Well, if you missed the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT this past Sunday, it’s that beginning Easter Sunday, April 9th, we’ll be adding a third service! Our new service times, Easter Sunday forward, will be 8:30am, 10am, & 11:30am. Between now and then, we’ll be adding more chairs and doing everything we can to make room for our Guests. The reality is that our church is GROWING! Two weeks ago the 9:30am service had 365 people in-person. It was slammed! We added more chairs and roped off the rear seating so that as soon as the service started, we could release those chairs for people trying to find a seat. Well, I don’t know if you remember it or not, but last Sunday was one of those rainy, dreary days – days Pastors hate. Honestly, I was thinking that we added all these chairs and roped off the rear section for nothing – we would have a “down” day because of the weather. Boy do I have little faith! We had 379 in that first service – more than the week before!
If all of that is any indication at all, this Sunday is going to be CRAZY! First of all, it’s LIFE Group Sunday! Go to our website, check out the catalog, and sign up for a LIFE Group today! Once you sign up for a LIFE Group, your Group Leader will contact you before the semester begins. Unless otherwise stated in the catalog, all Groups begin the week of February 19th. If you have any questions about Groups, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff. But this Sunday is going to be so much fun! You’ll get to check out all the Groups, meet the leaders, and enjoy a lot of great food!
This Sunday is also the kick-off of a new series, “Relationship Rescue!” Whether you’re single, married, children or no children – everyone can use a little help in their relationships. Each week we’ll be diving into God’s word and throwing you a “life preserver” to help navigate the difficult waters. It’s going to be a great series! So here’s what I need you to do. Most importantly, pray! Pray for me, my message, that people will take next steps, and see Jesus lifted up! And then, invite and bring friends! I always want you to invite people, but BIG Days, like this Sunday, are the perfect time to pull out all the stops and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to church. Pray like it all depends on God and then invite and reach out like it all depends on you!
I’m also asking you to consider coming to the 11:15am service. Even with extra chairs, the 9:30am service is at capacity (especially days like this Sunday). And then come early and sit to the front and center of each section. It’s also becoming more and more important to start using the Oakland Elementary School parking lot – the lot immediately to the right, once your go over the Greenway, right before you get to our campus. There is plenty of parking there, and it makes for a smoother transition between the services.
VOLUNTEER! Big Days require more volunteers, especially on LIFE Group Sunday (many of our Volunteers are LIFE Group Leaders and will be at their tables). So, reach out to your LIFE Team Leader and volunteer to serve. With adding a third service, we MUST HAVE MORE VOLUNTEERS especially in Coastal Kidz! If you currently serve in Coastal Kidz, please consider serving in an extra service. If you’re a parent of a child in Coastal Kidz, consider serving. If you’ve ever given it any thought, NOW is the time to jump in! Reach out to Janet. She would love to show you around and explain all the different roles and opportunities. And if Coastal Kidz is not for you, there are plenty of other opportunities – Cafe, Security, 1st Impressions, Prayer Team, Tech, and Worship. Go to our website and sign up today! You can also sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday. I don’t want to “guilt” anyone into serving. I want to “grace” you into serving! I want you to be so overwhelmed with the love and mercy of God, with all the good gifts He’s given to you, that your only natural response is to WANT to give back to Him. I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love what we get to do together!
LIFE & 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, February 10th, 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, February 10th, 9am-11am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Double Tailgate Day: Charleston Vets & Joseph Floyd Manor: Saturday, February 11th, 10am-1pm. Meet at the church and then pick which Tailgate you’d like to serve.
Ronald McDonald House Meals That Heal: Saturday, February 11th, 4-6pm. Meet at 81 Gadsden Street, downtown Charleston.
Soldier’s Angels: We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, February 14th, 8am-1pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate & Game Night – We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, February 16th, 6-8pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, February 17th, 8:30am-11am. 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, February 21st, 2pm-5pm.
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, February 22nd, 8:30am-12pm. 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, February 24th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry” – We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, February 24th, 4-6pm. 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 at 843-870-4613. - Coastal’s Daddy Daughter Dance is TONIGHT, February 10th, 6-8pm! The cost is a suggested donation of $10 per person (all proceeds are being generously donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). Go to this linkand register today! It’s going to be a night to remember with great music, dancing, food, pictures, and fun!
- On Sunday, March 19th, 5pm-8pm, we’re hosting an IMPACT Evangelism Training Seminar. Childcare and Dinner provided. Come learn practical tools to help equip you to share your story, share your faith, and invite people to church without fear! RSVP on your Connect Card.
- Coastal’s Annual 40 Day Easter Fast begins Monday, February 27th, and goes through Good Friday, April 7th! Start thinking now about what you’re going to give up to help prepare yourself spiritually for Easter. Sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday or respond to this email to receive weekly encouraging emails and devotionals specific to the Fast.
- Attention Young Adults! Join us in the Coastal Chapel on Sunday, February 26th, immediately following the 11:15am service for lunch. RSVP on your Connnect Card or through this link!
P.S. Friends of Dale Wallingford are invited to a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, February 18th in the Coastal Auditorium. If you have one, wear a Hawaiian shirt in Dale’s honor. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for non-perishable food or monetary donations be made to the Coastal Food Pantry (a Ministry close to Dale’s heart).
P.S.S. If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, March 5th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:15am service (at approximately 12:30pm). This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people. You can sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday.
