Dear Saxe Gotha Family,

Though names and faces have sometimes changed over the last 40 years, His Church at Saxe Gotha has always remained faithful to Giving God Joy through Worship, Growth and Service. During this period of transition at Saxe Gotha we encourage you to remember that We are the Church…..While we await the Lord to call our new Senior Minister, the work of His Church at Saxe Gotha continues. We remain committed to fulfilling the Great Commission to share our testimony, preach the gospel, baptize new converts and teach the Word of God.  

We ask for your support, commitment and pledge to make that happen in 2023. You should have received a letter and pledge card in the mail from the stewardship committee last week. In the coming weeks I hope you will prayerfully consider your 2023 commitment.   

Why is Pledging Important?

Pledging is critical for the church's ability to budget for the life and work of the church; work that occurs on our church campus as well as work that our church leaders and members carry into the frontlines of our community and world-wide mission fields.  

How to Pledge?

• Turn in your completed Pledge Card during the church service on Commitment Sunday (November 13).
• Place your completed Pledge Card in the offering plate at another service.
• Return your completed Pledge Card to the church office during business hours.
• Mail your completed Pledge Card to the church (5503 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072).
• Set up or modify a recurring debit/credit pledge online through EasyTithe saxegotha.org/give.

As you consider your pledge for 2023, may you experience the joy of giving and the satisfaction of knowing the significant impact Saxe Gotha has in our community and around the world. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. * 

George Wham

Stewardship Team Officer

PS: Click HERE to see some ways God has used the Time, Talents and Treasure of His people at Saxe Gotha to serve his purposes in 2022. 

* How Paul ends 2 Corinthians.  

Christian Love is extended to Carl Hammond on the recent passing of his stepfather.

New Members: Please join us in welcoming new members, Howard and Charlotte Ruff, this Sunday, September 25 during the 8:30 Service. They are the parents of Stephanie Carter.

The Flowers that grace our Sanctuary this Sunday are given in memory of their grandmother, Barbara Davis, by her grandchildren: Kalvin, Adalyn, Amelia and Eloise.

All Nominations are due THIS Sunday - Please Consider making a Nomination. 

As the church continues to grow, so does our need for elders and deacons. Once a year, we accept nominations for these positions. Please prayerfully consider making a nomination. Self-nominations will be accepted. Deadline for submitting officer recommendations is September 25, 2022.

Click here if you would like to learn more about the

2023 Officer Nominations for Elder and Deacon.

The 40th Anniversary Kirkin' O' the Tartan will be held on the weekend of October 15.  Dinner on Saturday night at 6:00 pm in the Gym. Service will be held in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am. Sunday School will not be held. Fellowship time for all ages in the Gym at 9:00 am.

Moms in Prayer Group

The Moms in Prayer Group will begin meeting on Wednesday, September 28 from 10:30 -11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. This group will meet weekly on Wednesdays. 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: [email protected].

LaVie Pregnancy Center Diaper Drive

Throughout September, we will have a Diaper Drive for LaVie Pregnancy Center. Please drop off donations in the boxes wrapped in baby shower gift paper in the Narthex, Light House Atrium and Office.  

Requested Items:

Diapers: Sizes 2-6

Pullups

Wipes

Please contact Loretta Gobbel with questions: [email protected].

Adult Classes Offered on Sunday Afternoons

Began on September 11 (4:00-5:30 pm)

Dual Citizenship - Room 152/Library Main Building

As Christians in America, we are dual citizens, which is not always clear. Join Ray and Windy Hammond for this interactive class discussing such questions as “What does it mean to be a Christian in our society? How can we best impact our culture? What should our role be in politics?”

Passing the Promise: Writing Down your Faith Story - Room 155 Main Building

What better way to pass down the promises of God than by writing down how we came to know and love God, for our children and grandchildren to read? Member Rene Horton, a retired creative writing teacher, will help participants write down their faith story in their own words.

Contact Helen Harrison Ham with questions: [email protected].

Sanctuary Choir

Do you enjoy and have a passion for singing? Have a heart to lead the congregation in songs and hymns? Want to join a small group that has faith formation and fellowship?

Look no further…whether you are a student or an adult, we have a place just for you. The Sanctuary Choir’s 2022/2023 choral season begins this Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Music Suite, located on the second floor of the Main Building. Our 90-minute rehearsal is composed of devotion, singing, prayer and fellowship. In the next few weeks, rehearsal CDs and downloadable MP3s will be available for singers. If you are interested in becoming part of a community that sings beautiful and challenging music that praises God, please consider attending our rehearsals. For more information, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Music and Worship Arts Ministries at 803.359.7770, ext. 113 or at [email protected].

Handbell Ministry - Jeri Spires Handbell Choir 

Have you played an instrument or sung before? Can you read music?

If you have answered yes to the first two questions, we are off to a great start. So, if you like contributing to worship, being involved in a small group of spiritual formation, working together and sharing fellowship…look no further. We are recruiting students and adults that are interested in ringing handbells and chimes for the Jeri Spires Handbell Choir. Our handbell season will begin in mid-September (TBD) with weekly rehearsals from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The handbell ensemble helps lead worship with accompanying hymns and choir anthems, and separate ensemble pieces. Rehearsal CDs and downloadable MP3s will be provided in the next few weeks. Come to a place that finds joy playing unique and glorious music that celebrates God! If you would like more information, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Music and Worship Arts Ministries at 803.359.7770, ext. 113 or at [email protected].

Saxe Gotha Orchestra

Are you currently playing or have played a musical instrument before? Do you have passion and heart to play musical instruments? Look no further. We are looking to form an orchestra here at Saxe Gotha drawing from the five main instrument families: woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion and keyboards.

Whether you are a student or an adult, we have place for you to lead worship with your instrument. Arrangements of music will come from Lorenz, Lillenas and PraiseCharts. Once we have a list of names who are interested to be part of an orchestra season that begins in mid-September and concludes in May, we can determine the day and time for weekly rehearsals. The orchestra will help lead worship periodically through the church seasons and using a variety of musical styles driven from traditional music. Rehearsal CDs and downloadable MP3s will be provided. Come to a place that finds joy playing unique and glorious music that celebrates God! If you would like more information, please contact Garth Olson, Director of Music and Worship Arts Ministries at 803.359.7770, ext. 113 or at [email protected].

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.

The WINGS group will be meeting for lunch October 8 at 11:30 am at Nicks House of Pizza Restaurant at 1082 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia. Please contact Carol Harden at 1-217-652-2768 or Colette Phillips at 803-553-9741. Reservations must be in by October 5. 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.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet Thursday, September 22. Then in October, they will meet on Thursday October 6 and Thursday, October 20. (They will go back to meeting on the 1st and 3rd Thursday starting in October.).

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 [email protected] or 803-359-7770, ext. 137.

Current Sermon Series:

EXODUS: Preparing a People

The wilderness can be a tough place. The harsh elements and unpredictable dangers. Yet, there is much we can learn about ourselves in this vast expanse. Long ago, God liberated His chosen people from generations of slavery. But as amazing as that story is, it was only the beginning. God would lead the people to the Promised Land, but before they could arrive, they had to be prepared. Here is the story of a people who wandered the wilderness. Here is a story of a people who faced great adversity. Here are a people who failed. Here is the story of a people who were saved in more ways than one.

Perhaps you find yourself in a wilderness, lost and looking for peace, comfort and truth. God often uses the wilderness to prepare His people. Let’s enter the wilderness and join the journey of a people in preparation. Perhaps we too need to be prepared for something great. Join us each Sunday, September 11 – November 20 as we walk through the book of Exodus in worship. Who knows, you just might discover the presence of God along the way! 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

Kids and Next Gen Ministry teams would like to announce that Sunday Afternoon Programming will begin on Sunday, September 11. The schedule is:

4:00-5:30 pm: Seekers (K-3) - Rooms 224/225

                          Club 45 (4-5) - Rooms 112/113 in the Light House

5:15-6:00 pm: Choirs- 2/3 year old, 4/5 year old, 1st-5^th grade

* We will walk choir kids from Seekers and Club 45 with a snack at 5:15 pm. 

2/3 year olds- Room 211, 4/5 year olds- Room 212, 1st- 5^th grade: Music Suite

Adult classes will be offered from 4:00-5:30pm. Nursery will be provided for 4 year old and younger for adult class participants only. Questions? Email Sara McCarter at [email protected]. Semester ends December 11.

Club 45 and Seekers

Club 45 is studying James this fall, and this week we read James 1:2-18. We learned that a real faith in Jesus results in works. Faith is your belief in Jesus and works are what you do for others because of that faith. This week focused on trials and temptations. Trials aren't just something that happen in a court room with a judge, trials are the things in life that are hard to get through. We learned that a real faith in Jesus means that you know he is there in good times and through trials and you learn to really lean into your faith during those hard times. Mr. Robert also taught us that temptations happen to everyone, even Jesus. But Matthew 4:8-10 shows us how we can fight against those temptations and not give into sin. Reading and remembering God's words will help us to know how to fight temptation. We are also working on the Apostle's Creed. See you next week!

Seekers are studying WHO God is-WHAT he is like-And HOW we should act toward God-by learning the attributes of God. This week, we learned God is Incomprehensible!

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, 3rd/4th grade or 5th grade 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.

Start: September 11th.

Questions, please contact: Erin Stoudemire​.

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

MS Boys meet in The LH Cafe

HS Girls meet in LH Room 138 

 HS Boys meet in LH Room 130

Thursday Mornings- Morning Bible Studies (beginning 9/8)

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

Modgnik Middle School Fall Retreat

Modgnik is a great opportunity for Middle School students to join together with Middle Schoolers from our sister churches in Lexington to spend a weekend together in fellowship. We have a great trip planned, and we can't wait for you to experience it. Modgnik will be held at Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC, from 10/21-10/23. The cost is $175, and registration is open now! You can sign up today by clicking here.

Awanita High School Fall Retreat

Awanita is the place for High School students to get away and relax in the middle of what is always a busy time. Draw away from life and into communion with God to recharge for the final push of the semester. Awanita is in Andrews, SC, and we'll go from 11/11-11/13. The cost is $175, and registration is open now! You can sign up today by clicking here.

Join us this fall! Details, contact Justin Hall at [email protected].

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

Child Development Center

Please contact Hope Andrews at [email protected] or 803.359.7770 ext. 126 or stop by the Child Development Center if you are interested in our CDC.

Services Available Online: To watch past sermons, please go to our Saxe Gotha YouTube Channel and make sure to subscribe.

Drive Thru Prayer: Tuesday, October 18

(7:15-8:15 am)

(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. 

September 20 Update: From Loretta: We had a wonderful morning! We had 11 volunteers and 9 cars stopped. Four of our team members were unable to attend this morning, but God supplied us with two new volunteers AND an unexpected volunteer that showed up 30 minutes into our session! Little did we know that we were about to get swamped with care receivers when our unexpected volunteer walked up from the Child Development Center to share a prayer request. About that time, we saw cars lining up and our unexpected volunteer stepped in and started praying as well!

We had a prayer request from Publix grocery store. A cashier told a customer that she always sees us, but couldn't stop this time. She said how much our Drive Thru Prayer touched her, and she told her SGPC customer that she had a prayer request. That customer shared the request with us, and we prayed for her this morning.

We had a regular care receiver that was on her way to a conference in Myrtle Beach. She drove up at 8:15 am just as we were finishing our morning. She said that she was worried that she was going to miss DTP. She said that she packed her car last night for the conference so that she could get to DTP on time this morning. She appreciates us so much that she packed her car early for her trip!

Finally, two moms with broken hearts needed special prayer.

If you think you can't pray for people, you can. God will give you the right words. Let him. Please come join us and see how God can use you as his vessel to do his work right here in Lexington, on the front lines. Please pray for our team that God uses us to his glory each time we gather. 

To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email [email protected].