5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-7770
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This Week
at
Saxe Gotha Pres
News through
June 1, 2013
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KEY to TWASG
White writing above links you to appropriate section in TWASG. Green writing in articles indicates there is a hyperlink attached to these words; when you click on one, it links you to a person's email or a relevant website. Know that some photos in this newsletter are hyperlinked to lead you to websites that are appropriate to that section (e.g., clicking on Splash image takes you to SGPC Children's Ministry page).
Deadlines: Please submit any SGPC news for TWASG no later than the Monday prior to the Wednesday publication date. Email to Julie Washburn.
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 Offices Closed Memorial  Day
Please note that the SGPC Offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2013 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
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 Oklahoma Donations
Please know that for the next three weeks Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church will collect donations to help those who were victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. Donations via checks to this relief effort should be made out to SGPC with "Oklahoma" in the memo line. All such donations will be given to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which is established to help those affected by such devastating events. Please continue to pray for all of the Oklahoma victims.
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 Buy YOUR Copy of the SGPC Cookbook!
SGPC Mission volunteers will continue to presell SGPC Mission Cookbooks surrounding each church service on Sundays. Prepurchase your copy of the SGPC Cookbook to get some terrific recipes AND support our church mission efforts! Each cookbook sells for $20 and all of the proceeds will support our national and international mission efforts.
Buy your copy now to guarantee you get one, as staff will only purchase a limited number of extra cookbooks to sell upon their arrival.
Want to advertise in the cookbook? Ads are also available for sale and range from $25 - $100. You can purchase an ad from a mission volunteer. All ads must be finalized by May 31st.
Know that cookbooks will arrive in August and mission volunteers will have your copy ready for pick up at that time.
So treat yourself, family members and friends to a wonderful new cookbook filled with great recipes while supporting SGPC Missions!
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Our VBS Needs Your Help with Donations
Our 2013 SGPC Vacation Bible School will be here before you know it! Please help us out by donating any of the items listed below. We will collect donations for VBS during the next few months. Just drop the items off at the children's ministry office on the 2nd floor of the main building, or feel free to leave the donated items with our receptionist. Thanks in advance for your support of SGPC Children's Ministry! Our VBS is an amazing way to share God with our children and others in the local community!
- 2 inch clay pots and saucers (225)
- Floral foam
- Styrofoam
- Pool Noodles (125)
- Rice Krispie Treats (21 boxes)
- Chocolate icing (27 containers)
- Teddy Graham cookies (15 boxes)
- Red Twizzlers
- Vanilla icing (must be Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy brand because there is no red dye) (27 containers)
- Crayon packs of 24 (225)
- Pencils (225)
- Pencil Sharpeners (225)
- Small notebooks that will fit into a shoebox (225)
- Cases of bottled water (15 cases)
- Artificial flowers
- Large paper grocery bags (100)
- Keebler Club Mini Crackers (18 boxes)
- Black Yarn (6 ft per child in elementary)
- 5 inch peat pots (300)
- 3 Inch peat pots (300)
Cash donations to purchase items are also always appreciated!
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Get Ready for the Summer with SGPC Camps! Are you already looking for neat things for your children to do this summer? Well Saxe Gotha Presbyterian has a LOT of cool camps to offer your child and friends this summer. We have camps that offer basketball, soccer and other sports; two visual arts camps that vary by age; and a creative arts camp! See information below for brief overviews of each camp, but then be sure to check out all of the details of our fun options in our Recreation and Health ministries section of the SGPC website by visiting our SGPC Summer Camps webpage. Art Camp: June 17 - 21 Early Childhood (ages 4-6), 9:30 am - 11:00 am, limit 24; AND Elementary (ages 7-11), 12:30 - 3:45 pm, limit 30. Creative Arts Camp: July 15-19 Rising 1st through rising 5th graders, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. This is part of SPLASH Children's Ministry. Basketball Camp: (3 camps) July 8-11 9:00 am - 12:00 noon or 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and July 22 - 25, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon in gym. Limit 48 per session. Soccer Camp: (2 camps) July 15 - 18, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon OR 1:00 - 4:00 pm in gym. Limit 45 per session. Sports & Games Camp: (2 camps) June 17 - 20, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon OR 1:00 - 4:00 pm in gym. All camps above except for Creative Arts are managed by our Recreation & Health Ministries; please contact Pansy Floyd (359.7770, ext. 37) with questions about these camps. For more information about the SPLASH Ministry camp, please contact Lee Ann Alexander (359.7770, ext. 42) or Lori Lowman (359.7770, ext. 28). Reminder, too, that SGPC Vacation Bible School is June 24-28, 2013 and children and volunteers can sign up through the Children's Ministry webpage. Know that we have added a few other camps (managed by outside vendors) to the list of great summer options: Kelly's Gymnastics: (3 camps) July 8-11, August 5-8 OR August 12-15. Visit Kelly's Gym website for details. Contact Kelly with questions (359.9433). Tech-Know Time - Lego Robotics: (2 camps) July 8-11 OR July 29-Aug. 1. For rising 2nd - 6th graders. Visit Tech-Know Time website for details and direct questions to tkrobotics@techknowtime.com. Children should make plans to have fun this summer at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian! _________________
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Quick Links
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- Caden DeRouen
- Chuck Shirley
- Dan & Louise Viveros' family
- David Stallard's father
- Don Greer
- Jane Jones' sister
- Jane Williams
- Jane Williams' mother
- Jerry Kirkland
- Joanne Platzer
- Karyn Ward's nephew
- Margo Breisch's mother
- Richard Pound's father
- Risee Wingate's niece
- Rob Gibbons' mother
- Sunny Jewell's cousin
- Vera Griner
ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS
- Alysia Kehoe's aunt
- Amanda Liggett's mother
- Anna Chassereau's father
- Betty Fleenor & Carol Gose's sister
- Bill Schwartz's daughter
- Catherine Sherpy
- Deborah Brock's sister-in-law
- Edwin Crawford
- Eve Wall's cousin
- Janet Padalino's brother
- Katie Atkinson
- Mary Staton
- Merritt Wham
- Patty Zeigler's mother
- Shelly Perkins' grandmother
- Tim Kehoe's sister
- Benjamin Apple
- Brian Bishop
- Christopher Woods
- Jatorin Owens
- Jeffrey Spiegel
- Jonathan Songer
- Justin Roberts
- Troy Lawson
IN NON-COMBAT ZONES
- Adam Gilmore - Air Force (CO)
- David Lundy - Marine (Japan)
- Justin Smith - Air Force (Germany)
- Kyle Carpenter - Marine (Home in Lexington)
- Matthew C. Robinson (GA)
- Sean Spence - Coast Guard (Coos Bay, OR)
- Wyatt Hughes - Army (NC)
Christian Love & Sympathy is extended to Terry Padalino upon the death of his sister; to Virginia Way upon the death of her father; and to Lois Edberg upon the death of her brother.
Please call the church office to make updates to our prayer list! To see a complete list of prayer request policies, please refer to our Prayer webpage.
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Message from Pastor Jim 
Dear Fellow Servants of Jesus Christ, A few weeks ago I shared details with you regarding how we have been unable to reach an agreement with our Presbytery over the terms of our dismissal from our denomination, the PC(USA). While the negotiations are progressing, they are not moving at a pace that will make it possible to vote on our back-up date of June 2nd. Since voting during the summer months would be difficult because of people's travel plans, our focus is now on the late summer or early fall time frame. We will continue to keep you informed as events unfold. The good news is that the Lord has His hand on this process. Even though the pace is slow, it will move to completion. Each side is working diligently. Progress is being made. The most important thing that you can do is uplift this entire work before the Lord in prayer. God is on the throne and He is not surprised. Our timing is not necessarily the Lord's timing. As we move through this process, we need to remember to keep our eyes firmly on the Lord as we wait together for Him. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). In Christ's love, Pastor Jim |
Worship
Mother's Day Gifts Total On Mother's Day our church, along with churches across South Carolina, participated in the Mother's Day Offering for the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (PCSC). This special offering supports seniors who outlive their resources and depend on the generosity of others for their care. Thanks to all of the members of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian who so kindly gave to this fund! We collected a total of $3,317 that will help these elderly individuals in need in our local communities. Know that your gifts to this special offering will truly make a difference in the lives of these older adults. Thank you again for being so kind and generous!
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Membership
Prayers for Our Leaders Our Session continues to work with the Administrative Commission of Trinity Presbytery as Saxe Gotha Presbyterian seeks a gracious dismissal from the PCUSA. Please pray for the Presbytery's representatives who are on the Administrative Commission: Gloria Boyd, Kelley Brown, Christopher Crotwell, Frank Cunningham, Peter Hobbie, Jim Rowell and Ben Sloan. Please also pray for our elders who are representing us: Eve Barker, Warren Herndon, Chip Johnson, Stephanie Jones-Fitts, Joe Moore, and Blake Taylor. Please pray that all of those involved are filled with wisdom, discernment, and peace. If you would like to know more about why we are leaving the PC(USA), please read The PC(USA) 2012: How We Got Here, which can be found on our SGPC Denominational Issues webpage.
Also, if you have questions for the Presbytery Administrative Commission, please contact the chair, Dr. Christopher Crotwell (803.648.9574) via email or phone. If you have questions for the SGPC Session, please contact SGPC Clerk of Session Joe Moore (803.779.3939). Please know that all denominational updates are on our SGPC Denominational News Page, which is a link on our SGPC Home page.  F.I.S.H. Teams A reminder to find your team's assigned dates on the SGPC Calendar webpage! |
Congregational Care 
Stephen Ministry Do you ever feel like life is overwhelming? Do the pressures of your job, from your family, a loss, loneliness, or a change in your life circumstance weigh heavily on you? Do you wish you had someone that you could turn to who would just listen, pray with you and simply care? Consider contacting a member of our Stephen Ministry Team. They are a trained group of caring individuals who will meet with you one on one weekly and walk alongside you through this journey. All aspects of the ministry are confidential and the support that you receive will make a world of difference. Women please call Carol Perrin at 917-6690; men please call Jon Myers at 727-0322.  Prayer Shawl Ministry: Meets June 3rd Our next Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting will be Monday, June 3rd from 10:00-11:30 AM in MB Room 155. We'll also have a dutch lunch afterwards, so please plan to join us. Please note that this will be the final meeting for the year. During the school year the group meets the first and third Monday of each month. Normal meetings will resume on Monday, September 16th. If you would like more information on this ministry, please visit our Prayer Shawl webpage or call Kathy Medlen (803.359.3380).  United Heroes Drive: June 2-16, 2013 Please help us with our United Heroes July 4th Drive that will benefit our deployed service personnel! Collection items needed are: trail mix, nuts, powered drink packets (such as Gatorade or Crystal Light packets that are mixed into bottled water), energy bars, hard candy, crossword puzzle books and money for postage (envelopes for donations will be located by the bins; no stamps please as postage is metered). We will collect all items needed on the following Sundays: June 2nd, 9th & 16th. The RED collection bins will be located in the Narthex, the Welcome Center, the Light House Atrium and in the church office reception area. Join us for our Packing Party, too, which is planned for Tuesday, June 18th @ 7:00 PM in Light House 112/113. Help us remember those who are serving our country by participating in this very worthwhile United Heroes drive! To learn more about all such ministries, please visit our Congregational Care ministries webpage.
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Adults 
Date Set for "20-Somethings" Gathering The date's been set for Thursday, May 30th at 7:00 PM at Lake Murray! It's our first get together for the 20-year-olds! Bring an appetizer and feel free to bring a friend. All of those who are home from college, even if you haven't yet reached 20, are also welcome. This is open to couples and singles. Call or text Leah Hall at 803.351.2835! Hope all will make plans to join us! New Study for "The Gathering" Sunday School Class The Gathering Sunday school class will be starting a new study, "One Month to Live," on Sunday, June 2nd @ 9:45 AM. This new class is open to anyone - singles and/or couples, ages 25-49. The "One Month to Live" Guidebook takes a look at the question, "what if you only had one month to live?" Kerry and Chris Shook's thirty-day challenge now includes a revolutionary study for making every day count. "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 NIV Grab a cup of coffee and join us in the Light House Café!
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Senior Ministries
Classics Dinner & Show: May 23rd Reminder for those who signed up that on Thursday, May 23, 2013, the Classics will be going to dinner at California Dreaming (6 :00 PM) and then to see Miss Saigon at the Town Theatre (8:00 PM performance). That day, all attending should plan to meet by 5:15 PM in the SGPC lower level parking lot (by the main church office entrance), as we will carpool to the dinner and performance. If you have questions about this night's plans, please call Carol Harden at 217.652.2768 or Jon Myers at 803.727.0322.
 Summer Suppers & Speakers
Our Seniors will again hold a supper meeting with a program each Wednesday evening during the summer months starting on June 5th. These events will be held in the Main Building in Room 151 during June, July and August from 5:45 - 7:15 PM. Each person should plan to bring his/her own supper. Routinely we will eat our dinners together in fellowship, and then listen to an interesting speaker.
June 5th: Lexington Town Council member Ted Stambolitis will talk about the current activities of the Town Council. We'll meet a little earlier so that Ted can speak at 5:30 PM, then we'll eat afterwards. (Since Ted is owner of the Flight Deck, he needs leave and go to work before the dinner crowd arrives.)
June 12: Tim & Alysia Kehoe will talk about "Retrofitting your home to assist with generational needs."
The schedule of speakers that have been determined thus far is posted on the SGPC Seniors webpage. Join us for a fun time of fellowship with friends!
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Children's Ministries 
Sunday AM: Sunday School 9:45-10:30 AM (click SPLASH logo for locations)  Register NOW for VBS!
Our 2013 VBS theme is the SonWest Round up, which should be a "Rip Roaring Good Time" with Jesus. Dates are June 24 - 28. Save the dates and make plans to be there! Online registration is now open on children's webpage for both children and volunteers, so sign up today! Please help with VBS, by seeing list of needs in VBS Donations article. All donations can be left in the big blue missions bin in the church office!
VBS NEWS: Urgent Need for VBS Preschool Recreation Director We'll provide or ask others for items needed for games/relays. Our director will be stationed in the Fellowship Hall and will need to recruit few folks to help. It will be a week full of fun and blessings! If God is calling you to serve Him in this manner, please contact Anne Walker (359.7770, ext.49). You will be glad you did!
 SGPC Nursery Procedures Our SGPC Nursery now has a dedicated phone line (359.2055) to alert parents when their child is in our care and they are needed. Accordingly, parents should save "SGPC Nursery" and the number above in their cell contacts. The next time you visit the nursery we'll ask you to complete a card with your child's name and your cell phone number for our records. If you ever see the SGPC Nursery number pop up on your phone, don't answer, but just come to the nursery immediately. Our staff will only use this in cases of injury or unhappiness that has lasted longer than 10 to 15 minutes. This should help expedite getting parents to the nursery when needed. Thanks for your cooperation in making this system successful!
 Here are great opportunities for you to take part in your child's daily spiritual walk, as you lay the spiritual foundation for your child.
 Elementary Parents
Give your child a leg up with the lesson for this Sunday, May 26th. Our lesson will focus on the story of the Rahab and the Two Spies from the book of Numbers. Our current unit, called SURVIVOR, focuses on survivor stories from the Bible. Be sure to check out the Parent Piece at the This I Know link to prepare your children for what they will learn the following Sunday.
To get more information about our children's ministries, please click SPLASH link above!
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Middle School Youth 
Sunday AM: SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45-10:30 AM
6th Graders - LH Room 145
7th & 8th Graders - LH Rm. 146-147
Wednesday PM: Varies during summer months
 May 22nd: CONNECT End of School Party It's tonight, May 22nd from 7-8:30 PM at Golden Hills Country Club pool. Bring your swimsuit (girls must wear 1 piece or tankini), towel, and a liter drink (guys) and a dessert (girls). Pizza will be provided. Friends are welcome!
CONNECT Summer Calendar Check out the complete summer plans on the Calendar of Events on our CONNECT webpage!  Youth VBS Volunteers Sign-up today to help with our SGPC Vacation Bible School! Please complete a VBS Volunteer form and return it to the church office. Also, we'll hold special afternoon events that are open only to our youth VBS volunteers from Monday through Thursday during our VBS week. This is a terrific and fun way to serve through our children's ministry!
PLANNING AHEAD for SPECIAL EVENTS
June 16: Mission Trip Balance Due
June 24-28: VBS Youth volunteer & spend Mon-Thurs. afternoons with CONNECT/CONVERGE.
July 22-27: CONNECT Mission Trip.
To get the full scoop on CONNECT, click the logo above!
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Sunday AM: Bible Study from 9:45-10:30 AM, Light House (9th & 10th Rm. 141 - 11th & 12th Rm. 142)
Sunday's PM: Summer Sundays begin June 23rd.
Wednesday PM: Summer schedule varies.
D-Teams: (small groups) Meet various days/times/places, so see CONVERGE webpage for details.
CONVERGE Wednesday (May 22): Photo Bomb Scavenger Hunt! We'll meet at 6:00 PM in the Light House Auditorium for brief instructions followed by a a drivers meeting at 6:15 PM. Each team will consist of a CONVERGE volunteer or parent driver and four youth. All groups must return by 7:30 PM for prize giveaways and a recap.
 S.O.U.L. (High School Vocal Ensemble) Rehearsals for SOUL until the SonPower trip will be on a modified basis, due to end of the school year commitments for students. Hal McIntosh (359.7770 ext. 13) will communicate with members regarding meeting dates. Final payment for trip balance and required paperwork for SonPower are due by May 31st.
Vacation Bible School Youth Volunteers (June 24-28)
The VBS team is now accepting volunteer sign-ups. Be sure to fill out a form and turn it in to the church office! We'll also have special afternoon excursions planned for all youth VBS volunteers Monday through Thursday of that week. Hope to see you there!
PLANNING AHEAD: SPECIAL EVENTS
JUNE 1: Jennifer & Jason's Wedding at SGPC at 3:00 pm
JUNE 17-21: CONVERGE Summer Mission Trip to Student Life Missions at Wake Forest
JUNE 24-28: Vacation Bible School and afternoon volunteer excursions Mon-Thurs.
JUNE 30-JULY 6: Wellspring Camp Alternative Mission Trip
To see more on High School ministries, including our calendar of events, weekly class schedules/locations, click the CONVERGE photo/link above!
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Missions: Give God Joy Through Service 
Migrant Ministry Starts June 5th! In the summer months we have the privilege of sharing the love of Christ each Tuesday evening with migrant workers from the farms in the Batesburg-Leesville area. The ministry this year begins on June 4th and lasts through August 5th. Volunteers meet at SGPC staff offices at 6:15 PM and usually return by 9:00 PM. While there, all share a meal together, listen to a sermon (in Spanish) by Pastor Henry Alfaro, then group activities begin. We have needs for volunteers to set up and assist with recreational activities, serve food, provide fellowship and clean up afterwards. We also have a Migrant Ministry Wish List of items that we'd love you to consider sharing with these families. It's a terrific summer ministry opportunity for individuals and families alike! To get involved, please contact SGPC Officer Susan Herndon via email or Tammy Pearson (359.7770, ext 18). SGPC Cookbooks Sales & Note to Recipe Donors Please see the Cookbook article regarding details of how to prepurchase a copy of our SGPC Cookbook for yourself or a friend! Also, please know that we are in the midst of entering all of the recipes that were sent to us for the cookbook. Thanks so much for the overwhelming response, as we have all of the recipes we need to create an amazing cookbook! For everyone who submitted recipes, please know that the publisher does have editorial discretion to edit or choose not to include any recipes we submit. We hope that they will not make any editions, but wanted everyone to know that some edits could be made. Again, many thanks to those who shared recipes with us in support of our missions efforts!  Eye Glasses/Hearing Aids Collection Please bring any eye glasses and hearing aids that are no longer needed to the collection box that is located in the area near the SGPC receptionist's desk (main office entrance). They will be collected by the Lexington Lions club for re-use. All glasses collected will go to individuals in great need and this is an ongoing effort. Honduras Team Members Needed Be sure to read the Honduras Mission trip article above to learn more about how you can get involved in international missions!
 Donations to Neema Children's Home Welcome Please know that as we prepare for our mission trip to Kenya we welcome cash donations to assist the children's home that we most generously support. Any money given would help with food, clothing, and the education of the orphaned children who live at Neema Children's Home. Please make checks payable to SGPC with "Neema Children's Home" noted in the memo line. And know that although we plan our mission trip for the summer months, we will accept donations for this effort anytime throughout the year.
Habitat House Remodel is Complete! Over the last six weeks SGPC collaborated with other churches to work on a remodel project in Cayce, SC, which was in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Construction is now complete a week early thanks to many volunteers! So there is no need to meet this Saturday as originally scheduled. SGPC leader Bill Seymour said that the owner, Dell Kennedy, is extremely grateful for all that the Habitat and church volunteers did in remodeling her home. Many thanks to everyone who helped in this wonderful service effort! It served someone in need and gave God joy in the process. To get involved in such future projects, please contact SGPC leader Bill Seymour (803.351.0830).
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Recreation/Health 
Men's Summer Basketball League The summer basketball league registration is now open. The season games will be played in the evening hours every Tuesday starting June 11, 2013 and ending August 20, 2013. Our registration deadline is June 3, 2013. You can get a registration form on the SGPC basketball webpage. Questions about the league should be directed to Ray Renner (359.7770, ext. 20) via email or phone. Know that you do not have to be a member of SGPC to sign up, as all are welcome!  Get Ready for the Summer with SGPC Camps! Are you already looking for neat things for your children to do this summer? Well check out our Summer Camps article that lists all of the many, neat options available here at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian! You can also visit our Summer Camps webpage for all of the details. Let your kids have a great time this summer here at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian! V isit the SGPC recreation/health ministry webpage to learn more about such efforts.
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