This week Janet and I slipped away for a few days to visit our son and daughter-in-law in New York (In two weeks we’ll see our daughter and son-in-law in Tennessee). Like many parents whose children live away from home, we’re incredibly thankful for FaceTime, texting, and all the technology that helps us stay connected. We can “see” each other almost anytime we want. But can I tell you something? Sometimes Mom and Dad just need to lay eyes on their kids. Sometimes you need a hug. Sometimes you need to sit around the table together, laugh, ask questions, tell stories, and simply enjoy being in the same room. You’ll take what you can get, but there’s just no substitute for being there together.
As I was flying home today, I found myself thinking that’s exactly how I feel about our upcoming Thrive Information Meetings. Yes, you can hear bits and pieces on Sunday mornings. Yes, you can read the Thrive Magazine alone, by yourself, later. But there are some things that are simply better experienced together. That’s why Janet and I would love for every person who calls Coastal home to attend one of these “family meetings.”
One of my favorite moments from this past Sunday wasn’t while I was preaching. It was what happened afterward. As people began leaving the Worship Center, I watched families stop, pull out their phones, and sign up for one of our Thrive Information Meetings. Conversations were happening everywhere. People were excited. They were asking questions. They wanted to know more.
As I write this, more than 225 people have already signed up. Can I tell you why that encourages me so much? It’s not because we filled up a bunch of meeting slots. It’s because I believe our church family senses what I’ve been sensing for quite some time – that God is doing something special among us.
On Sunday I shared with you that I truly believe God is handing us another seed. For 36 years we’ve simply tried to plant every seed God has entrusted to us. Sometimes we’ve seen the harvest quickly. Other times we’ve had to wait. But every single time God has been faithful. That’s why these Thrive Information Meetings are so important. They’re not about asking for money. They’re not about pressuring anyone into making a commitment. In fact, there won’t be any commitments made or money given at any of these meetings.
They’re simply an opportunity for us to gather together as a church family and talk about what we believe God is calling us to do next. I’ll share the vision, explain the plans and process in detail, answer your questions, and together we’ll begin praying about what our next step should be. If Coastal is your church home, I’m asking you to be there. I have the privilege of serving as your Pastor, but this isn’t “my” church. It’s OUR church. And I genuinely want everyone to hear the vision firsthand. After all, sometimes there’s just no substitute for being in the room.
If you haven’t signed up yet, would you take just a minute and do that today? We have 12 different meetings available, and I’m confident you’ll find one that works with your schedule.
Sign up now online, or sign up on your Thrive Card on Sunday. Just pick one!
1 – Friday, August 21st, 6:30pm-8pm, Auditorium (childcare – pizza)
2 – Saturday, August 22nd, 9am-10:30am, Auditorium (childcare – refreshments)
3 – Sunday, August 23rd, 12:45-2:15pm, Auditorium (childcare – pizza)
4 – Sunday, August 23rd, 5:30pm-7pm, Chapel (childcare – pizza)
5 – Wednesday, August 26th, 9am-10:30am, Chapel (no childcare – refreshments)
6 – Wednesday, August 26th, 6:30pm-8pm, Chapel (childcare – refreshments)
7 – Thursday, August 27th, 6:30pm-8pm, Chapel (childcare – refreshments)
8 – Saturday, August 29th, 10am-11:30am, Auditorium (childcare – refreshments)
9 – Sunday, August 30th, 5:30pm-7pm, Chapel (childcare – pizza)
10 – Young Adults, Monday, August 31st, 6:30pm-8pm, Chapel (no childcare – refreshments)
11 – Tuesday, September 1st, 12pm-1:30pm, Chapel (no childcare – lunch)
12 – Wednesday, September 2nd, 6:30pm-8pm, Chapel (childcare – refreshments)
I honestly can’t wait to sit down with you, open up the Thrive Magazine together, and share what God has placed on our hearts. I have a feeling that one day we’ll look back on these meetings and realize we were watching another one of those “gradually, then suddenly” moments unfold right in front of us. I hope you’ll be in the room when it happens.
One last thing, please keep our Peru Missions Team in your prayers! They leave tomorrow morning and will return next Saturday. Pray for them and the people of Peru they will be serving. I love you, Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I absolutely love watching God write the next chapter of our story together!
In His Service & Yours!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! TODAY, Friday, July 24th, 4pm-6:00pm. Meet at Coastal.
JFM Fellowship Activity & Devotion: A fun project for kids! We’ll serve at Joseph Floyd Manor (JFM), a public housing facility in Downtown Charleston, playing BINGO with the residents. Monday, July 27th, 1:30pm-3:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Brighton Place Fellowship Activity & Devotion: This project will allow us to spend some time with the residents and get to know them better through a lively game of Bingo and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, July 28th, 1:30pm-3pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
The Market Organize & Prep: Come to The Outpost and help keep the Market stocked and organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Wednesday, July 29th, 10am-12noon. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
Serving in the Market & the Boutique at The Outpost: Coastal feeds and clothes an enormous amount of people. Come to The Outpost and help serve our community (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, July 30th, 11am-1:30pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
The Boutique Sort & Stock: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! Friday, July 31st, 10:30am-12:30pm. Meet at The Outpost – 1050 St. Andrews Blvd.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, July 31st, 4pm-6pm. Meet at Coastal.
Saturday Serve: The foundation of all of our serving opportunities at Coastal really starts with Saturday Serve – the first Saturday of every month. The next Saturday Serve is Saturday, August 1st. We meet in the Auditorium at 8:30am, Project Leaders make a “pitch” for their serving opportunity, and then we go out and serve!
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. - We are in the final days of needing all of the details finalized for our Fall LIFE Groups. ALL details must be turned in by THIS Sunday, July 26th. Please fill yours out soon if you haven’t already done so. You can click HERE to submit those details. All LIFE Group leaders are required to complete a training session each semester. You only need to attend 1 of the 3 options. Please sign up for your choice on the links below. LIFE Group Sunday is on Sunday, August 30th and LIFE Groups will begin the week of September 13th-19th.
– New Leaders Training, Thursday, August 13th, 6:30pm-8pm
– New Leaders Training, Saturday, August 15th, 9am-10:30am
– Returning Leaders Training, Sunday, August 16th, 8pm-9pm ONLINE
Contact Pastor Scott Huff if you have any questions. - Hey Coastal, since opening “The Outpost” the number of families we are helping in our community has multiplied exponentially! We are always in need of food to restock “The Market” and clothes for “The Boutique”! Right now “The Market” could use: canned chicken and tuna, cereal, jelly, corn, and pasta sauce. “The Boutique” is in need of school uniforms, men’s shirts (larger sizes), and men’s pants (all sizes). If you’re cleaning out your closet or making a store run, we’d love for you to keep The Outpost in mind. Every donation goes directly to someone in our community in need. Drop your donations in the bin/shopping cart at Coastal on Sunday mornings, or Monday-Thursday, 9-4 (church office on the side). Your donations, big or small, make a huge impact on families in need in our community.
- We are planning our 2nd BEACH BAPTISM of the Summer out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, August 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.
- Newcomer’s Reception: If you’re fairly new to Coastal, a great next step is our Newcomers Reception. 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. Our next Newcomers Reception is Sunday, August 16th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). You can sign up on our website today.
P.S. Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is THIS Saturday, July 25th, from 9am-12noon, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email or sign up on our website (let us know if you need childcare). Breakfast & childcare provided!
