Well, for those of you who don’t know, today is a special day. It’s my wife Janet’s 60th Birthday! Now, normally a husband can get into trouble for sharing his wife’s age. And by the way, if it’s not your wife, you definitely don’t ask a woman’s age. But in this case, I think Janet will let it slide. After all, age is just a number. And how does that saying go, “You either get older, or die young.” I keep telling her that 60 is the new 40. I don’t think she’s buying it, but I don’t think 60 could look any better. And I couldn’t be more proud of and in love with anyone on this planet!
Leading up to today, several people have asked me if we’re going to have a Big Party for Janet. The answer is no. First of all, at a church our size, who do we invite? Or better yet, who do we not invite? And then it becomes a big church event. And honestly, that’s just not Janet. Now trust me, as a Pastor’s wife for over 36 years, Janet has organized, planned, led, served, cooked, and cleaned for more church events than I can count. But she doesn’t like being the center of attention. She doesn’t like the pressure of feeling like she has to be “on.” Truthfully, it’s one of the many things I love about my wife. Instead, our plans are to enjoy the day together, talk to our kids, open a few presents, and cook and enjoy a meal together (and a few other little surprises – I can’t share everything here – she does read this).
And speaking of being a Pastor’s wife, most people have no idea how much a Pastor’s wife does, how much they give, and how much they sacrifice. I would not be the Pastor I am today, without her. Coastal wouldn’t be Coastal without her. Many of you don’t know this, but Janet was our very first Worship Leader (she has a beautiful voice). She led worship at Coastal for many years. And what’s crazy, is that for a while she actually led worship AND was our Children’s Director AT THE SAME TIME! And now, she’s been our Children’s Director for over 20+ years! Very few people understand the weight and responsibility she carries. And yet Janet carries it all with grace and love and humility. She is a smart, strong, servant leader. She is my encourager, confidant, counselor, teacher, proof reader, and best friend. Every idea, sermon series, step of faith, new initiative, and staff hire was first run past Janet and her wisdom (okay, I do sneak some of my jokes past her approval – haha). She is the best wife, the best mom, and the most beautiful woman I know!
Later this year, after VBS, Janet is going to retire from being Coastal’s Children’s Director. Aly Huggins, our Assistant Director, will move into that role (by the way Aly is transitioning into that role now and doing a great job). But don’t worry, Janet’s not going anywhere. I’m sure you’ll still see her serving in Coastal Kidz or one of many other ministries around Coastal. Honestly, I’m not sure what the next chapter holds for my wife. But I’ll tell you this, I’m excited to see it all unfold. You see, Janet is more than a Children’s Director, more than a Pastor’s wife. Like you, she’s a child of God and a daughter of the King, seeking to use her gifts selflessly for the Kingdom until Jesus comes again or calls her home. In the meantime, I’m just blessed to call her my wife! And if she’s been a blessing to you at all, feel free to shoot her a text, send her an email (janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org), or better yet, tell her in person on Sunday and give her a hug! I love you Janet, I love being your husband, and I love what we get to do together on this side of eternity and here at Coastal! And believe it or not, it still feels like we’re just getting started and the best is yet to come! Happy Birthday!
A Grateful Husband!
Pastor Chris
- 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, January 26th & Friday, February 9th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, January 26th, 4-6:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, February 2nd, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, Friday, February 2nd; Monday, February 5th; Friday, February 9th, all dates 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
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 3rd. We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!
Blood Drive: On Saturday, February 3rd, 8:30am-1:30pm (during Saturday Serve), our church is hosting a Blood Drive! The Blood Connection mobile truck will be in our parking lot. Check out the insert in your bulletin on Sunday and use the QR Code to schedule an appointment! Let’s help our community!
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, February 8th, 11:30am-1pm.
Double Tailgate Day: Meeting Street & Joseph Floyd Manor: Saturday, February 10th, 10:30am-1:30pm. Meet at the church and then pick which Tailgate you’d like to serve.
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 at 843-870-4613. - As we begin 2024, we are having a Coastal Kidz volunteer training for all Coastal Kidz adult and student volunteers. This will be a time of fellowship, planning, brainstorming, and vision casting as we continue to make Coastal Kidz an amazing place for children to learn about God’s love and His Son Jesus as they grow to become faithful followers of Christ.
We are offering the training this Wednesday, January 31, 6:30PM – 8:30PM. Childcare and dinner are provided. Please RSVP that you will attend and if you need childcare:
Wednesday, January 31, 6:30PM – 8:30PM
Training Session: https://churchteams.com/m/Register.asp?a=bGVSY21UUFJoQWc9
Childcare: https://churchteams.com/m/Register.asp?a=NUZRblVzNW5TTnM9 - Attention All Homeschool Families: We’re having a Valentines Homeschool Mingle on Friday, February 9th, 10am-12pm. There will be crafts, food (pizza), and fellowship – you’ll get to meet and hang out with other Homeschool families! This is not a drop-off event, but a time for the whole family. Please RSVP through Natalie Faust at either 443-907-2400 or njudway@gmail.com.
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, February 25th, 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 or on your Connect Card and indicate if you need childcare!
- Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday, February 17th, from 9am-12pm, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday. Breakfast & childcare provided!
P.S. The 2024 LIFE Group Catalog has arrived! That’s right, and this Sunday you’ll receive a copy. In fact, you should also be receiving one in the mail soon (feel free to use one as an invitation and give it away). I’m so excited about LIFE Groups this semester. Once again, we have the most Groups we’ve ever had in one semester – 57! You’ll have several weeks to check out the catalog and get signed up. LIFE Group Sunday (like a job/college fair, but for LIFE Groups) will be Sunday, February 11th – always a BIG Day at Coastal! And unless otherwise indicated, most Groups begin the week of February 18th and last 8-12 weeks. And if you want to get an early jump, go to our website, check out our catalog and start signing up today! If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org
