Don’t forget that this Sunday, November 2nd, one of our big blue Coastal Box Trucks will be out front and open, ready to start receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes! You guys took home 2000 shoeboxes earlier this year, and it is now time to start bringing them back to the church between now and Sunday, November 16th, filled to the brim with toys, gifts, and supplies for children around the world! We’ve already received approximately 300 of the 2000 shoeboxes!
How many of you remember the old show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”? Each episode featured a team of designers, contractors, and several hundred workers who just have seven days to totally rebuild and transform an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and the landscaping. The show was actually a spin-off of the original “Extreme Makeover”, which involved the transformation of people wanting a makeover. Each show depicted ordinary men and women undergoing “extreme makeovers” involving plastic surgery, exercise regimens, hairstyling, and wardrobing. Each episode ended with the “unveiling” where the person would be presented to their family and friends who had not been allowed to see them while they were undergoing their transformation.
Well, this Sunday, I’ll be talking about another ‘Extreme Makeover” as we wrap up Ephesians chapter 4. I’ll be talking about our “Extreme Makeover” in Christ. Listen to vss. 21-24, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Paul tells us to throw off the old sinful nature and to put on the new nature – makeover.
One of the areas of our life that needs a makeover is our words, our language. Vs. 29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” The word “unwholesome” comes from a Greek word that was used to describe rotten fruit that needed to be thrown away. It means putrid or decayed, and in this context it refers to talk that tears people down. It’s not the crude talk or coarse joking that Paul will address in chapter 5, but rather, words that cut and hurt, the things we say that injure other people or tear them down. I’m sure you all remember the little children’s saying, “Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt me.” I’m also sure that you now know what a big lie that was, because words do hurt and wound! And that’s what this verse is talking about. And Paul is saying, *Hey, don’t let any of that unwholesome, rotten speech come out of your mouth!”
Instead, be an encourager! Mark Twain once said. “I can live two months on one good compliment.” Sometimes a simple word of encouragement will seal itself in our memories for a lifetime. They become a kind of emergency power supply when our emotional batteries run low. Proverbs 12:18 says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” We all need encouraging people who fill our tank, rev our engine, and lighten our load. I’m so thankful for those of you in our church who get this and do this. You just move about, building people up, extending encouragement. What a gift you arel Coastal, I love you! I love being your Pastor! And I love watching you become more and more like Jesus every day! I can’t wait to see you and your friends over the weekend!
MUCH LOVE,
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Clothing Team: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! TODAY, Friday, October 31st; Monday, November 3rd; Friday, November 7th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, October 31st, 3pm-5:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coastal Blood Drive: Literally give the gift of LIFE! We still need donors for our community blood drive happening at our next Saturday Serve – THIS Saturday, November 1st, 8:30am-1:30pm, at the church. Click on this link and sign up today!
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, November 1st. We meet in the Auditorium at 8:30am, Project Leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we go out and serve!
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, November 5th, 5pm-8pm.
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, November 6th, 11:30am-1pm.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, November 7th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
2nd Saturday Meal: Saturday, November 8th, 9am-11am. Come serve with us as we prepare a hot meal in the Coastal kitchen and then deliver those meals to one of our awesome ministry partners – organizations like Charleston Vets, S.C. Strong, Brighton Place, Joseph Floyd Manor and more!
Double Tailgate Day – Meeting Street & Joseph Floyd Manor: Saturday, November 8th, 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. - Coastal Young Adults have several events coming up:
– Bonfire! We will be hosting a Bonfire right down the road from the church on Friday, November 7th! There will be dinner, games, and time to celebrate the close of the month! Join us at 3876 New Hope Road at 6pm.
– Young Adults’ Retreat! We are going to Folly Beach on November 14-16! We will have worship and devotions brought to us by key ministry leaders in our church. We will have direct access to the beach, plenty of space for games and group activities, and all of your meals are provided. This is all included in the $60 cost! Go online and reserve your spot! - Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Sunday, November 9th, from 5pm-8pm, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Dinner & childcare provided!
- I know it’s hard to believe, but we are in the planning stages for our SPRING LIFE GROUPS! LIFE Groups are the primary vehicle at Coastal for community – learning, friendships, fellowship, and care. We typically have all different types of Groups – Bible studies, book studies, activity groups, support groups, men’s/women’s groups. Would you possibly be interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this new year? The Spring Semester begins in February and depending on the Group, lasts for 8-12 weeks. Text the word LIFEGROUPLEADER to 843-571-1777 and click on the return link to let us know you are interested in being a Life Group Leader in Spring 2026. If you have any questions about LIFE Groups, please contact Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
- Grieving? Know someone who is? Join GriefShare’s free, one-time event on Monday, November 10th at 2pm or 6pm that will help participants prepare for
difficult emotions this holiday season and discover hope for the future. Register today at www.griefshare.org.
P.S. Baptism is a public profession of a believer’s faith in Christ. On Saturday, November 22nd, at 10am, we will be hosting a “polar plunge” Beach Baptism at Folly Beach County Park. There will also be opportunities to be baptized in all 3 of our services on Sunday, November 23rd. If Baptism is your next step, indicate on your Connect Card or sign up online.
