First of all, a little confession. For those of you who were by your computer or phone with coffee in hand at 6am this morning, waiting excitedly to read my Friday 5 email (I know there are so many of you – haha), I apologize. I was actually at NHC visiting my mom this morning, when one of our Elders, David Schmidt (who was also there – yes, he’s awesome) jokingly asked me if he got removed from our church email list. I had no idea what he was talking about. And then he told me that he didn’t get the Friday 5 email at 6am this morning. I looked him dead in the eye and said, “That’s right, it IS Friday isn’t it?” I completely forgot. The truth is, I’ve lost all track of days and time over the last couple of weeks taking care of my mom. I thought about just scheduling it for today at 6PM instead of 6AM and then some of you might think, “Oh Pastor Chris got the AM/PM mixed up, just like that old Seinfeld episode when they were trying to figure out why Jean Paul missed the big race.” For you Seinfeld fans you’ll remember it wasn’t the am/pm button, or the snooze. The VOLUME was turned down – haha! But I digress. The simple truth is that I need just as much grace as you do.
Here’s the good news update on my mom. She’s been moved from the hospital to NHC in West Ashley for rehab. She’ll get two 45 minute sessions of rehab, 6 days a week. The goal is for her to regain her strength and be able to return home and enjoy the independent, active lifestyle she had before all this took place. And from what everyone is saying, based on her current condition and progress, that should be no problem whatsoever. Thank you all for going along with us on this journey, a journey many of you have taken before. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, connecting us with the right people, making phone calls, and most of all, praying for my mom and our family. We say it all the time, storms are a part of life. But it’s through the storms where we have the opportunity to learn and grow the most. And through it all, we find out that God is faithful.
The reports coming from our Peru Missions Team this week have been so exciting! They’ve been building homes, passing out Bibles and blankets, feeding people, and sharing the Good News of the Gospel. They’ve seen joy in the midst of unspeakable poverty, and they’ve had experiences and made friends that will last a lifetime and beyond! And if you’re receiving this email, more than likely, you’ve been a part of it all and helped make this trip possible! How you ask? Through your generous & consistent giving! We say it all the time, it is through your generous and consistent giving that enables our church to share and experience the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus with Charleston and the WORLD! Our Team will be returning late tonight. Please keep their safe return in your prayers. Like you, I can’t wait to see them and hug their necks on Sunday! And I can’t wait to send more people back to Peru and other places around the world! Pray about personally joining us on our next trip! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I truly can’t thank you enough for all the love shown to my family this week!
Much Love & Gratitude!
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 25th, 4-6:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
Ronald McDonald House Meals that Heal – Breakfast: TOMORROW, Saturday, July 26th, 7:30am-9:15am. The Meals that Heal program provides a much-needed support service to families taking care of their sick children. Meet at 81 Gadsen St. downtown. Sign up online to provide ingredients needed to cook the meal.
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 28th; Monday, August 4th, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Food Pantry Sort & Stock: Coastal feeds an enormous amount of people. Come to the church and help keep our Food Pantry organized (and have a lot of fun while you’re at it)! Thursday, July 31st; Thursday, August 7th, 11:30am-1pm.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, August 1st, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Clothing Team: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! Friday, August 1st; Monday, August 4th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
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 2nd. 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 planning stages for our FALL LIFE GROUPS! LIFE Groups are the primary vehicle at Coastal for community – learning, friendships, fellowship, and care. We typically have all different types of Groups – Bible studies, book studies, activity groups, active groups, support groups, men’s/women’s groups. Would you possibly be interested in leading, assisting, or hosting a LIFE Group this Fall? The Fall Semester begins in September and depending on the Group, lasts for 8-12 weeks. Sign up on your Connect Card or contact Pastor Scott Huff at scotth@coastalcommunitychurch.org if you are interested in leading a Group. The final day to submit your Life Group details is NEXT Thursday, July 31. We will then get the catalog finalized, printed, and released in our Sunday services on August 24th.
All Life Group Leaders& Assistants are required to complete a training session each semester. You only need to attend 1 of the 3 options. You can click the date below to sign up for which one you would like to attend.
– NEW Life Group Leader training on Saturday, August 16th at 9:00-10:30am
– NEW Life Group Leader training on Thursday, August 21st at 6:30-8:00pm
– RETURNING Life Group Leader training ONLINE on Sunday, August 17th at 8:00-9:00pm - 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 17th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). You can sign up on our website today.
- We are planning our 2nd BEACH BAPTISM of the Summer out at Folly Beach County Park on Sunday, August 10th, 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.
- Coastal Young Adults (20’s & Early 30’s): Did you know that the Coastal Young Adult Ministry has just exploded? They are regularly seeing 40+ at their weekly meeting called, “The Porch.” They meet Monday nights in the Chapel, 6:30pm-8:30pm for worship, relevant teaching, small groups, and fellowship. See the graphic above as an insert in your bulletin this Sunday with all the upcoming events & activities!
P.S. Attention all Middle & High School Students & Parents: CSM is hosting a lunch for Students and their families THIS Sunday, July 27th, 1pm-2pm in the Coastal Chapel. Lunch and Childcare provided. You’ll hear about the upcoming year at CSM and get a chance to meet other families and your student’s CSM Adult Leaders. Click on this link to register online. And don’t forget, CSM Fall Kickoff will be Sunday, September 7th, 5:30pm-7pm! Don’t miss it!
