This Week's Newsletter
August 12, 2020
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Dear Saxe Gotha Church Family,
This past Sunday, I talked about how the church is growing in Iran. Given the oppression and persecution that believers endure there, it seems that Iran would be one of the last places on earth the church would grow. Praise the Lord that this is not the case! More and more people are coming to know Christ despite the government’s opposition to the gospel.
How is the gospel advancing in Iran? Well, let me mention three things that can help us advance the good news of Christ in our increasingly secular culture. These three things are practices that the church has used since its beginning to advance the kingdom of Christ. Yet, we often neglect them in the American church.
First, Iranian Christians take the responsibility to share their faith in Christ seriously. Even in the face of persecution, Iranian Christians display remarkable courage in telling others about Jesus. They take personal evangelism seriously. For some strange reason, American Christians think sharing the faith is optional. Iranian Christians know that sharing their faith is part of being a Christian.
The Iranian Christians believe the gospel to be good news! And good news demands to be shared! If we get engaged, receive a promotion or win a competition, we want to tell people about it! Many of us quickly turn to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to let people know our good news. Why are we silent when it comes to the good news of salvation in Christ? Is it because we really don’t think it is good news? Well, the Iranian Christians believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, and they are eager to tell others.
Secondly, Iranian Christians worship and encourage each other in small groups. While there are approximately 20 “above ground” churches in Iran, these receive a lot of government scrutiny. Therefore, many Iranian Christians meet underground in homes. They meet in small groups of 8-12 people. When the group begins to exceed this number, they subdivide for 2 reasons:
1) to avoid attention by the government.
2) to further advance the gospel through multiplication.
Since many of us don’t feel safe meeting in a large groups right now, perhaps this small group approach is something you may want to try. You may want to start a Bible study or prayer group. Perhaps you could use the Saxe Gotha online worship services and devotions or other materials such as those found on RightNow Media as resources for your small group. You may want to begin your small group by inviting those you feel safe connecting with – family members, friends and neighbors. Social distancing, wearing masks and other measures could be taken to ensure a safe experience.
Thirdly, the Iranian Christians pass their faith on to the next generation. In fact, when a person in Iran comes to know the Lord, usually the first people they share their faith with are their family members. In many cases, dozens of people from extended families have come to know Jesus. How are you sharing the good news with your family and discipling them?
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult for us to do ministry the way we have grown accustomed, our mission hasn’t changed. We are called to make disciples who in turn will make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). That mission will not change until Jesus returns.
How does the Lord want to use you to do “a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) to advance his kingdom in that place in which he has placed you?
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In Christ's Love,
Pastor Jim
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Prayer Focus for August:
The next generation (youth and children).
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New Member: John Mackenzie will be joining on August 16 at the 8:30 am Traditional service.
Christian Love is extended to Rosanne Mankin on the death of her brother and to Debbie Raines on the death of her father.
Encounters with God Books Available: We have the current booklets available. Please email Pansy Floyd to let her know that you would like to receive one via the mail: pfloyd@saxegotha.org.
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Church Safety Plans for In-Person Worship: |
There are 2 services: 8:30 am Traditional in the Sanctuary and 11:00 am AWE (Contemporary) in the Light House. This arrangement allows us to use the facility once a week, since it would be impossible to sanitize the Sanctuary and AWE Auditorium for a subsequent service.
To keep participants safe, social distancing, masks, and use of hand sanitizer are required. The pews and chairs are staggered and set-up for social distancing, and family units are asked to sit together. To keep everyone safe, we will not be doing any congregational singing at any of the services. Also, we are not offering nursery or children’s church. In addition, please note that during services to help make sure that the speakers can be heard, masks will not be worn by those speaking or singing on stage, but 3 times the recommended spacing is utilized as a precaution.
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Lexington School District One Backpack Program:
Saxe Gotha will be partnering with Lexington School District One to support the Backpack Program. As a partner, we will help fill backpacks and send them to schools for weekly distribution to children who have great need.
Each child identified as having need will receive a backpack filled with child-friendly, nutritious, easy-to-open food to last over the weekend.
Items Needed for Backpacks:
juice boxes
cereal/granola bars
snack crackers
single serving cereal boxes / bowls
mac and cheese / Chef Boyardee
peanut butter
fruit cups/pouches, raisins (please no applesauce cups)
pudding cups
oatmeal packets
Please contact Holly Waldrip for a donation pick-up: 803-931-6218 or waldrip@sc.rr.com.
The youth are planning to pack food bags for the backpack ministry. We are accepting food or monetary donations for this event. Food items should be left in the narthex, atrium or outside of the main office in the box labeled "backpack ministry." Monetary donations can be made to SGPC with “backpack ministry” in the memo line.
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First Impressions Team - Call for Volunteers! |
The First Impressions Team is in need of Ushers and CREW members. Please call or email Carl Hammond at 803-767-0864 or hammondcb@yahoo.com if you are interested. All volunteers assist once every 6 weeks. |
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Current Sermon Series: Stories that Matter |
Everybody loves a good story and Jesus was a fantastic storyteller! This summer we will be studying the parables of Jesus. We, of course, will not be covering all of the 40+ parables that Jesus told, but we will be studying 12 of them. A simple definition of a parable is that it is an earthly story about spiritual things. Consequentially, these stories matter -- they have eternal significance! So, please plan to join us as we listen to our Master Storyteller tell us stories that can transform our lives. |
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Upcoming Sermon Series: Characters |
Beginning Sunday, August 30
Characters gives us a glimpse into the lives of people of faith. During the next year, we will be challenged as we dig deeper into the context and setting of each person’s life – gaining new insights into the world in which they lived and connecting their world with ours. Along the way, truths that impact our lives today will be discovered as we see the challenges, struggles and opportunities faced by people seeking to follow God. In many of these stories, we will find ourselves and our need for a Savior. We pray that through these studies, we will be transformed and better equipped to fulfill God’s purposes in our world today.
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Upcoming Wednesday Nights - WorshipLife |
Wednesday Nights at 6:30 pm,
Beginning September 9
(We plan to gather in the gym from 5:30 – 6:30 pm to eat a picnic-style supper that attendees will bring, and then move to the Light House Auditorium for the Worship Service/Lesson at 6:30 pm followed by small group break out time.)
WorshipLife: This 6-week campaign is designed to lead you on an exciting journey of discovering how to honor God in the everyday!
The goals of the WorshipLife campaign are:
- To disciple believers about true, biblical praise.
- To encourage believers to praise God in their private devotional times and lives.
- To challenge believers to fall more in love with God, the object of true worship.
- To foster common respect and appreciation for the various tastes in worship styles and songs.
- To develop sensitivity in believers to God’s leadership both in their private worship and within a corporate worship gathering.
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NEW - Moms in Ministry Facebook Page |
Saxe Gotha has a new group just for Moms...we will connect you with other moms who are going through the same challenges you face. This is a place to share your concerns, be encouraged by God's Word, and enjoy fellowship with moms.
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Women's Prayer Event for All Lexington One Moms |
DayONE 2020 Latest Update!
A WOMEN’S PRAYER EVENT FOR ALL LEXINGTON ONE MOMS
(Sunday, August 23rd at 7:00 pm)
Please join us as we gather and pray for our students, teachers, staff and community along with other mothers and female caregivers from your student’s same school(s).
DayONE 2020 will be on-site and outside at each of the five Lexington ONE High Schools. Please make plans to pray at the high school your student’s school feeds into.
To maintain local safety recommendations, we ask that DayONE attendants wear masks and maintain social distancing.
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Part-Time Positions Available in Childcare! |
If you LOVE caring for little ones, and pointing families to Christ, please contact Sara McCarter at smccarter@saxgotha.org or 803.622.5248.
Position does require some weekend and evening hours. Must be available Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Must be CPR certified or willing to obtain certification.
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The Parking Lot Prom was a fun and safe way for our Youth to gather!
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Saxe Gotha StuMin invites all students in grades 6-12 to join us in the Light House parking lot for a movie night on August 19. We will have a food truck available for you to grab dinner and then we will get ready for the movie.
We will get started at 8:15!
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Virtual VBS 2020 is Available for the
Rest of the Summer!
Our scheduled week of VBS might be over, but the materials will be available all summer. Please invite friends and family members to participate online.
For those of you who would like still to participate, we have uploaded downloadable files at SaxeGotha.org/GodatWork to follow along with our daily episodes from this week on our YouTube channel. The files take the place of what was in the tool kit, so this VBS can last all summer no matter where you are or where you go. So if you find yourself surrounded by kids at any point—we’ve got you covered!
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In addition, we have a vibrant Men's Bible Study meeting on Monday morning at 8:30 am taught by Scott Welborn.
If you are interested in participating in one of these classes, please contact our Associate Pastor Helen Harrison Ham at hhham@saxegotha.org, and she will provide you the information needed to sign-in to the class of your choice.
Senior Adults:
Tuesdays at noon
Youth:
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PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF
SOUTH SUDAN
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Throughout South Sudan, the people are suffering. The eastern half of the country is reeling from flooding caused by the unseasonably heavy rains. Because the leadership is encouraging conflict and providing no law and order, people are dying every day from inter- and intra-communal fighting, using weapons supplied by the government. Flooding and conflict are causing poor crops. People are starving. Among the Murle, one of our partner groups, six weeks of fighting has caused immense destruction, kidnapping of women and children, massive displacement as people fled to the bush and an unknown, but large, number of casualties. Airstrips are flooded and roads are impassable so getting relief to the needy is very difficult.
Please pray, pray and pray.
· Pray that relief agencies may find the displaced and provide them with food and temporary shelter.
· Pray that the leadership will turn from its sinful greed and turn toward God and the people.
· Pray that the youth of the nation will recognize that they are being used by their leaders in ways that harm theirs and other families
· Pray that the South Sudanese will recognize that their hope is in God and His peace.
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Saxe Gotha Child Development Center Fall Registration - Preschool and Afterschool (2020-2021):
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Remember All in Your Prayers! |
- Ann Bland
- Audrey Mondeel
- Blake Taylor's mother
- Jan Harrison
- Jim David's sister
- Jimmie Rooks' niece
- Keith Walker's father
- Lou Huyck's family
- Melissa Kyzer
- Paul McGill's brother
- Susanne Smith's cousin
- Tara Vitollo’s father
- Tillman Kyzer
- Tripp Hunter
Those battling COVID-19, Healthcare Workers, First Responders.
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- Alice Peck
- Bea Amsler
- Beth Klaes
- Bobby Zeigler
- Charlie Brooks
- Dawn Barber's mother
- Dawn Merck
- Edie Athey's son
- Fran Griffith
- Herby Hucks' sister
- Jody Sullivan's husband
- Julian Mims
- Kay Luthren's mother
- Lois Ann Tuell's granddaughter
- Melinda Martin's mother
- Meredith Inman Shirk
- Mike Mallison
- Nita Bailey's daughter
- Parris McBride
- Regan Kolwyck
- Robby Kerr's mother
- Robin Foy
- Sarah Raines' mother
- Scott and Marilyn Welborn
- Steve Robert's brother
- Sunny Jewell's father
- Trudi Greene
- Wanda McCarthy
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- Daniel Warren
- Jamie Glatz
- Ray Hammond's nephew
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- Aaron Thies
- Adam Gilmore
- B. J. Manis
- Bob Rabon
- Brian Bishop
- Greg Adams
- John "Tripp" Bartlett
- Josh Lance
- Ken Culbertson
- Kyle Peck
- Michael Smoak
- Ram Matthews
- Robert Holder
- Ron Culbertson
- Sean Spence
- Steven Shealy
- Sumner Thomas
- William Moore
- Wyatt Hughes
Please call the church office to make updates to our prayer list: 803-359-7770.
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We invite you to join us for Online Worship Services: |
We live stream our 8:30 am Traditional Service and our 11:00 am AWE Contemporary Service. If you prefer to view the Traditional Service at 11:00, you can re-play the 8:30 service at that time.
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Prayerwalking in your Community |
During our Friday devotion, HH will be discussing the practice of prayerwalking. Prayerwalking involves taking our prayers out into our community where we desire to see God’s presence manifested and our prayers answered. We welcome you and your family to join us in praying for our community during this difficult time. Download the brochure below to get ready for this exciting message and to join with us across the midlands. To get your own copy of the Prayerwalking guide, please visit: saxegotha.org/ministries/adult-ministries. |
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GriefShare Meetings Near You: |
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Are you or someone you know dealing with the loss of a loved one? If so, GriefShare is available both online and in person. If you are looking for a group, you can go to their website at www.GriefShare.org and search for a current meeting list. Below are some nearby places that are offering the group weekly meetings to help deal with a loss. |
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Reconnecting as a Couple during Coronavirus |
Would you like more grace in your family life as you are dealing with the many changes brought on during the Coronavirus? Focus on the Family has an excellent video that gives a Christian perspective on choosing grace with not only a spouse, but with one’s entire family. The video involves Jim Daly and Dr. Greg & Erin Smalley. |
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Need some encouragement?
Seeking interaction with other adults?
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Then join this Zoom small group on Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm.
Please contact Tim Kehoe at
408-504-8800 for information on how to log on.
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Being the Hands and Feet of Christ: |
Our Missions Ministry has people standing by to help our congregation by running errands, picking up groceries or any essential items you may need.
Please contact Kathy Seymour at 4kathys@gmail.com or 803-920-7385 if you need this service.
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Sistercare Donations Needed! |
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We are collecting non-perishable food items to be used for the Sistercare Ministry. There are 3 boxes for donations: 1 outside the main office during the week, 1 in the Narthex and 1 in the Auditorium on Sundays. Also, stay tuned - there will be a food drive for Sistercare by Missions in August.
The Sistercare Ministry provides dinner for 20-25 women and their children to the West Columbia shelter. Contact: Stacey Rowlette, 803-312-5570, srowlette@sc.rr.com.
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The Monday morning Men’s Bible study is online! |
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They will be connecting at 8:30 am next Monday for a brief lesson and to pray for each other and for other people. Contact Scott Welborn at bleedbabyblu@gmail.com for meeting information. This Bible study is open to men of all ages.
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Welcome to our daily devotionals that your church staff will be offering. Our prayer is that you and your family will use these devotionals to enrich your family's spiritual life. Perhaps these devotionals can be used as a conversation starter for your mealtimes together.
Our prayer is that you will look back on this crisis years from now and see that it was a turning point in your being the family God intended you to be - a family built on the foundation of Jesus Christ to love each other as Christ loves you.
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Saxe Gotha Church Office Closed: |
Continuing to be mindful of the well-being of our members and staff, the Personnel Team and SGPC leadership have determined that the SGPC offices will continue to be closed to outside visitors until further notice. The Church Staff will be working remotely during this time. |
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Passing of the Peace Videos:
Would you like to send out a Welcome Message to your Saxe Gotha family? If so, we would like you to record a 10-second video of you or your family saying "Hello" to fellow Saxe Gotha members. Please record in landscape orientation and send to mandrews@saxegotha.org. We think this will really help people feel more connected while we are all worshiping at home.
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Drive Thru Prayer:
Tuesday, August 18
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(the 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.
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On July 21, we had 10 volunteers who served four cars and two pedestrians stopping in for prayer. Lots of positive feedback from our newest sign, “pray for America.” |
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Did you know that Saxe Gotha has its own customized library on Right Now Media? |
Here is the specific link to it if you already have your account set up:
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/CustomLibrary/8737. Right Now is like the Netflix of Christian media and Bible studies. And if you're already tired of watching TV and scrolling the internet, then feed your mind and heart with good stuff! We have several different channels within Saxe Gotha's custom library: Adults, Youth, Children, Worship and the Arts, Missions and Outreach, Marriage, and Parenting.
If you need help setting up your Right Now account, you can contact one of the following:
The studies and videos inside Saxe Gotha's library on Right Now are just suggestions from our staff. Please feel free to explore and enjoy the many wonderful videos on Right Now while you are at home!
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Nailbenders: Saturday, September 12 |
Meet at 8:00 am (the 2nd Saturday of the month) at the church outdoor patio in front of the Light House and bring a sack breakfast to eat, then leave from there to assist individuals in need. Contact Keith Hall with questions: Nailbenders.sg@gmail.com.
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Caring Connections Brotherhood: VIRTUAL Until Further Notice |
Men - looking for a local band of brothers? Then check out the Caring Connections Brotherhood. This group of gentlemen meets weekly to provide fellowship and support for men in our church family and in the greater community. Join them each Tuesday at 12:00 noon at the Flight Deck Restaurant here in Lexington (109-A Old Chapin Rd.) The Brotherhood does more than just meet for lunch and laughter - on occasion they also have special speakers, take day excursions and visit other men who are homebound. To get involved in the Caring Connections Brotherhood, please contact: Mike Graves (703-481-8166) or at digger7006@yahoo.com.
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Amazon Smile: $60.09 was received from Amazon for the 2nd Quarter of 2020! |
Did you know that when shopping Amazon, they will make a donation to Saxe Gotha with no additional cost to you. Please go to: http://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.
AmazonSmile customers can now support Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
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Covered with God's Love Blankets: |
As part of Congregational Care, free soft blankets are available for any seriously ill child or a child who has lost a parent or sibling. Call Patti Schmitz at 467-6379 or Renee Starnes at 359-7770 ext. 37 or rstarnes@saxegotha.org.
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F.I.S.H./First Impressions Teams:
8/16: Team 4, 8/23: Team 5, 8/30: Team 6.
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Tips for Giving By Text:
Saxe Gotha's Text Giving #:
803-302-3499
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- 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).
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Your tithes and gifts are vitally important to the ministry of our church! We ask that you prayerfully consider how God is leading you to give. "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."
- I Corinthians 12:27
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5503 Sunset Boulevard
Lexington, SC 29072
803.359.7770
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Office Hours
M – Th 8:30 – 5:00pm
Sunday Worship
Traditional 8:30am
Contemporary 11:00am
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