So, are you ready for Christmas? Well, ready or not, it’s ALMOST here! Which means of course, that our Christmas Eve Services are almost here! This year we’re having 4 Christmas Eve services – Saturday, December 23rd, 4pm & 6pm and Sunday, December 24th, 4pm & 6pm (no Sunday morning services on the 24th)! I hope you are ready to invite & bring your friends! Remember, it’s not too late to invite someone. Make the ask! What’s the worst thing that could happen? Better yet – what’s the BEST thing that could happen? Think through all your contacts – social media, work, neighbors, friends, family – and invite them to come!
Also, Christmas Eve services are one of those times where it is “all hands on deck.” In other words, if you serve in ministry and you’re not out of town, we NEED YOU TO SERVE. Contact your Ministry Leader and let them know which services you are available ASAP. Every ministry needs plenty of volunteers (and extra volunteers) to pull off Christmas Eve and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Pray for me & my message. Pray that people give their lives to Jesus and get saved! Pray for our Worship Team that they would lead people to worship Jesus. Pray for all our Ministry Volunteers, that they would serve Jesus by serving others.
Here are a few other important reminders:
– Be helpful, friendly and welcoming to all our guests!
– Introduce yourself & talk to people you don’t know.
– This is important – park over at Oakland to make more room for guests. The further away you park, the better.
– Fill out your Connect Card. This encourages others to do the same.
– Sit to the front & center of each section of the auditorium.
– Coastal Kidz (Birth-5th Grade) will be fully operational during all 4 services.
– If you are serving during a service, PLEASE COME EARLY.
– Our V.I.P. Volunteer meeting will be at 3:30pm on Saturday and Sunday in the Gathering Space as usual.
Don’t forget that our entire offering on Christmas Eve (all 4 services) will go toward our Christmas Offering! Prayerfully consider what you and your family can give. You might also consider making a year-end sacrificial gift.
Well, I think that’s about it. For those of you who are traveling or out of town – HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS! Safe travels and please keep us in your prayers! And remember, if you can’t make it in person, you will be able to watch all of our services live online. Can’t wait to see the rest of you and your guests over the weekend! Also, please note that we will only have 2 Services on Sunday morning, December 31st (New Year’s Eve), 10am & 11:30am. I love you Coastal, I love being your Pastor, and I love what we get to do together!
Merry Christmas Eve!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Today, Friday, December 22nd, 8:30am-11:30am. 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, December 28th, 11:30am-1pm.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, December 29th, 4-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, January 5th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, Friday, January 5th, 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, January 6th. We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we 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. - Don’t forget, we’re having 4 Christmas Eve Services: Saturday, December 23rd, 4pm & 6pm and Sunday, December 24th, 4pm & 6pm (no Sunday morning services on the 24th). Please be in touch with your LIFE Team Leaders about serving! During all 4 services our Coastal Kidz are encouraged to wear their PJ’s and enjoy pizza and a Christmas Movie with a message!
Also, please note that we will only have 2 Services on Sunday morning, December 31st (New Year’s Eve), 10am & 11:30am. - Coastal Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) is off for the Holidays! Their first gathering in the new year will be Sunday night, January 7th (doors open at 5pm and service is from 5:30-7pm)!
- There are 4 weeks left to give to this year’s Annual Christmas Offering! Much of our Outreach is funded every year through our Christmas Offering. Our goal is $125,000 and right now we are over half-way to our goal. Every gift counts, every gift matters. Among other things we are using the offering to purchase another Box Truck for Clothing Distribution, New Life Children’s Home in Peru, VBS, a Sudan Mission Trip, & Soldier’s Angels Food Distribution. The money is also used for Benevolence & General Outreach. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. The easiest and fastest way to give to the Christmas Offering is through TEXTing the word “GIVE” to 843-571-1777 and then follow the simple instructions. Just make sure you designate your gift “Christmas.”
Speaking of Giving, your Year-End Giving Statements will be mailed out in mid January. Text the keyword “M”E to 843-571-1777 to view and update your contact information. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Financial Administrator, Kathy at finance@coastalcommunitychurch.org. - ATTENTION Young Adults! Join us at the PASSION Conference on January 3-5 in Atlanta, GA for an unbelievable lineup of speakers, musicians, and more! We will be joining up with 60,000 other young adults from around the globe! The deadline to reserve your spot is Friday, December 29th. Click HERE to see the details and how to pay/reserve your spot today! If you have any questions, reach out to Scott Huff.
P.S. We are in the planning stages for our SPRING LIFE 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.org if you are interested in leading a Group. Training for new Spring LIFE Group Leaders will be offered in-person on Tuesday, January 16th, 6:30-8pm or Saturday, January 20th, 9-10:30am. Returning Leader’s Training will be online on Thursday, January 25th, 8-8:45pm. All Leaders only need to attend one session. RSVP on your Connect Card.
