O ur new sermon series focuses on one of the most incredible personalities  in the Old Testament - King David. David's story contains all of the elements of a blockbuster film. He rises from obscurity to fame, becomes an outlaw then king, and seeks after God's own heart and yet becomes a murderer and adulterer. Fighting against insurmountable odds, military campaigns, political intrigue and beautiful women are all a part of David's amazing life. This story of a shepherd who becomes the King of Israel offers us not only rich drama, but also life lessons that can help us in our relationship with the Lord. In David, we find a person who experienced both the guilt of heinous sin and the depth of God's love and forgiveness. When we look at the person of David, we see elements of ourselves including our weaknesses and inconsistencies in our walk with the Lord. Let us learn together from a man who did great things as well as awful things before God.

Vacation Bible School: "In the Wild" will be held June 24-28, 2019.   

To  register:   https://saxegotha.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/215700

Summer Church Events:

To register: http://saxegotha.org/ministries/recreation-health/

Wedding Shower: SGPC women will be having a drop-in for Helen Harrison Coker this Sunday, May 19, in the Fellowship Hall from 3:00 - 5:00 pm.  Ladies of all ages are invited.  Kathy Seymour is coordinating a group to decorate: [email protected].

[email protected]  or 803-238-6905.

 

OUR SOUTH SUDAN MINISTRY REPORTS:
Message from Mrs. Lydia Agolory, Minister of Women, Children and Gender for Boma State, South Sudan

 

Note:  Boma State is the focus of our South Sudan ministry. We work with Mrs. Agolory to assist getting girls into schools by providing hygiene kits.

 

She reports, "Right now I'm in Juba attending a workshop about women's land rights.  Women's rights including land rights, are hot issues in South Sudan.  Ten days ago, we (the Government of Boma State) were able to recover ten abducted children, four from Jonglei State and six from Bieh State." (Note: These are areas which are primarily inhabited by other ethnic groups.  Returning kidnapped children is a powerful way to promote inter-tribal peace.) " My work is not easy because of many challenges, but I must overcome all these challenges - for these are my people. "

 

"What I want from you is prayers for me and my family because being away from them for long time is not easy.  And continue praying for Boma State in general.  Two weeks ago, some of our Murle youth attacked the Jie tribe and abducted 61 children, 43 women and about 100 cattle.  I am frustrated and annoyed because our state government seems unable to do anything about this incident."

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR LYDIA, THE PEOPLE OF BOMA STATE AND ALL OF SOUTH SUDAN.

YAMS Bible Study: Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 pm at Jenny and Moses Andrews' house.  Please contact Kalie Wehunt with questions: kaliewehunt@ gmail.com.

Flower Ministry: The presence of flowers in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings brings added beauty and Glory to God during worship. There is a notebook available on the podium in the Narthex to sign-up to provide flowers or you can contact Robin Wilkes at: 803-530-7603. Also, Robin will deliver the flowers to the nursing home of your choice if you do not have plans for them after the service.  

We would like to encourage members to donate flowers in memory or celebration of family milestones.

Babysitter List: We would like to create a babysitter list for our members and visitors.  If you or your child is a Red Cross Certified Babysitter and would like to be on this list, please email Renee Starnes your name, contact information and your child's name to:  [email protected] .  If you are interested in becoming certified, the Red Cross offers an online course.  The Red Cross link is:  www.redcross.org/take-a-class/babysitting-child-care or you can search "Red Cross Babysitter Course Lexington SC" in your browser.

Substitute Bus Drivers Needed - We are looking for substitute bus drivers for the Saxe Gotha Child Development Center.  A CDL license is required, but Pete Eckert and Tony McCluney are happy to train new drivers.  In addition to serving as a substitute bus driver, there are many other opportunities to serve by driving a church bus. For example, we would love to have you volunteer to drive the bus for Migrant Ministry this summer. 
Contact Pete Eckert if you are interested: [email protected].

Senior Adult Luncheon - Thursday, May 23 - 11:30 am - 1:30 pm in the SGPC Gym.   Entertainment provided by:  Cathy McGill and Carolyn & Michael Sosebee.   Reservations required by Tuesday, May 21.   Please call  Traci Burns at the church office: 803-359-7770 or [email protected].   Cost:  $7 per person, payable at the door.

Drive Thru Prayer:  (May 21, 3rd Tuesday of the month) 7 :15-8:15 am, SGPC  Parking Lot.  Join together as we love and support community members in need of prayer. We will need prayer warriors, enthusiastic sign holders and traffic directors.

We are looking for more people to help, because two of our regular volunteers are no longer available due to scheduling conflicts.  To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email  [email protected] .

Nailbenders : Meet at 8:00 am (June 8, 2nd Saturday of the month) at the Chick-fil-A at 5560 Sunset Blvd, then leave from there to assist individuals in need.  Everyone is welcome to help! Contact Keith Hall with questions:  [email protected] .

Lexington One Backpack Program: Saxe Gotha partners with Lexington School District One to support the Backpack Program. Items Needed for Backpacks: juice boxes, cereal/granola bars, snack crackers, single serving cereal boxes/bowls, raisins, peanut butter, fruit cups/pouches (please no applesauce cups), pudding cups, oatmeal packets. If you or your small group is interested in donating food or packing bags to assist with this effort, please contact Holly Waldrip:  [email protected] . Also, you can place donations in the blue bin in the church main office. Thank you for your help! 

Tips for Giving By Text:  

Saxe Gotha's Text Giving #: 803-302-3499

• If you text a monetary value, the funds are attributed to the church's default fund.

• If you text a monetary value + a fund name, the funds will be attributed to that fund name.

• You can also text the following: "Funds" (will  give you a list of fund names), "Help" (to get assistance with gifting via text), or  "Reset" (will remove saved credit card information).

Amazon Smile: During t he first quarter of 2019, we received $100 towards DF3 from Amazon!  Did you know that when shopping Amazon they 

will make a donation to Saxe Gotha that will go towards Debt Free in Three, with no additional cost to you? The only requirement is to  go through smile.amazon.com instead  of Amazon.com and choose Saxe Gotha as your charity of choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service, but with each purchase you help reduce the debt.

F.I.S.H Teams:   5/19: Team 5, 5/26: Team 6.