Dear Fellow Servants,

Our Fall Festival is this weekend! Please remember that we will be having our annual Fall Fest event on Sunday, October 17 from 4 to 6 pm.  We will have a drive thru format like we did last year because of the COVID pandemic. We still need your trunks and lots of candy for the Trunk or Treat. You can sign up your trunk or volunteer at saxegotha.org/fallfest. Please note that you do not have to decorate your trunk. 

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Jim

The Flowers that will be in the Sanctuary this Sunday are given in celebration of Grace Ann and Blake Taylor's Wedding Anniversary and to the Glory of God.

The Encounters with God Devotional Books (October-December) are available for pick-up in the Narthex and in the Light House on the racks by the doors. Please email Pansy at pfloyd@saxegotha.org if you would like them mailed to you.

This annual event will be held THIS SUNDAY, October 17 from 4-6 pm in the Saxe Gotha Parking Lot. Please enter from Mallard Lake Drive. We look forward to you joining us for lots of fall fun and sweet treats!

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For Fall Fest details: saxegotha.org/fallfest.

Join us as we thank our pastors for all they do each day to shepherd us!

These Poinsettias will be used to decorate the Sanctuary during Christmas. Purchase with envelopes during the services or order online through Nov. 10 at saxegotha.org/news. Make checks payable to: Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Women. Please contact Sandy Walker with questions: swalksan@aol.com.

If you would like to start receiving or discontinue the printing of your church offering envelopes, please contact Alisha Hudson at ahudson@saxegotha.org.

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.

WINGS (Widows in Group Share) provides support and fellowship to widows. The group is made up of Saxe Gotha widows and their friends who are also widows. Meets the 2nd Saturday of every month for a time of Christian fellowship and sharing.

Prayer Shawl Ministry: This ministry meets on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:30 am in Room 154 in the Main Building. Just bring needles and learn to knit. The shawls made are blessed and given to members in need. Everyone is welcome to serve in this ministry, no experience required.

Questions? Contact Renee Starnes at rstarnes@saxegotha.org or 803-359-7770, ext. 37.

Barry Sease at 803.808.8437 or sgpcmsbb@hotmail.com.

Barry Morgan at 803.446.4828 or bmorgan@gmka.com.

We're looking for Teachers and a Director of Audio/Visual!

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.

We're looking to hire a Director of Audio/Visual. Please contact Alisha Hudson if you are interested in this position at ahudson@saxegotha.org.

We are also looking for AV Tech Volunteers, please contact Alisha at ahudson@saxegotha.org if you are interested.

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.

Join us for the Parents of Young Children SS class at 9:45 am in Room 206, under the Fellowship Hall. We are studying Ephesians. Nursery and childcare is available! Contact Stefanie Cain with questions: cain.stefanieg@gmail.com.

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.

To view the Saxe Gotha Services and other resources, please go to: youtube.com/user/SaxeGothaPres.

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 jodysully@hotmail.com or call 704-798-5444 to get your loved one added to the list.

We are so excited to take another group to one of the biggest preteen events of the year, SuperStart! Preteens, 4^th-6^th grade can engage in ministry that is specifically aimed toward them, and their unique needs. They will dance, laugh, study, learn and praise the weekend away! All while building relationships unified in Christ that will go on to encourage them for years to come, and growing in their knowledge and wisdom of HIM as they learn to own their faith.

To find out more about this event, click here.

What do you get when you mix science and art with the love of Jesus? A midweek SPARK to love others and serve them well! This new program for kids (nursery to grade 5) will meet in the Gym. Contact Melinda with questions: mboyle@saxegotha.org.

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 for large group games to enrich the lesson of the day.

This is very important: for the security 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.

Kid's Choir for preschoolers through 5th graders begins at 3:00 pm. Preschoolers (age 2-kindergarten) meet in room 214; grade schoolers will meet in the choir room.

Seekers (grades K-3) and Club45 (grades 4-5) meet from 4:00-5:30 pm. Seekers pick up under the CDC covered awning. Club45 pick up at the Light House.

If you have any questions, contact Sara McCarter (for Seekers questions) or Meredith Jenkins (for Club45 questions). 

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.

Please contact Sara McCarter if you have any questions.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest news and inside look at all things Kid's Ministry.

Also sign up to receive text messages through Remind. You can also text @psalm136 to 81010.

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 144

- Confirmation - Room 146

- High School - Room 143

Wednesday Nights in Student Ministry are all about Downpour! Downpour is our Wednesday night student worship service that meets in the Light House Auditorium from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. It's a night of worship, games, teaching, and discussion all aimed at building up our students in their relationship with Jesus and their relationships with one another. We always open up the evening with worship or a game to get things moving before we move into our time of teaching. This semester, our teaching is going to be focused on exploring questions that students are asking about the world around them and seeing what answers the Bible offers on those topics. Then we'll break out, and our amazing group of volunteers will lead the discussion groups to give students the opportunity to consider and apply these principles. Downpour on Wednesday nights is something you won't want to miss!

Sunday Afternoons in Student Ministry are always exciting! We have two great opportunities that are perfect for connection whether you're new to Student Ministry or if you've been with us for years. Both groups meet from 4:00 to 5:30 pm, and you can find the details of each below.

Oasis: Oasis is a place of refreshment for middle school students. This fantastic group meets in the Light House Atrium for fellowship, games, snacks, a lesson, and more. It's a perfect place for middle school students to draw together and connect. Come and join in on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.

Refuge: Refuge is a place for high school students to get away from the business of the week to relax, fellowship together, and dive into some very real conversations. We explore some hard questions, but the great news is that you don't have to wrestle with the hard questions alone. Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.

Bible Studies are groups that are specifically designed to go deeper into the Word of God. All of our different programs include an aspect of teaching, but Bible Studies are a place for students to really go deep into Scripture and discuss the things that they find. We currently have two Bible studies that meet at the church before school on Wednesday mornings. We find that this early morning study is a perfect way to provide a midweek refocus for students and to start off their day immersed in Scripture.

Middle School Bible Study - Our Middle School Bible Study meets in the Light House Atrium on Wednesday mornings. Students are invited to come as early as 6:45 am for fellowship time, and we will kick off our teaching time at 7:00 am. We provide transportation to school (or you are welcome to pick your student up at 7:45 am), and a Chick-Fil-A breakfast is available for $5. This semester, we'll be going through the book of Ephesians. Make sure you have a ride to school lined up, and if you need help finding a ride, just email Justin.

High School Bible Study - This semester, we will meet in the church Library (next to the gym) to continue our study of the Gospel of Matthew. Don't worry if you've never come before, any time is a perfect time to jump in! Doors will be open at 6:45 am for anyone who wants to bring their own breakfast and eat or come fellowship before we dive into Scripture, but just make sure you're in by 7:00 am because that's when we'll begin our time of study. Make sure you have a ride to school lined up, and if you need help finding a ride, just email Justin.

Small Groups are a place aimed at deep relationship building. Small groups commit to one another that they will consistently meet together and share life with one another while continually lifting one another up in prayer. While study is certainly a part of it, the committed intentional relationship building is the key to small groups. We have a small group available for everyone:

Middle School Girls Small Group - Middle school girls meet together in the Light House Cafe on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 pm with Kalie and Gracie to study and share together.

Middle School Boys Small Group - Middle school boys are invited to join Justin on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Well (Light House). We're going to start out discussing why we should be reading Scripture, and work on holding each other accountable for our own personal study.

High School Girls Small Group - High school girls will meet with Mrs. Jennifer and Mrs. Liz on Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:00. Meetings will be at Mrs. Jennifer's house. The address is 248 Clubside Drive . As we share life together, we'll also be journaling our way through the Psalms.

High School Boys Small Group - On Monday evenings, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, High school boys are encouraged to join Barry and Justin in the gym for a time of devotion, prayer, and basketball. Come ready to go!

For questions about any of these groups, reach out to Justin, and he can get you in touch with the leaders.

Middle School Fall Retreat - The Modgnik Team has decided to make some adjustments based on the results form all of our churches. Fall Modgnik for Middle School will now be held on November 5-6 at First Baptist Church of Lexington. It will be Friday night and all day Saturday, but it will not be overnight.

High School Fall Retreat - We'll be taking our retreat to Awanita the weekend of November 19-21. The price is $175, and it's going to be an awesome time together. You can grab the registration at the link below, but sign up now, because registration ends next Wednesday. Any adults who want to join in can email Justin to let him know. Click Here to Register. Registration ends October 20.

Jamaica Mission Trip - With everything confirmed, now is the time to begin discerning whether or not you are being called to this trip. We will be going to Jamaica from July 2-9, 2022, and it is open to current high school students who will be at least 14 by the date of the trip. To best provide you with all of the information, we will be holding two informational meetings about the Jamaica mission trip. The first meeting will be Thursday, October 14 at 6:00 pm in Room 112/113 of the Light House. The second will be Sunday, October 24 at 6:00 pm in Room 112/113 of the Light House. We will have information about the trip and applications for the trip available at both of these meetings, but all applications will be due no later than November 11 regardless of when you got it. This trip is an excellent opportunity for students to learn missions, but it is a serious responsibility as well, so we don't want anyone to enter it lightly. I look forward to seeing everyone at one of the meetings. Please reach out if you have any questions before that time.

Snowbird Summer Camp - Snowbird is a great opportunity for any current student, 6th-12th grade, to take a week out of their summer and gather together for tons of fun and fellowship, along with some great teaching. Snowbird is an opportunity that you won't want to miss! We'll release those dates and a registration soon!

Contact Justin Hall with questions about the Youth events: jhall@saxegotha.org.