LogoSGPC
5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-7770
 
This Week at Saxe Gotha 
January 18 , 2017

Remember All  
in Your  Prayers!
 
PRAYER LIST  
  • Bob Wall
  • Caden DeRouen
  • Caroline McNair 
  • Cathi Hopper's brother
  • Corley McMillan
  • Jana Gunter's mother
  • Kelly Coyle's mother
  • Mike Gulledge's family
  • Pam Cope's aunt
  • Sean Gannon's mother
  • Sheila Werner's mother/Kim Koon's grandmother
  • Keith Walker
ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS
  • Alice Peck
  • Bea Amsler
  • Betty Fleenor
  • Bill McCarter
  • Bill Schwartz
  • Brad Kneece's father
  • Connie Woodham
  • Dawn Barber's mother
  • Donnelle Glatz's mother
  • Esther Bennett
  • Esther Bennett's sister/Kelly Delk's aunt
  • Houston Jones' brother
  • Jackie Mims
  • Jamie Porth's sister
  • Jana Gunter's mother
  • Jean Cochran's mother
  • Jeff Fuller's daughter
  • Jimmie Rooks' sister
  • Jon Myers
  • Jule Bland
  • Katie Atkinson
  • Kay Luthren's mother
  • Kyle Anderson's mother
  • Leslie Clark's father
  • Mark Lang's father & great nephew
  • Marshall Edens
  • Merritt Wham
  • Mike Merck
  • Robby Kerr's mother
  • Robin Wilkes' sister
  • Stephanie McGee's aunt
  • Sunny Jewell's mother
  • Sunny Jewell's father
  • Tim Kehoe's sister
  • Tina Stallard
  • Wanda McCarthy
MILITARY
IN NON-COMBAT ZONES
  • Adam Gilmore - Air Force (CO) 
  • B. J. Manis (HI)
  • Brian Bishop
  • Connor Lundkovsky
  • Jamie Glatz (KY)
  • Jessica Glatz (HI)
  • John"Tripp" Bartlett - Army (AK)
  • Justin Smith - Air Force (Hawaii)
  • Ken Culbertson - National Guard (SC)
  • Ray Hammond - Air Force (SC)
  • Robert Holder (AK)
  • Ron Culbertson
  • Sean Spence - Coast Guard (AK)
  • Steven Shealy (SC)
  • Sumner Thomas (RI)
  • Wyatt Hughes - Army (Japan)
Please call the church office to make updates to our prayer list!  To see a complete list of prayer request policies, please refer to our Prayer webpage.
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Jim casual 8-2014
Dear Fellow Servants of Jesus Christ,
 
During Sunday's message, I asked the question, "Is Jesus Christ still the incarnate Son of God?"  I think a number were surprised to learn that he is!
 
The Gospel of John goes to great lengths to teach us that Jesus is God in the flesh - "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14).  Even after the crucifixion and resurrection, it is clear that Jesus is still the incarnate Son of God.  Jesus invites Thomas to touch his body, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27). 
 
Later, Jesus has breakfast with his disciples. (John 21:9-14).  He is not a disembodied spirit, rather Jesus enjoys a resurrected body which Paul describes using the oxymoron "spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:44).  After the Ascension, Jesus continues to possess a "spiritual body" as he "sits at the right hand of God."  Jesus continues to be fully God and fully human!  Indeed, human flesh in the form of a "spiritual body" is now part of the Trinity. 
 
This teaching is often referred to as the "permanence of the incarnation" and articles related to it can be found in the internet.  One good example is an article that appeared in Christianity Today back in 2004 entitled Incarnate Forever by J.I. Packer.  To see the full article, click here:  Christianity Today (March 2004)
 
As Packer points out, the permanence of the incarnation is crucial to our understanding of Jesus as our mediator.  "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5).  Jesus could not be our mediator if he didn't continue to be fully human and fully God. 
 
Also this teaching has implication for our eternal hope since by faith we claim Jesus' resurrection as our own.  Just as Jesus was raised, we too shall be raised!  Just as Jesus possesses a spiritual body free from sin's corruption, so shall we!  Consequentially, we will know one another in heaven as we maintain our identities in spiritual bodies.
 
While I could continue to elaborate on the importance of this teaching, let me close by saying that the incarnation along with the permanence of the incarnation point to the goodness of God's creation especially human life.  Human life was worth creating and human life is worth redeeming as Jesus became human flesh and continues to be in human flesh - a spiritual body.  Since Jesus experienced human life at every stage, every stage of life is of immense value whether in the womb - as a child, as a teenager, as an adult or even in the afterlife.  Human life is of great worth which is a truth that stands against those who seek to destroy it! 
 
We certainly have a truth to tell our sinful, broken world, don't we?
 
In Christ's love,
 
Pastor Jim
Stephen Ministry is our congregation's one-to-one  care giving  ministry.  These volunteers are lay members who provide a listening ear to those in need during a difficult time in their lives. These connections are confidential and matched up by gender. God works through Stephen Ministers to plant a seed of hope and healing in a person whose life seems barren and forlorn because of crisis or tragedy. What do Stephen Ministers do? These individuals listen to people in need; explore feelings; pray; share Christ's love; maintain confidentiality; and attend to the care-giving process, while leaving the results to God. Stephen Ministers have big hearts. If you are feeling unloved or need a friend, contact Jon Myers at 803.727.0322, referral coordinator for men, or  Carol Perrin  at 803.917.6690, the referral coordinator for women. Please know that your identity and requests are kept confidential.
New Member Welcome -  Please join us in welcoming new member Wesley "Wes" Lawton this  Sunday, January 22  at the 11:00 a.m. traditional service .

Sacrament of Baptism - " Bethany" Anita Kreyling will receive the Sacrament of Baptism this Sunday, January 22 at the 11:00 a.m. traditional service.

Christian love and sympathy  is extended to Kirk Holder on the death of his father, Tony McCluney on the death of his mother and Louise Viveros on the death of her brother. 
Wednesday Night Classes & Dinners 
Menu: Pork Tenderloin with Horseradish Sauce, Hash Brown Casserole, Corn, 7-Layer Salad, Drinks & Dessert.    
Cost:  Adults $5, Kids 3-11 $3, Family Max of $20.  Make reservations by completing the tear-off form on the bulletin or call the church office 803-359-7770.
Next Week's Menu: Balsamic Glazed Chicken, Green Salad, Corn, Rolls, Drinks & Dessert.
Sunday Night Classes begin Jan. 22
Prayer Focus: Our church-wide prayer focus for the month of January is the  persecuted church.   Key verse:  2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.  Visit http://www.icommittopray.com  for specific persecuted individuals and their stories. 
Nailbenders meet at 8:00 a.m. (Second Saturday of the month) at the Lexington Chick-fil-A (5560 Sunset Blvd.) then leave from there to assist individuals in need.  Everyone is welcome to help!  Please contact Keith Hall with questions khallk1@yahoo. com.
Saxe Gotha Child Development Center Registration Time! 
Church member preschool registration day is January 31 starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Welcome Center. Preschool classes available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
In conjunction with Palmetto Health Counseling, SGPC will be hosting a Soul Shop Workshop: February 9 (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

The objectives of Soul Shop are to:
- Familiarize attendees with the incidence and impact of suicidal desperation on the adults and youth in their churches, families and community.
- Train attendees in simple, conversational method for saving the life of someone considering suicide.
- Equip leaders to address suicidal desperation as a regular aspect of their life and work.
- Engage attendees in an ongoing, strategic effort to shift the ways that faith communities deal with suicide.   

Who can benefit from attending:
- Pastors and Youth Ministers 
- Church Leaders
- Family members affected by suicidal depression
- Mental Health Professionals
- Teachers and Coaches
- Managers and HR Professionals

More details and online registration can be found at www.soulshoplexington.org.  
Growing Through Divorce  -    This  class meets every Sunday from
Jan.  22 - Mar. 19 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. in  LH 138, and will be led by Saxe Gotha member, Carl Maki.  This class is open to  the community and there is no charge.  To register, please contact  Melissa Peel   (803) 359-7770 ext. 63 .
"Star Quest"
Search for the Stolen Scriptures
Join the fun as our elementary children in grades 1 - 5 begin work on our brand new Spring Musical.  Auditions for speaking parts, dancers and solos - January 22, 2107 at  5:30 in the Sanctuary.
Secret Keeper Girl coming to Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church Friday, February 3rd, 2017! 
The Purple Party is a Bible-based, relationship-building experience for moms and their tween daughters (typically ages 7-12).  Secret Keeper Girl offers moms proven tools to teach their girl to embrace true beauty and biblical modesty. Purchase tickets at www.itickets.com or at the church office receptionist desk. Please sign-up to volunteer during the event Secret Keeper Girl Helper Sign-Up.
Lexington's Race Against Hunger:  Our Seventeenth Annual Race is  February 25, 2017 .  This year's race will include a 10K Run, 5K Fitness Run/Walk and a 1-mile Fun Run.  Enjoy the exercise, fellowship, music, and post-race pizza.  Best of all, enjoy knowing that 100% of your registration will work to feed the hungry.  For more information or to register online, go to  www.lrah.org .  Registration forms are also available outside of the Library (Room 152).
 
LRAH NEEDS LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS!!!  We need help distributing registration forms and posters now.  On Friday, February 24th , we will need volunteers for shifts between 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. This includes help with spaghetti dinners, packet pick up, and event set up.   On Saturday, February 25th , we have shifts from 5:00 - 11:00 a.m.  We need help with breakfast, food and drinks, packet pick up, course monitors, and water stations. Contact Ray Renner at  rrenner@lrah.org  to volunteer.
The Middle School Ministry is happy to announce that we will be going to The Edge. T his summer conference is full of exciting activities, sports tournaments, church group times, worship and gospel-centered teaching. 

Who?   All students rising 6th though rising 8th are eligible to join in!  What?   The Edge is a middle school conference hosted at Covenant College (Lookout Mountain, GA).  When?  June 19th - 23rd.  Why?   To build Gospel centered relationships between our middle school students and leaders.  Cost?  $375 - This includes the cost of the conference, lodging, and all meals while we are at the conference and transportation.   There is a $350 Early Bird price if you sign-up by January 29th.   Deadline?  The deadline to sign-up is March 26th. We will need a $100 deposit to secure your spot and space is limited.   To sign-up, find a brochure around campus or  CLICK HERE .
This summer, our high school students will be headed to RYM's High School Conference in Panama City Beach, Florida! This conference will bring classroom time for personal growth, small group time for our group to bond together, large group time with a keynote speaker and worship, personal devotions and free time to enjoy the beach and all it has to offer. 
Who? This event is for high school students (rising 9th graders through Graduating 12th graders). What? This is one of the high school conferences hosted by Reformed Youth Ministries.
When? July 10th - 15th. Where? Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center in Panama City Beach, FL.  Why? To encourage our high school students to grow together and be built up in their faith.
Cost? $500 - This includes the cost of the conference, lodging, all meals while we are at the conference and transportation. There is a $475 Early Bird price if you sign-up by January 29th. Deadline? The deadline to sign-up is March 26th. We will need a $100 deposit to secure your spot (space is limited).

Please join us for this amazing experience as we grow
together as a group and individually in our relationship with God. CLICK HERE to register.
Saxe Gotha Aerobics - Exercise with the "SG Angels"- aerobics, body sculpting and ballet barre classes.  M, W and F (9:00 - 10:00 a.m.), M, Th (6:15 - 7:15 p.m.) and Sat. (9:15 - 10:15 a.m.) in
 the Welcome Center.  $25 for unlimited classes for the month or $5 per class.  
Please contact Vicki Beatty with questions
 (803)  26 0-5817 or vpbeatty@gmail.com.
Debt Free in Three:   Year 1: August 2016 - 17 (YTD)


Hebrews 12:1 "Let us strip off every weight that slows us down ... and run with endurance the race."
If you have lost your keys, please come by the church office to claim them.