Don’t forget – this Sunday, November 16th is the last Sunday to return your filled Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes! The blue Coastal Box Truck will be parked out front ready to receive them! And speaking of Christmas, check out the new “Christmas at Coastal” graphic above (thanks Carla Marchione – our Graphics Artist)! I love it! And yes, I LOVE Christmas at Coastal! So let’s talk about all things Christmas!
– First of all, we’ll be decorating our campus on Monday, December 1st at 9am! If you are able and available, we could definitely use the help. However, please keep in mind that this is not a job for children. If you’ve seen the finished product or have helped before, you know there is a lot of lifting, moving, getting up and down on ladders, and some very detailed decorating. But again, we could definitely use the help!
– Beginning this Sunday, you’ll be able to take a gift tag off of one of the Christmas Trees just outside the auditorium to help supply a Christmas gift for the residents of Brighton Place and a gift card for the Veterans of Charleston Vets. The gift cards for Veterans need to be returned by Sunday, December 7th. The Charleston Vets Christmas Party will be Wednesday, December 10th. Once you sign out your tag for the residents of Brighton Place, simply bring the gift back to the church, unwrapped, with the tag attached by Sunday, December 14th. The Brighton Place Christmas Party will be Saturday, December 20th!
– Sunday, December 7th is “Christmas Attire Day” (formerly Ugly Christmas Sweater Day) at Coastal! Come to church with your most festive or “ugliest” Christmas attire! It’s going to be a lot of fun and we’ll even have a gfit for you!
– On Sunday, December 21st, our 4 year olds – 5th Grade Coastal Kidz will be singing two Christmas songs on stage during all 3 services! They are practicing now on Sunday mornings. If you have any questions, please see Aly. Don’t miss it as our children help lead us in worship!
– We are having 4 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services this year: Tuesday, December 23rd, 6pm; Wednesday, December 24th, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm. Start praying and planning for who you will be inviting!
And last, but not least, I am so excited to share with you our plans for our 13th Annual Christmas Offering! Over the years, this offering has made a huge IMPACT on our ministry! Well, beginning NEXT Sunday, November 23rd, through Sunday, January 11th (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, online, or TEXTing (843-571-1777). You can give your gift during those 8 weeks (Nov. 23rd – Jan. 11th) at any of our regular Sunday morning services, or anytime through TEXTing, or our website. You might also consider giving it all at once during one of our 4 Christmas Eve Services (Tuesday, December 23rd, 6pm; and Wednesday, December 24th, 2pm, 4pm, & 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 2026. 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 $200,000! 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 New Life Children’s Home in Peru, Soldier’s Angels Food Distribution, Summer of IMPACT, VBS, CSM Summer Camp Scholarships, Box Truck Maintenance/Upkeep, & Auditorium Lighting. The money is also used for Benevolence & General Outreach.
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. Every gift counts, every gift matters. Just like our Giving Campaigns over the years 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.
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 the word “GIVE” to 843-571-1777 and follow the simple instructions. Just make sure you designate your gift “Christmas.” I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love Christmas at Coastal!
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
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, November 18th, 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, November 19th, 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, November 19th, 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 20th, 11:30am-1pm.
Lowcountry Food Bank: Coastal has served at the Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) for years. In that time, we have literally helped to pack thousands of disaster relief boxes, backpack buddies snack packs for school children, and senior boxes. We’re helping to reduce the impacts of food insecurity all around Charleston. If you are looking for a fast-paced, on your feet opportunity, this is definitely the one for you. Come spend a couple of hours with us as we serve in the LCFB warehouse! Thursday, November 20th, 1pm-3:30pm. Meet at Lowcountry Food Bank, 2864 Azalea Dr, North Charleston.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, November 20th, 6-8:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, November 21st, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
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 21st, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
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! Friday, November 21st, 6pm-7:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
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. - PERU MISSION TRIP INFORMATIONAL MEETING. Join us immediately after the 11:30am service THIS Sunday, November 16th in the Chapel for a brief informational meeting about our Peru Mission Trip. The dates for the trip are July 25 through August 1. Contact Pastor Scott for any additional information.
- Did you know that Coastal has a podcast featuring messages from previous Sundays as well as a special, weekly Friday Five episode with Pastor Chris? Yes, you can LISTEN to my Friday 5! Check it out and give it a follow to stay up to date with everything happening at Coastal as well as all new content coming soon. It streams on our app, Spotify, and now Apple Podcasts!
- 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.
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. 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. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, December 7th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). You can sign up on our website today.
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.
