It’s that time of the year again – preparing our hearts and minds for Easter! I really believe that this is going to be an Easter Weekend to remember at Coastal! One of the ways that we prepare ourselves for Easter at Coastal is by participating in an Annual 40 Day Easter Fast! The Fast begins on this Monday, February 27th and goes through Good Friday, April 7th! Fasting is simply denying yourself something physical for a set period of time for the spiritual purpose of focusing on prayer, the Word, repentance, and your relationship with God. Jesus said, “When you fast . . .” In other words, Jesus meant for fasting to be a regular part of the Christian lifestyle. I would encourage you to get your whole family involved and make it a powerful spiritual experience.
What do you choose to fast? It’s different for different people. It’s probably the thing that first comes to mind when you start considering to fast. It might be some form of technology or social media that seems to have a stronghold in your life. It could be television. It might be some specific type of food – sugar, caffeine, sodas, meat, etc. It could be drinking or smoking. It could be time – where you get up earlier each day for 40 days and have a quiet time. It could be gossip or negative words. You decide that for 40 days nothing negative will come out of your mouth. It could be worry. You pray. You decide. Read through Matthew 6:16-18. Don’t make a big deal or a fuss about it – just do it!
One thing that I’m asking everyone to pray for during your fast, is the people you’re going to be inviting and bringing to one of our 6 services over Easter weekend: Friday, April 7th, 7pm; Saturday, April 8th, 4:30 & 6pm; Sunday, April 9th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am! And not just the people you’re going to be inviting, but for all the people our church as a whole will be reaching out to through social media, direct mail, and yard signs. Our goal is to have over 2000 people in person over Easter Weekend! Let’s work, invite, and serve like it all depends on us. Let’s pray like it all depends on God. Then let’s trust God, walk by faith, and together, celebrate the results!
Our Spring semester of LIFE Groups started this week! I’ve heard nothing but GREAT things! Personally, I lead two different Groups, and it was so great to see everyone and get started! We have awesome leaders, and I can’t wait to hear the stories of community, connection, and change! Many of our Groups are full, but for those that aren’t, it’s still not too late to join. Go to our website and sign up today!
One last thing, don’t forget to bring in your Wish List items (school/classroom supplies and gifts) for Oakland Elementary School this Sunday! Drop them off in the lobby outside the auditorium tagged but not wrapped. We’ve been delivering the gifts that have already come in, and it’s just amazing to see the gratitude and joy from the Teachers at Oakland! You’re making a difference Coastal! I love you! 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, Friday (TODAY), 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 the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday (TODAY), February 24th, 4-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, March 3rd, 8:30am-11am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, Friday, March 3rd, 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, March 4th. 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. - If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is NEXT 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.
- 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 THIS 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 THIS Sunday, February 26th, immediately following the 11:15am service for lunch. Go to this link and RSVP today!
P.S. Beginning Easter Sunday, April 9th Coastal will be adding a third service! To do this, we MUST HAVE MORE VOLUNTEERS especially in Coastal Kidz! 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.
