Wow – what an awesome day Sunday was! We baptized another 41 people out at Folly Beach! That means that we have now baptized 163 people so far this year! Read that again and let the sink in. I say “so far” because it’s only August, and I firmly believe that God isn’t done! God is using our church in a powerful way!
Coastal, I’ll just say it. What we are experiencing isn’t normal for most churches. But I don’t want normal, and I don’t want to settle for what most churches are doing! Someone once told me, “If you want your church to grow, just look around at what most churches are doing and do the opposite.” Because most churches aren’t growing. Do you know what I want? I want Acts 2:47 to become the new normal, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” I want to walk in Holy Spirit power, by faith in the resurrected Savior, and trust in the Sovereign Holy God! I want to attempt things so big, that without God, we’re doomed to fail! Simply put, I want all God has to offer, and I want to share the good news of the Gospel with as many people as possible until He calls me home or comes again! That’s what I want – what about you?
Do you know what’s also normal at most churches? 20% of the people, do 80% of the work. And that’s why most churches aren’t growing. For the month of August, there has been a real emphasis on finding a place to serve in the family here at Coastal on Sunday mornings. In fact, we’ve said, if you call Coastal your home, you should be able to answer this question, “What is my ministry and where am I serving on Sunday mornings?”
So how about it? What about YOU? What’s your ministry and where are you serving on Sunday mornings? Just one person, one service, once a month, makes a huge IMPACT. Church isn’t a show you watch or an event you attend. Church is a family. And for our family to grow and function in a healthy way, it takes everyone pitching in, pulling together, and doing their part. So whether it’s Coastal Kidz, Prayer Team, Security, Tech, Worship, First Impressions, Cafe, or Online Engagement (whew!) – you should be serving! But you should be serving not just because there is a need (there is always a need). You should be serving because this is your FAMILY! Sign up today online or this Sunday on your Connect Card! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love serving alongside of you!
Never Normal!
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: TODAY, Friday, August 15th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Hollywood Clothing Distribution: We will get the opportunity to take one of our Mobile Outreach Clothing Vehicles out to distribute clothing while loving on those we encounter. TOMORROW, Saturday, August 16th, 7am-11am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
Hollywood Free Laundry: Partnering alongside the owners of We-Fold-It, we are able to serve the community of Hollywood by getting to pay for their laundry! We will host a table with snacks, coffee and water for those who are waiting on their laundry, help people bring their laundry in and out of the facility, fold their laundry and use iPads to start the machines so that those we serve never have to open their wallets! TOMORROW, Saturday, August 16th, 7am-11:30am. Meet at We-Fold-It Laundromat, 6310 SC-162 Unit D, Hollywood, SC 29449.
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, August 18th; Monday, August 25th, 1pm-2:30pm. Meet at JFM.
Hope Center Tailgate: The Hope Center, managed by the city of Charleston, serves as a one-stop shop in downtown Charleston to assist those who are homeless or who are at-risk of being homeless. We’re sending a Tailgate Team to serve dinner to anyone who is hungry. Meet at Coastal on Tuesday, August 19th, 12pm-3pm.
Sewing Project: Sewing experience not required! Come and acquire a new skill while helping others in the community. This team of volunteers will work on zippered pouches for hygiene products that are distributed to those who need them throughout the month at our tailgates in the community. The project will also assist with lap quilts for the elderly in public housing facilities where the church conducts ministry and blankets for premature babies at East Cooper Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant. Even if you’ve never sewn anything in your life, our leaders would love to teach you everything you need to know to help in this ministry! Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, August 20th, 5pm-8pm.
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, August 21st, 11:30am-1pm.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, August 21st, 6-8pm. Meet at Coastal.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, August 22nd, 4pm-6pm. 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. - Attention all Life Group Leaders & Assistants – you 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 Newcomer’s 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 Newcomer’s Reception is THIS Sunday, August 17th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). You can sign up on our website today.
- Our Fall Volunteer Training for Coastal Kidz Volunteers is just around the corner! This time, our trainings are area-specific, so you will only attend the training that relates to you. Each training will be held after services from 12:45pm-2pm on their specific date. If you serve in multiple areas, pick the area you serve in most. If you are a buddy volunteer, pick the area you serve in most. If you are a check-in volunteer, there is no training this time around. Save the dates to your calendar and be on the lookout for registration links coming soon! *Childcare and pizza provided*
9-14: Nursery Volunteers
9-21: Preschool Volunteers (2’s, 3’s, 4-K)
9-28: Elementary Volunteers - Membership Class: Interested in officially making the Coastal church family, your church family? Our next Membership Class is Saturday, September 20th, from 9am-12noon, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email, sign up on our website, or sign up on your Connect Card (let us know if you need childcare). Breakfast & childcare provided!
P.S. Coastal Student Ministry (6th-12th Grade) Fall Kickoff will be Sunday, September 7th, 5:30pm-7pm (doors open at 5pm)! This is going to be a really fun night with open gym, food, games, and more! We invite your student to connect with other students and their adult leaders. We pray this night builds relationships that will last a lifetime! We hope to see your student there! REMIND THEM TO INVITE A FRIEND!
