Woohoo! It’s finally here! The first of our 6 services, over the next 3 days, BEGINS TONIGHT! I can’t wait to celebrate with you and your friends & family! Our service times are: Friday (TONIGHT), March 29th, 7pm; Saturday (TOMORROW), March 30th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, March 31st, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am. It’s still looking like our Saturday at 6pm service is going to be the least crowded service of the six if you want to avoid the crowds. So, one last time, if you haven’t done so yet, please go to our website and let us know which service you and your guests will be attending. Historically, our Sunday, 10am service is PACKED! We will be adding extra chairs, and we will have our Chapel open and set up for overflow. So, I need our regular Coastal folks to be prepared to move over to overflow to help make room if necessary. Remember, it’s not about you. We’re willing to do whatever it takes to reach as many people as possible.
But most importantly, it’s still not too late to make that call, send that email or text, walk across the street or the office, and invite someone to church this weekend! You never know the power of a simple invitation. 43 years ago a friend from school invited me to church. One week later, I ended up giving my life to Jesus and committing to full-time Christian ministry! Simply put, it changed my life! Who do you know that needs Jesus?
A few other quick reminders about Easter at Coastal: Parking & Seatingreally is important on Big Days like Easter, especially Sunday morning. Please, please park as far away as possible (at Oakland Elementary School – the first right immediately past the Greenway) and sit to the front and center of each section. And this is important – COME EARLY, especially if you or your guests have children to check in! With more guests on our campus, make sure you’re even MORE gracious, kind, loving, and helpful to everyone! Again, it’s not about you.
PRAY! Pray for everyone who has received an invitation to come to church. Pray that not only will they say yes, but that their hearts will be open and receptive to the Gospel. Pray for me, my voice, my energy, and my message. Pray for our Worship/Tech Team. Pray for Coastal Kidz and all the children they will see over the weekend. Pray for all of our Volunteers that they will be ambassadors for Jesus and His church this weekend and all of our Guests will feel like our welcome, expected Guests in our home. And speaking of Guests, make sure you escort yours to Guest Services to receive their free gift. Fill out a Connect Card (yes – there will be giveaways at the end of each service) and encourage your Guests to do the same. As a Staff and as a church, we started working on and planning for Easter back in January. Yes, there is still time to invite people, but for the most part the work has been done. Now, we continue to pray like it all depends on God. We walk by faith and trust Him. And then we celebrate the results! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I can’t wait to celebrate with you!
He Is Not Here! He Is Risen!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, April 5th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, Friday, April 5th; Monday, April 8th; Friday, April 12th, 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, April 6th. We meet in the Welcome Center/Cafe at 8:30am, project leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we serve!
Ronald McDonald House On the Go Meal Kits: On Saturday, April 6th, 4:30-7pm, we will be packing “On the Go Meal/Snack Bags” for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Meet at Coastal.
Soldier’s Angels: We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, April 9th, 8am-1pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
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, April 11th, 11:30am-1pm.
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, April 12th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
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. - One of the ways our church marks the beginning of Summer every year is through something called Summer of IMPACT! If you are fairly new to Coastal, Summer of IMPACT is a month-long effort (the entire month of June) where we as a church saturate our community with the love of Jesus through simple acts of service. It’s basically what we normally do all throughout the year, but MULTIPLIED during the month of June! There is something for everyone. There are opportunities nearly every day of the month. You simply sign-up and then show-up. It’s that easy. Every project has a leader and every project is well-organized. You’ll be able to see a calendar of all the projects this weekend at Coastal and you can start signing up May 1st!
- On Mother’s Day, May 12th, Coastal will celebrate all the women in our lives with fun giveaways, FREE Kona Ice for all ages, a family photo station, and Baby/Child Dedication in all 3 services. If you would like your child to participate in the Dedication Service, sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday. Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.
- Coastal Day at the Riverdogs! Join us on Sunday, April 21st, at 5pm at the Charleston Riverdogs baseball game! Reserve your FREE tickets by texting TICKETS to 843-571-1777. Tickets will be distributed digitally to your email. Questions? Contact Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, April 14th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). This is a great way to learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, as well as meet some other new people. Pizza and childcare provided. You can sign up on our website today!
P.S. Mark your calendars now – Coastal’s VBS is July 8th-12th, 6-8:15pm for children 4 years old – 5th Grade. This year’s theme is, “SCUBA – Diving Into Friendship With God!” Registration for Volunteers and children is now open! Go to our website and register today!
P.S.S. We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 9th, at 5pm. You can sign up for it on our website. The only requirement for Baptism is that you have personally given your life to Jesus. Baptism is a public profession of your faith, and it’s a great celebration! It beautifully illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. If you’re unable to participate in our Beach Baptism, remember at Coastal we’re ready for you to get Baptized any service, any Sunday. If you are interested in getting Baptized, simply respond to this email, sign up on your Connect Card, or sign up on our website.
