Several members of Saxe Gotha’s Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) along with our pastoral staff recently attended the ECO National Gathering. As a co-chair of the PNC, my goal was to learn more about ECO in general, pastoral transitions in particular, and what resources are available to churches in transition. In this regard, the trip was very successful. Additionally, we all had the opportunity to catch up with old friends, meet new friends and share information about Saxe Gotha with potential future candidates. For me, this was my first time at the National Gathering, and I’d like to share with you all a few observations. 

First, ECO is a vibrant and growing denomination. Learning and worshiping with 1,200+ ECO pastors and lay leaders was an inspiring experience, and I saw that our denomination is full of leaders who are passionate about knowing and worshiping Jesus and growing His Church. 

Second, ECO has thoughtfully developed extensive resources to assist churches in transition. Our church leadership’s decision to follow the recommendation of ECO, developed by experts in pastoral transitions, by calling a Certified Transitional Pastor to help us navigate this season of change is supported by research on successful (and unsuccessful) transitions.

Finally, I was encouraged by a statement that I’ll try to quote accurately: “Your church’s transition is a God-ordained sovereign moment in the life of God’s church.” Let that sink in! God ordained this transition, and he is fully in control of this moment in the life of Saxe Gotha. He is sovereign! I pray that we will all be reminded of this as our officers, transition team, pastors and PNC complete our work and as we wait for our Sovereign Lord to reveal and call the pastor He has chosen for His church at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian!

-Rick Green

Co-Chair, Saxe Gotha Pastor Nominating Committee

Christian Love is extended to the family of George Metropol. His burial will be a private family service out-of-town. Please keep his wife, Shelley, in your prayers. Also, the son of John Faust, Sam, died over the weekend. Please keep John and his entire family in your prayers. 

Funerals: The Faust Funeral will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 18 in the Sanctuary. The DeRouen Funeral will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 18 in the Sanctuary.

Baptism: Abigail (Abigail) Jean Sturgis, daughter of John and Elizabeth Sturgis, received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, March 12, 2023 in the AWE Service. Abigail has a big brother, Graham.  

AWE Contemporary Service Livestream: Due to technical issues with our streaming equipment, we are currently only able to stream services from the Sanctuary. Our AV team is working diligently to find an effective and expedient solution, so that we may begin streaming in the Auditorium again. Presently, we will be streaming the 8:30 am and 11:00 am Traditional Services.

Change for South Sudan - Collection this Sunday, March 19

Please continue to help the people of South Sudan. 

Gender Equity in Education. Our South Sudan Ministry works in several ways with our South Sudanese partners to promote Christianity. Among these are Education, Theological Education, Peacemaking, Evangelism and Humanitarian Aid (when necessary).  

This week, we want to provide information on our primary education program, support of the Kondako Presbyterian Primary School in Pibor. This school is managed by a Headmistress who is hired by the Moderator of Eastern Jonglei Presbytery, Rev. James Zeelu. Currently there are 246 students in school ranging from Nursery to 8th grade. There are 11 students in the 8th grade who will take the graduation exams which determine whether they will be allowed to advance to secondary school.

We are happy to report that a secondary school has opened in Pibor. It is run by Across – a Christian Charity which does excellent work. There are now 160 secondary students with 41 of these in “Senior 4” (12th grade).  

At Kondako, there are only 26 girls (about 10.5%) which reflects a gradual reduction in girls’ attendance over the past few years. Both the church leaders and the teachers are encouraging more parents of girls to send their daughters to school. The gender disparity continues at Pibor Secondary school with only 16 secondary girl students (again 10%).

This disparity reflects a cultural practice of denying girls education. Instead, they remain at home to help with chores such as grinding grain, washing clothes and fetching water. The idea is that the wife needs assistance and girls don’t need to be educated because they will be married and provide a dowry for the family…normally the dowry is paid in cows.  

Both of our primary partners, Revs. Orozu and James, have stated publicly that their daughters will not be “sold for cows.” Instead, they will marry the husband they choose following their education. They are setting a wonderful example of respecting women as equals and not “property,” but this remains a difficult cultural practice to change.

Please pray for the women and girls of South Sudan that they may gain equality with men and boys. 

Thank you for your support, your Change for South Sudan Ministry Team

VBS 2023: Twists & Turns -

Following Jesus Changes the Game

Scripture: Psalms 25:4- Show me your ways, Lord,  teach me your paths.

Date: June 19-22 (9 am- 12 pm)

Preschool: Rising 4K & 5K - Limited to 125. 

Elementary: Rising 1st - 6th (Rising 6th is Service Team)

T-shirts: $10 (pre-order only)

Volunteers: Youth must be rising 7^th grade and older.

*Nursery is available only for volunteer children and must register: smccarter@saxegotha.org.

Woman on J.O.Y Award Nominations

Woman of J.O.Y Award was established to recognize a woman who has shown distinguished service to SGPC through contribution to mission and activities of the church, it’s members and community, both close by and around the world. All of this work to honor the glory of God. Please use the form below to nominate women for this award. All nomination forms should be returned to the Women In Ministry Mailbox in the Church Office by TODAY, March 15.

We are looking for a AV Professionals.

- The Audio Engineer’s primary responsibility is for organizing and facilitating sound engineering for worship rehearsals and services, and other ministry events and communication projects requiring support. This position aids in the training and support of all volunteers and staff as needed and works in tandem with the Media and Video Technicians.

- The Media Technician’s primary responsibility is to review, prepare for and oversee the execution of the ProPresenter presentation software for the media and production elements for Sunday worship services and other ministry events requiring production support.

- The Video Technician’s primary responsibility is to setup, install, operate, test, and troubleshoot the video production equipment elements for Sunday worship services and other ministry events requiring production support.



If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Alisha Hudson at ahudson@saxegotha.org. See below for complete job descriptions.

WIM Council would like to invite all Women’s Bible Study and Small Group Leaders (or their designee) to attend our meeting on March 26 at 4:00 pm in Room 206.  

We will be discussing WIM at SGPC and the planning and implementation of our upcoming event, the Annual Women’s Spring Luncheon.  This is an exciting time at SGPC and we would love for women of all ages to provide a hand and share their voice. We look forward to seeing you!!

If you have questions or require any further information, please contact Michelle Smoak at michelle@mclarenandlee.com.

Food Donations Requested: We are collecting donations of candy for treat bags and breakfast/snack foods (like doughnuts, pastries, granola bars, bags of chips) for the Let's Glow event. Please drop off Candy by Tuesday, March 21 in boxes located in Narthex, Church Office and Light House Atrium and bring Breakfast Food and Water Bottle donations by Saturday, March 26 at food table outside Church Office. Questions, please contact Dawn Merck at dmerck@saxegotha.org.

Summer Camps for Kids - Registration Now Open!

This year, we have Basketball Camp, Kelly's Camps (Gladiator Nerf, Circus Acrobatics and Survivor Ninja) and Soccer Shots Camp. Also, our VBS for this Summer will be Twists & Turns - registration is now open at saxegotha.org/summer.

United Heroes

Our military are very important to us at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church. We want to show you that we are thinking of you and praying for you. Please send your name and address to unitedheroes@saxegotha.org so that we can send you cards and/or care packages. We would also like to send you a birthday card if you send us your birth month and day. May God bless you and God bless the USA!

Sermon Series -

The Art of Living Lightly: What Jesus Really Wants Us to Give Up for Lent

This series is intended to challenge those of us who push ourselves to the point of exhaustion in the name of being good Christians. At a point in Saxe Gotha’s history when there is so much anxiety about the future and so much grief over all the things “we used to do,” our default is to believe God will only bless us if we try harder. The path of spiritual maturity will always challenge our “make it happen” compulsions and call us to surrender to God as the One who is really doing the doing.

Purpose: Lent is usually a time when give up some creature comfort as a means of expressing our gratitude to Jesus for giving up heaven and his very life for us. We want to identify with Christ’s suffering through acts of self-sacrifice and self-discipline. We give up things (like sweets) or add things (like a daily prayer time or service work). But these often feel more like New Year’s Resolutions we struggle to keep than new ways of deepening our relationship with the Lord. It's too easy for us to believe we are human doings instead of human beings. This series is a call to stop doing and start being in a way that allows us to see how God work leads to God’s fruitfulness.

Description: The theme verses for this series are Matt 11:28-30, offered here from The Message paraphrase:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

From this initial invitation/challenge given by Jesus, the series will see it shows up in Jesus’ ministry… all the way to the cross and into his post-resurrection ministry and teaching.

Date - Scripture Text (Sermon Title)

Mar. 19 - Matt 12:22-32 (The Plunder of Heaven)

Mar. 26 - Matt 12:38-50  (Descent into Transformation)

Apr. 2 - Matt 21:1-11  (What Kind of King?)

Apr. 7 - Matt 27:45-54 (Love is Made Complete)

Apr. 9 - Matt 27:62-28:10 (Holding On For Dear Life)

Apr. 16 - Matt 28:16-20 (The Yoke of Evangelism)

One Church App

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 

Drive Thru Prayer: Tuesday, March 21 (7:15-8:15 am)

(the 3rd Tuesday of the month), 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.

To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email missions@saxegotha.org.  

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 contact Carol Harden at 217-652-2768 to let her know if you are able to attend. We look forward to seeing everyone!

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.

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.

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​.

Club45 is held in Light House Room 112/113. Seekers is held in MB Room 224/225.

Seekers Update -Seekers were delighted to have Mrs. Kristy teach how God is merciful. We are so thankful that even though we don’t deserve it, God offers us mercy and forgiveness because we are His. 

Club45 Update - Pastor Morgan led us this week through a review of the book of Jonah and showed us how Jonah appears in the New Testament. Jonah appears in Matthew 12:38-42. Jesus is comparing his coming time in the tomb to Jonah being in the belly of the fish. The Pharisees didn't know who Jesus was, but they knew who Jonah was, so Jesus was trying to explain what they didn't know, by using something they did know. Jesus knew he had to go through the hardest thing for us. He showed us how much he loves us on the cross. God isn't going to protect us from the hard things, but he will sustain us through them. 

Please refer to the schedule below for Weekly Events 

Tuesday Evenings, 6:30-7:30- The following Small Groups meet in the Light House

Middle School Girls - The Well, Room 148

High School Girls - Room 138 

Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-7:30- A Small Group for Middle School Boys meets in LH Cafe

Thursday Mornings, Morning Bible Studies

6:45-7:45 am Middle School Bible Study meets in the Light House Atrium

7:15-8:00 am High School Bible Study meets at Chick-fil-A, 5560 Sunset Blvd.

Sunday Mornings, 9:45-10:30- Sunday School meets in the Light House

Middle School - Room 144

High School - Room 143

Confirmation - Room145/146

Sunday Afternoons, 4:00-5:30- Sunday Afternoon Groups meet in the Light House

Oasis (Grades: 6-8) - The Well, Room 148

Refuge (Grades: 9-12) - Room 138 

Details, contact Justin Hall at jhall@saxegotha.org.

Services Available Online: 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.

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