Well, it’s time – time to make the ask and invite your friends to church this Easter! Our Easter services are officially ONE WEEK AWAY! Hopefully by now you’re well aware that we’re having 6 identical services over three days: Friday, April 15th, 7pm; Saturday, April 16th, 4:30pm, 6pm; Sunday, April 17th, 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am. And speaking of making the ask, what’s the worst thing that can happen? They say no. And by the way, just because someone says no, keep praying, keep loving, keep serving, look for the open door and ask again later. But think for a moment about the best thing that could happen. You could be used by God to literally affect someone’s eternity. It’s possible that they hear the Good News of the Gospel and give their life to Jesus! We have the opportunity to literally change the trajectory of entire generations by a simple ask. Don’t believe me? You’re a part of Coastal today because a friend invited me to church when I was 13 years old. One week later from that ask I gave my life to Jesus and felt God’s call for ministry. Make the ask!
For those of you on Social Media, please go to our Easter at Coastal webpage and click on the “Download Shareable Easter Invite Images for Social Media” button. A zip file containing a folder of different images will automatically download on your computer. Or you can simply click on this link and download them now! These are great images to use on Facebook and Instagram to get the word out and invite people to Coastal for Easter!
And while you’re on our Easter At Coastal page, make sure you go ahead and register for the service you and your family and friends are planning to attend! That way we can spread everyone out and let people know when a service is reaching capacity. Make sure you connect with your Ministry Leader and sign up now to serve at one or more of our services. If you are not currently serving in a Ministry, Easter is a great time to get started! Respond to this email or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday and we’ll put you in touch with a Ministry Leader.
I haven’t said this in a while, but it’s probably time to say it again. For many of you, I believe that Easter weekend is a great time to come back to in-person worship! I am so thankful for the growing online ministry of our church (especially during the pandemic and shutdown). We went “all in” and made a huge investment in this ministry. It is here to stay, and it will continue to be a powerful tool to leverage for the community and for the Kingdom. However, it is NOT a replacement for gathering together in-person for worship and fellowship. It’s time to come back to in-person worship. I love this quote from Pastor Tony Evans, “I hear people say, ‘I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian,’ and they are absolutely right. Salvation is through faith alone, in Christ alone. You don’t have to go home to be married either, but stay away long enough and your relationship will be affected.”
I say none of that to guilt or pressure anyone. There are some in our community at Coastal who are shut-in, sick, out of town, traveling, and our online services are a great option. But there are others of you who simply need the nudge to return. Consider this your nudge. We need you and you need us!
I close out our “At the Cross” series this Sunday with a look at the cross through the eyes of the thief on the cross. Don’t miss it! I love you Coastal and I love being your Pastor!
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Clothing Team – Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes Friday (TODAY), April 8th, 9am-11am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
PINK House – The PINK House is a community center in the Ardmore subdivision in West Ashley. We are going to be putting on a community Tailgate Party, Clothing Distribution, on Saturday (TOMORROW), April 9th, 10am-1pm. Meet at Coastal.
Tailgate at Charleston Vets – As a part of Saturday Serve, we’re going to host a tailgating event at Charleston Vets, THIS Saturday, March 5th. Meet in the Welcome Center at Coastal at 8:30am. Coastal Vets is a transitional housing facility for veterans in North Charleston.
Soldier’s Angels – We’ll be helping with the Veteran’s Mobile Food Distribution, Tuesday, April 12th, 8am-1pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
Joseph Floyd Manor Tailgate – Our Tailgate will be rolling and serving our friends downtown at the Joseph Floyd Manor – Thursday, April 14th, 10am-1pm. Meet at the church.
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 would like your family to participate in the Baby/Child Dedication on Mother’s Day (May 8th), sign up on your Connect Card. Include the child’s full name and the service you will be attending. Coastal’s Baby Dedication is a special time for our parents and children. The purpose of our Baby Dedication is not for the child’s salvation. It is more of a prayer/renewal time for the parents as they commit to raise their child the way God wants them to and a time of prayer for the child to grow to be the man or woman God has called them to be. It is also a time for our church family to commit to you, the parents, to be the support that you need. Most people think of a Baby Dedication as just for our newborns, but we’ve had all different ages participate. If you’ve never had that special prayer time for you and your child, we’d love for you to sign up and participate.
- We are planning our Annual BEACH BAPTISM out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, June 12th, 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. At Coastal we call it “going public” 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.
- New to Coastal? Join us in the Coastal Cafe or online Sunday, May 1st immediately following the 11:15am service for our next Newcomer’s Reception. Learn more about Coastal, meet staff and key volunteers, and get plugged in. Lunch & childcare provided. RSVP online or on your Connect Card on Sunday!
- Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is? You are invited to join our FREE “Loss of a Spouse” Seminar through our Grief Share Support Group on Monday, May 9th, 6:30-8:30pm at Coastal. Discover practical advice, support, prayer, and encouragement from others who’ve been there. Learn what to expect in your grief and how to cope with life without your spouse. Register at www.griefshare.org or call Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
P.S. 6 Services over 3 days for Easter means that it’s “all hands on deck.” WE NEED YOU TO PULL OFF EASTER WEEKEND! Make sure you reach out to your Ministry Leader NOW to let them know when you can serve over the Easter Weekend! Attend one service and then serve in MULTIPLE services! If you aren’t serving anywhere right now, Easter is a great time to start! Go to our website right now and sign up to serve! Or you can respond to this email or on your Connect Card on Sunday, and we’ll direct you to a Ministry.
