Just in case you didn’t see my announcement on Wednesday, I want to repeat it here. After weeks of prayerful consideration, and in conjunction with other local churches, we will be gathering in our church building for ourWorship Services and Coastal Kidz starting JUNE 7th at 9:30am and 11:15am (while continuing to offer our services online)!
This decision has not been made lightly. It is also made with the understanding that this is an ever-evolving/changing situation. We will continue to monitor our area, listen to our Government and Health officials, and make decisions and alterations to our plans that are both wise and prudent for our church family and community.
We also understand that there will be some who will prefer to still join us for worship from home, and we are excited to continue to provide opportunities for meaningful online worship experiences. In fact, for many that may temporarily be the best course of action.
For those who are returning to our building, our plan includes the following:
- We encourage everyone to follow CDC guidelines (and to follow the changes they make to those guidelines) with a common sense approach in all areas of your life, including church.
- We encourage those who are vulnerable because of pre-existing conditions or caring for those who are to continue to join us online.
- We ask that anyone who feels sick or has shown any symptoms of sickness to please join us online.
- We will be asking our attendees to create space in our auditorium between families. We will assist by spacing out our seating.
- We will be sanitizing surfaces throughout the building, including our Coastal Kidz areas, under the guidance of CDC standards.
- Initially (for the month of June), our Cafe will be closed, and the seating in our Welcome Center removed. When it re-opens over the Summer it will be service only (no self-serve items).
- We have ordered Pre-filled/Pre-Packaged individual communion cups that will be placed at the back of our chairs. Cups contain both the juice and bread in a single two-part container. Communion participants peel back one seal to remove the bread and then a second seal for the juice.
- Connect Cards & Offering Envelopes will be placed in the backs of our chairs and can be turned in at the end of our service as people are exiting. We will also make our Connect Card and Announcements available online. We will continue to encourage people to give online, through TEXTing, or automate their giving through their Bank.
- We will also have contactless entry and exit of the building with our 1st Impression Team opening and closing doors.
For those of you who serve on Sunday mornings (Coastal Kidz, 1st Impressions, Security, Worship Team, Tech Team, Prayer Team) please communicate with your Ministry Leader your availability in June. Be on the lookout for your Planning Center email and start signing up for the month of June.
The new normal at church will temporarily look and feel a little different, but judging by how well all of you have risen to the occasion during this challenge, I have great confidence that Coastal Community Church will continue to accomplish our mission of “sharing and experiencing the LIFE & LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the world.” In these unprecedented times, we have seen God’s work not only continue, but advance in incredible ways. We have had the opportunity, literally, to preach the Word all over the world!
And, while we remain deeply grateful for and committed to the technology that has allowed our church to continue to assemble online, we are excited about the opportunity to gather together in person on June 7th. Whether you choose to join us for worship in-person or online, please know that together we are still the church. And together we will walk this out with the grace, love, and kindness of true followers of Jesus!
I Love You Coastal and I Love Being Your Pastor!
Pastor Chris
Here are this week’s “Friday 5”:
- This Saturday, May 16th, 11am-1pm, will be week 9 of our FREE “Grab & Go Meal Drive-Through.” This week’s menu: FRIED PORKCHOP, Mac’n Cheese, Field Peas & Rice, and dessert – plus a free roll of toilet paper for every family!! If you’re hungry, in need, or know someone who is, we’d love to help! Feel free to pick up a box and deliver it to someone you know. It’s our way to love and serve our community! Help us spread the word! At this point and at this scale, the BIGGEST WAY TO HELP is donating money. You can sponsor a meal by giving on our website: https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/give/ or simply text ANY amount to 843-277-8337 and use the key word “meals” (ex. $100 meals). The Drive-Thru is also a great opportunity to drop off non-perishable food items for our Community Food Bank. We also need DESSERTS – cookies, pre-packaged snacks, etc. You can drop off desserts at the church on Saturday morning 8am-10am.
- Summer of IMPACT is a month-long effort where we as a church saturate our city with the love of Jesus through simple acts of service. One way we serve is through our partnerships with non-profit organizations all over Charleston. We enjoy serving with the Lowcountry Food Bank, Soldiers Angels, the Ronald McDonald House and Lowcountry Orphan Relief. We also have ongoing projects here at Coastal where we pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, feed the homeless and hurting at the North Charleston Tailgate and multiple other projects. There are opportunities nearly every day of the month. You simply sign-up and then show-up. Every project has a leader and every project is well-organized. Click on this link: www.coastalcommunitychurch.org/outreach. Take a look at all the opportunities. Find the project(s) that is right for you and sign up today. You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want. It’s easy to sign up, and it’s easy to serve. If you are looking to Make an Impact in our community, this is the way to do it! Sign up and then show-up…it’s literally that easy.
- In order for us to prepare for opening our Coastal Kidz classes on June 7th, our Coastal Kidz team needs to connect. We will have 2 very important Coastal Kidz Volunteer Zoom meetings: this Sunday, May 17, at 5:00PM and Monday, May 18, at 7:00PM. You just need to attend one. Here’s the link for our Zoom meetings: https://zoom.us/j/4864196205. The meeting should take less than an hour. We will discuss scheduling & safety procedures, plus a few things coming up in the future for Coastal Kidz.
- Did you know that we have 5 Blessing Boxes in the community! Consider choosing a Blessing Box as a family and restock it with non-perishable food, toiletries, and even notes & cards of encouragement. This can be done by going directly to the Blessing Box. Here are the addresses to our Boxes:
– 413 Geddes Avenue, Charleston
– 928 Savage Road, Charleston
– 2758 East Surrey Drive, North Charleston
– 1998 Hugo Avenue, North Charleston
– 1050 St. Andrews Blvd., Charleston
If you have any questions about the Blessing Boxes, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones. - Operation Christmas Child has grown so much at Coastal that it is now a YEARLONG Mission of our church! Each month we will feature a “donation of the month” to help us better prepare for the thousands of boxes we will pack and wrap in the Fall. This month (May) we are encouraging everyone to bring coloring books. Even though our Sunday morning Services are online right now, you can still drop off OCC items during the week at the church. You can even pick up shoeboxes & wrapping paper to start wrapping shoeboxes. If you have any questions, please reach out to Teresa Spell.
P.S. If you consider Coastal your church home or if you have been blessed by the ministry of our church, we want to encourage you to continue to be faithful with your generosity. If you would like us to mail you offering envelopes or step you through online giving, please respond to this email or call the church office (843-571-1777). Your weekly gifts are a vital resource that allows us to continue the work that God has called us to do. When you continue to give during this crisis, your gifts allow us to maintain critical ministries that many depend on. Thank you so much for your faithfulness!
