“911, what’s your emergency?” Well, it’s not an emergency, but that’s how many people were at Coastal this past Sunday – 911! If these last few weeks are any indication of what’s going to happen this weekend – it’s going to be amazing! That’s right – THIS WEEKEND! Easter is finally here!
Today is Good Friday. Think about this. While you were asleep last night/early this morning, nearly 2000 years ago Jesus was captured in the Garden and condemned to die by the Jewish leaders who hated him. As you were waking up, Jesus was being shuffled back and forth between Pilate and Herod for even more trials and abuse. While you were getting dressed, the Roman soldiers were brutally beating Him and putting thorns on His head. By the time you were on your way to work, He was on his way to the cross. Satan was laughing – convinced that he won. It was Friday. . . but here’s the GOOD NEWS – Sunday was coming! I can’t wait to celebrate that with you and your friends & family this weekend: Friday (TONIGHT), April 7th, 7pm; Saturday (TOMORROW), April 8th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, April 9th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am.
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. 42 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 & Seating really is important on Big Days like Easter, especially Sunday morning. Please, please park as far away as possible and sit to the front and center of each section. And this is important – COME EARLY! With more guests on our campus, make sure you’re even more gracious, kind, loving, and helpful to everyone! Remember, it’s not about you.
PRAY! Pray for everyone who has and still will receive 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 (“Bag of Swag”). 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 Risen!
Pastor Chris
If we’re not friends on Facebook or Instagram – give me a follow!
https://www.facebook.com/chris.rollins
On Instagram: jampastorchris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday (TODAY), April 7th, 8:30am-11am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, Friday (TODAY), April 7th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
Double Tailgate Day: Charleston Vets & Joseph Floyd Manor: Saturday (TOMORROW), April 8th, 10am-1pm. Meet at the church and then pick which Tailgate you’d like to serve.
Soldier’s Angels: We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, April 11th, 8am-1pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
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 14th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Ronald McDonald House Meals That Heal: Saturday, April 15th, 4-6pm. Online signup required. Contact Rachel Speer for more info.
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, April 18th, 2pm-5pm.
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, April 19th, 8:30am-12pm. Meet at Coastal.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate & Game Night – We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, April 20th, 6-8pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, April 21st, 8:30am-11am. Meet at Coastal.
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 28th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, April 28th, 4-6pm. 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 at 843-870-4613. - On Mother’s Day, May 14th, 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 during all 3 services. If you would like your family to participate in the baby/child dedication, sign up on your Connect Card this Sunday. Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending.
- Don’t forget, that beginning this Easter Sunday forward, our new Sundaymorning service times will be: 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am! As our church continues to grow, this is simply the next step for us to accommodate that growth and enable us to continue to grow!
- If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, April 30th, 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 or on your Connect Card on Sunday!
- We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 11th, 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.
P.S. 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.
So here’s what I am asking you to do RIGHT NOW:
Click on this link: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/missions/
Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) right for you and then sign up! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website. And by the way, you don’t even have to call Coastal your home to participate! Invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to serve! If you are looking to make an IMPACT in our community, this is the way to do it!
P.S.S. Mark your calendars now – July 10th-14th, from 6-8:15pm each night, for children 4 years old – 5th Grade! This year’s theme is a Space Theme! You can start registering your children now! You can also start signing up to serve at VBS! Check out the flyer in your bulletin this weekend for more information!
