all of this up at the church during the week.  We even have a stack of books and yard signs available on the front porch of the church for pick up after office hours.  

We also need you to go to our Easter at Coastal webpage and click on the “Download Shareable Easter Invite Images for Social Media” button.  A zip file containing a folder of 10 different images will automatically download on your computer.  Or you can simply click on this link and download them now!  Start using these images on Facebook and Instagram to get the word out and invite people to Coastal for Easter.  

While you’re on our Easter At Coastal page, go ahead and register for the service you and your family and friends are planning to attend!  That way we can spread everyone out and let people know when a service is reaching capacity.  Make sure you connect with your Ministry Leader and sign up now to serve at one or more of our services.  If you are not serving in a Ministry, Easter is a great time to get started!  Most importantly, bathe all of this in prayer!  Ask God to use our church to draw people to Himself and to prepare the hearts and minds of everyone we will be reaching out to.  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  Happy Easter – Christ is Risen!  Let’s celebrate!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

P.S. I want to challenge you to give toward our “Daring Faith” offering for Easter Weekend.  Because a large number of people stepped out in faith and gave to “Daring Faith,” our church was able to begin our construction project.  You can visit our Daring Faith page on our website to learn more about the project.  It’s slated to be complete in late August!  Easter Weekend would be a great time for you and your family to give above and beyond as a step of faith toward this project.  You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient!

Are you ready for this?  Easter Weekend is now officially 3 week away.  This year we are having 6 services over 3 days – Friday, April 2nd, 7pm (no Coastal Kidz for this service only);  Saturday, April 3rd, 4:30pm, 6pm;  Sunday, April 4th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.  This Sunday, be prepared to take home some Easter Invite Tools – tickets, books, yard signs – all designed for you to use to invite your friends to Easter at Coastal this year!  We have 150 EasterAtCoastal.com yard signs that we want to saturate Charleston with!  Pick up several and strategically place them in neighborhoods, shopping centers, high traffic areas, and intersections.  And then take a picture of your sign and share it on social media with the hashtag:  #easteratcoastal.  The little books we are giving away are a free gift for you, as you close out your Easter Fast, and for you to give to a friend – take one and give one away!  The book is entitled, “At the Cross.”  It looks at the different people who were at the cross with Jesus.  It’s a great tool for sharing the Gospel with someone.  The tickets are simply Ticket Master tickets that we’ve used for many years now with our service times.  Obviously, you and your friends don’t need a ticket to attend a service.  They’re simply great little invite cards for you to give away.  

We would however, like to know which of our 6 services you and your friends are planning on attending.  So, go to Easter at Coastal and sign up today!  That way we can spread everyone out and let you know when a service is reaching capacity.  Start spreading the word and register today!  

Make sure you reach out to your Ministry Leader to let them know when you can serve over the Easter Weekend!  Services like these require “all hands on deck.”  Consider attending one of the services and then serving at multiple services.  If you aren’t serving anywhere right now, Easter is a great time to start!  Respond to this email, and we’ll direct you to a Ministry.

Also, I want to challenge you to give toward our “Daring Faith” offering for Easter Weekend.  Because a large number of people stepped out in faith and gave to “Daring Faith,” our church was able to begin our construction project.  That project is now well under way, and Easter Weekend would be a great time for you and your family to give above and beyond as a step of faith.  In fact, you should notice some exciting progress on our construction project this weekend!  

So many people are hurting and searching for hope right now.  Let’s do everything in our power to leverage this Easter for Jesus!  And as always Coastal, let’s work, share, and invite like it all depends on us.  Let’s pray like it all depends on God. And then let’s walk by faith, trust God for outcome, and celebrate the results!  If together we do that, then this will be the best Easter ever!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a Neighborhood Tailgate Party there TOMORROW, Saturday, March 13th, 10am-2pm (meet at the church at 10am).  And then we’re coming back to the Pink House for a clothing distribution on Saturday, March 20th, 10am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, March 17th, 9am-1pm.
   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 Friday, March 19th, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Oakland Elementary School Outdoor Movie Night –  Our church is putting an outdoor movie for our friends over at Oakland Elementary School.  We’ll be setting up our truck (with music), tents, and giving away popcorn and drinks.  Gates open at 6:30pm and movies starts at 7:30pm.  Great opportunity for the whole family!  
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!  Saturday, March 20th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   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 at 843-870-4613.
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. THIS Sunday, March 14th is Time Change Sunday! Your clocks “Spring Forward” one hour late Saturday night/early Sunday morning.  While we “lose” an hour, we do get longer days!  Somebody once said that “Sunday morning church is a Saturday night decision.”  Make the decision NOW to make it a priority – don’t wait until Sunday morning to make that call.
4. During the Construction Project our entire Children’s Ministry, Coastal Kidz, has gone portable!  In other words, they are meeting across the street from our church at Orange Grove Middle School.  To make that happen, each Saturday morning at 8am a group of volunteers meets at the school, unloads our container, and sets up all of our classrooms and environments.  With enough volunteers, the entire process takes less than an hour.  If you would be interested in serving (even once a month), simply respond to this email or reach out to our Children’s Director, Janet Rollins at 843-442-8299. 
5. We are excited to announce that Coastal is starting a Celebrate Recovery Support Group/Ministry!  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  If you have a track record of personal recovery and you are interested in possibly serving in this Christ-centered ministry, please let us know on your connect card or you can reach out to Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. One of the ways our church marks the coming of Summer is through “SUMMER OF IMPACT!”  For the entire month of June, our church will saturate Charleston with a variety of outreach projects almost every day!  What better way to show that we are followers of Jesus than by serving the people right here in our community!  If you have led a project in the past or if you have any ideas about new projects, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 

Probably one of the most consistently embraced and supported outreach events that our church has done over the years is our Tailgate Parties!  It’s where we roll up into a community with trucks and tents and grills and food and supplies and clothes and then we simply serve!  Our first Tailgate Party was over in North Charleston near Rivers and Cosgrove.  We then added another Tailgate Party over at the Suburban Hotel.  

Well, this Saturday, March 13th we’re excited to announce that we’re adding our 3rd Tailgate Party over at the PINK House in the Ardmore Neighborhood right here in West Ashley.  And as always we’ll be giving away FREE burgers, hot dogs, Mac & Cheese, chips and dessert!  We’ll meet at the church this Saturday at 10am, load up all the supplies, and head over to the Pink House.  We’ll be there until 2pm or until all the food is gone.  This is definitely a project for the whole family.  And don’t worry if you can’t stay until the end, come out any time you can and help.

If you are interested in serving in this or any of our many Outreach projects, you can sign up right now on our website (https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/missions) so we can know who’s coming and if we’ll have enough people.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.  Can’t wait to see everyone on Saturday.  Feel free to bring corn hole, frisbees, a football, etc.  We really want to hang out with and love on this community!  

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

P.S. This Sunday, be prepared to take home some Easter Invite Tools – tickets, books, yard signs – all designed for you to invite your friends to Easter at Coastal!  In fact you can now go to our Easter at Coastal landing page to let us know which service you are attending!  Register today!  And then just as important – let your Ministry Leader know when you can serve!  Services like these require “all hands on deck.”  www.easteratcoastal.com

Have you recovered from the pain of alcohol or drug addiction?  Have you ever felt called to lead a small group to share your testimony with others helping them to overcome similar life circumstances?  We have great news!  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our lives.

We are excited to announce that right now at Coastal we are in the beginning stages of creating a core team of people to get this ministry off the ground!  We are looking for people with the experience and passion for helping others in recovery.  If you have a track record of personal recovery and you are interested in possibly serving in this Christ-centered ministry, please let us know on your connect card or reach out to Pastor Scott at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

We really believe that this ministry has the potential to make a huge IMPACT not only in our church, but in our community!  Even if you don’t feel led to be a part of the Core Team, please be in prayer as we lay the foundation for this exciting opportunity.  Together let’s share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world! 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

P.S. This Sunday, be prepared to take home some Easter Invite Tools – tickets, books, yard signs – all designed for you to invite your friends to Easter at Coastal!  In fact you can now go to our Easter at Coastal landing page to let us know which service you are attending!  Register today!  And then just as important – let your Ministry Leader know when you can serve!  Services like these require “all hands on deck.”  www.easteratcoastal.com

November 10th, 2019 was an historic Sunday in the life of our church.  We gave the largest single offering in the history of our church for our “Daring Faith” Campaign – $202,635.80!  Our 3 year commitment grand total came in at just over $1.7 million!  It was that offering and those commitments that enabled our church to step out in faith and move forward with our construction project – completely rebuilding and expanding our Children’s space, greatly expanding our Fellowship/Atrium space, connecting our 2 buildings and preparing our campus for the next phase.  That construction project is well under way.  In fact, we are just about at the half-way point.  Construction should be complete sometime in August.  This new facility will positively impact every aspect of our ministry – children, students, groups, outreach, online church – everything!  But it will especially impact our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry!  We will be well positioned to continue to reach the next generation for Jesus!  

So here’s what I want you to do – I want to challenge you to give above and beyond your regular giving for a Special Easter Offering that will go toward our new building.  Whether you made a specific “Daring Faith” commitment back in November of 2019 or not, I want to challenge you to give something above and beyond for Easter.  We can’t all give the same amount, but we can all make a sacrifice.  And as we’ve learned over and over again at Coastal, it’s when we all step out in faith and sacrifice together that God shows up and does a miracle!  For those of you who are new to our church since 2019, I would encourage you to go to our Daring Faith page on our website to learn more about our Daring Faith Campaign and to see a short video of what exactly we’re building.  2 Corinthians 8:11, “Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.”

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is THIS Saturday (tomorrow), March 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, March 9th, 8am-1pm.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be putting on a Neighborhood Tailgate Party there on Saturday, March 13th, 10am-2pm.   
   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 at 843-870-4613. 
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. NEXT Sunday, March 14th is Time Change Sunday! Your clocks “Spring Forward” one hour late Saturday night/early Sunday morning.  While we “lose” an hour, we do get longer days!  Somebody once said that “Sunday morning church is a Saturday night decision.”  Make the decision NOW to make it a priority – don’t wait until Sunday morning to make that call.
4. Easter Sunday is April 4th!  Coastal is having 6 Easter Services over 3 days this year:  Friday, April 2nd, 7pm (no Coastal Kidz);  Saturday, April 3rd, 4:30pm, 6pm;  Sunday, April 4th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.  Start praying about who you’re going to invite and bring.  And with 6 services, keep in mind that it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK!  In other words, we need everyone serving and volunteering!  Check with your LIFE Team Leader and go ahead and sign up now!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is THIS Sunday, March 7th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
   
   P.S. The easiest way to stay connected, see all the announcements, listen to our messages, and fill out a Connect Card, is through our App.  Yes, if you didn’t already know it, Coastal has a FREE App you can download for your phone or mobile device.  Download it today from your App Store!  If you’re searching for it, make sure you search for “Coastal Community Church of Charleston or Coastal CC Charleston” (There are other Coastal Community Churches around the country).  If it’s been a while since you checked out the App, open it up!  We’ve updated it and made some improvements!

For a while now, we’ve been praying about some possible next steps for our church as far as community outreach is concerned.  We’ve really felt like one of those next steps would be helping to transform a neighborhood right here in West Ashley – a place where we could dig in over time and make a real lasting IMPACT.  And then God opened a door for our involvement at “The Pink House” in the Ardmore Neighborhood.  The Pink House over the years has served as a community center of sorts – a lighthouse of help and hope in a neighborhood with great, great need.  

But here’s the reality – The Pink House needs some help.  The property has fallen into disrepair and needs a lot of TLC.  So join us this Saturday (tomorrow), 9am-1pm for a Yard Clean Up Project at the Pink House.  We’ll meet in the Coastal Welcome Center tomorrow morning at 9am.  We’re going to be doing some raking, laying down landscaping fabric, putting out mulch and pine straw.  We’re also going to haul away some old debris and wood.  The reality is this, the PINK House is not fully ready for larger scale outreach in the community (Neighborhood Tailgate Parties, VBS, etc).  There is work that needs to be accomplished in order to revitalize the grounds and to communicate to the neighborhood that the PINK House is up and running and that Coastal is here to minister to the community.  I hope you’ll consider joining us as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus where we live, work, parent, and play!  By the way, you can sign up right now for this project, and MANY OTHERS by going to:  www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/missions. 

And if you’re planning on coming to the church on Saturday for the Pink House Yard Clean Up, why not come early and help us set up Coastal Kidz at Orange Grove Middle School (right across the street from the church).  We’ll be there at 8am and be done in plenty of time to meet in the Welcome Center at 9am.  In fact, we’re there every Saturday morning during our Construction Project and would love for you to join us!

I hope your 40 Day Easter Fast has started off strong!  Remember the Easter Fast goes all the way until Good Friday, April 2nd.  Jesus said, “When you fast . . .”  In other words, Jesus meant for fasting to be a regular part of the Christian lifestyle.  Fasting is simply denying yourself something physical for a set period of time for the spiritual purpose of focusing on prayer, the Word, and your relationship with God.  Sometimes the first few days of a fast are the most difficult.  Satan will plant seeds in your mind that it’s really no big deal, no one will know if you really do it, or that it really doesn’t make any difference.  Remember, Satan is a liar and the Father of Lies!  Jesus promises in His Word that the Father will reward you!  How will He reward you?  I don’t know, but I know that He will!  So – keep it up and don’t give up!  What you are doing has eternal consequences, and God is using it to do a work in you.  But remember the focus is not on the actual thing you are giving up. It’s your relationship with God.   And to help you in that relationship, each Monday morning of the Fast we will send you a email that includes a themed devotional for the week and daily Scripture readings to guide your time.  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  Hope to see you over the weekend – serving on Saturday and worshipping on Sunday – in-person or online!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a “community center” of sorts in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be helping with a Yard Clean Up THIS Saturday (tomorrow), February 27th, 9am-1pm.   
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, March 3rd, 9am-1pm.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, March 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, March 9th, 8am-1pm.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Saturday morning, April 17th, 9:30am-12noon. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
3. Woohoo!  LIFE Groups have now officially started for this semester!  However, it’s not too late to join one!  Check out the 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG and sign up today!  There are 2 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website oron your Connect Card (in-person or online).  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and sign up today!   After you sign up, your Group leader will contact you with all the information you need.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. Easter Sunday is April 4th!  Coastal is having 6 Easter Services over 3 days this year:  Friday, April 2nd, 7pm (no Coastal Kidz);  Saturday, April 3rd, 4:30pm, 6pm;  Sunday, April 4th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.  Start praying about who you’re going to invite and bring.  And with 6 services, keep in mind that it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK!  In other words, we need everyone serving and volunteering!  Check with your LIFE Team Leader and go ahead and sign up now!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, March 7th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
   
   P.S. DON’T FORGET – we offer our Coastal Members and regular attendees free access to RightNow Media, an online church video library.  It’s just one of the many ways to express our generosity to our church family.  Essentially, RightNow Media is a Netflix for Bible studies with videos for kids, students, singles, parents and married couples by teachers like Dave Ramsey, John Piper, Max Lucado, Tim Tebow, and more. All the content can be accessed from any computer or smart television and through the RightNow Media app on a phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, etc.  If you haven’t already  done so, click here to set up your account! 

I want to let you know about a new opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus where we live, work, parent, and play that we’re very excited about!  We are beginning a ministry partnership with “The Pink House” in the Ardmore Neighborhood right here in West Ashley.  The Pink House over the years has served as a community center of sorts – a lighthouse of help and hope in a neighborhood with great need.   Ardmore has a host of social issues.  These issues include drugs, alcohol, gang activity, and struggling low income families.  There is a real opportunity for our church to make a lasting IMPACT right in our own backyard by serving those in need.  The possibilities for ministry and impact are unlimited!  In fact, this past week a team of volunteers from Coastal organized a free Clothing Distribution at the Pink House.  

But here’s the reality – The Pink House property has fallen into disrepair and needs a lot of TLC.  So to help create neighborhood goodwill and to literally prepare the soil for future ministry, Coastal is organizing a Yard Clean Up Project this Saturday, February 27^th from 9am until 1pm.  We’ll meet in the Coastal Welcome Center this Saturday at 9am.  We’re going to be doing some raking, laying down landscaping fabric, putting out mulch and pine straw.  We’re also going to haul away some old debris and wood left on the property from previous ministry.  The reality is this, the PINK House is not fully ready for larger scale outreach in the community (Neighborhood Tailgate Parties, VBS, etc).  There is work that needs to be accomplished in order to revitalize the grounds and to communicate to the neighborhood that the PINK House is up and running and that Coastal is here to minister to the community. 

So roll up your sleeves, grab your rakes, blowers, and other lawn equipment and join us this Saturday as we look to take these initial steps!  We’ll be done by 1pm so it won’t be a sacrifice of your entire Saturday.  Also, if you are professional landscaper and you’re willing to help with your time and equipment, we’d love to have you.  If you own an open-styled trailer and you are willing to sacrifice your time by helping to haul items to the Bees Ferry Landfill, we’d love to have you. 

You can sign up right now by going to:  www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/missions.  You can also contact our Outreach Pastor, Chris Jones by email with any questions at chrisjones@coastalcommunitychurch.org.

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

P.S. If you’re planning on coming to the church on Saturday for the Pink House Yard Clean Up, why not come early and help us set up Coastal Kidz at Orange Grove Middle School (right across the street from the church).  We’ll be there at 8am and be done in plenty of time to meet in the Welcome Center at 9am.  In fact, we’re there every Saturday morning during our Construction Project and would love for you to join us!

First of all, I just want to thank everyone for all the love expressed to me and Janet this past Sunday for our 34th Wedding Anniversary!  We had a great day!  We also had a great kick-off for our new series “To The Church.”  I’ll be honest with you, between the weather and the long holiday weekend I wasn’t expecting all the people and all the guests who showed up!  And I don’t think it was just the doughnuts or the giveaways (although that was a lot of fun).  I simply think it’s that we have a lot of people at Coastal who know why we do what we do and who are on mission – to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world!  

Hopefully by now you’re aware that Coastal’s Annual 40 Day Easter Fast begins this Monday, February 22nd and goes through Good Friday, April 2nd!  The Easter Fast is where you choose to give up something, deny yourself something to focus on prayer, repentance, and your relationship with God.  It could be caffeine or sugar.  It could be social media or tv.  It could be time, where you get up 30 minutes earlier each day to read your Bible and pray. You decide.  If you are interested in participating, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email.  It’s a great opportunity to grow your faith.  And to help you in your journey, beginning this Monday, February 22nd, we will provide you with a weekly email that includes a themed devotional for the week and daily Scripture readings to guide your time.  I hope you’ll participate!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!  Hope to see you Sunday – in-person or online!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Tomorrow, Saturday, February 20th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a “community center” of sorts in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be helping with a Clothing Distribution tomorrow Saturday, February 20th, 10am-1pm and Yard Clean Up on next Saturday, February 27th, 9am-1pm.   
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, March 3rd, 9am-1pm.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Every week we rely on lots of volunteers to make Sunday mornings a welcoming experience for everyone who comes – our 1st Impressions Team. We are always looking to add new volunteers to the areas of: door holders, ushers, parking lot, golf carts, road crossing, and our cafe/coffee bar. If you are interested in serving in any of these areas please email Pastor Scott at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org and let him know!
3. Woohoo!  LIFE Groups have now officially started for this semester!  However, it’s not too late to join one!  Check out the 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG and sign up today!  As always, there are 3 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the back of the auditorium.  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and sign up today!   After you sign up, your Group leader will contact you with all the information you need.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. Easter Sunday is April 4th!  Coastal is having 6 Easter Services over 3 days this year:  Friday, April 2nd, 7pm (no Coastal Kidz);  Saturday, April 3rd, 4:30pm, 6pm;  Sunday, April 4th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.  Start praying about who you’re going to invite and bring.  And with 6 services, keep in mind that it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK!  In other words, we need everyone serving and volunteering!  Check with your LIFE Team Leader and go ahead and sign up now!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, March 7th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
   
   P.S. Coastal is 100% fully funded by the generous, consistent giving our our people.  We could not do what we do without you!  And whether we gather in-person or online, the ministry and impact of Coastal never ceases.  Your weekly gifts are a vital resource that allow us to continue the work that God has called us to do.  If you need us to mail you offering envelopes, step you through online giving, or TEXT Giving (text any amount to 843-277-8337), please respond to this email or call the church office (843-571-1777).  Thank you so much for your continued faithfulness!

I know I say this a lot, but I’m really pumped about this Sunday at Coastal!  First of all, this Sunday is Valentine’s Day and it’s mine and Janet’s 34th Wedding Anniversary!  Our first date was actually on Valentine’s Day and we got married one year later on Valentine’s Day.  I was 19 years old!  I’m also excited that we’ll be kicking off a brand new series called, “To The Church.”  Each week, as we prepare ourselves for Easter, we’ll be looking at Jesus’ letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2 and 3 (see our new sermon series graphic above from our very own Jody Davis).  What you’ll quickly discover is that not only do these 7 letters have a lot to say to the church of today, but they also speak to you and me as individuals.  It’s going to be a powerful series!  And since we’re kicking it off on Valentine’s Day, we have a few special treats – FREE Krispy Kreme doughnuts in our Coastal Cafe and GIVEAWAYS at the end of each service (Gift Certificates for Halls Chophouse)!  Invite and bring a friend in-person OR online!  And if all of that were not enough LIFE GROUPS BEGIN THIS COMING WEEK (see below)!  There are so many great Groups. Check out the LIFE Group Catalog and sign up today!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris 
(“Friend me” on Facebook if you haven’t already done so!)

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   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, February 12th, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, February 17th, 9am-1pm.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Saturday, February 20th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   PINK House –  The PINK House is a community center” of sorts in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley.  We are going to be helping with a Clothing Distribution on Saturday, February 20th, 10am-1pm.   
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Every week we rely on lots of volunteers to make Sunday mornings a welcoming experience for everyone who comes – our 1st Impressions Team. We are always looking to add new volunteers to the areas of: door holders, ushers, parking lot, golf carts, road crossing, and our cafe/coffee bar. If you are interested in serving in any of these areas please email Pastor Scott at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org and let him know!
3. OUR NEW 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  As always, there are 3 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign uponline from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the back of the auditorium.  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!   Unless otherwise indicated in the catalog, all of our Groups begin the week of February 14th.  We were created for community, to do LIFE together!  We need this – YOU need this! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. We’re looking to build our Worship Team!  We are looking for gifted vocalists, musicians, and worship leaders to add to our ever-growing worship team!  So, if that describes you (or someone you know), if you love to worship and enjoy being a part of a team that grows together in their faith while leading others to worship, then we want to hear from you!  Respond to this email or reach out to our band director Christopher Rollins at chris@coastalcommunitychurch.org with your interest and any info that would be helpful for us to know about you and your talents.  Christopher will respond with the audition process and all the information you will need!
5. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, March 7th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
   
   P.S. Coastal’s Annual 40 Day Easter Fast begins Monday, February 22nd and goes through Good Friday, April 2nd!  The Easter Fast is where you choose to give up something, deny yourself something to focus on prayer, repentance, and your relationship with God.  It could be caffeine or sugar.  It could be social media or tv.  It could be time, where you get up 30 minutes earlier each day to read your Bible and pray. You decide.  If you are interested in participating, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email. 

There are so many exciting things happening on our physical campus right now!  As you can see from the picture above, they have now poured the concrete for the new addition to the front of our building.  This area will serve as the new “front door” of our church.  It will contain our Welcome Center, Cafe, Child Check-in, and Welcome & Guest area.  In the days ahead we should expect to see this area start to “go vertical.”  And then there are so many things that you can’t see yet.  For example, inside the “old building” they have already started to sheet rock the walls of the new classrooms, offices, and hallways.  Out back the concrete slab for the new addition (new Coastal Kidz classrooms) has been poured, the walls have been erected, and the trusses for the roof are being installed!  Be on the lookout for Facebook LIVE tours and updates!  Even if you haven’t joined us in-person on Sunday’s yet, drop by during the week to see all the progress!  And none of this would be possible without YOU and your generous, consistent giving!

I’ll be wrapping up our “This Is My Year” series this Sunday with, “This is my year to share my faith.”  I hope you’ll join us – in-person or online.  On Sunday, February 14th (Valentine’s Day and Janet’s and my 34th Wedding Anniversary!) I’m excited to announce that we’ll be kicking off a brand new series called, “To The Church.” Each week, leading up to Easter, we’ll be looking at Jesus’ letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2 and 3.  What you’ll quickly discover is that not only do these letters have a lot to say to the church of today, but they also speak to you and me as individuals.  It’s going to be a powerful series!  And since we’re kicking it off on Valentine’s Day, we have a few special treats (and giveaways) during the service!  Don’t miss it!  This would be a great time for some of you to join us in-person.  Mask up and come to the 11:15am service! 

Not only are we kicking off a new series on Valentine’s Day, but that’s also the week that the new semester of LIFE Groups begin!  Check out all the different Groups and sign up today!  I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is THIS Saturday (tomorrow), February 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, February 9th, 8am-1pm.
   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 Friday, February 12th, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Every week we rely on lots of volunteers to make Sunday mornings a welcoming experience for everyone who comes. We are always looking to add new volunteers to the areas of: door holders, ushers, parking lot, golf carts, road crossing, and our cafe/coffee bar. If you are interested in serving in any of these areas please email Pastor Scott at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org and let him know!
3. OUR NEW 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  As always, there are 3 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign uponline from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the back of the auditorium.  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!   Unless otherwise indicated in the catalog, all of our Groups begin the week of February 14th.  We were created for community, to do LIFE together!  We need this – YOU need this! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. We’re looking to build our Worship Team!  We are looking for gifted vocalists, musicians, and worship leaders to add to our ever-growing worship team!  So, if that describes you (or someone you know), if you love to worship and enjoy being a part of a team that grows together in their faith while leading others to worship, then we want to hear from you!  Respond to this email or reach out to our band director Christopher Rollins at chris@coastalcommunitychurch.org with your interest and any info that would be helpful for us to know about you and your talents.  Christopher will respond with the audition process and all the information you will need!
5. For our families joining Coastal online, did you know that we offer your children (Pre-School – 5th Grade) a complete online experience as well? On our website you can find supplemental resources for each week’s up-to-date curriculum, including: video lessons, worksheets for each respective age group and a YouTube playlist kids can sing along and worship to.  We pray the online programming for Coastal Kidz will help children feel blessed and included as they navigate through the curriculum and as they join alongside their parents during online services.  For more information, contact Janet Rollins via email at:  janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Coastal’s Annual 40 Day Easter Fast begins Monday, February 22nd and goes through Good Friday, April 2nd!  The Easter Fast is where you choose to give up something, deny yourself something to focus on prayer and your relationship with God.  It could be caffeine or sugar.  It could be social media or tv.  It could be time, where you get up 30 minutes earlier each day to read your Bible and pray. You decide.  If you are interested in participating, sign up on your Connect Card or respond to this email.  

Over the years we have been so very blessed at Coastal with an AMAZING Worship Team!  Worship is one of the essentials to our weekly experiences at Coastal and we are always looking for gifted vocalists, musicians, and worship leaders to add to our ever-growing worship team!  So, if that describes you (or someone you know), if you love to worship and enjoy being a part of a team that grows together in their faith while leading others to worship, then we want to hear from you!  Sometimes I think people mistakenly think that a certain ministry is “full” or doesn’t need anyone else.  That is not true of any of our ministries at Coastal – especially our Worship Team!  Please email our band director Christopher Rollins at chris@coastalcommunitychurch.org with your interest and any info that would be helpful for us to know about you and your talents.  Christopher will respond with the audition process and all the information you will need!

You should be receiving your 2020 Giving Statement from our church this week.  If you have any questions about your statement, please contact the office (843-571-1777) and speak with Ashley Hojnacki.  If you consider Coastal your church home or if you have been blessed by the ministry of our church, we want to encourage you to continue to be faithful with your generosity.  Whether you are worshipping online or in-person, you can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient! Your generous consistent giving allows us to “share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world!”  Thank you so much for your faithfulness!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, February 3rd, 9am-1pm.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, February 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, February 9th, 8am-1pm.
   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 Friday, February 12th, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. Attention all 6th-12th Graders!  Join us at Coastal for our WAVES Wednesday Small Group Nights at 6:30pm-8pm!  Food is provided.  Invite and bring your friends.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Ryan Spell at 843-442-8985.
3. OUR NEW 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  As always, there are 3 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign uponline from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the back of the auditorium.  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!   Unless otherwise indicated in the catalog, all of our Groups begin the week of February 14th.  We were created for community, to do LIFE together!  We need this – YOU need this! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. DON’T FORGET – we offer our Coastal Members and regular attendees free access to RightNow Media, an online church video library.  It’s just one of the many ways to express our generosity to our church family.  Essentially, RightNow Media is a Netflix for Bible studies with videos for kids, students, singles, parents and married couples by teachers like Dave Ramsey, John Piper, Max Lucado, Tim Tebow, and more. All the content can be accessed from any computer or smart television and through the RightNow Media app on a phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, etc.  If you haven’t already  done so, click here to set up your account!
5. For our families joining Coastal online, did you know that we offer your children (Pre-School – 5th Grade) a complete online experience as well? On our website you can find supplemental resources for each week’s up-to-date curriculum, including: video lessons, worksheets for each respective age group and a YouTube playlist kids can sing along and worship to.  We pray the online programming for Coastal Kidz will help children feel blessed and included as they navigate through the curriculum and as they join alongside their parents during online services.  For more information, contact Janet Rollins via email at:  janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. JOIN A LIFE TEAM!  One of the best ways to meet new people and grow in your faith at Coastal is to serve alongside others on a LIFE Team or Ministry.  There are so many places to start serving here at Coastal – our 1st Impressions Team, welcoming and greeting people as they come on our campus, loving and serving our children through our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry, and then there’s the Security Team, our Online Engagement Team, Student Ministry, our Worship Team, our Tech Team, Chair Set-up, Coastal Kidz Set-up, and more!  You can sign up for a LIFE Team this Sunday on your Connect Card or anytime on our website.  Sign up today and start serving! 

I personally gave my life to Jesus on June 11th, 1981.  I was 13 years old, getting ready to turn 14.  It was a Thursday night at Senior Week of Camp at Camp Edisto in Branchville, SC.  This Summer I will have been a Christian for 40 years!  One of the many things I’ve been thankful for over the years are all the teachers, preachers, and mature Christians that God put in my life who taught and discipled me.  One of the things I was taught early on is to pray for those who are in positions of authority – government leaders, the President, Senators, members of Congress, Judges, Mayors, City Council, Police, etc.  Even if I disagreed with their politics or policies, I was taught to pray for them and to honor the position.  Why?  Because in God’s word, 1 Timothy 2:1-3, it says this, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”  

What’s interesting is that Paul links praying for our leaders to our mission of sharing the good news of the Gospel.  In the past 40 years of being a Christian I have now had the honor of praying specifically for 6 Presidents and their families – Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.  I have not always agreed with each of their policies or politics, but I have honored the position and prayed for the person and their families.  This past Wednesday, January 20th I began praying for my 7th President as a Christian – President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris (the first woman – and woman of color – to hold this position).  I simply ask you to join me in continuing to pray for our leaders and our country.  Why?  Because God tells us to “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”  And because God “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”  And NOTHING is more important than that!

Right or Left, Conservative or Liberal, don’t ever let your politics and/or your passions supersede following God’s Word and living out the priority of sharing the Gospel.  If you do, you have allowed something in your life to become an idol.  And for those of you, every 4 years, who shout, “Not my President,” when your candidate loses, I’m pretty sure that Jesus also said that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  You see, either way, PRAY! 

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are a few upcoming opportunities! 
   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, January 22nd, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, February 3rd, 9am-1pm.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, February 6th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Attention all 6th-12th Graders!  Join us at Coastal for our WAVES Wednesday Nights at 6:30pm-8pm!  It is a great time to play games, meet new friends, hear a powerful, practical message from God’s Word, and have a great discussion in a small group of your peers.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Ryan Spell at 843-442-8985.
3. OUR NEW 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  As always, there are 3 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign uponline from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the back of the auditorium.  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!   Unless otherwise indicated in the catalog, all of our Groups begin the week of February 14th.  We were created for community, to do LIFE together!  We need this – YOU need this! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. DON’T FORGET – we offer our Coastal Members and regular attendees free access to RightNow Media, an online church video library.  It’s just one of the many ways to express our generosity to our church family.  Essentially, RightNow Media is a Netflix for Bible studies with videos for kids, students, singles, parents and married couples by teachers like Dave Ramsey, John Piper, Max Lucado, Tim Tebow, and more. All the content can be accessed from any computer or smart television and through the RightNow Media app on a phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, etc.  If you haven’t already  done so, click here to set up your account!
5. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is THIS Monday night, January 25th, 6pm-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
   
   P.S. JOIN A LIFE TEAM!  One of the best ways to meet new people and grow in your faith at Coastal is to serve alongside others on a LIFE Team or Ministry.  There are so many places to start serving here at Coastal – our 1st Impressions Team, welcoming and greeting people as they come on our campus, loving and serving our children through our Coastal Kidz Children’s Ministry, and then there’s the Security Team, our Online Engagement Team, Student Ministry, our Worship Team, our Tech Team, Chair Set-up, Coastal Kidz Set-up, and more!  You can sign up for a LIFE Team this Sunday on your Connect Card or anytime on our website.  Sign up today and start serving!

DON’T MISS THIS SUNDAY!  Online or in-person, you are not going to want to miss everything that is gong to be happening at Coastal!  First of all, we’re going to be unveiling OUR BRAND NEW BOX TRUCK!  And let me tell you this, it is AWESOME!  We can’t wait to start using it in the community!  It’s going to be parked outside in front of our building AND for those of you watching online, don’t worry, I’m going to be doing my “pre-service show” from outside in front of the truck (plus we’ll show a picture of it during my sermon)!  That way everyone will be able to see it!   So make sure that if you’re watching online that you tune in 10 minutes before the service begins.  We would not have been able to purchase the truck without your generous giving toward our Christmas Offering.  And that’s another thing that’s happening this Sunday – at the beginning of my sermon, I’m going to announce our Christmas Offering total!  I can’t wait to share with you what God did through our church!!

And if all of that were not enough, OUR NEW 2021 WINTER/SPRING LIFE GROUP CATALOG IS NOW AVAILABLE!!  As always, there are 3 ways to sign up for a LIFE Group, but you only have to sign up one time/one way.  You can sign up online from our website, on your Connect Card (in-person or online), or at the LIFE Group Tables/Sign-up sheets in the back of the auditorium.  We have 23 different LIFE Groups this semester – online and/or in-person Groups, activity Groups, study Groups, and more!  There is something for EVERYONE!  Make sure you check out our catalog and start signing up today!   Unless otherwise indicated in the catalog, all of our Groups begin the week of February 14th.  We were created for community, to do LIFE together!  We need this – YOU need this!

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are a few upcoming opportunities!
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Tomorrow, Saturday, January 16th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, January 20th, 9am-1pm.
   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 on Friday, January 22nd, 9am-11am. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Don’t miss this Sunday – we will be announcing our final Christmas Offering total!  Our goal was $75,000.  The money will be used mainly for 3 projects: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. Purchasing “Box Truck”!  3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So get ready to celebrate what God did in our midst!
3. ATTENTION ALL LIFE GROUP LEADERS:  LIFE Group Leader Training will be Tuesday, January 19th, 6:30-8pm OR Saturday, January 23rd, 10-11:30am. (You just need to attend one.)  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  Please RSVP on your Connect Card.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. DON’T FORGET – we offer our Coastal Members and regular attendees free access to RightNow Media, an online church video library.  It’s just one of the many ways to express our generosity to our church family.  Essentially, RightNow Media is a Netflix for Bible studies with videos for kids, students, singles, parents and married couples by teachers like Dave Ramsey, John Piper, Max Lucado, Tim Tebow, and more. All the content can be accessed from any computer or smart television and through the RightNow Media app on a phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, etc.  If you haven’t already  done so, click here to set up your account!
5. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Monday night, January 25th, 6pm-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
   
   P.S. Start the New Year off right!  Don’t forget that simply because you are a part of the Coastal family, ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools are available to you for FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps. You have access to everything for an entire year at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Here’s the link:  https://www.financialpeace.com/hosts/coastalcommunity?pc=94671724.  Sign up today!  We want to be known as a generous church, and we also want to do everything we can to equip our church and community to experience true financial peace in these difficult times!  

First of all, let me just say that I am deeply troubled by what we’re all seeing unfold in our nation.  Honestly, I’m still processing it all, but my heart is broken.  I ask you to join me in praying for our nation.  But while I am troubled, I am not surprised, and more importantly, I am not without hope.  Why?  Because Romans 5:20 says, “But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.”  You see, I still believe that the light shines brightest in the darkness.  And if we are going to heal, if we are going to overcome the divisive spirit in our land, I believe that we as followers of Jesus have to lead the way.  I’ve said it for years, and I believe it now more than ever, Jesus truly is the ONLY hope of this world – not a President, not a political party, not any policies.  This world is not our home and ultimately our only allegiance is to Jesus and His Kingdom.  Our collective mission is still the same – to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world!  That’s all that matters, and that is what’s needed now more than ever before.

This Sunday, January 10th, we’re kicking off a new sermon series called, “This Is My Year.”  Each week we’re going to look at a different area of your life where if you will make a commitment to follow through, it will make a huge impact.  And this first area I want us to talk about is the most important one.  It’s the most important one because it affects every other area of your life – your health, your relationships, your finances, your family, everything.  We’re going to talk about your personal relationship with God, your spiritual life.  This is the foundation.  If this is out of whack, if this is out of alignment, nothing else in your life will line up or be all that it could be.  Everything else flows through this.  So, “2021, this is my year to take my next step spiritually.”  We talk a lot about next steps here at Coastal.  Why?  Because everyone has one.  No one has fully arrived.  No one is a  finished product.  We all have next steps to take.  So come this Sunday as we talk about what that looks like in your spiritual life.  And don’t forget that this Sunday we’re back to our 2 regular in-person services at 9:30am & 11:15am.  And as always, all of our services are available online.  If you are online don’t forget to jump on about 10 minutes earlier for our little “pre-show.”  

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are a few upcoming opportunities! 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, January 12th, 8am-1pm.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Saturday, January 16th, 10am-1pm meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. This is it!  This is the LAST WEEK to give toward our Annual Christmas Offering! Our goal is $75,000 (we will announce what we gave on the 17th)!  We are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift  through TEXTing, our website, or our App. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. ATTENTION ALL LIFE GROUP LEADERS:  LIFE Group Leader Training will be Tuesday, January 19th, 6:30-8pm OR Saturday, January 23rd, 10-11:30am. (You just need to attend one.)  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  Please RSVP on your Connect Card.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, January 10th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
5. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is Monday night, January 25th, 6pm-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
   
   P.S. Start the New Year off right!  Don’t forget that simply because you are a part of the Coastal family, ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools are available to you for FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps. You have access to everything for an entire year at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Here’s the link:  https://www.financialpeace.com/hosts/coastalcommunity?pc=94671724.  Sign up today!  We want to be known as a generous church, and we also want to do everything we can to equip our church and community to experience true financial peace in these difficult times!   

Happy New Year everyone!  2021 is finally here!  But guess what?  Jesus is still on the throne, God is still in control, and our mission is still the same – “to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world!” 

I sincerely hope you and your family have had a wonderful Christmas!  And let me say how awesome Christmas Eve was at Coastal, both in-person and online!  I want to thank all of our volunteers who served so joyfully!  We could not do what we do without you!  I especially want to thank all of our Tech Team & Worship Team who came very early and were here for all 3 services!  There was just something extra special this year, lighting candles and singing together.

For those of you who have had some time off from work this week, I hope you’ve been able to rest, refresh and enjoy spending time with family.  This is a great time of the year to reflect on 2020 (the good and the bad) and dream about 2021.  I’m sure many of you have a love/hate relationships with resolutions.  I get it.  I prefer the word goals.  Over the next several days, I would encourage you to set some goals for 2021 and share them with someone.  There is tremendous power in simply writing them down and then sharing them with someone else.  Categorize your goals – Faith, Family, Fitness, Finances, Friends.  Maybe you like these categories better:  Spiritual, Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Marital, Parental, Social, Financial, Vocational.  I truly believe that 2021 is going to be a great year at Coastal!  

Well, to help us start off 2021 in the right way, on Sunday, January 10th, we’re kicking off a new sermon series called, “This Is My Year to. . .”  We already have a direction for the series, but I would love to hear how you would respond.  You know, “This is my year to get out of debt. This is my year to grow spiritually. This is my year to forgive. This is my year to lose weight/get healthy.” You get the idea.  So, if you don’t mind, reply to this email and let me know how you would respond.

And as you’re praying about goals and changes you want to make in 2021, can I encourage you to include making Coastal a priority? “This is my year to fall in love again with the local church!”  Jesus called the church His Body, His Bride.  Jesus died for the church.  Jesus started the church.  The church is the Family of God and the only thing that will last on into eternity.  The church is the hope of the world, and when done right, there is nothing greater or more powerful than the local church.  However, there is no perfect church – because the church is made up of people, you and me, and there are no perfect people.  Church attendance/involvement is just like any other habit – it’s easy to make excuses and get out of the habit (especially if you’re trying to stay engaged online).  So, my advice, make a commitment and push through.  If it’s been a while, get back in the habit this Sunday.  If you already attend regularly, maybe it’s time you started serving.  This Saturday, tomorrow at 8:30am, is the first Saturday Serve of the New Year!  I can’t think of a better way to start serving and to kick off the New Year than to come to Saturday Serve (see below).  Maybe this is the semester that you join a LIFE Group.  How does your giving reflect your commitment to the church?  Is it consistent?  Generous?  Maybe this is the year you officially become a Member of Coastal.  Our next Membership Class is Monday night, January 25th, 6-8:30pm.  And how about this – invite and bring someone with you to church (again, in-person OR online)!  You never know the power of a simple invitation.

Don’t forget that we’re only having ONE IN-PERSON SERVICE this Sunday, January 3rd at 9:30am (no 11:15am in-person service)!  However, as always, you can watch all of our services (9:30am, 11:15am, and 6pm) on our Facebook page, our YouTube channel, or at https://coastalcommchurch.churchonline.org.  

Happy New Year!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, January 2nd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!  I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2021!
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, January 6th, 9am-1pm.
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, January 12th, 8am-1pm.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Our goal for our 8th Annual Christmas Offering is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (2 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 2 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. ATTENTION ALL LIFE GROUP LEADERS:  please turn in your Group Information by Monday, January 4, – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online).  LIFE Group Leader Training will be Tuesday, January 19th, 6:30-8pm OR Saturday, January 23rd, 10-11:30am. (You just need to attend one.)  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, January 10th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
5. Okay Coastal, it’s time to show your generosity once again! Grab an ornament with a teacher wishlist item from a classroom over at Oakland Elementary School. There are books, supplies, small things, big things, and “dream items”! Drop off or ship your gifts to Coastal Community Church (456 Arlington Drive, Charleston, SC 29414) between now and early January.  Label items with the tag number. To claim a tag virtually, email rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Start the New Year off right!  Don’t forget that simply because you are a part of the Coastal family, ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools are available to you for FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps. You have access to everything for an entire year at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Here’s the link:  https://www.financialpeace.com/hosts/coastalcommunity?pc=94671724.  Sign up today!  We want to be known as a generous church, and we also want to do everything we can to equip our church and community to experience true financial peace in these difficult times!

My wife Janet and I and all the Pastors & Staff at Coastal want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!  Instead of focusing on how this Christmas may or may not look a little different, or lamenting over how crazy 2020 has been – forget about all of that and simply be PRESENT, right here, right now, TODAY, and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  

Luke 2:10-11, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Read those words again slowly.  Let each phrase sink in.  Don’t be afraid!  What’s got you locked up in a prison of fear today?  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”  Good News!  Get off social media, tune out the news and all the negativity of this world and remember that we have GOOD NEWS!  And Good News is always meant to be shared!  Great Joy!  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  Savior.  Messiah.  Lord.  That’s what Christmas is all about – a Savior has been born, the Messiah, the Lord!  The question is . . . is He yours?  If He is, that’s all that matters today and every day!  Merry Christmas!

Don’t forget that there are NO IN-PERSON SERVICES this Sunday, December 27th!All of our services this Sunday, 9:30am, 11:15am, and 6pm, will be ONLINE ONLY!  As always,  you can watch all of our services on our Facebook page, our YouTube channel, or at https://coastalcommchurch.churchonline.org.  This would be a great week to really help us get the word out about our online services!  Check in on Facebook and share the service!  And also keep in mind that on Sunday, January 3rd, there will only be 1 in-person service, the 9:30am service.  But again, all other services will be online.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, January 2nd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!  I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2021!
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Our goal for our 8th Annual Christmas Offering is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (3 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 3 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. We are preparing now for the next semester of LIFE Groups – Winter/Spring 2021!  If you are interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group, please let us know.  If you have already connected with Pastor Scott about leading a Group, please turn in your Group Information – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online).  LIFE Group Leader Training will be Tuesday, January 19th, 6:30-8pm OR Saturday, January 23rd, 10-11:30am. (You just need to attend one.)  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4.  If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, January 10th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people.  RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
5. Okay Coastal, it’s time to show your generosity once again! Grab an ornament with a teacher wishlist item from a classroom over at Oakland Elementary School. There are books, supplies, small things, big things, and “dream items”! Drop off or ship your gifts to Coastal Community Church (456 Arlington Drive, Charleston, SC 29414) between now and early January.  Label items with the tag number. To claim a tag virtually, email rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Start the New Year off right!  Don’t forget that simply because you are a part of the Coastal family, ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools are available to you for FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps. You have access to everything for an entire year at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Here’s the link:  https://www.financialpeace.com/hosts/coastalcommunity?pc=94671724.  Sign up today!  We want to be known as a generous church, and we also want to do everything we can to equip our church and community to experience true financial peace in these difficult times!  

I just wanted to personally invite you to attend one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services this Thursday at Coastal – in-person OR online!  Our service times are 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm.  This year’s services are not going to be a “big production.”  We’re going to sing some of your favorite Christmas songs, I’m going to share a message that God has laid on my heart, and we’re going to light candles to remember that Jesus is the Light of the World.  Simple.  The whole service will last under an hour.  But I promise you, it will be just what you need to start Christmas off right!  Nursery (Birth-2 year olds) will be provided at Coastal Kidz, which meets across the street from the church at Orange Grove Middle School, during all 3 services.  We’re inviting all other children to sit in the service with their family (an activity/treat bag will be provided for each child). 

Also, it’s not too late to invite a friend!  People expect to be invited to Christmas Eve services!  Call up that friend, reach out to someone on social media, and invite them to be your guest.  You never know the power of a simple invitation.  This could be the first day of the rest of their life with Jesus!  Can’t wait to see you and your guests in-person OR online!

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris

P.S.  Our entire offering on Christmas Eve is going toward our Annual Christmas Offering!  Our Christmas Offering helps to fund all of the community outreach we do here at Coastal.  As always, you can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337.

I just want to take a moment to share with you a couple of ways how your generosity makes an IMPACT in our community – ways that you might not even realize.  On Friday (yesterday) we were made aware of a need in our community at MUSC Children’s Hospital.  Normally, the Hospital takes drop off toy donations for the children who are staying at the Hospital during Christmas.  However, because of COVID, the decision was made not to do that this year, instead relying on online donations and orders.  They came up short.  So today our church gave $2,000 in gift cards to help purchase toys for the children staying in the Hospital over Christmas.   Here is part of the email we already got back from the Hospital:

• “Thank you so much for your extremely generous gift for the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.  We are so incredibly grateful for your willingness to help during this time of need.  Your gift of $2,000 in the form of gift cards will be a huge help in getting our patients toys during their stay in the hospital during the holidays.  I can not thank you enough for your generosity.  We are so incredibly grateful!” 

And then on Thursday of this week our church gave its annual t-shirt gift to all the students, faculty, and teachers at Oakland Elementary School – 685 t-shirts (over $4,600)!  Usually the entire school goes outside and forms a particular picture or sign and takes a big “family picture.”  This year because of COVID each classroom took a picture wearing their shirts holding up a letter that spelled out, “Proud to be an Oakland Orca” (see picture). Today on their last day of school before Christmas Break, I was overwhelmed with hundreds of handwritten thank you notes from the kids and teachers.  And by the way, those same children and teachers donated over 2700 canned goods and non-perishable food items to our Food Bank yesterday!

Coastal, these are just two examples of your generosity in action this week alone – not even counting everything that’s happening today with the Christmas Party at the Suburban Hotel or our Annual Christmas Offering. Now, if you feel led to help cover the cost of the gift to the Children’s Hospital or the t-shirts at Oakland – great – reach out to me and let me know OR better yet, simply give this weekend.  But just know that when I say, “It is the generous, consistent giving of our church that enables us to do everything we do,” I mean it.  Coastal, we are known as a generous church that is making an IMPACT in our community!

When I read 2 Corinthians 9:13-15, I can’t help but think of you, “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”  So, thank you Coastal!  Thank you for your continued generosity!  I am so proud to be your Pastor and to serve with you at a church like ours!

Merry Christmas!     

Pastor Chris

It’s here!  It’s here!  What’s here you say?  Our CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE SUBURBAN HOTEL – this Saturday (TOMORROW), December 19th, 10am-1pm! I hope you are as excited as we are!  All the praying, planning, prepping, and giving have all come down to the actual event itself – where we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the people who call the Suburban Hotel home.  If you don’t know, the Suburban Hotel provides transitional housing for homeless Veterans and former residents of the 180 Place Homeless Shelter.  We’ve been serving there for the past 6 months, building a relationship with the residents.  I can’t thank Chris Jones and his amazing Volunteer Team enough for all of their hard work leading up to this weekend.

So, here’s how you can help at this point:

Packing Party:  TONIGHT at 6:30pm we’re meeting in the Welcome Center at Coastal. This will provide us the opportunity to pray together for Saturday and to make final preparations to ensure a smooth-running event. We’ll break down into several teams: Stocking packing, gift preparation, kitchen preparation, coffee bar staging, and equipment staging. Each team will be explained on Friday evening. Remember, many hands will make for quick work. So, if you can make it, we’d love for you to come.

Christmas at the Suburban:  On Saturday morning (TOMORROW), December 19th the church will be open at 8am. We’ll be setting up chairs for Sunday in the auditorium and setting up Coastal Kidz across the street at Orange Grove Middle School (both things have to happen each week).  We’ll need volunteers doing both.  If you are donating any food items, please bring them to the church between 8am-9am.  In fact, if you are volunteering for the event itself, please plan on being at the church by 9am. We’ll provide another briefing, pray and load everything for the trip to the Suburban. If you’ve ever been to a Saturday Serve – the format will be very similar. The plan/goal is to be at the Suburban between 10-10:15am setting up for the event.  The Suburban Hotel is located on Dorchester Road right across the road from the Harley Davidson dealership off of Hwy. 526.

Please have all donations for the stockings and gifts at the church by TODAY at 12noon. This will help with the staging for the Packing Party tonight. Also, be sure to wear your “Making an Impact” t-shirt on Saturday! We’re going to flood the Suburban with a sea of Coastal Blue! If you need a Coastal t-shirt, we’ll have them available on both Friday night and again on Saturday morning.  Children are more than welcome, and in fact, they are regularly with us on the Tailgates. If they are coming to serve, simply remember that they are your responsibility to watch them and keep them safe.

It’s going to be an amazing weekend!  Please continue to pray for people to not only see Jesus, but to come to know Him personally!  We as a church, can’t save anyone, but we know who can, and it’s our job to plant seeds and point people to Jesus. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Jones – (843) 870-4613. I can’t wait to see everyone over the weekend!

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   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 has a long standing relationship with LOR and on Friday (TODAY), December 18th, 9am-11am we’re sending a team to build emergency care kits for children in the community. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, January 2nd.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!  I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2021!
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.  
2. Our goal for our 8th Annual Christmas Offering is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (4 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 4 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. We are preparing now for the next semester of LIFE Groups – Winter/Spring 2021!  If you are interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group, please let us know.  If you have already connected with Pastor Scott about leading a Group, please turn in your Group Information – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online).  LIFE Group Leader Training will be Tuesday, January 19th, 6:30-8pm OR Saturday, January 23rd, 10-11:30am. (You just need to attend one.)  Both sessions will be offered online or in-person.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff – 859-230-5129.
4. We’re having 3 special Family Christmas Eve services with nursery provided on Thursday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Coastal Volunteers make sure you reach out to your Ministry Team Leaders about signing up to serve.  Most importantly, be praying about who you will invite and bring.  Also, please make note that the Sunday after Christmas (December 27th), services will be online only – no in-person services.
5. Okay Coastal, it’s time to show your generosity once again! Grab an ornament with a teacher wishlist item from a classroom over at Oakland Elementary School. There are books, supplies, small things, big things, and “dream items”! Drop off or ship your gifts to Coastal Community Church (456 Arlington Drive, Charleston, SC 29414) over the next few weeks. Gifts can even be dropped off in early January.  Label items with the tag number. To claim a tag virtually, email rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. Don’t forget that simply because you are a part of the Coastal family, ALL of Dave Ramsey’s best selling resources and tools are available to you for FREE!  This includes 5 classes (Financial Peace, Legacy Journey, Smart Money Smart Kids, the Jump Start Course and a new Budgeting course), the Everydollar+ budgeting tool, and a host of other resources designed to help families track their progress through the baby steps. You have access to everything for an entire year at your own pace, on your own schedule.  Here’s the link:  https://www.financialpeace.com/hosts/coastalcommunity?pc=94671724.  Sign up today!  We want to be known as a generous church, and we also want to do everything we can to equip our church and community to experience true financial peace in these difficult times!

First of all, before I give you the details about this weekend, I want to brag on you for just a moment.  This past Sunday I told you that we still needed about $700 to purchase 70 more (100 total) Bus Passes to give away at the Christmas Party at the Suburban Hotel this Saturday.  Honestly, I made a pretty strong plea that we should have no problem reaching that goal by the end of services on Sunday and that we also needed personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, deodorant, shaving supplies, etc).  Well, the generosity of our church never ceases to amaze me!  Coastal, you guys gave 4 times what we needed for the Bus Passes and personal hygiene items have been pouring in!  We literally have everything we need and more!  With the extra money that came in we’ll be able to get everything we need for Saturday, plus it will help purchase food for other Tailgate Parties there at the Suburban in the months ahead.

And let me just say this: that’s exactly what our Christmas Offering is all about – OUTREACH!  This year’s offering will help purchase food and supplies for both monthly Tailgate Parties, a wrapped box truck that will be used for both Tailgate Parties, community outreach, and disaster relief, and playground equipment for our new facility.  Our goal this year is BIG – our biggest ever – $75,000!  Honestly, at first I thought that might be too big of a number during a pandemic.  But get this, right now we are already over $46,000!  I believe that we can reach our goal and exceed it before January 10th (the last Sunday to give toward it).  This will be the last update on the number.  You’ll have to wait until after January 10th to hear the final number.  So pray about what God wants you to give and go for it!  Simply use the keyword “Christmas” however and whenever you give towards the Christmas Offering.

Now, back to the Christmas Party at the Suburban.  I’m hoping you are as excited as we are!  We’ve prayed, we’ve planned, we’ve given, and now get to experience the Lord’s hand at work in the lives of the people who call the Suburban home!

Here’s how you can help at this point:

Packing Party:

On Friday night, December 18th at 6:30pm we’re meeting in the Welcome Center at Coastal. This will provide us the opportunity to pray together for Saturday and to make final preparations to ensure a smooth-running event. We’ll break down into several teams: Stocking packing, gift preparation, kitchen preparation, coffee bar staging, and equipment staging. Each team will be explained on Friday evening. Remember, many hands will make for quick work. So, if you can make it, we’d love for you to come. 

Christmas at the Suburban:

On Saturday morning, December 19th the church will be open at 8am. We’ll be setting up chairs for Sunday in the auditorium and setting up Coastal Kidz across the street at Orange Grove Middle School (Both things have to happen each week).  We’ll need volunteers doing both.  If you are donating any food items, you can bring them to the church as early as 8am. However, we will need all food items at the church by 9am. In fact, if you are volunteering for the event itself, please plan on being at the church at 9am. We’ll provide another briefing, pray and load everything for the trip to the Suburban. If you’ve ever been to a Saturday Serve – the format will be very similar. The plan/goal is to be at the Suburban between 10-10:15am setting up for the event.

Please help us by having donations for the stockings and gifts at the church by Friday at 12noon. This will help with the staging for the Packing Party occurring on Friday night. Also, be sure to wear your “Making an Impact” t-shirt on Saturday! We’re going to flood the Suburban with a sea of Coastal Blue! If you need a Coastal t-shirt, we’ll have them available on both Friday night and again on Saturday morning. 

Children are more than welcome, and in fact, they are regularly with us on the Tailgates. If they are coming to serve, simply remember that they are your responsibility to watch them and keep them safe. 

It’s going to be an amazing weekend!  Please pray daily for this event – most importantly for people to not only see Jesus, but to come to know Him personally!  We as a church, can’t save anyone, but we know who can, and it’s our job to plant seeds and point people to Jesus. So, please pray in these final few days.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Chris Jones – (843) 870-4613. I am so thankful for Chris and his amazing team of volunteers who have laid all the ground work for this event.  I can’t wait to see everyone over the weekend! 

LIFE & LOVE,
Pastor Chris

Let me go ahead and cut to the chase.  If you want to make an IMPACT this Christmas, if you want a practical way to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. . . help us put on a huge Christmas Party for the residents of the Suburban Hotel, on Saturday, December 19th, 9am-1pm!  It’s going to be one of our biggest outreach events of the year for our church!  The Suburban Hotel provides transitional housing for homeless Veterans and former residents of the 180 Place Homeless Shelter.  We’ve been serving there for the past 6 months, building a relationship with the residents.  The Suburban Hotel is located on Dorchester Road right across the road from the Harley Davidson dealership off of Hwy. 526.We’re planning on serving a holiday meal with turkey and sides. We’re collecting items to build a personal care package for each resident that includes things like soap, shampoo, and other personal items. We are going to provide gifts (candles for the women and travel mugs for the men) to go along with those personal item care kits. We’re also going to provide a Christmas stocking stuffed full of fun and practical items. We’re going to have Christmas music, a tree, and even Santa might make an appearance!  This will be an event for the whole family! 

There are three links below. Each link will lead you to an area of need: the food, the gifts, or the stockings. Choose where you’d like to contribute, click on the link, choose the items you’d like to provide, and then sign-up!

To help with the Christmas meal click here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AADAD28A0FBC16-christmas

To help with the Christmas gifts click here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ADAB2CA0F94-suburban

To help with the Christmas stockings click here:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0c4cada929abf58-stockingsYou can also sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or contact Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613 for more details.  I love you Coastal and I love your heart for serving our community!  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, (TODAY) Friday, December 11th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, December 16th, 9am-12noon.
   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 has a long standing relationship with LOR and on Friday, December 18th, 9am-11am we’re sending a team to build emergency care kits for children in the community. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. Our goal for our 8th Annual Christmas Offering is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (5 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 5 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering. 
3. We are beginning to prepare for the next semester of LIFE Groups – Winter/Spring 2021!  If you are possibly interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group in 2021, please let us know.  You don’t have to have it all figured out yet – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online) – we’re just curious if you’re interested.  If you are, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff or simply respond to this email.
4. We’re having 3 special Family Christmas Eve services with nursery provided on Thursday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Coastal Volunteers make sure you reach out to your Ministry Team Leaders about signing up to serve.  Most importantly, be praying about who you will invite and bring.  Also, please make note that the Sunday after Christmas (December 27th), services will be online only – no in-person services.
5. Okay Coastal, it’s time to show your generosity once again! Grab an ornament with a teacher wishlist item from a classroom over at Oakland Elementary School. There are books, supplies, small things, big things, and “dream items”! Drop off or ship your gifts to Coastal Community Church (456 Arlington Drive, Charleston, SC 29414) over the next few weeks. Label items with the tag number. To claim a tag virtually, email rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
   
   P.S. DON’T FORGET – we offer our Coastal Members and regular attendees free access to RightNow Media, an online church video library.  It’s just one of the many ways to express our generosity to our church family.  Essentially, RightNow Media is a Netflix for Bible studies with videos for kids, students, singles, parents and married couples by teachers like Dave Ramsey, John Piper, Max Lucado, Tim Tebow, and more. All the content can be accessed from any computer or smart television and through the RightNow Media app on a phone, tablet, Roku, Apple TV, etc.  If you haven’t already  done so, click here to set up your account!

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!”  If you happened to be at the church yesterday, you would have heard me singing those words loudly over and over again.  I’m a big believer in “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”  But can you believe that it’s now December and Christmas is exactly 3 weeks from today!!  Some of you are excited, but many of you are now panicking!  But the reason I kept singing that line is because we were decorating the church for Christmas!  I can’t wait for you to see it on Sunday!  Plus we’re kicking off our “Christmas at Coastal” series this Sunday!  The theme of this year’s Christmas series is one of hope.  Each week we’ll be looking at different people in the Christmas story and talking about how Jesus came to bring them hope.  This Sunday, I’ll be talking about an old couple that often gets overlooked in the Christmas story – Elizabeth and Zechariah.  If you’d like to prepare yourself for the message, go ahead and read Luke chapter 1.

By the way, this is a great time of the year to invite and bring someone to church – in-person OR online.  People are truly hurting and they are searching for help and hope.  They just need a simple invitation and nudge from you.

Speaking of help and hope, tomorrow, Saturday, December 5th, is one of my favorite days of the month – Saturday Serve!  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we go out and serve our community!  It’s that simple, and it doesn’t take the whole day.  Most projects are completed by 12noon.  Make plans, NOW to be there!  Consider that a “nudge” from me!

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is tomorrow, Saturday, December 5th.  
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Friday, December 11th, 8am-1pm.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, December 16th, 9am-12noon.
   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 has a long standing relationship with LOR and on Friday, December 18th, 9am-11am we’re sending a team to build emergency care kits for children in the community. We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. We recently announced our Annual Christmas Offering! Our goal is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (6 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 6 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. We are beginning to prepare for the next semester of LIFE Groups – Winter/Spring 2021!  If you are possibly interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group in 2021, please let us know.  You don’t have to have it all figured out yet – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online) – we’re just curious if you’re interested.  If you are, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff or simply respond to this email.
4. Our “Christmas at Coastal” series kicks off on Sunday, December 6th!  We’ll have 3 special Family Christmas Eve services with nursery provided on Thursday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Coastal Volunteers make sure you reach out to your Ministry Team Leaders about signing up to serve.  Most importantly, be praying about who you will invite and bring.  Also, please make note that the Sunday after Christmas (December 27th), services will be online only – no in-person services.
5. Christmas at the Suburban Hotel!  The Suburban Hotel provides transitional housing for homeless Veterans and former residents of the 180 Place Homeless Shelter.  On Saturday, December 19th, 9am-1pm, Coastal is going to throw an Outdoor Christmas Party & Traditional Holiday Meal for all the folks at the Suburban!  We’re planning on serving a holiday meal with turkey and sides. We’re collecting items to build a personal care package for each resident that includes things like soap, shampoo, and other personal items. We are going to provide gifts (candles for the women and travel mugs for the men) to go along with those personal item care kits. We’re also going to provide a Christmas stocking stuffed full of fun and practical items. We’re going to have Christmas music, a tree, and even Santa might make an appearance. 
   
   There are three links below. Each link will lead you to an area of need: the food, the gifts, or the stockings. Choose where you’d like to contribute, click on the link, choose the items you’d like to provide, then and sign-up!
   
   To help with the Christmas meal click here:
   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AADAD28A0FBC16-christmas
   
   To help with the Christmas gifts click here:
   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44ADAB2CA0F94-suburban
   
   To help with the Christmas stockings click here:
   https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c0c4cada929abf58-stockings
   
   You can also ign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or contact Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613 for more details.

I hope you and your family truly had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!  Today is traditionally called “Black Friday.”  And then next week we have “Cyber Monday” and “Giving Tuesday”!  Regardless of what labels we assign these days, the reality is that more people will buy more STUFF online this weekend and over the next month than any other time of the year. That’s not a bad thing, BUT it isn’t eternal.  Our church exists to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston & the world – and that IS eternal!

So, while you’re shopping online today and over the next month, why not consider doing one of 2 things.  And here’s my CYBER OFFER: 100% of your investment will go to reaching people for Jesus!

1. Go here and give to God through the local church from our website. The investment is eternal.  It lasts way longer than a big screen, toy, or new shoes.
    
2. Many people give to Coastal with their smartphone through TEXTING!  After a one step, one time registration process (takes less than 2 minutes), you simply text any amount to 843-277-8337 and hit send.  GIVE IT A TRY!  You can give any amount, any where, any time, any place.  It is not billed to your phone.  It is through your Bank/Credit Card that you register.  It is simple, safe, and secure.

Today would be a great time to start giving toward our Christmas Offering – simply use the keyword “Christmas” (see below).  Each and every gift counts – small and large.  We can’t all give the same amount, but we can each sacrifice.  And when all of us do that together, that’s when God does a miracle.

As I look back over 2020, one of the Groups/Ministries that we started that I’m so very thankful for and excited about is our Grief Share Support Group (thanks Sue & Freeda)!  Well, there are several other Support Groups/Ministries that we’re interested in seeing established at Coastal.  Here are just a few:  Divorce Care.  Divorce Care is actually an established Ministry by the same folks who support Grief Share.  It is a recovery support group where you can find help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce.  Celebrate Recovery.  Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.  Military Families.  We don’t have a name for this, but with our large number of Military families in Charleston we’d like to create a support group for families with a spouse that is on deployment. Foster/Adoption Family Support Ministry.  This might be a team of people who help organize help and support for Foster Families.  

Now, for any Ministry/Group to get started and to grow and thrive, there has to be both a need and it has to have a leader who feels called to lead.  Usually, it’s just a matter of timing.  So, if you would be interested in any of these Ministries and most importantly, if you might possibly feel called to lead one, please respond to this email and let’s dream a little bit and start a conversation. 

Happy Shopping (and Giving)!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, December 2nd, from 9am until 12noon.
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, December 5th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Friday, December 11th, 8am-1pm. 
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. We recently announced our Annual Christmas Offering! Our goal is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (7 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 8 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. 
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. As we quickly approach the end of our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups, we are beginning to prepare for the next semester in the new year.  If you are possibly interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group in 2021, please let us know.  You don’t have to have it all figured out yet – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online) – we’re just curious if you’re interested.  If you are, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff or simply respond to this email.
4. Our “Christmas at Coastal” series kicks off on Sunday, December 6th!  We’ll have 3 special Family Christmas Eve services with nursery provided on Thursday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Coastal Volunteers make sure you reach out to your Ministry Team Leaders about signing up to serve.  Most importantly, be praying about who you will invite and bring.  Also, please make note that the Sunday after Christmas (December 27th), services will be online only – no in-person services.
5. Christmas at the Suburban Hotel!  On Saturday, December 19th, 9am-1pm, Coastal is going to throw an Outdoor Christmas Party & Traditional Holiday Meal for all the folks at the Suburban!  We need your help to prepare, provide, and serve an outdoor meal for the transitional residents complete with a lit Christmas Tree, holiday music, wrapped gifts, and holiday themed blessing bags!  Sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or contact Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613 for more details.
   
   P.S. There is NO Coastal Kidz set up this Saturday (tomorrow) morning at 8:30am.  We were able to leave it all up this week!  However, we would LOVE for you to join us next Saturday!  If you are interested in being a part of the Coastal Kidz Set-Up Team, respond to this email or reach out to Janet Rollins at 843-442-8299 or just show up on a Saturday morning (but not tomorrow).  Volunteering even just once a month makes a huge IMPACT!

With all this talk of everyone’s Thanksgiving Dinner looking different this year, I thought I’d share a few ways you might try to “liven up” your gathering:

• When everyone goes around to say what they are thankful for, say, “I’m thankful I didn’t get caught,” and refuse to say anything more.
• Open the oven, shove a brick of velveeta into the turkey while it cooks. Tell mom it adds the coolest flavor.
• Suck your cranberry sauce loudly through a straw. 
• Hold your nose while you eat.
• Recite the tragic and abusive conditions known to exist at turkey farms.
• Mid-meal turn to mom and say, “See mom, I told you they wouldn’t notice, you were worried for nothing”.

If you have any other suggestions I’d love to hear them!  Okay, now that that’s out of the way, I just want to take a moment to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving and tell you how very thankful I am for you and for the privilege and honor of being your Pastor.  Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3 are very real to me, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.”

Each year brings with it ups and downs, joys and sorrows, big & small changes – and 2020 has been no exception.  Through it all, it is my prayer that we are a grateful people and just a little bit more like Jesus.  It is my prayer, that in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of today and this weekend, that you will choose to see all the blessings in your life and be reminded that the greatest of those is that you belong to Jesus!  

Read Ephesians 1:3-8 and be reminded of just some of your blessings today: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.”  

Whether you and your family are here in Charleston or out of town this weekend, I hope to see you at Coastal on Sunday – in-person or online!  However, remember we are only having 1 in-person service this Sunday – 9:30am.  As always, the service will be online at 9:30am, 11:15am, and 6pm. We kick off our “Christmas at Coastal” series on Sunday, December 6th.  Take advantage of this season and this series and invite your friends to church!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Chris

P.S. This weekend & the week ahead will see the largest traffic of onlline shopping of the year!  While you’re shopping, don’t forget that you can also GIVE ONLINE.  You can give through our website, our App, or TEXT any amount to 843-277-8337. It’s simple, safe, secure, and convenient!  This would be a great weekend to give to our Christmas Offering!  Simply use the keyword, “Christmas.”

Next week is THANKSGIVING! When I think about Thanksgiving, this one particular passage always comes to mind:  Luke 17:11-19, “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”  He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”  He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”  And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

“Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?” – piercing words from Jesus.  It’s sad to say, but sometimes it seems as though the statistics (1 out of 10) haven’t changed that much.  Which group would you be in?  Would you be with the nine, the majority, who wanted and received a great blessing from God, but refused to give Him thanks?  Or would you be like the one, who knew he had been greatly blessed, who recognized it came from the Lord, and who personally made the effort to give Him thanks?

There was an old chorus we used to sing years ago simply entitled, “Give Thanks.”  It went like this, “Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.  And now let the weak say, ‘I am strong’, Let the poor say, ‘I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us’, Give thanks.”

I can think of no greater reason to be thankful – “because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.”  How are you expressing your thanks?  I’m sure the nine lepers were glad they were healed, but remember, only one actually made a physical effort to express it.  When we gather together (online or in-person) to worship God on Sunday mornings and God asks, “Where are the others?  Weren’t they all blessed?” which group are you in?  When we remember the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf by taking the Lord’s Supper and God asks, “Where are the others?  Didn’t my Son die for them all?” which group are you in?  When we take up our offering to reach our community and world for Christ and God asks, “Where is the rest?  Haven’t they all been blessed?” which group are you in?  When ministry opportunities arise and God asks, “Where are the others?” which group are you in?  When God sees so many people who need someone to build a friendship with them, to reach out to them, to invite them to a church or a LIFE Group, and yet He sees only a very few doing it and He asks, “Where are the others?” which group are you in?

Let’s do our best to be in the group that expresses our thanks with every aspect of our lives.  And let’s be like the one who was healed who “fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done.“

Have a great Friday!  Hope to see you Sunday morning for worship, in-person or online, 9:30am & 11:15am!  Whether you are in-person or online don’t forget to “share” our services on Facebook.  And if you are online, don’t forget to join me about 10 minutes before the service for our little “pre-service show”!  Oh and speaking of Sunday services, there will only be one in-person service on Sunday, November 29th (the Sunday after Thanksgiving) at 9:30am.

Giving Thanks for You Always!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Lowcountry Orphan Relief –  Today Friday, November 20th from 9am-11am we’re sending a team to serve.  We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Tomorrow, Saturday, November 21st from 10am-1pm we’re sending a Tailgate Team who will provide grilled burgers and hot dogs for those in need. We meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   Tricounty Family Ministries –  We will be assisting with a special Thanksgiving Meal Preparation and Distribution, Tuesday November 24th & Wednesday, November 25th, from 9am until 12noon.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. We announced our Annual Christmas Offering last week! Our goal is $75,000!  Now through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (8 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during these 8 weeks at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. |
   
   So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility.  So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering.
3. As we quickly approach the end of our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups, we are beginning to prepare for the next semester in the new year.  If you are possibly interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group in 2021, please let us know.  You don’t have to have it all figured out yet – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online) – we’re just curious if you’re interested.  If you are, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff or simply respond to this email.
4. Our “Christmas at Coastal” series kicks off on Sunday, December 6th!  We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Coastal Volunteers make sure you reach out to your Ministry Team Leaders about signing up to serve.  Most importantly, be praying about who you will invite and bring.  Also, please make note that the Sunday after Christmas (December 27th), services will be online only – no in-person services.
5. Christmas at the Suburban Hotel!  On Saturday, December 19th, 9am-1pm, Coastal is going to throw an Outdoor Christmas Party & Traditional Holiday Meal for all the folks at the Suburban!  We need your help to prepare, provide, and serve an outdoor meal for the transitional residents complete with a lit Christmas Tree, holiday music, wrapped gifts, and holiday themed blessing bags!  Sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or contact Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613 for more details.
   
   P.S. Don’t forget that during construction Coastal Kidz is meeting across the street (where most of you park) at Orange Grove Middle School! We set up Coastal Kidz every Saturday morning at 8:30am.  We would LOVE for you to join us!  If you are interested in being a part of the Coastal Kidz Set-Up Team, respond to this email or reach out to Janet Rollins at 843-442-8299 or just show up on Saturday morning.  Volunteering even just once a month makes a huge IMPACT!

Shoeboxes, Shoeboxes as far as the eye can see!  Don’t forget, all filled and completed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child must be returned by this Sunday!  As you can see from the pictures, our OCC Team of Volunteers have been wrapping and packing all the shoeboxes and supplies that we already have on hand.  And whatever doesn’t get put in a shoebox HERE is going to be shipped to OCC and used as filler as they pack shoeboxes THERE!  In other words, we’re going to be a part of reaching thousands of children all around the world!  How exciting is that!  None of this would be possible without YOU and your generosity – the money you have given and all the toys and supplies you have donated this past year (plus all the shoeboxes you’ll be bringing this Sunday)!

And speaking of Christmas, I hope you saw my email this week about this year’s Annual Christmas Offering!  Our goal is big – $75,000!  But I believe that over the next 9 weeks, with God’s help, together we can reach it!  Beginning this Sunday, November 15th, through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (9 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during those 9 weeks (Nov. 15th – Jan. 10th) at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering. 

So what are we going to do with that $75,000?  Mainly 3 things: 1. We’re going to fully fund our 2 current monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed hundreds of people each month.  2. We’re going to buy a “Box Truck”!  We’re super pumped about all the outreach possibilities of this truck – equipment and supply transportation for the tailgate parties, advertising for the church, disaster relief, community events, and more.   3. We’re going to purchase indoor and outdoor playground equipment for our new Children’s facility. 

So, start praying about what you and your family can give toward this offering and maybe make an initial gift this weekend.  Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year and this offering to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through our church as together we stretch our faith.  Again, simply use the the keyword “Christmas” whenever and however you give toward the Christmas Offering. 

Have a great Friday!  Can’t wait to see you over the weekend – Saturday for Coastal Kidz setup at Orange Grove Middle School at 8:30am, Membership Class at the church (or Zoom – see below) on Saturday at 9am, or Sunday for worship in-person or online, 9:30am & 11:15am!  Oh and speaking of Sunday services, there will only be one in-person service on Sunday, November 29th (the Sunday after Thanksgiving) at 9:30am.

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   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 has a long standing relationship with LOR, and next Friday, November 20th from 9am-11am we’re sending a team there to serve.  We meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
   Suburban Hotel Tailgate –  Let’s make an impact together by serving local veterans and persons transitioning from a local homeless shelter in Charleston into permanent housing at the Suburban Hotel in North Charleston!   Next Saturday, November 21st from 10am-1pm we’re sending a Tailgate Team who will provide grilled burgers and hot dogs for those in need. We meet at Coastal in the Welcome Center! This is a project that is suitable for the whole family.
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
2. Many of you might not be aware of this, but our church has a Grief Share Group that meets on Monday nights, 6:30pm at the church.  Grief Share is a support group for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one and need support, encouragement, and hope.  On Monday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm  our group is hosting a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar.  This event will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.  Contact Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com to RSVP or for more information or register at www.griefshare.org.  Spread the word – the Group and this event are open to the public!
3. As we quickly approach the end of our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups, we are beginning to prepare for the next semester in the new year.  If you are possibly interested in leading or assisting a LIFE Group in 2021, please let us know.  You don’t have to have it all figured out yet – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online) – we’re just curious if you’re interested.  If you are, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff or simply respond to this email.
4. Our “Christmas at Coastal” series kicks off on Sunday, December 6th!  We’ll have 3 special Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24th at 3pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm.  Coastal Volunteers make sure you reach out to your Ministry Team Leaders about signing up to serve.  Most importantly, be praying about who you will invite and bring.  Also, please make note that the Sunday after Christmas (December 27th), services will be online only – no in-person services.
5. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is THIS Saturday (tomorrow) morning, November 14th, 9am-11:30am. You can respond to this email or sign up on our website.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
   
   P.S. Christmas at the Suburban Hotel!  On Saturday, December 19th, 9am-1pm, Coastal is going to throw an Outdoor Christmas Party & Traditional Holiday Meal for all the folks at the Suburban!  We need your help to prepare, provide, and serve an outdoor meal for the transitional residents complete with a lit Christmas Tree, holiday music, wrapped gifts, and holiday themed blessing bags!  Sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday or contact Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613 for more details.  

I am so excited to share with you our plans for our 8th Annual Christmas Offering!  Over the years, this offering has made a huge IMPACT on our ministry!  

For example, the Christmas Offering has enabled us to:

• fully fund our “Summer of IMPACT”
• complete a well for a community in Haiti 
• re-roof our entire building 
• renovate a home for a family on Wadmalaw Island
• fully fund our Summer VBS
• pay down the cost of Camp & the Winter Retreat for our Student Ministry
• pay for our Easter Outreach!
• pay for the Oakland Elementary School Annual T-Shirt  

God has used our church and the Christmas Offering to do all of that and so much more!   Well, beginning this Sunday, November 15th, through the second Sunday of the New Year, January 10th (9 weeks), we are encouraging our entire Coastal family to give above and beyond their regular tithes and offering to this year’s Christmas Offering.  To give, all you have to do is designate your gift “Christmas” on your check, offering envelope, card swiping “description”, online through Paypal, or TEXTing (843-277-8337).  You can give your gift during those 9 weeks (Nov. 15th – Jan. 10th) at any of our regular Sunday morning services or anytime through TEXTing, our website, or our App.  You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 3 Christmas Eve Services (Thursday, December 24th, 3pm, 4:30pm, & 6pm).  Our entire Christmas Eve offering will go toward our Annual Christmas Offering.

Why a Special Offering?  It’s a way for us to grow in our faith and to prepare us for what God wants to do through our church in a bigger way in 2021.  It’s a way for us to sacrifice together as a church family and give generously.  Christmas is all about giving.  Many people, during this time of year, are in fact looking for opportunities to give.  And there is no better place to give than to your local church.

What is our goal and where is the money going?  Our overall goal is $75,000 – our largest Christmas Offering to date!  Is that a big goal?  Yes!  Can we reach it?  Absolutely!  As always, I am very excited about where this year’s money will be going and the potential Kingdom impact.  The money will be used for our Community Outreach & our Children’s Ministry.  Let me specifically explain each:

• Community Outreach.  This year I’m excited to announce that a bulk of the money given will go towards at least 2 specific Outreach Opportunities.  The first one is our monthly Tailgate Parties.  You might not know this, but Coastal now spends approximately $10,000 a year on food and supplies just for our 2 monthly Tailgate Parties where we feed and clothe the hurting and hungry of our community.  Your Christmas Offering will help to fully fund this project for the year.  The second outreach project is something brand new that we are VERY EXCITED about.  We’re going to buy a “Box Truck” (think large moving truck)!  Now why on earth does Coastal need a box truck?  In short, to further saturate our community with the love of Jesus.  A box truck allows us to safely move outreach equipment & supplies to the areas of our community where we serve.  Not only are we dependent upon volunteers for manpower to staff these Tailgating Parties, but we’re also dependent upon the use of our volunteer’s vehicles to move the equipment (tables, chairs, tents, grills, propane, and food).   A box truck would immediately alleviate our transportation concerns.  Secondly, the church having a box truck, wrapped with Coastal logo, would draw positive, public attention to the church.  In other words, people in the community would see the truck, the activities associated with it as we use it to serve the community, and be potentially drawn to the church for the first time.  Thirdly, the truck could be used for a wide range of community events and disaster relief.
   
• Our Children’s Ministry really needs no explanation.  Children are not the church of tomorrow.  They are the church of today!  When a church stops reaching the next generation for Christ, that church dies.  Specifically, we hope that this Christmas Offering will help purchase the indoor & outdoor playground equipment for our new facility!

We feel like all of these ministries/projects give our church an opportunity to make an eternal impact in our church and our community.

How much should you give?  Prayerfully consider giving a gift that will stretch your faith and include your whole family.  For some people, coming up with “extra” money is difficult.  We’ve learned that as we give, God provides.  Maybe you decide to give up eating out or buying coffee for 9 weeks and give that money to the Christmas Offering.  Maybe you sell something or have a yard sale.  For some people $1000 above your regular giving is a huge sacrifice.  For others, it’s not.  

Maybe there is someone who might be willing to give a large matching gift this year.  Just like our “Daring Faith” Giving Campaign that has enabled us to build our new building and all the other Christmas Offerings we’ve done in the past, we can’t all give the same amount, but TOGETHER, we can ALL make a sacrifice.  That’s when God does a miracle, when together we ALL step out in faith.

Remember, this offering should be over and above what you regularly give.  If you’re not regularly giving (weekly, monthly), use this time of year to start.  If you’re not tithing (10% of your gross income), step out in faith and start tithing.  Reaching this goal will be a celebration of what God can do through us as together we stretch our faith.

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Chris Rollins

PS – If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  The easiest and fastest way to give to the Christmas Offering is through TEXTing.  Simply TEXT any amount followed by the word “Christmas” to 843-277-8337 (Example:  “$100 Christmas”).  If you haven’t signed up for TEXT-to-Give it’s a quick, simple, and secure process!

A little exciting update on our building:  they have started digging the footings for the new building!  What are “footings” you ask?  Well, footings are an important part of the foundation of a new building (see picture above).  They are typically made of concrete with rebar reinforcement that has been poured into an excavated trench.  In fact, the concrete should be poured into the trench above by the time you read this email.  This particular footing is for the addition of the Coastal Kidz building across the back of our existing building.  The purpose of footings is to support the foundation.

All of this talk of footings reminds me of Psalm 40:1-2, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (NIV)  The New English Translation of verse 2 says, “He placed my feet on a rock
and gave me secure footing.”  There is no doubt that the world in which we live is a slimy pit of mud and mire, and so many people today seem to be sinking deeper and faster.  They’ve lost their footing.  But the good news is that God has pulled us out of that mud and mire, cleaned us up, and set us on solid ground – the rock solid ground of Jesus Christ and His Word.  We have risen above the filth of this world, not by any goodness or righteousness of our own, but by the grace of God.  In fact, He heard our humble, repentant cries and lifted us out.  He saved us – He rescued us.

Open your ears and hearts this week to the cries of the world around you.  And before you sling the very mud that you yourself have been pulled up out of, try pointing people to the One and Only Savior who can rescue and save.  This is why I have found so much comfort and hope in the book of 1 Peter that we have been reading and preaching through.  I hope you have too.  This Sunday I’ll be talking about how to find healing from the hidden wounds and scars that we all experience in this world.  Ultimately, true healing comes the sacrificial love of Christ.  That’s what Peter was saying in 1 Peter 2:24, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By his wounds you are healed.”  Did you hear that?  Jesus’ wounds heal your wounds.  I hope you’ll join us on Sunday – either in person on online.

As we quickly approach the end of our Fall Semester of LIFE Groups, we are beginning to prepare for the next semester in the new year.  If you are possibly interested in leading a LIFE Group in 2021, please let us know.  You don’t have to have it all figured out yet – study, day, time, location, style (in-person/online) – we’re just curious if you’re interested.  If you are, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff or simply respond to this email.

LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris

Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:

1. Upcoming Outreach Projects:
   Coastal is constantly and continually engaged in being the hands and feet of Jesus in our community.  Here are this week’s opportunities! 
   Saturday Serve –  The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month.  The next Saturday Serve is THIS Saturday (tomorrow), November 7th.  We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!  Make plans NOW to be there!
   Blood Drive –  We’re serving our community by rolling up our sleeves! As part of our November 7th Saturday Serve, Coastal is hosting a blood drive from 8:30am-1:30pm at the church. You can easily sign up for a convenient time slot by clicking here: https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/152069. Every donor will receive a $20 gift card. You can use that gift card to meet your own needs or you can donate the gift card back to the church where we’ll use it to help struggling neighbors in our community. Let’s come together as a church and donate life! 
   If you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613. 
2. Many of you might not be aware of this, but our church has a Grief Share Group that meets on Monday nights, 6:30pm at the church.  Grief Share is a support group for people who are grieving the loss of a loved one and need support, encouragement, and hope.  On Monday night, November 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm  our group is hosting a “Surviving the Holidays” seminar.  This event will help you discover how to deal with emotions, give helpful tips on how to survive holiday social events, and discover hope for the future.  Contact Sue Muoio at s.muoio@outlook.com to RSVP or for more information or register at www.griefshare.org.  Spread the word – the Group and this event are open to the public!
3. This is the last week to take home (or pickup) and fill Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child!  They have to be brought back to the church between now and Sunday, November 15th.   This is a GREAT opportunity for you to teach your children about generosity, the true meaning of Christmas, and the love of Jesus.  You can go to OCC’s website for a great list of suggested gifts/items for the shoeboxes.  We believe that we still have an opportunity to pack hundreds and hundreds of shoeboxes and share the love of Jesus with children all around the world!  Pray about how many boxes your family would be willing to pack, step out in faith, grab a few shoeboxes on Sunday, and help us do just that!
4. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception.  Our next Newcomers Reception is THIS Sunday, November 8th, in the Welcome Center immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm).  This will also be available online!  This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people. RSVP online or on your Connect Card.
5. Interested in officially making Coastal your church family by becoming a Member?  Our next Membership Class is NEXT Saturday morning, November 14th, 9am-11:30am. You can respond to this email or sign up on our website.  You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.  
   
   P.S. Young Adult Gathering – TONIGHT, Friday, November 6th, 6:30pm-9:30pm at Coastal!   Join other young adults for a gathering at the church for volleyball, other games, food, and fellowship! Please invite any other young adults to join you who might enjoy connecting with other young adults in Charleston.  For more information, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff.