(Last minute edit): Coastal, like you, I see the news and the events of each day, and I experience the full range of emotion – anger, sadness, and everything in between. However, it is my prayer that I will not allow the Evil One to distract or divert me from our mission. As I’ve been reading through Ephesians over and over again, preparing for this series, one verse stands out this week. Ephesians 5:16, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” The days in which we live ARE EVIL. Evil people do evil things. In fact, as I read and interpret my Bible, I actually expect things to get much worse before they ultimately get better. But that’s exactly why it’s such an opportune time for followers of Jesus and His church, because there is such a spiritual void today. The world is coming unraveled. And all the money and education, and laws, and politicians and prisons can’t restrain the evil in men’s hearts. So they are searching. The good news is we have the answers! Only the gospel of Jesus and His church can not only restrain evil, but transform men’s hearts from evil to good. This is an opportune time like no other for the church to rise up, for you and me, to impact our world for Jesus. Don’t you see, the darker the cave gets, the more valuable it is to have a light. And Jesus said in Matt. 5:14, “You are the light of the world. You’re to be a city set on a hill that can’t be hidden.” So, let’s let our light shine!
(Original Friday 5):
It was another amazing Sunday at Coastal this past week! It was LIFE Group Sunday! We Baptized 2 more people (167 so far this year), and we had 1401 people in-person and another 1087 online! By the way, I want to thank those of you who have been parking over at Oakland or have shifted from the second service to the 1st or 3rd. It all makes a difference and it all helps us make room for one more person. After all, that’s what it’s all about, right? Leaving the 99 to find the one and being willing to do whatever it takes to reach them and make room for them.
Now, back to LIFE Group Sunday. I can’t thank all of our LIFE Group Leaders enough for all of their hard work and creativity this past Sunday! As usual, they “knocked it out of the park”! It was as though you could reach out and touch the excitement, fun, and enthusiasm in the room! Plus, are you ready for this, so far we’ve had over 1335 total signups for LIFE Groups! That’s AWESOME! And then to top the day off, despite what felt like a monsoon of rain that afternoon, there were 106 Students for the CSM Kickoff!! WOW, just WOW!
While several of our LIFE Groups are already full, many are not. So go to our website, check out the catalog, and sign up for a LIFE Group today! Once you sign up for a LIFE Group, your Group Leader will contact you with all the important information. Most LIFE Groups begin THIS coming week. If you have any questions about Groups, please reach out to Pastor Scott Huff.
Don’t forget that THIS Sunday, September 14th, I’ll be kicking off our series from the New Testament book of Ephesians. I’ll be preaching from Ephesians 1:1-14 where Paul talks about all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. I would seriously encourage you to read the passage in multiple translations and make a list of all the blessings you see in the passage. We truly are blessed beyond measure! I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love digging into God’s Word with you!
Blessed Beyond Measure,
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
2nd Saturday Meal: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 13th, 9am-11am. Come serve with us as we prepare a hot meal in the Coastal kitchen and then deliver those meals to one of our awesome ministry partners – organizations like Charleston Vets, S.C. Strong, Brighton Place, Joseph Floyd Manor and more!
Double Tailgate Day – Meeting Street & Joseph Floyd Manor: TOMORROW, Saturday, September 13th, 10:30am-1:30pm. Meet at the church and then pick which Tailgate you’d like to serve.
Clothing Team: Come help sort & organize all the clothes we distribute! Monday, September 15th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 2952 Old Pond Road on Johns Island.
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, September 15th, 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, September 16th, 12pm-3pm.
VA Hospitality Project: This team serves at the VA Hospital in Charleston by providing a hospitality cart, greeting incoming patients and employees, visiting patients, and helping Volunteer Services with small sorting projects. Wednesday, September 17th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
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, lap quilts, and blankets. Meet at Coastal on Wednesday, September 17th, 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, September 18th, 11:30am-1pm.
Patriot Villas Veterans Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Veterans at Patriot Villas on Thursday, September 18th, 6-8pm. Meet at Coastal.
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: Friday, September 19th, 8:30am-11:30am. Meet at Coastal.
Lowcountry Orphan Relief: Lowcountry Orphan Relief provides support services and aid to meet the needs of Lowcountry children identified as at-risk or suffering from abandonment, abuse and/or neglect. Coastal will be serving there Friday, September 19th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
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. - 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, October 5th, in our Chapel immediately following the 11:30am service (at approximately 12:45pm). You can sign up on our website today.
- Attention Coastal Young Adults! We’re having a Fall Beach RetreatNovember 14th-16th at Folly Beach! We will meet there for check-in between 6pm-7pm Friday. We will have discussion, community, games, activities relating to our theme, food and more! Sign up now for the best price! The cost is $50/person. Register here now! Contact Morgan Rainey with additional questions at morgan@coastalcommunitychurch.org.
- Our Fall Volunteer Training for Coastal Kidz Volunteers begins this week for our nursery volunteers! 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 register at the links below.
*Childcare and pizza provided*
Click on the link below to sign up for your Training:
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. Text the keyword ME to 843-571-1777 to view and update your contact information, manage your giving, access your giving statement, and more! If you receive an error, that means we do not have your cell phone number in our church system – fill out your Connect Card with your information and check the “change in contact information” box. Questions about anything Coastal? Simply text your question to the number above and we’ll assist you.
