Dear Coastal Friends & Family,
By now you’ve probably heard the evacuation order, lane reversal, and school closings from the Governor of SC regarding Hurricane Dorian. I want you to know that myself and Janet, and all of our pastors and staff are praying for you and for our community in the days ahead, and I ask you to do the same.
And while it’s still too early to tell exactly what impact Dorian will have on our area, I wanted to share a few important updates AND a little hope and encouragement for you today.
In light of Hurricane Dorian, school closings, and evacuation:
#1 – WAVES Wednesday kick-off (Student Ministry) has been cancelled this week.
#2 – All of our “Daring Faith” Campaign Information meetings scheduled for this week (Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, & Friday night) have been cancelled. We will probably schedule additional meetings, but we are asking everyone who signed up for one of the meetings this week to go ahead and find another meeting to attend and sign up online.
#3 – Right now, we feel it’s too early to make a decision about Saturday Serve. We are hoping and praying for the best. If everything in the low country goes well, hopefully those who have evacuated will be returning over the weekend. Saturday Serve might be a great opportunity for those available volunteers to serve the hungry/hurting and help those in need. We will make updates as we have more information.
#4 – We are believing that we WILL have services THIS Sunday, September 8th. Again, right now, we feel it’s still too early to make any call concerning this weekend. Like you, we’ll be watching the storm and the aftermath and will make the appropriate decision as soon as possible. Please be on the lookout for updates on our social media, text, and our calling service (the perfect time to use this tool).
With the storm making it’s way to us, I know many people are stressed and worried. Storms, however, really are a part of life, whether we give them names like Hugo, Matthew, Harvey, Irma, and now Dorian, or names like depression, bankruptcy, cancer, divorce, and death. God never promises us a storm free life, not even to the faithful, but He does promise to walk with us through the storm. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. And if we let Him, He even has the miraculous ability to use our greatest storm, our deepest pain, for our good and His glory. Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
There is help. There is healing. And there is hope. His name is Jesus. And that’s not just a trite saying, a t-shirt, or a meme. If you will draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. I know that to be true personally and so do many of you. In the days ahead, let’s strive to be a calming presence in the midst of the storm. Let’s show kindness where others show anger and hostility. Let’s be patient when surrounded with impatience. Let’s be the hands, heart, feet, and voice of Jesus to our community. Remember Coastal, we don’t just GO to church, WE ARE THE CHURCH! And as always, together we will look for ways to serve our community!
If you have any prayer requests or needs before, during, or after the storm, please send me an email. Know that you are loved! I’ll check in with you again soon. Be smart. Be safe. Be prayerful!
Psalm 62:5-8, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Standing Strong With You & Praying For You!
Pastor Chris
