If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the News4 story on our church last week and our “Grab & Go Drive Through Tailgate”! During the last 2 weeks, I’ve learned so much about our church. I’ve learned that you are flexible – willing to adapt. I’ve learned that our Staff is relentless and willing to do whatever it takes to keep moving forward, to keep pursuing excellence, and to keep leading and loving our church. I’ve learned that our church is full of generous people who are willing to sacrificially give even during difficult times. I’ve been reminded that although I love our Sunday morning SERVICES, it’s our SERVICE to the community that will make the greatest IMPACT. I’ve learned that our church is more concerned about building the Kingdom of God than our little castle called Coastal. I’ve learned that we’re not just a church that DOES small groups, we are a church OF small groups that truly values community in whatever form it takes. And as always, I’ve been reminded that we don’t just GO to church, we ARE the church! Coastal, I love you all, and I’m so proud of you. I truly believe that this is going to be one of those defining moments for the church. Let’s not let this pass us by!
By the way, over 1100 people watched our service online this past Sunday and several thousand more on Facebook. I truly believed that our church was going to be a church of over 1000 people by the end of 2020. I just didn’t realize that it would be online!
We’ll be feeding the hungry and hurting again this Saturday with our “Grab & Go Drive Through”! This Saturday, 9am-11am, we’ll be doing a Pancake Breakfast (pancakes & link sausages). Please spread the word and share the post on social media. We have plenty of volunteers, but would love for you drive through and take some food to someone in need or someone who needs to be encouraged. One way that everyone can help is to drop off canned goods and non-perishable food for our community Food Bank. You can drop off items on Saturday morning or during the week at the church office.
During this crisis our new scaled back office hours are: Monday-Thursday 9am-11am & 1pm-3pm, Friday 9am-12noon. Our Pastors & Staff will be working remotely and rotating hours to keep the office open only for deliveries, food pick-up/drop-off for the Food Bank, Operation Christmas Child drop off, and volunteer supply pick up (Easter Yard Signs & OCC Christmas cards). That’s right – the Easter Signs are in. They simply say, “EasterAtCoastal.com“, and we need people to pick them up and put them in your yard and strategically place them all over Charleston.
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:
- Operation Christmas Child has grown so much at Coastal that it is now a YEARLONG Mission of our church! Each month we will feature a “donation of the month” to help us better prepare for the thousands of boxes we will pack and wrap in the Fall. This month we are encouraging everyone to bring bars of soap & washcloths. In April, it’s stuffed animals that will fit in a shoebox. Even though our Sunday morning Services are online right now, you can still drop off OCC items during the week at the church. If you have any questions, please reach out to Teresa Spell.
- All of our LIFE Groups have gone online! We are looking for people who would be willing to lead an online Group – go over & discuss short devotional questions from Sunday’s sermon (that we provide) & pray together. If you might be willing to lead a new online Group, please respond to this email or reach out to Pastor Scott. Let us equip you to help keep our church connected during this crisis.
- Did you know that we have 5 Blessing Boxes in the community! Consider choosing a Blessing Box as a family and restock it with non-perishable food, toiletries, and even notes & cards of encouragement. This can be done by going directly to the Blessing Box. Here are the addresses to our Boxes:413 Geddes Avenue, Charleston; 928 Savage Road, Charleston; 2758 East Surrey Drive, North Charleston; 1998 Hugo Avenue, North Charleston; 1050 St. Andrews Blvd., Charleston. If you have any questions about the Blessing Boxes, please reach out to Chris Jones.
- Today is day 87 or our 100 Day Challenge! Just two more weeks left! Today’s reading is John 9. Remember there are 6 components of the 100 Day Challenge, 6 things we are asking you to do (3 are daily – 3 are next steps). Daily: 1. Read Through the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John – we’re providing the calendar). 2. Memorize 1 Bible verse a week. This week’s verse has been John 10:10. 3. Get Moving. Find an activity or exercise that you can do each day for 100 Days. Next Steps: 1. Take the Next Step In Your Giving. 2. Start Serving. 3. Join A LIFE Group.
- As we temporarily move our Sunday morning services online, we want to offer children the experience to feel connected as well. You can now go to our websiteand find supplemental resources for this week’s up-to-date curriculum, including: video lessons, worksheets for each respective age group and a YouTube playlist kids can sing along and worship to. We pray the online programming for Coastal Kidz will help children feel blessed and included as they navigate through the curriculum and as they join alongside their parents during online services. For more information, contact Janet Rollins via email at: janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
P.S. If you’re a regular giver, please continue to be faithful with your generosity at Coastal. Your weekly gifts are a vital resource that allows us to continue the work that God has called us to do, and our in-person Sunday services only represent a small portion of that work. When you continue to give during this crisis, your gifts allow us to maintain critical ministries that many depend on. You can give online at any time at coastalcommunitychurch.org/give/, or securely by texting to 843-277-8337 with the amount you wish to give. Thank you so much for your faithfulness!
