| I can’t say enough great things about this past weekend at Coastal! First of all Marvin & Sharon Thomas did such an awesome job with our Marriage Seminar! We had over 50 couples attend! And then Sunday’s Marriage Vow Renewal Service was so emotionally moving! Over 100 couples renewed their Marriage Vows! The Party afterwards was so much fun – the music, photo booth, cake, and the Food Trucks! Our attendance on Sunday morning was 748! We had 20 1st Time Guest Connect Cards filled out and 19 2nd Time Guest Connect Cards filled out! But the best part of the whole day was that 3 more people gave their lives to Jesus! That’s what it’s all about Coastal! Keep praying! Keep sharing! Keep inviting! On Saturday morning, March 9th, Oakland Elementary School is having their Annual Carnival. Last year our church provided and grilled several hundred hotdogs (Janet and I will be there again this year doing the same). This year they were wondering if we happened to have several people who could do Face Painting (they will provide all the paint and brushes). I told them I’m sure we could round up a few folks (I already have a few volunteers). It really is a great event and makes a huge IMPACT on behalf of our church. Please respond to this email if you would be willing to help. I could also use some help with the hotdogs! I also want to let you know that our Annual 40 Day Easter Fast starts on Monday, March 11th and will continue until Good Friday, April 19th! It’s a 40 Day period of Fasting & Prayer leading up to Easter Sunday. Jesus said, “When you fast . . .” In other words, Jesus meant for fasting to be a regular part of the Christian experience. Fasting is simply denying yourself something physical for a set period of time for the spiritual purpose of focusing on prayer, the Word, and your relationship with God. Last year, over 225 people signed up to participate in the Fast! You can begin signing up this Sunday on your Connect Card or by responding to this email. We’ll be adding you to a specific email group and will send out weekly notes of encouragement and information over the course of the fast. 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 or food group – 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. Don’t post it on Facebook. If you would like to share with us what you’re deciding to fast, you can, but you don’t have to. I hope you will consider joining your Coastal family in this Fast as we pray and prepare our hearts for Easter! LIFE & LOVE! Pastor Chris Here are this week’s “Friday 5”: 1. We’ve had such a great start to LIFE Groups this semester! People are still signing up each week, andit’s still not too late to join one. The best way now to sign up for a LIFE Group is online from our website. Go to our website, check out the catalog, and sign up for a LIFE Group today! 2. Don’t forget to vote for Coastal in Charleston City Paper’s Best of Charleston list, “Best Place of Worship.” It’s found in the “Attractions & City Living” Category. Spread the word, especially on Social Media, and encourage your friends to vote for Coastal! Voting ends on March 5th! 3. Our next Saturday Serve is THIS SATURDAY (TOMORROW), March 2nd! We will meet at the church at 8:30am to debrief and then disburse to serve! Come make an IMPACT in our community by being the hands and feet of Jesus! There is always something for the whole family! And PLEASE, invite and bring someone to serve with you! If you have any questions about Saturday Serve or ideas for future service opportunities, please contact Chris Jones at 843-870-4613 or jonescg73@gmail.com. 4. Our next Sermon Series starts Sunday, March 17th and is called, “Be the Church.” As a part of the series, we’re having a “Ministry Fair” on Sunday, April 7th. We’ll have a giant tent outside on our property where you’ll have an opportunity to visit different booths representing all the different Ministries of Coastal. And most importantly, you’ll have a chance learn more about them and sign up to volunteer! 5. We’re having 5 Easter Services this year at Coastal! Two on Saturday night, April 20th, 5pm & 6:30pm, and then we’re having 3 services on Sunday, April 21st, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am. With 5 services it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK! In other words, we need everyone serving and volunteering! Check in with your LIFE Team Leader and go ahead and sign up now. If you are not yet serving, indicate your interest on your Connect Card and we will help you find a place to serve God by serving others! First Impressions: Chris Ranew / chrisranew@gmail.com Cafe: Matt and Kathy Beam / mattbeam13@yahoo.com Children’s Ministry: Janet Rollins / janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org Prayer Team: Billy Burnett / Billy.burnett@grsi.com Security: Bryan Miller / bryan.bcmill@gmail.com P.S. Attention all Coastal Kidz Volunteers (Birth-5th Grade): There is a Coastal Kidz Meeting, Saturday, March 16th at 10am – OR – Sunday, March 17th immediately after the second service (choose one to attend). We’ll be going over the new curriculum, planning for Easter, and brainstorming how we can continue to improve our Ministry! Don’t miss it! |
