I’ve got some exciting news to share – our Christmas Offering! First of all, let me say that there is no doubt that we set a big goal this year – our biggest ever – $125,000. Now, that was based partly on how you responded to our Christmas Offering the year before. Our goal last year was $75,000 and you gave $117,000! So, $75,000 or even $100,000 just didn’t seem like faith to me – we’ve done that already. So, after much prayer and thought, we decided to set the goal at $125,000! I know what you’re thinking, “Pastor Chris, you’re killing me! Just tell me the final number!” Well, here it is. . . drum roll please! Coastal, for this year’s Annual Christmas Offering you gave $141,747! Coastal, your faith, your generosity, never ceases to amaze me! And don’t think for a second that that money came mainly from one family or from just a few families – no, not at all! It came from SO MANY people! It’s what we’ve learned time and time again, that when all of us give together, that’s when God shows up and does a miracle! And show up He did! What do we always say, “Let’s work, and serve, and give like it all depends on us, let’s pray like it all depends on God, let’s walk by faith and trust Him, and then let’s celebrate the results!” Let’s celebrate!
And now you might be asking, “What are we going to do with that money?” Simple – we’re going to do what we set out to do! In fact, we’ve already purchased the Box Truck, tagged it, insured it, wrapped it, and wired it (sound & lights). Now we need to “outfit” it – supply it with everything we need to do what we do, serving and loving our community (tables, chairs, tents, grills, etc.). Hopefully, it will be up and on the road very soon! And all of that is made possible through your consistent, faithful generosity!
Because of the Christmas Offering, we’re also going to be able to remodel our old, original sanctuary and turn it into a brand new Chapel. We’ll be able to use that space for worship overflow (think Easter Sunday), LIFE Groups, community space, Student Ministry, funerals, weddings, and so much more. Even doing most of the work ourselves, it’s an expensive undertaking (the technology alone will cost us around $40,000), but the Christmas Offering sets all of that into motion. Our realistic goal is that the space is functional and ready to use by Easter Sunday, April 17th. We’ll do our best to give you updates along the way and announce any projects that we could use help with (ripping up and throwing away old carpet for example).
So for those of you who consistently and generously give to Coastal – thank you! I say it all the time, but it’s true – we could not do what we do without you! Remember, God owns it all. We’re simply the managers of everything He’s given us. And one day we will stand before Him and give an account of how we managed His stuff – our time, our gifts and talents, our resources, and yes, even our money. It’s all His. We’ve simply been blessed to be a blessing. I pray that He finds us faithful. I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor! I can’t wait to see you Sunday! We’re in week 3 of our series called, “The Word,” and I’ll be giving you some very practical instructions on how to have a Quiet Time!
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Clothing Team – Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes TODAY, Friday, January 14th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Neighbors Together Grocery Distribution – We will be assisting with their Emergency Grocery Distribution, Wednesday, January 19th, 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, January 20th, 6-8:15pm. Meet at Coastal’s Welcome Center.
Warming Shelter – We will be assisting with meals for the homeless warming shelter right around the corner from our church at Seacoast West Ashley. Breakfast Bag Team, Tuesday, January 25th, 6-8pm. Meet at Coastal’s Welcome Center.
Joseph Floyd Manor Tailgate – Our Tailgate will be rolling and serving our friends downtown at the Joseph Floyd Manor – Thursday, January 27th, 9:30am-12:30pm. (Meet at the church at 9:30am)
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, January 28th, 9:30am-11:30am. 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. - We’re excited to announce that we are having a SUPER BOWL PARTY in our new facility on Sunday, February 13th at 6pm! Come watch the Big Game being played simultaneously on all 6 HUGE screens! We’ll provide pulled pork BBQ, drinks, and paper products. You bring your favorite sides or game snacks to share! Childcare is not provided, however, the playgrounds and Coastal Kidz will be open (you are responsible for your children). Come join the fun and invite and bring friends!
- Great news – we only have a few “Orcas” left from our Wish Fish Display on Sunday! Respond to this email or call the office (843-571-1777) if you want to pick one of the remaining “Orcas.” Each “Orca” represents a wish list item/need at Oakland Elementary School (the Elementary School across the street). There are books, supplies, snacks, small things, big things, and “dream items”! Purchase your items and then bring them back to the church (unwrapped) by the end of January. Let’s show the love and generosity of Jesus to our neighbors across the street!
- ATTENTION COASTAL: Sunday, January 30th is a BIG DAY here at Coastal! It’s LIFE Group Sunday! Think Job/College Fair but for LIFE Groups! Before and after both Sunday morning services everyone is invited to our Welcome Center/Gathering Space where you’ll get to visit a booth/table representing all the different LIFE Groups this semester! You’ll get to meet the leaders, ask any questions, meet other people just like you checking out all the groups, and enjoy some great food! You’ll even get to vote on the Best Overall Booth, Most Creative, Best Sales Pitch, Best Food/Snacks. Don’t miss it – it’s always A LOT of fun! And most importantly, you’ll get to sign up for a LIFE Group!
- Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Monday night, January 24th, 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.
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.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/hosts/coastalcommunity?pc=44091003. 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!
