Happy Thanksgiving! 'Tis the season for gratitude, get togethers and gravy. It is also the busy season for many of us. When life gets busy, we forget to stop and be grateful. What does grateful mean? According to Faith Alive Christian Resources (2020), “Gratitude is our response of thankfulness for God’s goodness, love, provision and grace.” In their handout to grow grateful kids, they suggest: 

1. Express your gratefulness to God and others 
2. Keep track of God’s goodness (Ex: journal, jar, gratitude wall) 
3. Live gratefully with your time, talents and resources 

Children often have a simpler understanding of God and His goodness. Here are a few responses on being grateful. 

• What does grateful mean? thankful, gratitude, appreciate, be glad to have something 
• Who are you grateful for? Jesus, Daddy, family, God, cousins 
• What are you grateful for? food (hamburgers), bike, clothes, world, house 
• Why should we be grateful according to the Bible? because Jesus died on the cross for our sins, because God gave His son for us, we should be thankful all the time, appreciate what God has given us 

The word grateful is mentioned 157 times in the Bible. I Chronicles 16:34 states, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” In the New Testament, we read in Ephesians 5:20 “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

As you approach this holiday whirlwind, take time to pause to give thanks for the parking space that was close on a rainy day, time with family even amid the noise and chaos and the church family covering each member in prayer. We are grateful for you! 

Together In His Service, 

Dawn Merck 

Christian Love is extended to Wayne Hall on the death of his brother.

Encouragement for Next Generation College Students and Military

Our Next Generation Ministry will be sending small gifts and notes of encouragement to our students in college and to those in the military between the ages of 18-22. Please email Mary Knobeloch, mknobeloch@saxegotha.org, to provide the name and address of the intended recipient in your family.  This information is needed by Sunday, November 27.

Thank you,

Justin Hall & Mary Knobeloch

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!

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.

• November 27: Angels: The Proclaimers

• 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

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

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!

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.

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.

Thank you for your support of these programs in South Sudan. We appreciate your gifts to Change for South Sundan.

Change for South Sudan: Where Are We Going?

Recently we provided you information on “Where Have We Been? What Have We Accomplished?” Our goal is to restore the gospel to the people who have been introduced to Christianity by early Presbyterian missionaries but who have fallen away through about 50 years of conflict and provide the opportunity for those who have not heard. Everything we do, has an evangelical component and fits within our Peace Through Evangelism program. Here is our plan for “Where we are going!”

Beginning in 2023, Saxe Gotha South Sudan Ministry in company with Trinity South Sudan Ministry plans to expand into an area adjacent to the Greater Pibor area. This is the home of the Lou Nuer people so we will be partnering with the Akobo Presbytery. The Lou Nuer of this area and the Murle, with whom we have been working, are historical enemies. The Anyuak are a group which straddles both areas so we will continue working with both them and the Murle. Thus, from a strategic standpoint we want to establish regional peace based on Christian principles.

Our plan is to send a mission team early in 2023 to establish a partnership with the Akobo Presbytery; meet the local church, civic, and cultural leaders who are called Chiefs. The team will establish a mechanism to transfer funds so that we have the same accountability as we now enjoy in Eastern Jonglei Presbytery with the Murle. We will work to assure that we are partnering as equals and expect them to assist us with prayer, friendship, and communication. While we will ask them how we can assist, we will begin with helping repair their wells, teaching Sunday School teachers, distributing Talking Bibles (after teaching them how to use and care for them), and more. Lastly, we want to set up the framework for the Peace Through Evangelism Program.

From a population standpoint, the Lou Nuer are a much larger group than the Murle and Anyuak, so we expect to extend the numbers we reach by as much as a factor of five.  

Obviously, if we are to be successful this is going to require additional funding. This is the oldest, continuing ministry of Saxe Gotha and you have always responded to our funding needs as we have grown. Please assist as you can and feel led.

Thank you for your prayers, participation, and support. If you have not donated in the current fund drive, you may do so through any methods that you normally use for donations and just mark the donation, “For our South Sudan Ministry” Again, THANK YOU.

In His Service,

Your South Sudan Ministry Team

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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​.

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!

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! 

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

Join us this fall! Details, contact Justin Hall at jhall@saxegotha.org.

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 handrews@saxegotha.org 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 December 20

(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. 

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.