In the first picture above I’m holding one of the many gifts for all the Teachers & Staff over at Oakland Elementary School for Teacher Appreciation this week – ICED COFFEE! We also showered them with movie tickets, gift cards, candy, handwritten notes, and lots and LOTS of FOOD! In fact, while many of you are reading this, we’ll be serving them shrimp & grits for breakfast with Janet’s homemade cheddar cheese biscuits (an annual tradition). I know I say this all the time, but it’s true – all of this is made possible through your consistent, faithful generosity!
In fact, that’s true of ALL the Outreach that our church does. We couldn’t do it without YOU! And speaking of Outreach & YOU, it’s time for YOU to start signing up for 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 do all throughout the year, but MULTIPLIED during the month of June! There is something for everyone (including children). 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! And if you sign up for a SOI Project, we have a little gift for you at church on Sunday – a Coastal Box Truck Air Freshener! But you only get one if you sign up!
One last thing, and it also has to do with money, making an IMPACT, and your generosity. Jessica & Jon Zawko, who led our Financial Peace University LIFE Group this past semester, shared some exciting news with me. Their LIFE Group (about 12 people who reported) paid off $109,420 in personal debt this semester! They also put away $19,200 in savings! Is that AWESOME or what? I’m so proud of them! You say, “Okay Pastor Chris, I see the money and making an IMPACT part, but what does that have to do with generosity?” Well, did you know that we purchased a Ramsey Site License and all of the Financial Peace University resources are provided to you for FREE (we also did that for two high schools here in Charleston)? That’s right! People are hurting and struggling with their finances today, and we want to provide real help and resources. Simply go to our Resources page on our website and look for Financial Tools. It will take you to a sign up page with our passcode. Again, ALL of that could not be done without YOU and your generous, consistent giving to our church! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! I love what we get to do TOGETHER! And I can’t wait to see you over the weekend (Double Tailgate & Sunday morning)!
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Clothing Team: Our Coastal Clothing Team will be organizing and sorting clothes, TODAY, Friday, May 10th & Monday, May 13th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
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, May 10th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
Double Tailgate Day: Meeting Street & Joseph Floyd Manor: Tomorrow, Saturday, May 11th, 10:30am-1:30pm. 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, May 14th, 8am-1pm. Meet at 1113 Sam Rittenburg Blvd. (The Elks Lodge).
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, May 15th, 8:30am-12pm. Meet at Coastal.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, May 16th, 6-8:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas – Friday, May 17th, 8:30am-11:30am. 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. - RIVERDOGS GAME UPDATE: We have rescheduled our Coastal Day at the RiverDogs Game for Sunday, July 28th at 5pm. All tickets will need to be requested by texting the word “tickets” to 843-571-1777 and then filling out the form on the link you receive in return. No ticket requests from the previous game are being held. You must RE-request the number of tickets you would like.
- This Sunday, May 12th, is Mother’s Day! There will be fun giveaways at the end of each service, FREE Kona Ice for all ages, a family photo station, Baby/Child Dedication, and a special gift for all women! Pull out all the stops and invite and bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers (pick up some of our Invite Cards)! We’re even adding extra chairs to make room for everyone! Come early, park far away, and go out of your way to make our guests feel welcome and at home. A BIG DAY also means extra Volunteers! Talk to your LIFE Team Leader, go to Planning Center, and sign up today!
- 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.
- One of the things we get asked A LOT is, “When are we going to have a Coastal Store? Are those hoodies or zip ups that I see the Staff wearing available to buy?” Well, guess what? Coastal now has an ONLINE STOREwith t-shirts, hats, and other merch available for purchase! Throughout the year, more seasonal items will be added. For example, be on the lookout for a Nike Polo for the Summer! During the Fall, we’ll add hoodies and zip ups! If you have any suggestions, please let us know. In fact, the 10th person in my inbox to reply to this email that this is a great idea, will receive a $25 credit to be used in our online store!
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. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or do you know someone who is? Join one of the FREE special GriefShare sessions on Monday, May 20th at 2pm or 6pm at Coastal. Register at www.GriefShare.org or contact Freeda (540-903-5030) or Sue (616-443-6553).
