Typically, Memorial Weekend officially marks the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer. But no matter when your child gets out of school this year, I am seriously excited about all the awesome things happening at Coastal this Summer – the biggest of which is Summer of IMPACT! If you and your family haven’t yet signed up for multiple projects, it’s time to do so! And I seriously encourage you to spread the word with your friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers, especially those people in your life who don’t have a church or who aren’t even believers. Why? Because God created everyone with the desire to be a part of something bigger than yourself and to make a difference. And believe it or not, most churches don’t have a very good reputation for serving and loving their communities unconditionally. So leverage Summer of IMPACT as way to include those who might not darken the door of a church yet, but would be willing to volunteer in the community. Don’t you see? Not only is Summer of IMPACT an opportunity to serve and bless our community and you, but it is also an opportunity for outreach! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Chris Jones at 843-870-4613.
Another reason I’m excited about the Summer here at Coastal is that on Sunday, June 12th, we kick off one of our favorite sermon series traditions here at Coastal – “AT THE MOVIES”! It’s where we take current or popular movies and use them as a hook to talk about spiritual truth. ALL 1st Time Guests (and the person who invited them – YOU) will receive a FREE Movie Ticket to Citadel Mall Theater throughout the entire series! There will be popcorn, movie trailers, and cool giveaways! We’ll also be taking anyone who is available to see the new “Minions” movie on Wednesday, July 6th, 10am at the Citadel Mall Theater. And we’re picking up the cost of the ticket! It’s our way to thank you and bless our community (your friends – yes, please invite and bring friends).
But the best part of our “At the Movies” kick-off on June 12th is that it’s also the day of our Beach Baptism out at Folly Beach County Park at 5pm (see below)! Come out early (traffic might be an issue) and make it a fun day for your entire family (parking at the County Park on Sunday is $15, with a County Park Pass it’s free)! If you are interested in getting Baptized, simply respond to this email, sign up online, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday. Either way, come out and celebrate with your Coastal family!
Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19th! There will be FREE Kona Ice for everyone, a gift for all the guys, and some fun giveaways (yes, probably MEAT) at the end of each service! We’re also super excited to be bringing back VBS this year (see below) – July 11th-15th, 6-8pm, for 4 year olds-5th Grade! Make sure you register your kids, sign up to serve, and help spread the word! Oh, and on top of all of that (Summer of IMPACT, At the Movies, Beach Baptism, Father’s Day, VBS), our Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) just unveiled their Summer Calendar (see below) with a ton of events, activities, and service projects!
As you can see, it’s going to be a great Summer at Coastal! The only thing that’s potentially missing right now is. . .YOU! We can only provide the opportunities for connections, community, and service. You have to make the choice to participate. I hope you will! I love YOU, I love being your Pastor, I love what we get to do together, and I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
LIFE & LOVE!
Pastor Chris
P.S. Coastal, while I truly am excited about this Summer, my also heart breaks for the many families in our nation who are grieving as they walk through “the valley of the shadow of death.” I don’t have quick, easy answers – there aren’t any. At times it’s hard to comprehend the evil that exists and persists in this world. But I do know that because of what Jesus accomplished through the cross and the empty tomb, that sin, death, and evil have ultimately been defeated. I know that this is not my home, that I’m just passing through, and so are you. Because of Jesus, there is still hope – not in this world, but in Him. And so in the meantime, I will weep with those who weep, I will mourn with those who mourn, and I will rejoice with those who rejoice. I will also be moved into Kingdom action. I will pray. I will serve. I will love. I will give. I will share. I will point as many people as possible to Jesus – the only one who can truly change the condition of the human heart (the real problem). And that’s why what we do as a church matters.
We’re in this series right now on the 23rd Psalm. Slowly read these words once more and find comfort:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Summer of IMPACT!!!! – Summer of IMPACT kicks off on June 1st! It’s 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 ON STEROIDS for the month of June! There is something for everyone – from serving through our existing partnerships with non-profit organizations all over Charleston like the Lowcountry Food Bank, Soldiers Angels, the Ronald McDonald House, Carolina Youth Development Center, Charleston Vets, The Pink House, Patriots Villas, and Lowcountry Orphan Relief, to sewing lap throws for the residents of Joseph Floyd Manor, to feeding, clothing, and bringing supplies to literally hundreds of hungry, hurting, and homeless people all over Charleston. 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 today! You can sign up for as many opportunities as you want directly from our website.
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 Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19th, please respond to this email. 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! In fact, the whole church is invited out to Folly to celebrate! 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.
- Summer for Coastal Student Ministry is officially here! Check out the calendar above for all the fun things planned as well as a weekly Bible study through the book of James! If you have any questions, please reach out to our Youth Pastor, Jacob Bonetti – jacob@coastalcommunitychurch.org or . It’s going to be a great Summer for our Students!
- We are so excited about Vacation Bible School at Coastal this year! After COVID & Construction, VBS is back and will be better than ever in our brand new facility! The dates & times for VBS this year are Monday, July 11th – Friday, July 15th, 6pm-8pm! This year’s theme is “Make Waves – What you do today, can change the world around you!” VBS at Coastal is ALL HANDS ON DECK! In other words, it takes EVERYONE to pull off a great VBS for our church and our community. There will be greeters, security, snacks, registration, teachers, games, worship, decorations, nursery, crafts – in other words, something for EVERYONE! If you are interested in serving in any capacity, please go to our website and sign up today! To register your child, ages 4 year olds – 5th Grade, go to https://coastalcommunitychurch.org/vbs/ and sign them up today! If you have any questions, contact Janet Rollins at janet@coastalcommunitychurch.org or 843-442-8299.
P.S.S. Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Monday night, June 6th, 6-8:30pm. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card on Sunday. You can join us either in-person or online through Zoom.
