PRAYER LIST
-
Bob Hinson
-
Carol Landreth's granddaughter
- Joe and Judy Durham's daughter and granddaughter
- Kathy Medlen
- Meredith Inman Shirk
- Nancy Wood
- Nickie Brierley
- Nidsa Stokes
- Nita Bailey's daughter
- Parris McBride
- Scott and Marilyn Welborn
- Walt Werner
ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS
- Alice Peck
- Ann Austin
- Anna Kirby's father
- Anne Burdette
- Bea Amsler
- Beth Klaes
- Dawn Barber's mother
- Don Pike
- Eloise Faircloth
- Emily Fraser
- Greg Avedisian
- Herby Hucks' sister
- Jody Sullivan's husband
- Joyce Murphy's mother
- Kay Luthren's mother
- Lois Ann Tuell's granddaughter
- Melinda Martin's mother
- Merritt Wham
- Regan Kolwyck
- Robby Kerr's mother
- Sarah Raines' mother
- Steve Robert's brother
- Sunny Jewell's father
- Tillman Kyzer
- Trudi Greene
- Wanda McCarthy
DEPLOYED
- Daniel Warren
- Josh Lance
- Michael Smoak
- Ray Hammond's nephew
- Aaron Thies
- Adam Gilmore
- B. J. Manis
- Bob Rabon
- Brian Bishop
- Greg Adams
- Jamie Glatz
- John"Tripp" Bartlett
- Ken Culbertson
- Kyle Peck
- 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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"And the glory of the
Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together." -Isaiah 40:5a NIV
Saints,
We have emerged from our turkey induced comas and survived the onslaught of Black Friday shopping and Cyber Monday deals. We arrive on the other end of the fanfare to an interesting season of waiting and anticipation that we call Advent. It's time to decorate our houses, wrap all the gifts and crank up the Christmas tunes, while we wait for Santa...BUT could it be that this season is meant for more? There can be no Christmas if there were not an Advent.
Philip Reinders says, "Advent is a season of expectant waiting, tapping into the sense we have that all is not well, the longing for the world to be made right again. It's a season for restless hearts and people weary of a broken world who want, with all our being, to know there's more than this." Advent is a time to acknowledge that beyond the tinsel and the merrymaking, we still live in a broken world in desperate need of a Savior. The Hebrew people waited centuries for their long-awaited Messiah, but they waited with an expectant hope.
This season can bring a whole host of emotions, but we can also be assured that the true gift this season brings is a Savior to broken people like you and me. Let's not forget this great HOPE BEYOND ALL HOPES.
It's not too late to make a conscious decision to use this season of waiting to draw closer to Jesus. There are twenty-four chapters in the Gospel of Luke. If you read one chapter a day, you will have read about his whole life and ministry by Christmas Eve.
If you are looking for a great Advent Devotional, I highly recommend the Advent Project that is produced by the Biola University Center for Christianity Culture & the Arts. Each day they release a new devotion that combines art, music, Scripture and a short devotion. You can find it here:
http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2019/#.
As we will be reminded in our upcoming Cantata,
this Baby changes everything! So, let's embrace the waiting and expectant hope and draw closer to the man called Jesus, who is God with Us. I look forward to seeing you all throughout this Advent.
Grace, Peace, & Hope,
Patrick Cherry
Pastor of Next Generation Ministries
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Prayer Focus for December:
Those with heavy hearts.
New Members:
Please join us in welcoming new members Owen and Christin Pirkle this Sunday, December 8. They will be joining at the 11:00 Traditional Service. Owen and Christin have two kids, Madeline (12th grade) and Brody (4th grade).
New Baby: Member Austin Porth and his wife Kelsey had a baby boy on Sunday morning, Emmett Charles Porth. Excited grandparents are Jamie and Susan Porth.
The flowers that grace our sanctuary this coming Sunday are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Sharon and Buddy Gause's 47th Wedding Anniversary.
Babysitter List: If you have a need for a Babysitter, one that is Red Cross certified, please email Renee' Starnes in the church's office at [email protected] for the names of babysitters that are part of the SGPC family.
Weekly Sermon and Scripture Schedule: To find the upcoming sermon topics and scriptures, please click here.
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25th Annual Operation Turkey:  Thank you to all that volunteered over 1,000 meals were served to our neighbors.
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Friendship Dinner:
(This Friday, Dec. 6).
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.
Our next big Christmas Party dinner is coming up, and we hope you will be able to come join in the fun. We will have great gifts for our friends this year, as the Missions Ministry has raised our budget for Christmas gifts. We'll have dancers and singing, beautiful table decorations, delicious food and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus will be here, too.
We will start decorating at 4:00 pm, so come whenever you can. Please contact Kathy Seymour with questions: [email protected].
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You are invited to join us...
Advent Sermon Series:
"Standing on the Promises: Moses, David and Jesus"
SUNDAY: DECEMBER 8, 22 and 29
Normal Worship: 8:30 and 11:00 AM Traditional Services in Sanctuary, 10:45 AM AWE Contemporary Service in Light House.
SATURDAY: DECEMBER 14 at 7:30 PM and
SUNDAY: DECEMBER 15 at 11:00 AM -
CHRISTMAS CANTATA IN THE SANCTUARY
"A Baby Changes Everything" - A full scale musical, complete with
Sanctuary, Youth and Children's choirs, drama cast and orchestra.
11:00 AM Traditional Service (One Service Sunday in Sanctuary - No Children's Worship)
TUESDAY: DECEMBER 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE
CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICES
4:00 PM Children's Service for Families in Sanctuary
5:30 PM Contemporary Service in Light House Auditorium
7:00 PM Traditional Family Service in Sanctuary
* Childcare provided at the 4:00 & 5:30 PM services only.
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 Love-A-Family
Christmas Program:
Spread Christmas love by purchasing gifts for a local person or family in need. The trees will be up in the Narthex and the Light House.
The last day to bring the gifts to church is Sunday, December 8. Gifts should be wrapped with the back copy (green flower) securely attached. Please fill out your contact info on the top copy (red flower) and leave that in the small bag near the tree. You can leave the gifts under the tree or in the reception area of the office. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Seymour at 920-7385
or
[email protected].
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Children's
Christmas 
Celebration:
Please join us
this Sunday, December 8 from 9:45 am-10:30 am in the gym for the annual Children's Christmas Celebration (Nursery age and up). Our preschool choirs will be performing their Christmas songs, we'll do a craft and share breakfast together!
Last name: A-L bring savory breakfast item, M-Z bring a sweet breakfast item to share. Drinks will be provided. There will be no children's SS or nursery this morning so that all families can share the morning together.
Children should bring a new stuffed animal to benefit the Chris Myers House.
Also, on
this Sunday, December 8 the Next Generation Ministries will be walking
 in the Town of Lexington Christmas Parade.
Please click here to sign-up online to walk in the parade, so we know you'll be joining us. This is for all ages and is a great way to be a warm and welcoming congregation to our Lexington neighbors.
Immediately following the parade, please join us in the Light House for a Chili Dinner with all the fixings!
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Christmas Cantata
: 
Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, December 15 at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary, "A Baby Changes Everything." Brimming with well-crafted dialogue, dynamic characters, thrilling songs and a timeless message, this dramatic musical tells the story of three individuals in the tiny village of Bethlehem. Initially turning away from the promised Messiah, the trio almost sleeps through the first Christmas night -- until they are awakened in time to experience the life-changing miracle in a manger.
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Staff Love Offering: (Dec. 8) We will again collect a Christmas Love Offering for the SGPC staff members. Please use the envelopes provided in the pews and put "Staff Love Offering" in the memo line of your check. Thank you!
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Lexington County Choral Society 
Christmas Concert:
This Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary.
"Sing We Now of Christmas" A professional string quartet and soloist, Katie Gatch will join the LCCS for this most wonderful concert of the year! Order tickets online at LexCoChoralSoc.org.
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South Sudan Flooding Disaster Response: 
World Food Program (WFP)
aircraft dropped food in Pibor, South Sudan in early December. The pictures show the aircraft dropping on the third day and the sorghum on the ground. WFP will do the same for Lekwangole, Vertet and Gummuruk. These are the areas where our ministry is focused and the most flood ravaged areas in Boma State, South Sudan. In Pibor, WFP has staff on the ground to distribute the food. The Presbyterian Church of South Sudan's Relief and Development Staff arrived in Juba from Nairobi on December 2. Supported by PCUSA's Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), they intend to buy plastic sheets, mosquito nets and blankets for distribution with the funds that they received from PDA.
While these are perhaps the most needy areas in South Sudan due to the massive floods, almost a million people are impacted. Most of them need humanitarian relief as well. Furthermore, most of those affected are in areas where the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) is the primary denomination. Trinity Presbytery's South Sudan Ministry has cancelled its 2020 mission trip to South Sudan and will use funds designated for that to assist with flood recovery. The Boma Assistance Group for South Sudan will provide financial assistance as well. Assistance will be provided to both PCOSS and our partners in Boma State in an effort to do as much as possible.
Jesus said, "... Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt 25:40 KJV
Let us, "Praise the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever". Thank you and please continue praying for people of South Sudan who suffer from corrupt and abusive leadership, 6 years of conflict and this flooding disaster.
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The
Compassionate Care Meals Ministry
provides meals to our families when they are going  through the loss of a loved one. This ministry is in need of additional members. If this is an area you could help with, please call Renee' Starnes at 359-7770 ext. 37 or email
[email protected]
.
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GriefShare: 
It hurts to lose a loved one. GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend and offers a weekly support group led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. This group offers understanding and ideas to help you through one of life's most difficult experiences. Saxe Gotha will be holding our GriefShare group meetings Sundays, January 5, 2020 through March 29, 2020 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. You can register online, or contact Renee' Starnes at
[email protected]
for more information. There is a cost of $15 for the workbook. Please share this information with friends and neighbors that may be dealing with a loss.
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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
[email protected]
.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry: 
Will resume in January. Meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month in Room 154, MB (10:00- 11:30 am). If you like to knit, or would like to learn to knit, this group is for you. Questions? Call Polly Askew at 803-359-7263.
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Caring Connections Brotherhood: 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
[email protected].
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Drive Thru Prayer:
(December 17, 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. In November, we had 12 volunteers and 14 cars stopped for prayer.
To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email
[email protected]
.
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Amazon Smile
: During the third quarter of 2019, we received $66.99  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 to https://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.
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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.
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Calling All Acolytes...
We are looking for new acolytes this fall. Any child that will be in 3rd grade or above can be an acolyte. It is a great opportunity for your child to serve during the 11:00 am traditional worship service. If you are interested, contact Meredith Cully at
[email protected] or sign up online:
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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]
. You can place donations in the blue bin in the church main office.
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Nailbenders
: 
Meet at 8:00 am (December 14, 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]
.
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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).
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F.I.S.H Teams:
12/8: Team 4, 12/15: Team 5, 12/22: Team 6, 12/29: Team 1.
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Year 2 - Ended
July 31, 2018: $371,954
Year 3 - Ending July 31, 2019
(Raised as of December 1, 2019 - including monthly mortgage payments): $766,938
Only $215,643.91 Remaining to Satisfy this Debt By Year End!
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."
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