Well, I’ve got some EXCITING NEWS to share with you! Our Christmas Offering Goal for this year was $200,000. Drumroll please . . . .we reached and SURPASSED our Christmas Offering Goal with a grand total of $283,636.05!! Wow! Just WOW! Your generosity never ceases to amaze me Coastal! It is your consistent (not just at Christmas or special occasions), generous (above and beyond) giving that enables our church to do all that it does here, in the community, and around the world! Because of your generosity we’ve already been able to install brand new lighting in our auditorium, send money to the New Life Children’s Home in Peru, and pay for half the year of food supply for the Veterans in our community through Soldier’s Angels. And on top of that, I think I’ll have an exciting announcement to make in a couple weeks that will greatly affect the Outreach and Ministry of our church!
It was great to be preaching back at Coastal this past Sunday! I was only gone one Sunday, but I don’t know if it was the gravity of the situation or just being in the hospital, but being back at Coastal and preaching was just what the Doctor ordered. Okay, I’m pretty sure none of my Doctors prescribed that, but I know the Great Physician was with me. As way of an update, I actually have my first follow up appointment with the MUSC Heart Failure Team later today. I’m taking all my meds and doing my best to be a good patient. For the most part, the shortness of breath is gone, but I’m still experiencing fatigue. That’s to be expected as my heart responds to the medication and regains functionality to be able to pump more blood/oxygen through my body at a more normal rate. And that’s what I’m humbly asking you to specifically pray for – strength and increased heart function.
This past Sunday we had 1472 people in person and another 1381 online! By the way, we are always looking for people to join our Online Engagement Team (see below). We had our 1st Baptism of the new year this past Sunday! In fact, we had another 6 people make the decision to get Baptized over the coming weeks! The 10am service this past Sunday was PACKED! But guess what? We had over 80 people make the commitment to move to the 1st or 3rd service to make room for ONE more! Thank you! This Sunday is a stand alone message that has also become an annual tradition here at Coastal. It’s on a subject that we all have a next step to take, and that many people and families in our church, community, and country are struggling with and desperately need to hear what God’s Word has to say! Don’t miss it! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love doing whatever it takes with you to make room for ONE more! See you Sunday!
Much, Much Love!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: TODAY, Friday, January 16th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Kid Friendly Clothing Packing Party: Equipping the future of our church, we will be hosting a Kid-Friendly Clothing Night! This project is designed to get our youngest members involved and understanding what our amazing clothing ministry really does for the people of Charleston. This is a great project for families to do together, serving alongside each other, packing and prepping our clothes to be handed out at Clothing Distributions, Tailgates and more! TODAY, Friday, January 16th, 6pm-7:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Hollywood Clothing Distribution: We will get the opportunity to take one of our Mobile Outreach Clothing Vehicles out to distribute clothing while loving on those we encounter. TOMORROW, Saturday, January 17th, 8am-11am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
Hollywood Free Laundry: Partnering alongside the owners of We-Fold-It, we are able to serve the community of Hollywood by getting to pay for their laundry! We will host a table with snacks, coffee and water for those who are waiting on their laundry, help people bring their laundry in and out of the facility, fold their laundry and use iPads to start the machines so that those we serve never have to open their wallets! TOMORROW, Saturday, January 17th, 8am-11am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
Hope Center Tailgate: The Hope Center, managed by the city of Charleston, serves as a one-stop shop in downtown Charleston to assist those who are homeless or who are at-risk of being homeless. We’re sending a Tailgate Team to serve dinner to anyone who is hungry. Meet at Coastal on Tuesday, January 20th, 12pm-3pm.
VA Hospitality Project: This team serves at the VA Hospital in Charleston by providing a hospitality cart, greeting incoming patients and employees, visiting patients, and helping Volunteer Services with small sorting projects. Wednesday, January 21st, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, January 21st, 5pm-8pm.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Wednesday, January 21st, 6-8:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Food Pantry Sort & Stock: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to the church and help keep our Food Pantry organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, January 22nd, 11:30am-1pm.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, January 23rd, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, January 26th, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Brighton Place Fellowship Activity & Devotion: This project will allow us to spend some time with the residents and get to know them better through a lively game of Chair Volleyball, a meal, and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, January 27th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
As always, if you are interested in serving in any of these projects, you can sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or sign up now on our website. If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - Coastal Kidz is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Night for our amazing CK Volunteers on Friday, January 30th from 6:30-8:30pm. Please join us for an evening of dinner, conversation, gifts, and honoring all of YOU! Click this link to sign-up (an option for childcare is included) so we can plan for food. This is not a required event, but one we hope you will partake in.
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, February 1st, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people. Pizza and childcare provided. You can sign up on our website today!
- Interested in making an eternal IMPACT right here in our community, our country, and around the world? Consider joining Coastal’s Online Engagement Team! We are looking for Online Hosts to help welcome and connect with over 1000 participants online each week! If you are interested, email Morgan Spell at morgan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
- Text the keyword ME to 843-571-1777 to view and update your contact information, manage your giving, access your giving statement, and more! If you receive an error, that means we do not have your cell phone number in our church system – fill out your Connect Card with your information and check the “change in contact information” box. Questions about anything Coastal? Simply text your question to the number above and we’ll assist you.
P.S. Attention ALL Ladies of Coastal (and your friends)! Coastal’s MomCo is hosting a BINGO Ladies Night Fundraiser on Thursday night, February 12th, 6-8pm in Coastal’s auditorium. Raffle Tickets are $2 each. Game Cards – 1st pack for the 6 rounds $10. Additional Game Packs $5 each. Food will also be for sale: Pizza, Drink, Snack, Candy, all $1 each. Cash or Venmo only event. Please RSVP to Karen Burt at 843-860-6280 or karenenaugle@gmail.com.
