A Heartfelt Thank You from Saxe Gotha

Saxe Gotha would like to extend our deepest thanks to all the musicians, choir, partners, staff, people behind the scenes and potluckers for your incredible hard work, dedication, and delicious food this past Sunday. Each of you played an integral part in making our Kirkin’ service truly memorable!

We are so grateful for your contributions and the joy you bring to our community. Please join us this Sunday—and every Sunday—at Saxe Gotha. We can't wait to see you again!  

Pastor Joel and Pastor HH

Join Us for the Box Packing Party!

Sun Nov 9 / Sign Up to Pack Boxes

Last year, your generosity packed 587 shoeboxes for children around the world. This year, let's smash that goal! Our new target is 600 boxes—a powerful symbol of hope for children and families globally.

The Mission:

Our goal for the Packing Party is 350 boxes, but to hit 600, we need 250 more shoeboxes packed by you and your groups! All completed shoeboxes must be returned to the church by Sunday morning, November 16.

5 Ways to Be a Shoebox Hero:

1. Grab a Shoebox (or Several!) Your empty shoeboxes will be available starting Sunday, October 19th. Find them in the Narthex (Sanctuary), Atrium (Lighthouse), and the main office area. Take them home and start packing!

2. Rally Your Troops Get your small group, circle, or neighborhood friends together to pack multiple shoeboxes and multiply your impact.

3. Donate Supplies Help us stock the party! Check out our Amazon wish list and send supplies directly to the church. Your donations will ensure we reach our 350-box goal for the packing party.

4. Prep for the Party We need helpers before the main event! Can your small group assist by packing school supply bags or rubber-banding t-shirts? All supplies are provided—just bring the manpower!

5. Join the Celebration! Don't miss the fun! Join us at the Packing Party on Sunday, November 9, from 4-5:30pm. This is where the bulk of our boxes come together! Stay for dinner at 5:30pm.

Operation Turkey

Collecting Nov 2-23

The season of gratitude and thanksgiving is upon us! We are working with Missions of Hope again to bring Thanksgiving dinner to families in our community. We will be collecting dry goods in bins in the Narthex, Atrium, and Church Office. 

Requested Donation Items 

White Rice 1 pound bags/boxes 

Stovetop dressing boxes

Candied Yams cans

Cranberry Sauce cans

Evaporated Milk cans

Green Beens cans

Cornbread Mix or Pre-Baked Bread/Rolls 

Macaroni & Cheese boxes Dessert­

Pre-Baked Pies: Pumpkin, Sweet Potato or Apple 

Cake or Brownie mix 

Monetary Donations
We are also taking monetary donations towards the purchase of turkeys. Please designate your gift for "Operation Turkey".

It's the Season for Getting Flu Shots

Sun Oct 19 9:30-11:30am / Gym

Don't fall for the flu this year! Stop by the Gym on Sunday, October 19 to get your flu shot between 9:30am-11:30am. Sign up to indicate how many flu shots will be given for you and family members. Bring your insurance card (the flu shot is free with most insurance companies). Flu shots are available to 3 years old and up.

Reserve Your Flu Shot: Sign Up →

Help Show Love to Saxe Gotha Elementary!

Bags of Candy Donations / Bin Outside Main Office by Sun Oct 12

We need individually wrapped bags of candy for our friends at Saxe Gotha Elementary! SGPC will have a booth and will be giving out candy for everyone in attendance. Help us show our community some love by donating candy for this event. Bring your candy donation to the bin outside the main office by Sun, Oct 12.

Senior Adult Trip & Lunch to Mepkin Abbey

Mon Nov 17 8am-4:30pm / Purchase Tickets Online

Seniors... join us for a day trip to see the annual Crèche Festival nativity displays at Mepkin Abbey with lunch and possibly another activity for example outlet shopping depending on time. Oct 15 is the last day to sign up for tickets! 

Sunday in Worship

Sunday in Worship Join us as Pastor Joel continues the series on stewardship in all of life, Made for God.

Oct 26, Celebration Sunday Join us for a special day of celebrating God's grace as we make our stewardship commitments to honor God and His church.

Sunday Evenings Resume Oct 19

Groups and dinner will not take place on Sunday, October 12 but will resume the following Sunday.

Dinner Sign Up →

Volunteer Sign Up →

Church Officer Nominations

Deadline to Submit Sun Oct 26

We ask everyone to carefully and prayerfully choose the individuals to suggest as nominees for officers and submit through the link below.

Submit Your Nominations →

Worship Opportunity for Students

Seeking students with Dance Experience / Deadline Oct 10

We are seeking students with dance experience to learn choreography for the musical, Longest Night Service. Please contact Miki Keisler, our Associate Director of Worship, by October 10 at mkeisler@saxegotha.org if you are interested in this opportunity to worship through the arts.

Awanita Fall Retreat for HS Students

Nov 14-16 / Register by Oct 23

Awanita Valley Christian Retreat is the perfect place for High School students to get away from the busyness of life and gather for a weekend of renewal. Lessons, worship, small groups, fun, fellowship, and time to breathe. The cost is $175 (covers lodging, meals, transportation, and retreat activities). Adult leaders are needed. Registration closes on Oct 23.

Questions? Mary Knobeloch at mknobeloch@saxegotha.org.

Drive Thru Prayer

Join together as we love and support community members in need of prayer. We will need prayer warriors, sign holders, and traffic directors.

Evening Crew / Thurs Oct 9 5-6pm

Sign Up to Volunteer →

Morning Crew / Tues Oct 21 7:30-8:30am

Sign Up to Volunteer →

WinGS October Luncheon

Sat Oct 11 at 11:30am / Bellicinos Restaurant

The WinGS (Widow in Group Share) will hold this month's luncheon on Saturday, October 11 from 11:30am-1pm at Bellicinos located at 5339 Sunset Blvd. Join us for fellowship, good food, and encouragement for one another. Please contact Carol Harden at (217) 652-2768 no later than 3pm on Thurs, Oct 9 to let her know that you will be attending.

Mission Trip to Jamaica

Planning Trips for the Summer of 2026

Be a part of a mission team for our Jamaica Mission Trips in the summer of 2026. Reach out to Kim Koon to learn more and share your questions and/or interest in joining the mission teams.

Jamaica Summer 2026 High School (rising 10th, 11th, and 12th) 

Jamaica Summer 2026 College/Young Adult (graduated high school senior to 22 years old)

More information? Contact Kim Koon → 

Future Mission Trips to NC

Join DRT to Help Rebuild NC / Nov 13-16

Many people are under the impression that things are back to normal in North Carolina after the hurricane last year. The reality is that many communities are struggling to rebuild and are still very much in need of assistance. Let's help some folks return to pre-storm living conditions. For more information, Contact Bill Seymour →

Sign Up for Nov 13-16 Trip →

Thank You from the DRT Mission Team

All of the members of the DRT mission team would like to say "Thank You" to all of you who sent food items to NC for the mission team. You will never know what a true blessing it was to have food ready for us as we prepared for the day or when we came back home to rest. Words cannot say how much this means to our team as we work to help our neighbors recover in NC. Thank you very much!

Modern Worship Music Set List

Preview the music that will be included in the Modern Worship Service this week on our YouTube channel.



View Set List →

Stay Connected with the One Church App!

Have you downloaded the One Church App yet? It's the easiest way to stay connected and access everything you need.

On the home page of the app, under the "Requests" section, you'll find frequently used forms for all your needs, including: Connect With Us; Baptism Request; Event Request; Room Requests...and much more!

Whether you're new here or part of the family, the app helps make communication and planning simple.

Download it today! If you need help, call the office and we will be glad to assist.