This past Sunday I announced that we are going to have a Beach Baptism this Saturday (TOMORROW), November 9th, at 3pm at Folly Beach County Park! We’re calling it our “Polar Plunge/Beach Baptism!” I shared that the whole thing started with a conversation with a woman who wanted to wait to get Baptized over the Summer at the Beach. I said, “Why wait?” Well guess what? We now have 12 people getting Baptized at the Beach tomorrow! And that number could go even higher! So, if Baptism is your next step and you’re interested in getting Baptized at the Beach and are willing to brave the colder water, you can respond to this email or sign up for it on our website. Again, we’ll be at Folly Beach County Park! The Baptism will be at 3pm. We’ll be down at the Beach closest to the park entrance side. Look for the church van – I’ll have Baptism t-shirts and Coastal beach towels waiting for you! If you’re unable to participate in our Beach Baptism tomorrow, but would still like to get Baptized, remember, at Coastal we’re ready for you to get Baptized any service, any Sunday. Simply sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday, or sign up now on our website. We actually have another Baptism this Sunday during the first service! God is definitely up to something at Coastal! I’m just humbled that I get to be a part of it!
Coastal, I ask you to join me in praying for our nation. While I am continually troubled by what I see all around me, I am not surprised, and more importantly, I am not without hope. Why? Because Romans 5:20 says, “But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” You see, I still believe that the light shines brightest in the darkness. And if we are going to heal, if we are going to overcome the divisive spirit in our land, I believe that we as followers of Jesus have to lead the way. I’ve said it for years, and I believe it now more than ever, Jesus truly is the ONLY hope of this world – not a President, not a political party, not any policies. This world is not our home and ultimately our only allegiance is to Jesus and His Kingdom. Our collective mission is still the same – to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world! That’s all that matters, and that is what’s needed now more than ever before.
Psalm 40:1-2, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” There is no doubt that the world in which we live is a slimy pit of mud and mire, and so many people today seem to be sinking deeper and faster. They’ve lost their footing. But the good news is that in Christ, God has pulled me and you out of that same mud and mire, cleaned us up, and set us on solid ground – the rock solid ground of Jesus Christ and His Word. We have risen above the filth of this world, not by any goodness or righteousness of our own, but by the grace of God. In fact, He heard our humble, repentant cries and lifted us out. He saved us. He rescued us. So, open your ears and hearts this week to the cries of the world around you. And before you sling the very mud that you yourself have been pulled up out of, try pointing people to the One and Only Savior who can rescue and save. I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love what we get to do together!
Much, Much Love!
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, November 8th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, TODAY, Friday, November 8th; Monday, November 11th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Double Tailgate Day: Meeting Street & Joseph Floyd Manor: TOMORROW, Saturday, November 9th, 10:30am-1:30pm. Meet at the church and then pick which Tailgate you’d like to serve.
2nd Saturday/2nd Meal: TOMORROW, Saturday, November 9th, 9am-12noon. 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!
Soldier’s Angels: We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, November 12th, 8am-12:30pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
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 14th, 11:30am-1pm.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, November 15th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
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. We meet at Coastal on Tuesday, November 19th, 12noon-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 20th, 8:30am-12pm. 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. - If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, December 8th, 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.
- 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. Sign up on your Connect Card or contact Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.orgif you are interested in leading a Group.
- Operation Christmas Child (OCC) – sharing the love of Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel through gifts & supplies in a simple shoebox for children in troubled countries/areas all around the world! You guys are AMAZING! We had 1000 shoeboxes that we were handing out – and they are ALL gone! So now we’re simply asking you to fill the boxes you took home and then bring them back to the church between now and Sunday, November 17th. Way to go Coastal!
- Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Monday, December 9th, from 6pm-9pm, 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) on Sunday. Food & childcare provided!
P.S. 2025 PERU MISSION TRIP INFO MEETING! There will be informational meetings with Q&A between the 1st and 2nd services and between the 2nd & 3rd services in the Coastal Chapel NEXT Sunday, November 17th. Please stop by to meet with Pastor Scott and hear about the trip, cost, and dates for our Peru Mission Trip in 2025!
