August 27, 2025

Sunday at Saxe Gotha

9am Traditional / 11am Modern

10am All Ages Sunday School


Join us Sunday in worship as Pastor Joel continues the series on the Seven Sins of Suburbia (in person or online at our website or YouTube channel). Get involved with an Adult Sunday School class during our 10am Sunday school hour.


Flowers in the Sanctuary

The flowers in the Sanctuary on Sunday, August 24, were given in memory of Mary Claire Fitts by her husband, John Fitts.


Church Offices Closed on Labor Day The church offices will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the holiday!

Sunday Evenings: Resume Sept 7

4-5:30pm Adult DGroups & Next Gen Groups / 5:30pm Dinner


Sunday Discipleship Groups & Next Gen Groups

All groups will not meet on Sunday, Aug 31 and will resume on Sunday, Sept 7 from 4-5:30pm with dinner at 5:30pm.


Sunday Dinner Menu (Sept 7): Pizza with various topping options


Dgroup Books are $5. Please give your cash to your Dgroup leaders to supplement the cost of study books for our classes.


Volunteers Needed We need volunteers for set up/clean up each week, food servers, and volunteers to pick up dinners on specific Sundays (ie: pizzas or sub sandwiches). Sign up through button below.

Mission Partner: Lighthouse for Life

By Pastor HH


The young girls who are manipulated into sex trafficking can be the straight A students, church members, and cheerleaders whose pictures you may see on social media. Other vulnerable ones come from a broken home life, struggle with abuse or addiction and lack support. With smartphones, traffickers no longer need to lure victims off the street—they can easily find them online, in apps, and games.


A few messages, some flattery, fake promises, and manipulation begins. Some victims are groomed and coerced by people they trust as young as 12 years old. The captors brainwash these young girls, exploit and control them with violence, and threaten their families making it difficult for the girls to leave. Victims must lock away their identity to survive; because if they do not bring profit to their pimp they will be discarded as worthless.


South Carolina is a prime place for traffickers because it is located between two international airports (Atlanta and Charlotte) with several interstates in between that provide transit points. South Carolina’s tourism and sports events also provide cover for traffickers and potential customers. Finally, while we here in Lexington may not know poverty, other areas of South Carolina experience economic scarcity, which are factors that traffickers use to exploit young people. Lighthouse for Life is now working with Freedom Signal, a nonprofit tech company, to directly reach out to those who are being trafficked through the growing number of online ads to sell victims.


Saxe Gotha joined Lighthouse for Life several years ago in fighting for the lives of these young people, by hosting several speakers and financially supporting Lighthouse for Life. Now we need your help. Please visit their resourceful website through the button below for more information about their ministry and for ways you can become involved, including being one of their prayer warriors, volunteering at an event, or becoming a business partner. Most importantly, please learn the signs of human trafficking so that we can each make a difference in someone else’s life.

Congregational Meeting

Sun Sept 7 at 10am / Sanctuary


Join us for a Congregational Meeting scheduled for Sunday, September 7 in the Sanctuary during the Sunday school hour (10am). This meeting has been scheduled to elect the members of the nomination's team and to give a financial update to the church. 


Following are a list of nominee's we are voting on:

Bryan Culley Men of the Church

Jessica Elkins Session

Mary Holloway Session chair

Jimmie Rooks Senior Adults

Kalie Wehunt Next Gen 


Others already on committee:

Michelle Smoak Women of the Church

Jean Cochran At Large


Begins Thurs Aug 28 / 7:05am Rm 151

for All High School Students


HS Thursday Morning Bible Studies are back beginning August 28! This Week Only, Students will meet at Saxe Gotha at 7:05am in Room 151 (Main Building). Breakfast from Chick-fil-A will be provided, and Liz Carpenter will facilitate a discussion of this year's study. 


Then, on Thursday, September 4, the HS Thursday morning Bible Study will meet at the Chick-fil-A located close to Saxe Gotha, 5560 Sunset Blvd. Rides to School are not provided. If you need help finding a ride, please contact Mary Knobeloch at mknobeloch@saxegotha.org.

Mark Your Calendars

for All Middle & High School Students


In Student Ministry, we'll have Small Groups, Bible Studies, Sunday School, Sunday Afternoons, and Trips throughout the semester.


Sunday afternoons for Middle School and High School Groups meet on Sunday afternoons from 4-5:30 pm in the Light House!

Dinner will follow at 5:30 pm in the Gym. Reservations are requested.

Sunday's menu changes weekly (no meetings on Sun, Sept 31)


Small Groups on Wednesday Evenings

MS Girls will meet at Jean Cochran's house, 6:30pm

HS Girls will meet at Diana Patterson's house, 6:30pm

MS Boys will meet in the Gym, 6:30pm

HS Boys will meet in the Gym, 6:30pm

Begins Sunday Sept 7 / 10-10:45am

Light House Room 144 / For 8th Graders


Hey 8th graders! Ready to join us for Confirmation Class? We're kicking things off on Sunday, September 7, during Sunday School, from 10-10:45am. Confirmation Class is where we'll dive into what it means to be a covenant partner at Saxe Gotha and a part of the global church. We'll have group conversations about having a flourishing relationship with Christ.


A note to parents: We ask that you join your student for the first class on September 7. We'll use this time to walk through the class topics and discuss the requirements for the year ahead.


Questions? Contact Mary Knobeloch at mknobeloch@saxegotha.org or (803) 359-7770 or Dawn Merck at superreddawn@gmail.com.

Sunday Sept 14 / 12:30-2pm

Casual Way to Learn More about SGPC


We’d love to meet you! You're invited to a casual gathering with Pastor Joel—a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about Saxe Gotha, and hear what we're all about. Whether you're new here or just want to connect, this is the perfect chance to enjoy some food, meet new people, and have an open conversation about God, our church, or life in general.


Join us on Sunday, September 14, from 12:30–2pm at Pastor Joel's home. We'll provide finger foods, so please let us know how many will be attending to help us plan accordingly. For more information, contact Ty Thomas at 803-201-0442. We look forward to seeing you there!

NEW TIME: 3-5:30pm Dinner at 5:30pm

Sunday Sept 21 / Main Building Room 151 / RSVP Online


Come join us to learn, fellowship and begin the Covenant Partnership Journey with God and your new Church Family, Saxe Gotha. Childcare will be provided, please sign up. Following the class, everyone will be invited for dinner and fellowship together. Please RSVP below or call the office before September 18.

Sat Sept 20 5-7pm / Gym

Fun for All Ages / RSVP and Invite Friends!


Dust off your cowboy boots and fire up your favorite chili to share in the Chili Cook Off. Or, just show up and sample some great chili! We will also have line dancing lessons. We are excited to offer something new for all ages and families... be sure to invite friends! For more information, contact Lori at llowman@lexington1.net. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 17 so we can know how many people to prepare for.

Audio/Visual Volunteers Needed

To Help with Sunday Worship / Training Provided


We are in need of volunteers to help build a team of operators for audio and visual (AV) needs during both Traditional and Modern Sunday worship services. Our goal is to have enough volunteers to keep your involvement as light as possible. If you have experience, great! If you are new to AV, we can train you. Training times (for your convenience) could occur Sundays at 10am or at 3pm in the Lighthouse Auditorium. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Jason Flores at jflores@saxegotha.org.

Senior Adult Fall Luncheon

Wed Sept 24 11am-1pm / Atrium


Join us on Wednesday, September 24, in the Atrium from 11am-1pm for the Senior Fall Luncheon. Let's get together for some fellowship, food and a light discussion on "How to Avoid Frauds and Scams." Come join for the food, stay for the fellowship. Monetary donations to help with the food cost are always welcome.


Luncheon Menu: lasagna, salad, and dessert

Mission Trip to NC

Sept 18-20 / Helping Hurricane Helene Victims


Join the team on a mission trip to North Carolina and help with the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's destruction. We are going to be working in the various communities in NC to assist families return to their homes.


September 18-20 We will leave on a Thursday, and return Saturday. Sign up early because we have limited openings. If we have the interest to create some groups we will arrange lodging. If you cannot join us this time, prayers are always appreciated.


Questions, please email Bill Seymour at 4wseymour@gmail.com. 

Nailbenders

2nd Saturdays of Each Month / 8am Light House


Join us on the 2nd Saturday of the month at the church’s outdoor patio in front of the Light House. Bring a sack breakfast to enjoy before we head out to assist individuals in need.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

1st & 3rd Thursdays / 10-11:30am / Room 154


Join us for fellowship, knitting, and crochet! We provide the needles and yarn. No experience needed and all ages welcome. We meet on the first and third Thursday of each month. To get involved, please contact Polly Askew.


Prayer Shawl Trinity

Meets Sundays 2-4pm / Lighthouse Room 139


Kathy Medlen and Jimmie Rooks invite everyone interested in learning to knit, as well as those with knitting experience, to join us on Sunday afternoons in the Lighthouse Room 139 from 2pm to 4pm.


Participants from 6th grade and up are welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in mission work alongside friends or family, and we especially encourage mother/daughter and grandparent/grandchild pairs to participate. We believe you’ll find this group to be a relaxing way to pray and serve others.

 

Please RSVP to Jimmie Rooks or sign up through the button below. We look forward to seeing you there!

Be a Part of Music & Worship at SGPC

Join the Music Ministry


Handbell Ringers Needed

We need handbell ringers for worship and special music performances. We meet Tuesdays in the Fall at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary beginning Sept 9. Please email Miki Keisler at mkeisler@saxegotha.org if you are interested.

More Discipleship & Fellowship Opportunities for You

+ Men's Monday Morning Bible Study 6:30am

+ Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study 7:30am

+ Monday Morning Women's Bible Study 10am Sept 15 - June 8

Be A Part of a Circle for Fellowship, Renewal, & Spiritual Growth


Join other women for monthly gatherings in comfortable settings for a time of renewal, fellowship, encouragement, and inspiration. The busyness of life shouldn't get in the way of special time for women to gather and share life together! If you'd like more information, please contact Michelle Smoak at michelle@mclarenandlee.com.

Abigail Circle Leader: Lou Huyck louhuyck@yahoo.com

2nd Wednesday at 10am / Main Building, Room 151


Friendship Circle Leader: Lee Smith Lee@ljsbenefitconsultants.com

4th Monday at 6pm / Member Homes

 

Marie Colberg Circle Leader: Kathy Arrowsmith Kca21@yahoo.com

3rd Tuesday at 10am / Library/Resource Room (near gym)

 

New Life Circle Leader: Kay Hendrix Jhendrix8@sc.rr.com

3rd Thursday at 6:30pm / Member’s Homes

 

Grace Circle Leader: Kim Eubanks eubanks@lex2.org

2nd Tuesdays at 6:30pm / Eubanks' Home at 111 Dark Hollow Drive


Lexington County Garden Club

Seed Swap Gathering

Sat Aug 30 3-5pm / Light House Parking Lot


Join the Lexington County Garden Club for a seed swap! Bring seeds to share, fellowship with others, and share your passion for growing plants, flowers, or herbs. Our group meets monthly at Saxe Gotha and we'd love for you to join us! For more information, contact Kerry Hershey khershey1978@gmail.com.

Join us for Pickleball


Pickleball is a great way to stay active and have some fun. We play on Wednesday nights from 6-8pm and we'll add more times as we grow.

Modern Worship Music Set List


If you would like to preview the music that will be included in the Modern Worship Service this week, click on the button below.

We are Hiring!


Director of Middle & High School Ministry

We're searching for a passionate leader to engage and mentor our youth. If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you! To apply, please email a cover letter, your resume, and your philosophy of ministry to johncarrollcarpenter@gmail.com

or contact the church office for more information at 803-359-7770. Please help us by circulating this job description to friends.

We have a lot of exciting events planned!

Make sure to Save the Date on your calendar.

No Sunday Dinner

Because of Labor Day, there will not be a Sunday Evening Dinner on Aug 31


Sept 7

Congregational Meeting at 10am / Sanctuary


Sept 14

Starting Point 12:30-2pm Meeting at Pastor Joel's home

Sept 20

Chili Cook Off & Line Dancing

Saturday 5-7pm


Sept 21

Connection Point

Covenant Partner (New Member Class)

Sunday 2pm


November 9

Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

Sanctuary Flower Calendar


Anyone is welcomed to sign-up for a weekend to celebrate a special occasion, honor a person, or to simply contribute to worship in this way.


Our book has moved to a digital format. Please scan the QR code to pick a Sunday in 2025 to donate flowers. If you prefer, you can talk to someone at the welcome desk or call the church office during business hours and they can help you get your date on the calendar. Thank you for your support!


Flower Calendar

Prayer


We believe prayer is an essential discipline in our practice as believers. If you have a prayer request for your health or an immediate family member, call the Church Office at 803-359-7770 or email prayer@saxegotha.org. If you would like your request to go to our Confidential Intercessory Prayer Team, please include that note.

Visitation & Service Information Remembering Allen Medlen


The visitation to honor and remember Allen Medlen will be held on Saturday, September 13, at 10am in the Narthex, followed by the service in the Sanctuary at 11am. Please continue to pray for God's comfort and love for their family and friends.

Congregational Care Cares about You


In July our Congregational Care ministries reached out to others in the following ways: 


+ Caring Connections sent 26 cards, made 35 visits, and made 39 calls/texts

+ Stephen Ministers provided care for 3 care receivers

+ Renee’ Starnes talked with 78 people, mailed 70 letters and newsletters, sent 12 cards and made 31 phone calls

+ WinGS had 9 at the July luncheon

+ The Homebound Communion team of 7 gave communion to 6 people.


You can help by donating cards to the office, or praying that our ministries continue to reach out to those in need near and far.


This Sunday, 8/31 Team 2 Sunday, 9/7 Team 3

Weekly Giving Report August 17, 2025


WTD Giving: $46,361

YTD Giving: $1,260,830

We would love to hear from you!


Have a story about the great work the Lord is doing at Saxe Gotha? Is your ministry hosting an event? Want to be featured in future communications? Contact the Communications Team.

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