5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-7770
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This Week
at
Saxe Gotha Pres
News through
June 22, 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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Volunteer  for Migrant Ministry on Tuesdays!
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 began on June 4th and will last through August 5th.
Volunteers should meet at SGPC staff offices at 6:00 PM and usually return by 9:00 PM. You can also meet the group at 103 Mitchell St., Batesburg, SC, which is where the program is located. 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).
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Updated List of VBS Needs - Please Help!
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 (219)
- Floral foam
- Styrofoam
- Rice Krispie Treats (13 boxes)
- Chocolate icing (25 containers)
- Red Twizzlers
- Vanilla icing (must be Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy brand because there is no red dye) (20 containers)
- Crayon packs of 24 (218)
- Pencil Sharpeners (105)
- Small notebooks that will fit into a shoebox (217)
- Artificial flowers
- 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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 VBS Kids:
Serving Others
During VBS week, June 24-28, we'll again ask children to bring in various items to donate to local mission efforts. The list for the week is as follows if you'd like to go ahead and start collecting!
Monday & Everyday: Cents (money) for Sudan
Tuesday: New adult socks, bug spray and sunscreen for Migrant Ministry
Wednesday: Canned Goods for Lexington Interfaith Community Services
Thursday: Baby Items, such as diapers, wipes, and baby toiletries, to give to local charities serving moms and their babies.
Friday: Prepackaged snacks (that don't crush easily preferred) for Finlay Park Homeless ministry Thanks for your help in giving in Christ's name to help others who are in need! ______________________
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 The summer is almost here, so check out our SGPC Camps before they are full! See information below for brief overviews of each camp, but then be sure to check out all of the details in our Recreation and Health ministries section of the SGPC website ( SGPC Summer Camps webpage). Art Camp: June 17 - 21 Early Childhood (ages 4-6), 9:30 am - 11:00 am; AND Elementary (ages 7-11), 12:30 - 3:45 pm. 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. Soccer Camp: (2 camps) July 15 - 18, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon OR 1:00 - 4:00 pm in gym. Sports & Games Camp: June 17 - 20, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Kelly's Gymnastics: (3 camps) July 8-11, August 5-8 OR August 12-15. Visit Kelly's Gym website or call 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 or direct questions to tkrobotics@techknowtime.com. All camps except for Creative Arts are managed by our Recreation & Health Ministries; please contact Pansy Floyd (359.7770, ext. 37) with questions. For questions about the Creative Arts camp, please contact Lee Ann Alexander (359.7770, ext. 42) or Lori Lowman (359.7770, ext. 28). Reminder that SGPC Vacation Bible School is June 24-28, 2013 and you can sign up through the Children's Ministry webpage. Children should make plans to have fun this summer at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian! _________________
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Few Spots Remaining on Honduras Team
We are preparing for our 2014 Mission Trip to Honduras! It's a great chance to spread Christ's love by providing evangelism, medical care, dental care, pharmacy needs, children's ministry, clothing needs and eye exams to the people of Honduras. Medical and dental professionals are given first priority, but anyone is qualified to serve on this team. The trip dates are Jan. 26 - Feb. 2, 2014 (Sunday to Sunday) and the cost is $1800 per person. Price includes all meals and one night hotel in Atlanta the night before flight. We only have a few spots left for anyone who is interested. If you feel called to serve in this ministry, please contact Tammy Pearson, SGPC Director of Missions (803-359-7770, ext. 18). A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required, as well as a completed mission trip application; return both to Tammy Pearson by June 16th.
Participants should plan to attend at least one meeting in Anderson, SC and at least one other pre-trip meeting at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian.
Join us as we give God joy by serving the people of Honduras in 2014!
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Quick Links
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Like Us on Facebook!
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 | | Forward to Friends! |
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- Carsyn Hall
- Carol Landreth's mother
- Dan & Louise Viveros' family
- Don Greer
- Donnelle Glatz' stepmother
- Ellen Davis
- Jane Jones' sister
- Jane Williams
- Jane Williams' mother
- Jerry Kirkland
- Karyn Ward's nephew
- Kyle Anderson's father
- Luz Giraldo
- Margo Breisch's mother
- Richard Pound's father
- Sarah Anderson
- Scott Swindle
- Sunny Jewell's cousin
- Wanda McCarthy
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
- Chuck Shirley
- 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
- Rob Gibbons' mother
- Shelly Perkins' grandmother
- Tim Kehoe's sister
- Vera Griner
- Benjamin Apple
- Brian Bishop
- Christopher Woods
- Jatorin Owens
- Jeffrey Spiegel
- Jonathan Songer
- Justin Roberts
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)
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 Troy 
Welcome to summer at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church! While you are making plans for your vacation and activities, we encourage you to consider the many opportunities that you have right here from week to week at SGPC! Consider how you can make a difference in the following ways: Worship. Even if you are out of town, find a place of fellowship and worship wherever you are. If you are here in Lexington, why not invite a friend to come to your favorite worship service with you? You could be the link for someone to find their place of faith here at Saxe Gotha. Grow. Sunday school is on for all ages, so come check it out! Start a small group study or join our seniors for their Wednesday evening brown bag dinner and studies. Our summer calendar is packed for our youth and children - don't miss out on how God may be challenging you to grow closer to Him. There are multiple service activities and recreational camps for kids throughout the summer. Invite your neighbors to bring their kids and then encourage them to come with you on Sunday! Serve. There's still time to help with Vacation Bible School starting June 24! Join us as individuals or as a family for Migrant Ministry each Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in Batesburg Leesville. Join us for Friendship Dinners or help with a Nailbenders project. Come F.I.S.H. with us as part of the service team each Sunday morning, as we'd love to have you. Rest and Retreat. Set some time aside to be quiet - to rest, reflect and rejuvenate. Have a wonderful time on your vacation, but during that time, make some space for prayer as to how God is leading you to know Him in a deeper way through the many opportunities listed above. Then be ready to jump in when you return! You can find more information about these and other summer opportunities online or by calling the church office. We hope you have a wonderful summer and spend much time with us here at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian as we worship, grow and serve together each week!
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Worship & Music 
On Sunday, June 30th we'll have a wonderful Patriotic celebration at both the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM traditional services. Join us to celebrate our country's celebration of independence! Free Music Class Would you like to learn the basics of reading music or improve your music reading skills? Join us Wednesday, June 19th and July 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM in the choir room. This class is open to choir members AND anyone (13 and older) from the congregation who is interested in learning! Contact Bethany Encina (359.7770, ext. 30) to register for this free class.
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Membership
Denominational News Our Session continues to work with the Administrative Commission of Trinity Presbytery as Saxe Gotha Presbyterian seeks a gracious dismissal from the PCUSA. Please continue to pray for the Presbytery's representatives who are on the Administrative Commission and for our SGPC Elders who are representing us. Pray for their wisdom, discernment and peace through this process. 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. Please know that all denominational updates are on our SGPC Denominational News Page , which is a link on our SGPC Home page.
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).  F.I.S.H. Teams A reminder to find your team's assigned dates on the SGPC Calendar webpage! |
Congregational Care 
United Heroes Drive: Now through June 16th Please help us with our United Heroes July 4th Drive that will benefit our deployed service personnel! Collection items needed are: trail mix, nuts, powdered drink packets (such as Gatorade or Crystal Light packets that are mixed into bottled water), energy bars (not chocolate due to potential for melting), 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 continue to collect all items needed for one final Sunday on June 16th. The RED collection bins are 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! Bereavement Meal & Visitation Ministries Did you know that Saxe Gotha has a Bereavement Meal Ministry and a Bereavement Visitation Ministry? Both provide support to families who are experiencing grief. One provides a meal to the home of the bereaved, while the other provides ministry through a personal visit and follow up over the next year to the suffering individuals. To learn more or get involved in either of these ministries, please visit our Congregational Care Ministry webpage and select the appropriate links provided. These are terrific ways to serve others by minister to those in our congregation who are hurting. To learn more about all such ministries, please visit our Congregational Care ministries webpage.
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Adults
South Sudan Missionaries We will have Rev. Jacob George and Aliamma George, RN, visit Saxe Gotha Presbyterian on July 28th. Both teach at the Giffen Institute of Theology in Malakal, South Sudan and are involved in Community Health Evangelism. If you are interested in meeting with the Georges, please contact Bill Andress (803.951.3025). They will be preaching that Sunday here at SGPC, but are also available for your hosting or your Sunday School Class.
 Men in Ministry Breakfast: June 18th Men bring your Bible and join us for the "3rd Tuesday" Men's Breakfast on Tuesday, June 18th. It's held at 6:30 AM in the SGPC Gym. Coffee will be ready at 6:00 AM, so feel free to arrive a little early and bring a friend.
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Senior Ministries
 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 12: Tim & Alysia Kehoe will talk about "Retrofitting your home to assist with generational needs." > June 19: Col. (Ret.) Mike Graves will speak on a surprise topic this night. > June 26: Col. (Ret.) Mike Graves will talk about "Password Applications" 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!
 Caring Connections Brotherhood Reminder that this group provides fellowship and grief support for widowers or men who have lost a close family member. The group meets each Tuesday at 12:00 noon at the Flight Deck Restaurant here in Lexington (109-A Old Chapin Rd.) and welcomes new individuals to join. If you have been on your own unique grief journey and need support, this group can help. Questions may be directed to Ted Lightle via email or phone (803.359.9996). All men are welcome to attend!
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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!
 Volunteer as VBS Preschool Recreation Director Are you called to work with preschoolers? This director will be stationed in the Fellowship Hall and will have an easy job of leading the cute preschoolers in play! We have a terrific guide you can use to select fun games/relays for kids. It will truly be a week full of fun and blessings! Contact Anne Walker (359.7770, ext.49) to volunteer! You'll be glad you did!
Creative Arts Camp: July 15-19 For rising 1st-5th graders, this unique camp includes cool arts classes: puppets, music writing, scrapbooking, visual arts, drama, guitar, lego bricks, boomwhackers, and more! Be sure to check out the details on the camp registration form!
Fun Night for Rising 6th Graders! Want to have a great time with friends? All rising 6th graders should join us on Friday, June 14th from 6 - 9 PM in the Fellowship Hall for pizza, popcorn, a movie, glow in the dark bowling and other fun surprise games! Cost is only $5 per person. Get registration form on the children's webpage. Hope to see you for this fun-filled evening!
 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.
Lee Ann's recommended app of the week is "Joseph's Coach of Many Colors." It's one of many cool apps for younger children that teach about the Bible stories, so be sure to check it out!
 Elementary Parents
Give your child a leg up with the lesson for this Sunday, June 16th. Our lesson is titled "Elijah and the Still Small Voice." 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.
Save the Dates!
-> Secret Keeper Girl-Crazy Hair Tour, Oct. 11, 2013 from 6:30-9:00 PM. For girls and their moms ages 8-12.
-> SuperStart Preteen Conference, Nov. 15-16, 2013. For boys and girls in 4th and 5th grade for the 2013-2014 school year.
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
Rising 7th-9th graders in LH Rm. 146-147
Wednesday PM: Varies during summer months
CONNECT Wednesdays PM Summer Series We will meet off-campus at various locations from 7:00-9:00 PM on the following dates this summer:
JUNE 19 & 26 AND JULY 10, 17, 24 & 31 Please find the details (location and more) on the CONNECT Calendar, which includes all Summer events. Hope you can join us! And friends are welcome!
 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 (see youth article below) that are open only to our youth VBS volunteers this week. It's a terrific and fun way to serve through our children's ministry! Mission Trip Final Payment Reminder that the final payment for CONNECT Mission Trip is due Sunday, June 16th!  Big Mo Drive In Movie Night: June 22 Sign up with Dell (359.7770, ext. 16) by June 20th! It's $8 per person (cash only) so sign up today! All who go to The Big Mo should have a terrific time! SPECIAL EVENTS (see CONNECT Calendar on SGPC website for complete details):
June 22: Big Mo Drive In Movie Night
June 24-28: VBS Youth volunteers help & spend Mon-Thurs. afternoons with CONNECT/CONVERGE.
July Monday Minis: Held each Monday from 12- 4 PM .
July 13: US National Whitewater Center Day Trip.
July 17: Family Picnic and Swimming at Pine Island.
July 22-27: CONNECT Mission Trip.
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Special Events for VBS Youth Volunteers!
For all CONNECT and CONVERGE VBS volunteers, know that we will hold some cool special events on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of  that week. If the events are off-campus, we will leave and return from the Light House. All students should plan to bring a lunch each day to eat before we leave or start any cool activities that we have planned for the afternoon. Here's the schedule for the week for all youth VBS volunteers:
MONDAY: JC's Bowl from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. It's $8 per person for bowling.
TUESDAY: Tubing with Palmetto Outdoors! We will leave the church @ 1:00 PM and return approximately @ 5:00 PM. Cost is $15 per person.
WEDNESDAY: Indoor Game and Movie Da y from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in the Light House. And there's no cost!
THURSDAY: Water and Outdoor Messy Games Day from 1:00-4:00 PM. And there's no cost! Bring a towel, bathing suit (girls one-piece OR tankini), sunscreen and a change of clothes.
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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.*
*See CONVERGE webpage for summer details.
 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 this Friday, 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 ASAP! We'll also have special afternoon excursions (see youth article above) planned for all youth VBS volunteers Monday through Thursday of that week. It will be a fun week to volunteer and then spend time together in the afternoons! Join us!  Wellspring Camp (June 30-July 6) We will be traveling to Wellspring Camp in Jefferson, GA to help the camp leaders facilitate day camp for the special needs individuals who sign up for camp. We will serve as counselors and support staff. The cost for this trip is $200 and it's due to Jason or Mary by June 23rd.
JUNE 17-21: CONVERGE Summer Mission Trip to Student Life Missions at Wake Forest
JUNE 24-28: Vacation Bible School and afternoon excursions for VBS youth volunteers 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
Thanks for Facebook Help! We recently posted news that Marty Rae's of Lexington agreed to donate $1 for every new "Like" on their Facebook page that was made through May 31st! Thanks to everyone who was so terrific to Like Marty Rae's of Lexington! We had more than 300 people respond, so Marty Rae's has made a generous donation to our Kenya mission efforts as a result! This simple way of helping will make a very positive impact on the kids at the Neema Children's Home. Thanks again for everyone's time and enthusiasm! Respite Care Needs Volunteers June 15th Plan to serve with this wonderful minist ry, which provides on-site care, love and support for special needs families and their guests every third Saturday of the month. The efforts last from 4:30 until 7:30 PM. Volunteers meet in the SGPC CDC/preschool area. If you are able to help, please contact Genny Aldinger via email or phone (803-629-5212). Help with Friendship Dinner June 14th We welcome individuals to come and serve in this wonderful ministry. Held in the SGPC Gym, volunteers are needed to help set up, decorate tables, serve food and clean up. The set up and cooking will begin at 4:00 PM and the event will end with clean up duty around 7:30 or 8:00 PM. This event provides a meal of friendship, love and support for special needs individuals and their guests, plus entertainment. Please email or call Kathy Seymour (803-920-7385) if you are able to serve in any way at the upcoming dinner. SGPC Cookbooks Thanks to everyone who purchased a cookbook to benefit our mission efforts. We hope they will arrive in August, so we will keep you informed regarding the specific dates when you can get the one(s) you purchased. All who bought one, gave us recipes, or gave of their time to prepare the cookbook for printing, please know how grateful we are for your help. The proceeds will make a tremendous impact on all who are serving others through Saxe Gotha Presbyterian!  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!
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Recreation/Health 
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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