Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I LOVE VALENTINE’S DAY! Why you ask? Because today is Janet’s and my Wedding Anniversary – 38 years in fact! Our very first date was actually on Valentine’s Day as well. I was a freshman and Janet was a senior at a small Bible College in Atlanta (Atlanta Christian College – now Point University). On that first Valentine’s Day date I told Janet that I loved her. She replied, “I love you too.” But honestly, her response was more like, “Aww, I love Jesus and puppies and ice cream, and being at Bible College where we love everyone like a brother and sister in Christ, sure, I love you too, Chris Rollins.” But I knew this was different and I figured she would too, soon enough. She did. We were engaged in May and got married the following Valentine’s Day! Janet is the first and only woman I’ve ever dated or kissed. So yes, I am a romantic and yes, I love Valentine’s Day.
However, over the years as I’ve told people to “Have a Happy Valentine’s Day” I’ve actually had people snap back, “You mean, ‘Happy Single Awareness Day’, don’t you?!” Or today is the day I usually hear all about the Hallmark/Flower Industry conspiracy. One married woman once told me, “I told my husband, ‘You better not get me flowers or chocolate on Valentine’s Day! I don’t want that stuff unless you do it all year long.'”
Okay, okay I get it. Not everyone feels the same way about Valentine’s Day that I do. But hear me out. Romance has very little to do with expensive candlelight dinners, flowers, or chocolates – although for some people it might. Romance is simply choosing to love someone exactly the way they need to be loved, expecting nothing in return, regardless of how you feel and regardless of how they respond. It’s the little things, done consistently, over time. It’s willingly sacrificing your needs for someone else – putting their needs ahead of your own. And when you find someone who will do that with you – trust me, there’s nothing better!
But here’s what I want you to think about today. If that’s the real definition of romance – then in many ways, our God is the “Great Romantic.” He knows exactly the way each of us needs to be loved and He willingly chooses to love us that way, regardless of how we respond, expecting nothing in return. He does the little things (and big things), consistently, over time – things that we usually take for granted. Thank God today for His great love for you and ask Him to help you to be a better lover!
And speaking of love, this Sunday is LIFE Group Sunday and I LOVE IT! It’s one of my favorite Sunday’s of the year! Before and after all 3 services you’ll be able to visit a table/booth representing each one of our 60+ different LIFE Groups (kind of like a Job/College Fair, but for Groups)! There will be snacks. You’ll be able to meet other people checking out all the Groups, meet the different Group Leaders, ask any questions you might have, and most importantly, SIGN UP FOR A LIFE GROUP! I promise it will be a great day and a lot of fun (there will even be FREE KONA ICE outside for everyone)! But you don’t have to wait until Sunday to sign up for a LIFE Group. You can go online sign up for a LIFE Group today! I LOVE you Coastal! I LOVE that I get to be your Pastor and lead and serve alongside of so many awesome people! And I LOVE what God has called us to do together! LOVE is definitely in the air!
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, February 14th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Hollywood Free Laundry Day: TOMORROW, Saturday, February 15th, 8am-11am join us out at “We Fold It” Laundromat as we provide FREE laundry service for the residents of Hollywood!
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 18th, 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, February 19th, 8:30am-12pm. 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, February 20th & 27th, 11:30am-1pm.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, February 20th, 6-8pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, February 21st, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Brighton Place Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Brighton Place community (here in West Ashley – near Citadel Mall) on Wednesday, February 26th, 6-8:30pm. 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. - Coastal’s Annual 40 Day Easter Fast begins Monday, March 10th, and goes through Friday, April 18th! Start thinking now about what you’re going to give up to help prepare yourself and our church spiritually for Easter. Sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday to let us know that you will be participating in the fast.
And speaking of Easter – mark your calendars now, Coastal will be having 7 Easter Services over 3 days: Friday, April 18th, 7pm; Saturday, April 19th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, April 20th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am, 1pm. Remember it’s all hands on deck! Sign up now to serve in multiple services! - At Coastal, we believe in making an impact one life at a time. We’re hosting an Impact Evangelism Seminar, Sunday, March 16th, 5pm-8pm, in the Coastal Chapel. Come learn practical tools to help build your confidence to share your faith without fear. Sign up online or RSVP on your Connect Card, and let us know if you’ll need childcare! Dinner provided.
- Coastal is looking to hire an Administrative Assistant. This would be a part time, hourly position – approximately 31 hours a week, Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm, Sundays 10am-1pm. This person would work closely with Rachel Speer, supporting our Pastors and Staff, and managing our office reception area. If you are interested, please submit a resume to info@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
- Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is TOMORROW, Saturday, February 15th, from 9am-12noon, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email or sign up on our website, (let us know if you need childcare). Breakfast & childcare provided!
P.S. Coastal Community Church’s Internship Program is an eight-week, Summer Ministry experience designed to give participants a glimpse into life in ministry. Passionate & gifted participants will gain valuable experience while working alongside Coastal staff members in areas of Administration, Outreach, Worship Arts, Production & Communications, Children’s, or Student Ministries. We will accept mature, older High School Students, but we are mainly looking for College Students and/or young adults. If you’re interested in providing housing for out of state interns, please reach out to rachel@coastalcommunitychurch.org. Find out more and apply by visiting our internship program page at www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/connect/internships. Also, if you know anyone who might be interested, please feel free to share!
