God’s Spirit is moving in such a powerful way right now at Coastal! That was evident in so many ways on Sunday and this week. And it’s not just our attendance, although that has definitely been growing. We had over 1400 people in person and over 1200 online. We had to bring out more chairs in the 10am service. We had a scheduled Baptism during the 3rd service and then an impromptu Baptism immediately after the service – 169 Baptisms so far this year! A group of people laid hands on and prayed for a man who was having open heart surgery this week. We prayed with a woman who came forward for prayer because she had been walking in shame and guilt over a sin in her life from over 2 years ago. We’ve had a record number of people show up for Groups this week! 76 Students were at CSM on Sunday night! 59 Young Adults were at the Porch on Monday night. I had 40 men come to my Wednesday morning Men’s Group.
And then let me share this special story with you. A young woman came up to me after one of our services. I’ve known this woman and her family for 34 years. In fact, she first showed up at Coastal as a 3 year old toddler on Easter Sunday, 1991 with her mom, a recently divorced single mom. To make a long and very beautiful story short, Jesus simply got a hold of this mom and her family. Over time, one by one, Jesus radically and eternally transformed the mom, her siblings, and her parents. She became an integral part of our church, and one of mine and Janet’s best friends – a real and true Sister in Christ. Her daughter grew up to be a sweet, smart, beautiful, young woman. However, like many young people do, when she was old enough to make decisions on her own, she did. And she chose to go her own way. That path was a long and winding road. Now, over the years I’d see her here at Coastal when she would come with her mom on a special day. And she’s always had a lot of love and respect for me, our church, and the undeniable impact we’ve made on her family over the years. Well, she and her mom moved about an hour south of here and now we don’t see them as much. But this past Sunday, the young woman showed up to Coastal on her own. Actually I think she came in town for a concert with a friend on Saturday and then came to church on Sunday. When I saw her after church, I gave her a big hug and told her, “You made my day!” In tears she said, “Pastor Chris I just wanted you to know that I gave my life to Christ today.” I hugged her again and said, “Now you’ve really made my day!” She just wanted to thank me for the message, the service, and the impact our church has made. I can’t wait to sit down with her soon and hear all about her journey and encourage her in her next steps. She crossed over, from death to LIFE! And that is worth celebrating!
And trust me Coastal, that is the short version of that story, her story. And you know exactly what I mean because all of us have a story, a long and beautiful story of redemption and how God used so many things, people, and experiences to draw us to Himself. And listen, that story and all the others from Sunday and this week didn’t happen because of ME or anyone else. They happen because through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is boldly proclaimed, the Gospel is faithfully shared, and Jesus is lifted up high for all to see! We make much of Jesus here at Coastal! Jesus is the only name that will unify and rally God’s people and change the world! Jesus is the only hope of this sinful and evil world! And so until Jesus comes again or calls me home that’s what we will do – point people to Him!
This Sunday I’ll be preaching from Ephesians 1:15-23 and talking about how we pray for each other as Christians. My guess is that many of you are carrying heavy burdens right now. Your heart is breaking for our country, our world, and the pain and sadness you feel and see for so many. I want to challenge and encourage you to come forward at the end of our services on Sunday for prayer with our Prayer Team. Pray for yourself, pray for our country, our world, your brothers and sisters in Christ, that friend, neighbor, family member, co-worker, or classmate that you have been inviting to church. Pray for your children, your spouse, your marriage, that friend who has lost a loved one. Simply come forward, unburden your soul at the feet of Jesus and pray. I hope you will. I love you Coastal! I love being your Pastor! And I love being on mission with you!
Lifting Up Jesus With You,
Pastor Chris
- UPCOMING OUTREACH PROJECTS:
Coffee & Doughnuts with the Vets at Patriot Villas: TODAY, 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 TODAY, Friday, September 19th, 9:30am-11:30am. Meet at 1850 Truxton Ave in North Charleston.
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 22nd, 1pm-2:30pm. 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 Chair Volleyball, a meal, and devotion. Kid Friendly! Tuesday, September 23rd, 1:30pm-3:30pm. Meet at: Brighton Place, 1429 Orleans Road.
VA Stand Down for Homelessness: If our Outreach team is known for two things, we think it would be loving our veterans and feeding the community! The best is when we get to do both at once. We have the opportunity to go to VA Standdown for Homelessness again this year! Here, we will be feeding everyone in attendance. This is a busy event where you can anticipate people ready to eat and chat. Let’s feed our veterans together!. Wednesday, September 24th, 10am-2pm. 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 24th, 5pm-8pm.
Brighton Place Tailgate: We will be putting on a Tailgate for the Brighton Place community (here in West Ashley – near Citadel Mall) on Wednesday, September 24th, 6-8:30pm. Meet at Coastal.
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 25th, 11:30am-1pm.
Downtown Charleston “Hotdog Ministry”: We will be grilling and serving hotdogs to the homeless and hungry downtown! Friday, September 26th, 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. - 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 has begun! Last week was our Nursery Volunteers. This Sunday is our Preschool Volunteers and the following Sunday is for our Elementary Volunteers. Each training is held after services from 12:45pm-2pm on their specific date.
*Childcare and pizza provided*
Click on the link below to sign up for your Training:
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 TOMORROW, Saturday, September 20th, from 9am-12noon, in the Chapel. You can respond to this email or sign up on our website. Breakfast & childcare provided!
P.S. Sign up on your Connect Card or text the keyword DEVO to (843) 571-1777 to receive the Ephesians Devotional delivered to your email inbox during the series.
