LogoSGPC
5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-7770
 
This Week at Saxe Gotha 
July 11, 2018

Remember All 
in Your Prayers!
 
PRAYER LIST
  • Bryan Cully's aunt and uncle
  • Coke Floyd's sister
  • Diane Mathias' brother
  • Hope Jordan's mother
  • Isabella Keisler
  • John Sullivan
  • Keith Horres
  • Pete Eckert
  • Ransom Cooper's son
  • Sarah Harvie
  • Stephanie Jones-Fitts
  • Tim Vinson
  • Tony McCluney
  • Trudi Greene
ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS
  • Alice Peck
  • Ann Austin
  • Anna Capps
  • Auddie Brown
  • Bea Amsler
  • Beth Klaes
  • Bill McCarter
  • Bill Schwartz
  • Bob Hinson
  • Carol Gose's nephew
  • Dawn Barber's mother
  • Donnelle Glatz's mother
  • Gary and Edie Athey's son
  • Jana Gunter's mother
  • Jimmie Rooks' sister/Stephanie McGee's aunt
  • John Burbage
  • Jon Myers
  • Josh Rives
  • Joyce Murphy's mother
  • Jule Bland
  • Kay Luthren's mother
  • Lee Ann Alexander's mother
  • Leslie Clark's father
  • Lydia Ropp
  • Marshall Edens
  • Melinda Martin's mother
  • Merritt Wham
  • Pansy Floyd's sister
  • Rhonda Russell
  • Robby Kerr's mother
  • Sunny Jewell's father
  • Tillman Kyzer
  • Tim Kehoe's sister
  • Tristan Groscost
  • Trudi Greene
  • Vicki Williamson's granddaughter
  • Wanda McCarthy
DEPLOYED
 (Non-Combat Zones) 
  • Chad Nabors
  • Ray Hammond's nephew
SERVING WITHIN THE USA
  • Adam Gilmore
  • B. J. Manis
  • Bob Rabon
  • Brian Bishop
  • Connor Lundkovsky
  • Jamie Glatz 
  • Jessica Glatz
  • John"Tripp" Bartlett
  • Ken Culbertson 
  • Michael Smoak
  • Robert Holder
  • Ron Culbertson
  • Sean Spence 
  • Steven Shealy 
  • Sumner Thomas 
  • Wyatt Hughes
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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Dear Fellow Servants of Jesus Christ, Jim casual 8-2014

As I write, numerous news outlets are reporting that all 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach have been rescued from the Tham Laung cave complex in Thailand. The team entered the caves on June 23rd. Heavy rains caused the water in the caves to rise, trapping the team. Imagine the horror of being trapped in a cave filling with water - the fear, the hopelessness.
 
The parallels between the trapped boys and our spiritual condition apart from Christ are remarkable.
 
1. Our situation without Christ is hopeless .
The Apostle Paul describes our condition by writing:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Paul puts it plainly: Our condition is grim. We are "dead" in our sins - it can't be more hopeless!
 
2. We can't save ourselves.
There was absolutely no way for the trapped soccer team to save themselves. There was simply no way out. Likewise, there is no hope for us in our sins unless someone dares to rescue us. We cannot save ourselves. Again, we are "dead" in our transgressions and sins.
 
3. There is only one way out of our predicament.
The soccer team had only one option to be saved. Only the plan developed by the rescuers would deliver them from their hopeless predicament. Likewise, there is only one way to salvation for us. No one can rescue us from our sins but God in the person of Jesus. Jesus himself said: " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 14:6)
 
4. Our rescue requires sacrifice.
Sadly, Saman Kunam, a retired Thai navy SEAL died in the rescue. He was placing scuba tanks along the exit route when he ran out of air. Rescues always require a cost. Sometimes the cost is minimal in time, resources and effort, but far too many times our first responders and others pay with their lives.
 
The price of God rescuing from our sins was beyond comprehension. God himself in the person of Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. As this amazing verse tells us:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
 
As you think about the remarkable rescue of the soccer team, think about what Jesus did for you and ask yourself, "How can I share this great news with a person in my life who needs to hear it?"
 
In Christ's love,
Pastor Jim
Prayer Focus for July: Missions and Outreach Ministries

Christian Love & Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Craig Lemrow on his passing.  

Sermons Available Online: To listen to past sermons, please go to  www.saxegotha.org/media .
Debt Free in Three Yard Sale: 
The Saxe Gotha Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, July 21, from 7:00 am-1:00 pm in the Atrium of the Light House. The yard sale will benefit the Debt Free in Three campaign. Please consider shopping, volunteering, donating items and spreading the word. 
Donation drop off is July 16-20 from 12:00 noon-8:00 pm in the Light House. 
Contact: Kathy Seymour: 4kathys@gmail.com.
Youth Summer Wednesday Nights (6:30-7:30 pm):
July 18: LH Parking Lot-Messy Games Night. Don't wear good clothes!
July 25: Saxe Gotha Gym- Throwback Dodgeball Tournament. Recruit neighbors and friends to put together a 4-man team.
Aug. 1: Frankie's Fun Park- Bring some money for games, and we'll hang out.
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July 20: MS Lake Day (click here to register) /   July 27: MS Late Night, 7:00-11:30 pm (Rising 6th-8th)
July 30-Aug. 2: HS Local Mission Week
Aug. 3: HS Mystery Trip (Rising 9th-12th)
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Sunday Afternoon Small Groups: HS (4:00-5:00 pm, Café) and MS (5:30-6:30, Girls-Well, Boys-Café)
Church Directory Pictures This Fall! The Directory is coming, photography dates are set - there will be 10 dates to sign-up online to get your photographs taken. Please look for exact dates, times and room numbers to be announced on July 29.
Belize Mission Trip: (July 30) The team will lead VBS in 2 villages and consists of Liz Carpenter, Jean Cochran,  Alisa Dunovant, James Dunovant, Michelle Faust, Rebekah Flanagan, Jim Glatz, Jim Hickman, Gina Parades, Andrew Woodham, Bootsie Wynn and Eve Barker.  We are asking for your prayers.  If you would like to make a donation, we could use inflatable soccer balls, childrens soccer shirts, one new stethoscope, one new wrist blood pressure monitor and various school supplies such as crayons, pencils and glue sticks. 
We would also like large, old suitcases that are in good working order (these will not be returned).  You can leave these items in the church office, but we need to have them all by Monday, July 23.  You can contact Eve Barker at  evebarker@netscape.net  with questions or to let her know what you are planning to contribute. 
Classics - Senior's Summer Suppers & Speakers meet on Wednesday nights at 5:30 p.m. in Room 151 to share a meal (please bring your own bag meal).  After the meal, we move to Room 152 for an interesting presentation.  All Senior adults are welcome.  Please come enjoy the fellowship.  Reservations not required.
 
Weekly  Speakers for Senior Summer Programs:
July 11:  4th of July Picnic at John/Mary Claire's Man Cave  
July 18: State Parks in SC.  Speaker: Paul McCormick
July 25: Zoo from the beginning to the present.  Speaker: Jim Wilhide
Aug. 1: Carolina Backcountry: Speaker: John Poland
Aug. 8: Updates of computer/iphones, plus security/scams. Speaker: Mike Graves
Aug. 15: Wingard Nursery: type and care of container plants in our area. Speaker: TBD.
Movie Night:   Thursday, July 19 in Room 151 at 5:00 pm.   Movie "The Choice" starring Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer begins at 5:30 pm.  Bring appetizers or desserts to share with friends.  Popcorn, iced tea and water will be provided.  Reservations are not required. 
Blood Drive:
Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church & Lexington UMC.   Monday, July 16 from 2:00-7:00 pm in the SGPC Gym.  All donors will receive a free box of Girl Scout cookies.  To schedule an appointment go to  www.redcrossblood.org Enter Sponsor code:  LexingtonUMC.
Mother's Morning Out registration is now open! Children 3 months - 24 months join us for our upcoming semester starting September 11.  We meet Tuesday through Thursday each week from 9:00 am-1:00 pm, but you can create your own schedule.  To register or find out more contact Sara McCarter at  smccarter@saxegotha.org  or 359-7770 ext. 49.  To find out more about the program, please click here.  
Migrant Ministry Volunteers will meet every Tuesday evening until August 7. We need volunteers to serve meals and provide dessert.  Anyone interested should meet at the SGPC church office at 6:00 pm on Tuesdays and ride the bus to Batesburg/Leesville. Note: Some of the rural roads may be too rough for your car. Contact Pete Eckert 608- 9835 or email:  missions@saxegotha.org for additional information. 
Usher Ministry: Would you like to help out by being an Usher, Greeter or Crew member? If you would like to enjoy fellowship in serving, join the FISH Team.  Contact Deck Hudson 359-5482 or email  spursusc@aol.com.  
Fall Sermon Series and Small Groups: "We Were Made for Relationships." Starting September 9, we will begin a 6-week study "40 Days of Love" by Rick Warren. We would like to put together a list of small group leaders and locations, much like we did for "40 Days in the Word" a few years ago. Please let Helen Harrison Coker know if you are able to lead a group: hcoker@saxegotha.org. There is a leaders guide and video lesson for each week, so all you really need is a location (home, office, school) to host a small group.
Summer Combined Sunday School: (Through July 29) Room 151 MB, 9:45 -10:30 am. Any and all adults are welcome to join us, whether they go to Sunday school on a regular basis or not. We will study Colossians, along with the sermon series. Questions? Contact HH Coker at hcoker@saxegotha.org or 359-7770 ext. 40.  
 
Date:
Passage:
Topic:
July 15 
Col 3:18-4:1
The Christian Household
July 22 
Col 4:2-18
Together in Prayer
July 29   
 
End of Class Social!

Drive Thru Prayer:  Tuesday, July 17 (3rd Tuesday of the month)  8:00-9:00 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. To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email  missions@saxegotha.org .
Renewal:  Scripture Memorization
Don't forget to join the Scripture memory challenge, Renewal!  It's not too late to begin. For more details and to stay up to date, check out the Renewal Facebook page.  All you need to do on the 1st and 15th of the month is post your name, city, state and scripture.  Let's join together and fill our hearts with scripture! 
Summer Choir Schedule:
July-  Rehearsals on July 11  and 25. No rehearsal on July 18.
August- Rehearsal on August 15. No rehearsals on August 1, 8 and 22. Regular rehearsals resume on August 29.
YAMs July Events: 
Thursday, July 12 at 7:00 pm:  Jenny and Moses Andrews will be hosting the next YAMs Bible study as we begin the first 2 chapters of our book "Setting Down Roots:  Leaving Behind the Tumbleweed Life".   Please contact Moses at 864-505-9018 or Jenny at 336-847-0903 for directions to their house and more information.  Click here or the book link.

Tuesday, July 24 at 6:00 pm: The YAMs will have a service night with the Migrant Ministry. Come and serve the migrant workers from Batesburg-Leesville.  Arrive at the church offices at 6:00 pm to ride the SGPC bus to Batesburg-Leesville Presbyterian Church.  Contact Kalie Wehunt at 803-727-0696 for more information. 
Flower Ministry: The presence of flowers in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings brings added beauty and Glory to God during our weekly gatherings for 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.
 

Temporary Location Change for Nailbenders :
Meet at 8:00 a.m. (Second Saturday of the month) at the Lexington IHOP (while the Chick-fil-A at 5560 Sunset Blvd. is under construction) then leave from there to assist individuals in need.  Everyone is welcome to help! Contact Keith Hall with questions: 
Nailbenders.sg@gmail.com .
Volunteers Needed for The Bereavement Ministry:  
If you enjoy cooking, baking or serving others, please prayerfully consider volunteering to help with the Bereavement Ministry. We provide light food for receptions following funerals for Saxe Gotha members or a meal for family members on the day of a funeral. This could not happen without help from Saxe Gotha members. If you think you may be interested in helping with this much needed Ministry please call Vicki Williamson at 803-957-5068 for more information.
Amazon SmileWhen shopping on Amazon.com, please remember to go through  smile.amazon.com . This sends donations to Saxe Gotha with each purchase.
CHRISTIANS IN CAREER TRANSITION (C.I.C.T.):
In today's economy, many individuals are facing the difficult reality of finding a new position or alternative employment. This ministry assists individuals with writing a resume, improving interviewing skills, or providing support as one goes through this time of transition. The group is available to meet with you on an as needed basis.  Please contact Kathy Arrowsmith (803.238.6905 or at kca21@yahoo.com) to schedule a meeting with the Christians in Career Transition Ministry.
Stephen Ministry  is our congregation's one-to-one care giving ministry. 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  Carol Perrin  at (803)917-6690 , the referral coordinator. Please know that your identity and requests are kept confidential.
F.I.S.H Teams:   7/15: Team 3, 7/22: Team 4, 7/29: Team 5.

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).
Debt Free in Three

  Year 1 - Ended July 31, 2017

Year 2 - Ends July 31, 2018
(Raised as of July 1, 2018)  

To give to the Debt Free in Three Campaign or General Budget, click here.

Hebrews 12:1 "Let us strip off every weight that slows us down ... and run with endurance the race."