This Week's Newsletter
June 29, 2022
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Dear Saxe Gotha Church Family,
What do happy little trees, dancing, singing, fun games, snacks and Jesus have to do with one another? Well, Vacation Bible School of course! This past week, Saxe Gotha was transformed into Spark Studios as 300+ kids and 120+ volunteers descended upon our campus.
It’s been several years since we’ve been able to have a VBS at this scale, and it was a joy to see all those smiling faces as we joined together to worship, learn and have a whole lot of fun. Every morning began with song and dance while we introduced our daily topic. We learned that God is the Creator of all things, that Jesus is the Great King, and Jesus is also our Redeemer and that the Holy Spirit is our Helper. Along with Ms. Dawn and Ms. Madonna, the elementary kids were visited by the famous painter Bo Ross (of less fame than his more renowned cousin Bob!). Even a happy little accident didn’t hold him back from completing his masterpiece that reminded us of God’s work in our own lives.
So many Gospel seeds were planted this past week. Three children who did not have a bible in their homes were given bibles so that they could continue to learn about the good news after VBS. We are encouraged and excited to see the Lord’s faithfulness grow and bear fruit in the lives of all the children who came.
Our sixth-grade service team worked hard all week writing notes and putting together care packages for chemo patients at South Carolina Oncology Associates, landscaping and helping missionaries move in at the Saxe Gotha Mission House and cleaning up the play yard at Pets Inc. They were the hands and feet of Jesus not only on church grounds, but all-around town!
While I got my daily steps in walking the campus, I was reminded of another important fact. This was a team effort. Ms. Kim Koon did a wonderful job directing this year’s VBS with the help of our amazing Children’s Ministry Team…but that’s not all. We simply could not have VBS on this scale without ALL the wonderful volunteers who make it happen. From helping decorate and turn the campus into another world, to leading skits and dances, coordinating A/V needs across the campus, feeding volunteers and kids, leading recreation, assembling crafts, teaching bible lessons, guiding tour groups, donating items and so much more! It requires a lot of people power and y’all delivered.
Thank you for helping make this year’s VBS such a success. With your help, we are one step closer to realizing our NextGen vision of helping the next generation, find, follow and flourish in a life with Jesus in all their places!
Grace & Peace,
Patrick Cherry
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Prayer Focus for June:
Muslims and Ramadan
Prayer Focus for July:
Missions and Outreach Ministries
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Christian Love is extended to Mary Ann Wray on the death of her brother, Leonard Hoogenboom on the death of his brother and to the family of Jackie Mims on her recent passing (Melanie Jackson's mother and Seth and Kathryn's grandmother).
The Flowers that graced the Sanctuary this past Sunday were given to the Glory of God by Tom and Sheree Posey in celebration of joining Saxe Gotha and their anniversary.
The Flowers that will grace the Sanctuary this Sunday are given by Pat Richardson to the Glory of God and in memory of her parents, Bonnie and Leon Smalley.
Upcoming One Service Sunday at 10 am in the Sanctuary: July 17. Sunday School will be held at 9 am. Pastor Jim's Retirement Reception will be held in the Gym following the Worship Service.
The 40th Anniversary Kirkin' O' the Tartan will be held on the weekend of October 15.
The Church Office will be closed on Monday, July 4.
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Vacation Bible School Thank You
Thank you to all of the volunteers and kids that attended this week's VBS (355 students and 120 volunteers). Relationships with Jesus were strengthened and lots of fun was had by all!
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Praise Packs for Kids
Children’s Worship will be on hiatus for the summer. Praise Packs will be offered to assist your child with the transition into service. The bags will contain coloring sheets and papers related to the sermon topic, crayons and quiet fidget toys. The bags will be available at every service for all elementary-aged children.
Our Children's Ministry staff is here to help if you are participating in the worship service and need assistance with childcare during the service. Contact Erin Stoudemire if you would like to make special arrangements for your child: estoudemire@saxegotha.org.
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Donations to the Ukraine
Saxe Gotha is collecting monetary donations to aid those in the Ukraine. Please donate during the worship services by writing a check with Ukraine in the memo line (you can specify which organization in the memo line) or online below. All donations will be given to Samaritan's Purse, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and The Outreach Foundation.
Here are the specific uses of the funds:
- Samaritan's Purse is focused on medical work in the western city of Lviv and its surrounding area.
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is still getting ready to help and appears to be oriented toward supporting Action By Christians Together (ACT) which is a joint effort of many denominations with offices in Switzerland and administered by Norwegian Church Aid.
- The Outreach Foundation is sending money weekly to church partners in Ukraine (Lviv), Poland and Lithuania.
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AWE Contemporary Worship Music Set List
If you would like to preview the music that will be included in the AWE Contemporary Worship Service this week, click on the link below.
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We can't wait to see all of your special memories!
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Sunday School Class Locations:
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Please Donate Your Old Eye Glasses and Hearing Aids
The Lexington Lion’s Club is collecting old eye glasses and hearing aids. The glasses and hearing aids are used in other countries for people who cannot afford them. Collect all those old eye glasses and hearing aids and donate them for a good cause. The collection box is located in the Church Office.
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We're looking for a Director of Worship and Music Arts, AV Professionals and Teachers!
We are looking for a Director of Worship and Music Arts, a Media Content Coordinator and Videographer and a Part-Time AV Technician. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Alisha Hudson at ahudson@saxegotha.org. See below for complete job descriptions.
**Looking to gain a new skill and work with some of the best! We are looking for AV Tech Volunteers, please contact Alisha Hudson at ahudson@saxegotha.org if you are interested.**
The Child Development Center is looking for Teachers interested in teaching children ages 2-4 in the morning or kindergarten-fifth graders in the afternoon. For specific details please contact Hope Andrews at 803-359-2058 or handrews@saxegotha.org.
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Free Exercise Class
Free Exercise classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays in the Fellowship Hall from 9:00 - 10:00 am. Contact Vicky Beatty with questions: vpbeatty@gmail.com.
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Caring Connections Brotherhood:
Men - looking for a local band of brothers? 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, please contact: Mike Graves (703-481-8166) or at digger7006@yahoo.com.
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We livestream our 8:30 am Traditional Service and our 10:45 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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United Heroes Ministry:
The United Heroes Ministry here at SGPC sends cards and care packages to our military. We are in the process of updating our list of names and addresses. Please send the name and address of those that are active duty, serving overseas or stateside to Jody Sullivan at unitedheroes@saxegotha.org or call 704-798-5444 to get your loved one added to the list.
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Kids Sunday Afternoons and Wednesday Evenings will resume in the Fall.
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Kids Sunday School -
Grade schoolers will begin in the gym precisely at 9:45 am for an opening celebration, worship and introduction to the main lesson. Then they will be dismissed to classrooms for small group activities and discussion. Teachers will return them to the gym at 10:25 am for large group games to enrich the lesson of the day.
Important: For the safety of our kids, parents will need to drop off and pick up in the gym. Please step inside the gym to sign in your child. We need to have eyes on every parent, grandparent or guardian. We will also use this time to pass along any information that you need to know.
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Sunday Nursery and Preschool
Nursery is available for ALL services and Sunday School. Friends ages 3 and younger can join us in Room 215 during the worship services.
Preschool Sunday School for ages 2 through kindergarten will be meeting in rooms 214 and 224.
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Summer Activities for Kids - Registration Now Open!
A Day at Spark Studios, Thursday, July 7: We are going to discover more about God our creator and how we are created to do amazing things! Join us as we explore art, music and more! Come ready to get messy and learn more about our Creator!
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Saxe Gotha Summer Camps for Kids
We have planned another summer of exciting summer camps. Please go to saxegotha.org/summer for details and to register. These camps have limited spaces, so please register as soon as possible - they are always very popular! We hope to see you there!
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Bible Studies, Small Groups, Wednesday Mornings and Evenings and Sunday Afternoons will resume in the Fall.
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Student Sunday School Classes
Sunday School is the foundation for Christian education in Student Ministry. Every Sunday morning, a variety of teachers will present lessons to students about foundational Biblical principles that are essential for those who are still discerning their own faith, but also excellent for the growth of students who have taken hold of their own faith. All students begin in the Light House Atrium at 9:45 am for fellowship before going to their classes and wrapping things up at 10:30 am. The classes and their locations are:
- Middle School - Room 146
- High School - Room 143
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Child Development Center Registration (2022-2023)
Please contact Hope Andrews at handrews@saxegotha.org or 803.359.7770 ext. 126 or stop by the Child Development Center to pick up a Registration Packet.
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Meet at 8:00 am (July 9, 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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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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Two Options for Monday Morning Men’s Bible Studies:
The 6:30 am Monday Men's Bible Study will be led by Brad Farrar in Light House Room 112-113.
The 8:30 am Monday Men's Bible Study meets virtually 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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Women’s Bible Studies
Debbie Knight's Monday Morning Bible Study is held on Mondays at 10:00 am in Room 152 - Library. This Bible Study will resume in the Fall.
Diana Patterson's Monday Morning Bible Study is held on Mondays at 10:30 am at O'Hara's Bakery Café. For the summer, this Bible Study will meet on Fridays at 10:30 am at O'Hara's Café.
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Remember All in Your Prayers!
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- Allison Floyd
- Ann Bland
- Blake Taylor
- Jenny Cooper
- John and Dianne Anderson's daughter
- Mary Knobeloch's sister
- Stacy Morgan's father
- Tony McCluney's father
- Viveros family
- Wendy Thies
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- Amy Stokes' mother
- Beth Klaes
- Bobby Zeigler
- Charlie and Carolyn Brooks
- Dawn Barber's brother
- Ellie Davis’s great aunt
- Fran Griffith
- Herby Hucks' sister
- Jody Sullivan's husband
- Julian Mims
- Lois Ann Tuell's granddaughter
- Melinda Martin & Ronnie Scott’s mother & brother
- Nita Bailey's daughter
- Peggy Wehunt's mother
- Regan Kolwyck
- Sarah Raines' mother
- Scott and Marilyn Welborn
- Steve Robert's brother
- Sunny Jewell's father
- Tripp Hunter
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- Aaron Thies
- Andrew Tuttle
- Adam Gilmore
- B. J. Manis
- Bob Rabon
- Brian Bishop
- Greg Adams
- Jamie Glatz
- John "Tripp" Bartlett
- Jordan Graham
- Josh Lance
- Ken Culbertson
- Kyle Peck
- Marcus McGill
- Matthew Rivers
- Michael Smoak
- Nicholas Arrowsmith
- Robert Holder
- Ron Culbertson
- Sean McIntyre
- Sean Spence
- Steven Shealy
- Sumner Thomas
- Tony Guy
- William Moore
- William Rivers
Please call the church office to make updates to our prayer list: 803-359-7770.
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Drive Thru Prayer: Tuesday, July 19
(7:15-8:15 am)
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(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.
June 21 Update: Thank you to our Drive Thru Prayer Volunteers. We had several volunteers and 3 cars stopped for prayer. From one of our volunteers, "I can say that our team started the beautiful morning praying for those passing our church, and those that would turn in. We never know what will be shared with us when the car window rolls down. We are just always thankful to those that have the courage to turn in and pray with a stranger. By the time they leave, we are friends, no longer strangers. We gathered and closed our morning in prayer again for those that came in, and for our team."
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First Impressions Teams:
7/3: Team 2, 7/10: Team 3, 7/17: Team 4, 7/24: Team 5, 7/31: Team 1.
The First Impressions Team is in need of Ushers and CREW members.
Please email or call Carl Hammond at Carl@AmeriCareMidlands.com or 803-767-0864 if you are interested. All volunteers assist once every 5 weeks.
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Amazon Smile: $138.45 was donated by Amazon for the 4th Quarter of 2021!
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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.
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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
Office Hours
M – Th 8:30 – 5:00 pm
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Sunday Worship
Traditional 8:30 am
Contemporary 10:45 am
Traditional 11:00 am
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