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This Week's Newsletter
November 30, 2022
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We are excited to announce that tomorrow we will officially launch One Church Software, an online church engagement tool that will help us stay better connected as a church. Saxe Gotha is passionate about enabling our church family to connect with one another, keep up with what’s going on, and grow as a connected community of believers. After many hours of prayerful deliberation and intentionally pursuing wisdom from experts across the US, we are confident that adopting this software solution will aid us most effectively in that pursuit. With this tool, you will have access to our various ministry areas, whether that's connecting with groups or volunteering teams, learning about church events and much more. When you have a few minutes, we encourage you to watch a brief overview of One Church Software.
You will receive an email tomorrow morning with log-in instructions to One Church. If you do not receive the email, contact our Database Administrator, Jennifer Dever (jdever@saxegotha.org), and she can resend your invite. You will be able to use the account to log into the One Church App or the One Church Portal on the Saxe Gotha website. Your email will also include directions on how to access both the app and the portal. You do not have to create an account to receive emails from Saxe Gotha or your group leaders, to sign up for Saxe Gotha events, to volunteer or to donate. But we are confident that this tool will streamline and simplify that process.
We know you will have many questions about One Church over the next several weeks and months. To answer some of your preliminary questions, we have put together a quick “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet for you to review. We will also be offering trainings throughout December and Winter/Spring 2023. We will offer several group trainings and account set up events. We will also be hosting drop-in hours where Super User staff will be available to answer your questions, get your account set up on your personal devices and do one-on-one walkthroughs of the software with you. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one training with one of our Super Users, schedule a training for your ministry or group, or register for any of the scheduled trainings, please fill out this form so that we can get that scheduled.
Currently Scheduled Trainings:
Monday, December 5, Noon-2pm: Senior Adult Training
Tuesday, December 6, 2pm-4pm: Open Drop-In Hours
Sunday, December 11, 9am-10am: Family Fellowship
Tuesday, December 20, 2pm-4pm: Open Drop-In Hours
We are excited for you all to login to One Church, update your information and begin connecting with each other on the platform. Our staff has worked very hard over the last 7 weeks to have this software ready to roll out, and we appreciate all of the extra time and effort they put into making this program a success. We also would like to thank our lay-leaders who were willing to meet with us on their own time to help get programs set up, test workflows and give us insights into their ministry. This project was only possible due to the time and effort of many people and we are so grateful for their dedication and commitment to Saxe Gotha...thank you!
In Christ,
Alisha Hudson
Business Administrator
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Stay connected to our church wherever you go by downloading the free My One Church App for iPhone and Android devices. Use it to communicate with your groups, RSVP to events, update profile information and more.
With One Church, you can connect throughout the week and know what’s happening:
• Groups—Keeps everyone up-to-date with the latest posts, information and events for your group and for your church as a whole
• Events—See event details (date, time, location, etc), submit your RSVP and make payments for events
• Service Opportunities —Volunteer with Saxe Gotha, make a donation to a local or international mission and join a Congregational Care team
• People—See names and basic profile details for church members or groups, based on their privacy preferences
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Prayer focus for November:
Stewardship and Finances
Prayer focus for December:
Those with Heavy Hearts
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Transitional Pastor Announcement - 11.29.22
Dear Saxe Gotha Church Family,
After prayerful consideration, the Session unanimously approved the recommendation of the Transitional Pastor Search Committee to call the Rev. Dr. Morgan Murray as our ECO Certified Transitional Pastor to begin January 1, 2023 here at Saxe Gotha. Morgan comes to us with more than twenty years in pastoral ministry most recently from West Valley Presbyterian Church in Cupertino, CA where he has served as Certified Transitional Pastor and Head of Staff. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, California. Morgan received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has completed Certified Transitional Pastor Training for ECO and he also serves as a coach for other pastors. Morgan has two grown sons who reside in California.
We are excited to welcome Morgan to Lexington and to Saxe Gotha. We will be sharing more information about him in the coming weeks as we prepare for his arrival at the first of the year. We would like to thank the Transitional Pastor Search Committee for all their hard work and discernment over the past several months: Dawn Cochran (chair), Michelle Faust, Graham Gardner, and Byron Kirby. To answer a frequently asked question, per ECO polity, Transitional Pastors are called (employed) by the Session and not called by the congregation. Please keep Morgan in your prayers as he moves to South Carolina in the next few weeks.
Joe Moore, Clerk of Session
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Staff Love Offering
We will collect a Christmas Love Offering for the SGPC staff members online and in person during the worship services through Monday, December 12. To donate online, please go to: saxegotha.org/give. The ushers will have the Staff Love Offering envelopes during the services and the envelopes will be in the pew pockets in the Sanctuary. The Pastors and Staff sincerely thank you!
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We want you to connect with your church family! Photo booths will be available Sunday, December 4, 11 and 18 in the Atrium and Narthex for you to update or add your picture to the One Church App between the worship services while you're already looking your Sunday finest. No picture purchase is necessary!
Update the photo in the app yourself, or email it to our Membership Coordinator, Karen Baier at kbaier@saxegotha.org.
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Many Tags are Still Available.
Love-A-Family Extended through December 11.
We are entering the blessed Christmas season with much anticipation and joy. Unfortunately, this time of year is not always joyful for many of our neighbors in need. We still have several names left on the Love-A-Family trees. These adults and children often do not have any family or friends to buy necessities or gifts for them. If you have not done so already, please prayerfully consider taking one of these names and serving someone who is in need. That is truly when we are at our best – in service to others. That is a message of the gospel.
Please pickup tags on the Christmas trees in the Narthex or Light House Atrium. The deadline to return these gifts has been extended to Sunday, December 11. If you would like to get a name but are unable to come to Saxe Gotha, please call the office at 803-359-7770 and we will happily email you one of the remaining Love-A-Family tags. Please contact Kathy Seymour at 803-920-7385 or 4kathys@gmail.com if you have questions.
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Operation Turkey provided food for 586 people this year.
- We provided bulk food for Mission of Hope which made up 370 of these individuals.
- We provided food for 36 families in Lexington One, made up of 172 adults and children.
- We provided food for 15 individuals at SisterCare.
- We also provided remaining food for others in need.
Thanks to those who contributed their time, food, donations and prayers to this important ministry.
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Advent 2022 Sermon Series: Journey to the Manger
A musty whiff emerges from the box as the nativity scene, with all the figurines, are carefully removed from their storage container after their yearlong hibernation in the attic. The rebuilding of the nativity marks the beginning of our preparation for Christmas. Each piece, carefully placed, reenacts the age-old journey we make throughout the season of Advent to arrive at the Manger. Along the way we revisit characters that proclaim the anticipation, preparation, provision, and promise of this season. This year, join with us as we consider how God is preparing us for our journey to the Manger.
• December 4: Joseph and Mary: More than Parents
• December 11: Cantata: A Festival of Lessons and Carols
• December 18: The Innkeeper: Sorry We're full
• December 24: Jesus: The Present of Presence
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Advent Devotionals are Here
The Advent Devotionals are here. They are free of charge but supplies are limited. They can be found in the Narthex, Church Office and Light House Atrium. They come from the same ministry as last year, Frontier Fellowship, which is one of our ministry partners. They also compliment our advent sermon series “Journey to a Manager.” If you would like a daily email version of the advent devotional, you can sign up for that using this link: https://frontierfellowship.com/subscribe-advent/.
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Lexington County Choral Society Concerts -
A Reason to Celebrate Singing
We are glad to be back singing a full season again (Season 26), and we have many reasons to celebrate and sing! Season and individual event tickets are now available at LexCoChoralSoc.org. Shows are at 7:30 pm at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church. The Society is led by Hal McIntosh.
Upcoming Shows:
The Holidays - December 2-3
The Three Baritones - January 20
Folks Near and Far - March 3
The Faure Requiem - May 5
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Women's Christmas Gathering: Ornament Painting
Calling Women of All Ages...We would like to invite you to come fellowship, enjoy some snacks and paint an ornament on Sunday, December 4 (2:00-4:00 pm) in MB Room 151. Our very own, Beth Maddox (from Lexington Paint & Pour), will be offering different paintable ornaments for you to choose from. Each ornament will be $15. Reserve your spot below. Check made payable to Beth Maddox or Lexington Paint & Pour. Hope to see you there!
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The 2022 Christmas cantata, “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” offers participants opportunities to be in God’s transformational presence as they become immersed in the Christmas story through Gospel narratives, Christmas choral anthems, and participatory carols and hymns.
This Christmas cantata is similar to “The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” that originated in Truro Cathedral (England) in 1880 and was later adapted at Kings College in 1918. This cantata begins with sacred music from the prophecies of the coming Messiah and progresses through the Gospels with the redemptive story that concludes in the celebration of Christ’s birth – a transformational journey.
Our Christmas cantata will include the Sanctuary Choir, chamber orchestra, piano and pipe organ, soloists, children’s choir and narrators featuring the choral works of Hal Hopson, Craig Courtney, Dan Forrest, Larry Shackley and John Leavitt. Come and be part of the celebration on Saturday, December 10th at 7:00 pm or Sunday, December 11th at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary.
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Friendship Dinner - Friday, December 16
We are planning to have a Friendship Dinner for our local friends who are dealing with mental illnesses on Friday, December 16. This will be the first dinner since February 2020.
We will cook a big dinner, Garth Olson will provide the entertainment and Santa will pass out gifts. Dinner starts at 6:00 pm. Volunteers are needed starting at 4:00 pm.
If you would like to volunteer to help make this a special time for our friends, please email or call Kathy Seymour at: 4kathys@gmail.com or 803-920-7385.
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Year End Giving Options:
Mail – the envelope must be postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2022.
Offering – any offering submitted either in cash or check by year end.
In Person – Check/Cash can be hand delivered to the business office by Jan. 3, 2023 no later than 5:00 pm (checks dated Dec. 31, 2022). Please note: the Office is closed Dec. 30 - Jan 2.
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First Impressions - LH
NEEDS VOLUNTEERS (ADULTS & YOUTH)
To Serve as USHERS/GREETERS/CREW to support the Light House Sunday School and AWE Service times. Each volunteer will serve once every 5 weeks.
Contact: Justin Hall: jhall@saxegotha.org or
Jack Barber: 803-440-2334, jackbarber1231@outlook.com
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Moms in Prayer Group
The Moms in Prayer Group meets on Wednesdays from 10:30 -11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Moms in Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray. All are invited to come and pray. Please contact Sara McCarter with questions: smccarter@saxegotha.org.
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Widows in Group Share
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. We will continue to meet the 2nd Saturday of every month for a time of Christian fellowship and sharing.
Please RSVP to Carol Harden at 217-652-2768 or Colette Phillips at 803-553-9741. We look forward to seeing everyone!
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Prayer Shawl Ministry -
This ministry meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:30 am in Room 154 in the Main Building.
The Prayer Shawl MInistry will meet briefly on December 1 at 11:00 am and then will go to Ruby Tuesdays for a Dutch treat lunch to celebrate Christmas and share in fellowship.
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.
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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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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 AV Professionals and Teachers!
We are looking for 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 CDC is always looking for individuals who are interested in teaching preschoolers. Experience working with children is preferred. If you are interested in possibly becoming a part of the Child Development Family please send an updated resume to Hope Andrews at handrews@saxegotha.org. Sharing the love of Jesus is one of our priorities!
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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 School
Preschool Sunday School meets in the Nursery Area @ 9:45 am.
Room 214: 2-3 year olds
Room 224: 4-5 year olds
Nursery for 3 and younger will be in Room 215.
Join us as we play our way through the Bible! Parents please pick up by 10:40 am.
WANTED: SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS
We want YOU to serve our 2s and 3s Sunday School Classes.
Requirements: Review prepared lesson each week to teach our children as they journey through the Bible. Each lesson includes Biblical truths, scripture, games and activities.
Hours: 9:30 - 10:30 am on Sunday Mornings.
Search: Find another person or couple to team teach every other Sunday with you.
Reward: You will delve deeper into God's word as the kids learn along with you.
Questions, please contact: Erin Stoudemire.
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The Next Generation Ministry would like to invite everyone to join us for a time of fellowship before the Cantata from 9:00 - 10:00 am in the Gym. | |
Join the NextGen team for a bright night of fun holiday lights! Families and friends are all welcome to join us at Segra Park for this great time. We have a special ticket price available, so be sure to sign up below. | |
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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Preschool Sunday School
How do preschoolers learn best? Through play! Learning the Bible is no exception. Teaching little ones about God’s word by living it out is not only FUN but it helps it to take root in little hearts. Years from now these young friends will hopefully remember the fun they had parting the Red Sea with their friends. We hope your little one (2K-5K) can join us Sunday mornings at 9:45 AM on the nursery hall as we play our way through the Bible!
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Club45 and Seekers
Club45 Update: Mrs. Patricia’s lesson was on James 4:13-16, which teaches us about arrogance versus humility. We learned that some people in the Bible were arrogant and some people were humble. One person we talked about was both, but his conversion was so incredible he was given a new name. That person was Saul who became Paul. When Saul was persecuting Christians, he was arrogant and sure he was doing the right thing. Once he met Jesus on the road, he became very humble and his name changed to Paul. Paul no longer lived a life doing what he wanted, instead he served God and spread the story of Jesus all over the known world.
Seekers Update: This week we loved having Mrs. Kristy teach us about the Trinity. We learned that God is one, but exists in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These are all one God and are equal in power and glory!
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Here is our schedule for Sundays, Small Groups and Bible Studies for the remainder of the semester:
Sunday Afternoons
12/4 - Regular Sunday Afternoon Programming
12/11 - Last Sunday of Programming - Party Time!
Small Groups (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Week of 11/28 - Small Groups Meet
Week of 12/5 - Last Small Group Meeting for the Semester
Thursday Morning Bible Studies (MS and HS)
12/1 - Regular Bible Study
12/8 - Last Bible Study - Christmas Party (Breakfast Provided)
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Student Ministry Fall Programming has begun. Please refer to
the schedule below for Weekly Events and Special Events.
Tuesday Evenings- Small Groups meet in the Light House
6:30-7:30 pm MS Girls meet in The Well
HS Girls meet in LH Room 138
HS Boys meet in LH Room 130
* Middle School Boys have a new meeting day. They are now meeting on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Light House.
Thursday Mornings- Morning Bible Studies
6:45-7:45 am MS Bible Study meets in the Light House Atrium
7:00-8:00 am HS Bible Study meets at the Thomas' house
Sunday Mornings- Sunday School MS meets in LH Room 144
9:45-10:30 am HS meets in LH Room 143
Confirmation meets in LH Room 145/146
Sunday Afternoons- Oasis (Grades: 6-8) - The Well in the Light House
4:00-5:30 pm: Refuge (Grades: 9-12) - Room 138 in the Light House
Details, contact Justin Hall at jhall@saxegotha.org.
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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 144
- High School - Room 143
- Confirmation - Room 145/146
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Child Development Center
Please contact Hope Andrews at handrews@saxegotha.org or 803.359.7770 ext. 126 or stop by the Child Development Center if you are interested in our CDC.
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Drive Thru Prayer: Tuesday December 20
(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.
November 15 Update:
What a wonderful morning at Drive Through Prayer! We had 7 cars, 9 volunteers and multiple honks and waves from the highway. A passing law enforcement officer gave us a flashing blue light acknowledgement! One driver that attends church near White Knoll High School said that his church has started a DTP and he wanted to extend a prayer to us. Another driver wanted to pray for the world and our divisiveness and the students at UVA regarding the tragic shooting. She started the first half of the prayer and our team member finished it.
We have found that not only do people want to pray with us, but for us and our ministry! Our Drive Through Prayer continues to be a vital outreach to the community of Lexington. Please come join us! No training is involved. Just a heart willing to serve.
To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email missions@saxegotha.org.
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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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