This past Sunday was a special day for Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church as we gathered to praise God, celebrate and thank Pastor Jim Glatz for his 15 years of service as our minister. He has touched so many lives, and we will be forever indebted to him for his service. 

In retirement, Jim is ready to start a new chapter of his life. He will step away and follow the direction God leads him. The congregation of Saxe Gotha will likewise step forward in faith to face new challenges and opportunities as we seek to honor and serve the Lord. 

As he explained so well in his last This Week at Saxe Gotha article, Jim will be following the ECO (A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians) Standing Policy which states that a retired pastor is not allowed to come back to his or her former church to provide any pastoral services, including conducting funerals, weddings and baptisms for an extended period of time (at least two years in our case). 

This policy is truly beneficial to past, current and future church leadership and congregants. One specific benefit is that it helps support the new transitional pastor, and eventual senior pastor by allowing him or her the opportunity to develop relationships and bond in faith with church members as they walk through difficult times or celebrate special occasions. It is these times, as well as walking daily with God that unites and brings people together as a church family. The policy is also fair to all congregants about how and when ministers can officiate over events, ensuring that preferential treatment is not given. 

Saxe Gotha has had a busy summer with wonderful celebrations for both Jim and Hal’s retirements, preparation for the new Worship Arts Director, Garth Olson (set to begin August 15) and the Transition Pastor Search Committee entering the final stages of their search. We look forward, with hopeful anticipation, to what the Lord has in store for His church.

The Transition Communications Committee was recently formed to keep everyone up to date. Going forward we will continue to have regular news updates in TWASG and on the Transitions page of the Saxe Gotha Website (saxegotha.org/transitions). There is also an email address, transitions@saxegotha.org, where you can ask questions. Elders Scott Taylor and Matthew Gissendanner will respond to your inquiries. 

Thank you for your continued prayers during these transitions.

In Christ, 

The Transitions Communication Committee: Meredith Cully, Jenni Gannon, Matthew Gissendanner, Deck Hudson and Byron Kirby

Honor God

Openly Communicate

Pray Fervently

Extend Grace

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

Dear Saxe Gotha Church Family,

Thank you so much for a wonderful Sunday of worship and the reception afterward! Donnelle and I appreciated all the work that went into the service to make it an uplifting experience. We are also grateful for the generous monetary gift and the lovely keepsake boxes. The food served at the reception was delicious – and we continue to enjoy it! Everyone made the day so special!

Please know that we will always remember you with love and gratitude! Saxe Gotha is a biblical, Christ-centered congregation that is seeking to advance the kingdom of God. Continue to bear fruit for the kingdom in those places in which the Lord has placed you. As Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16).

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Jim

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Spark Your Night is Thursday, July 21 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Join us for a night of worship in the Light House Auditorium and fellowship for the whole family as we sing songs from VBS, have fun and learn more about God! Hope to see you there!

Then, join us for Pastries and Playdate on July 26 at 9 am! 

Parents and kids will gather in the Gym where kids can play, and parents can grab some refreshments and socialize. Then kids and parents will separately have a devotion and create a special craft. Hopefully, this will be a time to escape the heat, have some fun and get to know some other people who are in the same season of life! Questions? Contact Sara at smccarter@saxeg​otha.org.

We have planned another summer of exciting summer camps. 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

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.