Dear Saxe Gotha Church Family,

The Class of 2022 has had a high school career unlike any other. It’s no surprise to anyone that freshman year is tough. You’re in a new place and everything is different. Think back to high school and remember how long it took to get your bearings in that new place. Classes were spread all over the campus. Nobody was leading you from place to place. There were way too many options in the cafeteria. And if you’ve never seen River Bluff’s scheduling system, good luck trying to get that down! But you figure it out. By the end of the year, you have a pretty good handle on things. Sophomore year is going to be great!

Well, for the Class of 2022, sophomore year started off well. Football games and Homecoming. New classes and electives were chosen to follow their own interests. All was gong well until everything got thrown for a loop during the spring semester. Suddenly, school was on the couch and class was through Zoom. But it was no big deal, right? It was only going to be for two weeks, and then it was back to school for prom and telling senior friends goodbye before graduation. 

Then comes junior year. In person was starting a little late, but it was no big deal. Everything was back to normal after that. But not quite. Masks and plexiglass dividers were everywhere. Your friends were there one day and gone the next. Hidden away for two weeks at a time. But they made it work. They persevered. 

And now here we are, four years in, and seniors are remembering all of those lessons they learned freshman year. Remembering high school, all the while preparing to go out and be freshman in college, learning the new system, again.

 

Through all of that change and uncertainty, one thing was for sure: They were loved and cared for by their Father in Heaven. Thank you all for teaching them that truth and showing them that love over and over again. I can say with confidence that the Class of 2022 knows how much their church families care about them. Please come and celebrate their graduation with us this Sunday during the 11:00 am Traditional Service.

Congratulations Graduates!

Justin Hall

Director of Youth Ministries

Upcoming One Service Sundays at 10 am in the Sanctuary: June 5 and July 17. Sunday School will be held at 9 am.

Hal McIntosh's Retirement Reception: Please join us on Sunday, June 5 for a reception honoring Hal's over 16 years as Saxe Gotha's Director of Music and Worship Arts. This is a One Service Sunday at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. Sunday School will be held at 9:00 am. The Reception will follow the Service at approximately 11:00 am in the Light House Atrium.

Lexington County Choral Society Concert – “A Season and Reason To Sing!” May 20, 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary. For additional information, lexcochoralsoc.org.

The 40th Anniversary Kirkin' O' the Tartan will be held on the weekend of October 15.

We're happy to announce that the annual Saxe Gotha Garage Sale will held THIS SATURDAY, May 21! As you clean out, please remember to save your items to donate to the church this Spring! ALL proceeds go to Missions. Donation Drop Off Through Thursday, May 19.

Raised in a non-Christian family, kidnapped as a child to become a boy soldier, Rev. James became a Christian and found his calling while being trained as a soldier. He rejected the offer to immigrate to America in order to serve the people of South Sudan. Ordained in 2012, he rose to become the Moderator of Eastern Jonglei Presbytery (EJP) in 2022. Rev. James is the administrator of SGPC’s Education, Peacebuilding and Humanitarian programs in Pibor and EJP. Supporting men like Rev. James is a key goal of our Change for South Sudan Ministry. To support this ministry, please pray and give online: saxegotha.org/give.

Parents and Kids come join us in the gym for Family Fun as we celebrate all of our Kids (birth-college) moving up the block to the next grade!

Drop in and enjoy food, fun and games while learning information about all of our Next Gen ministries and visiting with all of our staff and volunteers.

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.

We are very excited to see our Kids in the Red Shirts and for all of our Volunteers to be easily recognizable in the Teal Shirts.  $10 each, please order by THIS Friday, May 20 to ensure delivery in time for VBS: saxegotha.org/summer.

They went on a mission! Jesus described that mission when he said to his followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In this new sermon series entitled “On a Mission,” we will study the Acts of the Apostles. This is Luke’s second letter to a man name Theophilus that records how the early followers of Jesus continued the mission of Christ by spreading the good news of salvation under the power of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of Jesus did not stop when he ascended into heaven; it continues through his followers-including us!

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:

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.

As you run across old photos, please send them to Meredith Cully at mcully@saxegotha.org.

WINGS (Widows in Group Share) This ministry 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.

This group will not meet during the summer, but will resume on Saturday, September 10. Look for the update during early September. Please contact Carol Harden at 217-652-2768 or Colette Phillips at 803-553-8741 if you plan to attend.

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. 137.

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.

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.

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.

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 unitedheroes@saxegotha.org or call 704-798-5444 to get your loved one added to the list.

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.

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.

Kids at VBS 2022 Spark Studios, will get creative and let CHRIST be the SPARK in everything they do! The Master Artist is working to redeem, reclaim and transform us–His creation–to the design He planned for us. Kids will see the beautiful truth that they are God’s workmanship as they learn to use their talents to bring glory to Him. 

Questions, please contact Erin Stoudemire at estoudemire@saxegotha.org.

We have planned another summer of exciting summer camps. There will be Kelly's Gymnastics/Gladiator/Survivor Camps, Art Camp and Basketball Camp. 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!

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

Jamaica Mission Trip - We will be going to Jamaica from July 2-9, 2022.

Saxe Gotha is officially headed back to Snowbird for 2022! This amazing trip is available to all current Middle School and High School students as we come together as a whole group to learn, fellowship and worship. The dates are July 25 - 29.

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

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.