LogoSGPC
5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072 803-359-7770
 
This Week
at Saxe Gotha 
News through June 4, 2016

 

KEY to TWASG

 

"In this Issue" content titles at top left link you to the 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, a linked side article or a relevant website. Some photos are hyperlinked to lead you to websites that are appropriate to that section.
DEADLINES: Please submit any SGPC news for TWASG no later than the FRIDAY prior to the Wednesday publication date.  Email to Julie Washburn. All information submitted is subject to approval.
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June JuneCampsCamps

We have some great camps lined up for children this summer and the first ones arrive soon!

June 6 - 9:  Kelly's Camp - Ninja Warrior Sports Challenge
June 20 - 24:  Art Camps for Early Childhood AND Elementary /Intermediate Ages

VBS is in June, too, so don't forget to register! You can find printable & online editable forms on links provided in the Children's ministry section and on the Children's Ministry webpage under Latest News. 

Get the details for all of our summer camps on the SGPC Recreation & Health webpage!
  Plan for your child to have a terrific summer at Saxe Gotha! 
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College Sunday School Class 2016 College CollegeSSclassStudents Sunday School Class

We invite all college students to attend a college Sunday School class that will begin this Sunday, May 29th, entitled, "Smorgasborg." Rev. Joel Brantner will teach it and some of the topics that college students will have an opportunity to choose from include the following:
  • God and Politics
  • Is God Anti-Gay?
  • Why Bother with Church?
  • What Happens when I Die?
  • How Can I be sure?
The class will be held from 9:45-10:30 AM and will meet in the Light House, Rm. 129. Make plans to be there and invite friends, too.
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youth summer family forums 2016SummerSumFamForum Family Forum

Our Next Generation Ministry will offer all parents and teenagers alike three Summer Family Forum nights in which we'll address some of the largest struggles faced today.  All forums are scheduled on Wednesday nights and will be held from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Light House. Pizza will be provided for those who RSVP should you have difficulty getting dinner on that night.  It's our hope to help begin or support current conversations and struggles parents face with their teenagers and/or our teenager's friends and their experiences.

1) June 15 - Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict (45 minute video) - In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse, the FBI and DEA have released this documentary aimed at educating students, young adults and their families about the dangers of addiction. There will be a Q & A session immediately following the video.  
2) July 6 - Sexual Behavior & Dating Relationships - Even if you are clear on what God says about these issues, fielding questions from your teens and discussing parental decisions with other parents who may question your Christian family stance may be difficult to navigate. Join us we discuss what non-Christian and some Christian parents are saying about today's topic of sexual behavior, gender confusion, and dating relationships.

3) August 3rd - The Pressure of Success - Data shows that not only are adults dealing with stress these days, but teenagers are as well. The pressure for teens to "perform" is creating newly-found pressures on the entire family.  With stressed teens we typically find "tank" parents (more severe "helicopter parents") who clear the way for their children to "succeed."  Join us as we discover or rediscover God's purpose for success.

Get complete SFF details, including the names of our discussion leaders for each session, on the Middle School or High School webpages.
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Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016SeniorSrAdultsLuncheon Adults  
Luncheon Photos

Here are some great photos from our recent Senior Adults Luncheon!
 
Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016
Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016 Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016
Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016
Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016
Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016 Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016 Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016 Senior Adults Luncheon 5-2016


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Remember All 
in YourPrayerList Prayers!
 
PRAYER LIST
  • Alice Peck
  • Bill Schwartz
  • Christie Walker's stepmother
  • Don Harrison's brother
  • Donna Suhrstedt's brother-in-law
  • Jamie Porth's sister
  • Jana Gunter's mother
  • Joan Branning's mother
  • Jon Myers
  • Joyce Murphy's mother
  • Leslie Hope's father
  • Louise Viveros' brother
  • Ray Carpenter's cousin
  • Rob Gibbons
  • Rosanne Mankin

ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS

  • Betty Fleenor
  • Bill McCarter
  • Brad Kneece's father
  • Cathy McGill's mother
  • Charles Lucas' sister-in-law
  • Donnelle Glatz's mother
  • Esther Bennett
  • Jackie Mims
  • Jule Bland
  • Katie Atkinson
  • Kay Luthren's mother
  • Mark Lang's father & great nephew
  • Marshall Edens
  • Merritt Wham
  • Robby Kerr's mother
  • Robin Wilkes' sister
  • Sunny Jewell's mother
  • Tim Kehoe's sister
  • Wanda McCarthy

DEPLOYED

  • Caleb Jacobs
  • Jeffrey Spiegel
IN NON-COMBAT ZONES
  • Adam Gilmore - Air Force (CO) 
  • B. J. Manis (HI)
  • Brian Bishop
  • Connor Lundkovsky
  • Jessica Glatz - Army  
  • John"Tripp" Bartlett - Army (AK)
  • Justin Smith - Air Force (Hawaii)
  • Ken Culbertson - National Guard (SC)
  • Ray Hammond - Air Force (SC)
  • Ron Culbertson
  • Sean Spence - Coast Guard (AK)
  • Steven Shealy (SC)
  • Sumner Thomas (RI)
  • Wyatt Hughes - Army (Japan)
Christian Love & Sympathy is extended to Lea Mangum upon the death of her mother; and to Jessica Felder upon the death of her grandfather. 

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 Jim       Jim casual 8-2014

Dear Fellow Servants,
 
Donnelle and I recently had the privilege of watching our daughter Jess, who is a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army, administer the commissioning oath to my son Jamie as he became a 2nd Lieutenant. When Jess took that oath 4 years ago, the keynote speaker at her commissioning ceremony quoted the words of the English economist and philosopher John Stuart Mill:
 
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
 
Memorial Day is a time when we are to remember those who died in combat serving our country. So as we gather with our friends and family this Memorial Day weekend, let us set aside our leisure activities for a moment to remember those who selflessly made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Think about these sacrifices in light of Jesus words, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
 
What a blessing to live in a country in which there are brave people in uniform who understand that there is a cause greater than themselves and are willing to die for the welfare of others!
 
In Christ's love,
Pastor Jim

Night of WorshipPrayerNightWorship & Prayer: May 25 

The Youth of Saxe Gotha invite everyone in the church to attend a Night of Worship and Prayer on Wednesday, May 25th!  It will be held in the Light House from 6:30-7:30 PM with doors opening at 6:00 PM for people to come and fellowship. This is an event for our whole church family with worship led by the Youth Praise Band.
  Make plans to join us!
Worship worshipartsArts 

SPGC Choirs Performing On Wednesday, June 8th, the SGPC Sanctuary Choir, SOUL & Middle C will sing at the Blowfish Game in Lexington. The choirs will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game begins and then sing "God Bless America" at the 7th inning. This would be a fun night for your family to attend just to support our SGPC choirs, so hope to see you then! Get ticket and game details on the Lexington County Blowfish website.

Communion2 June Communion   Know that we will hold communion for all three worship services on Sunday, June 5, 2016. We invite everyone to partake in the Lord's Supper with us that Sunday!  

May Sermon Series   We continue to connect our story to God's story on Sunday mornings. In our current sermon series, "Talking with God," we continue to call ourselves to prayer. We are learning what it means to talk with God and, in particular, to talk with him about our families, the next generation, our country and ourselves. 
 
Visit the SGPC Worship Arts webpage  to learn more about these ministries! 
Membership membership

New Members
Please join us in welcoming our newest member to Saxe Gotha! This past Sunday, William Erving joined our church during the 11:00 a.m. Traditional service. Please be sure to welcome William to our church family!  

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F.I.S.H. Teams  A reminder to find your team's assigned dates on the SGPC Calendar webpage!
CongregationalCongregationalCare Care flag soldier salute

United Heroes July 4th Drive Help us with items for our deployed troops and the local USO! We'll hold a donations drive now through June 5th. Items needed include the following: individually-wrapped snacks (no homemade items), energy bars, beef jerky, microwaveable popcorn, hard candy, travel-size toiletries (razors, shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen), individually-packaged disposable wipes, chap-stick, candy, gum, and monetary donations for postage (made to SGPC with "United Heroes" noted). Please place in the specially-marked, blue United Heroes bins located in the Narthex, the Welcome Center, the Light House Atrium and the church reception area.  Thanks in advance for your help with assisting those who fight for our country's freedom!
 
To learn more about all such ministries, please visit our Congregational Care ministries webpage.
Adults  adults

May Prayer Focus
Our prayer focus for May is our men and women in uniform. Reminder of Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they will be called children of God."  Read and print your own copy of the May Prayer Guide, which can be found on the Adult Ministries webpage. Thank you for focusing your prayers in this direction during May.

Women's Summer Bible Study Ladies, all day, every day, an invisible war rages around you - unseen, unheard, yet felt throughout every aspect of your life. A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters to you: your heart, your mind, your marriage, your children, your relationships, your resilience, your dreams, your destiny.  But his battle plan depends on catching you unaware and unarmed. If you're tired of being pushed around and caught with your guard down, this study is for you. Join women of all ages on Wednesday nights to deepen your faith this summer with Priscilla Shirer's new study "The Armor of God".   This 7 week study starts June 8 in the Library and childcare is available with RSVP.  The cost of the study book is $13.00. Please contact Helen Harrison Coker via email or phone (359-7770) to sign up for the study and for childcare. 

RightNow Media   If you'd like to learn more about RightNow Media, the Netflix of Christian Bible studies that is available to every member of Saxe Gotha, please contact Helen Harrison Coker via email .  She will gladly send you an email with instructions on how to sign up and start accessing this incredible resource.

Debt Retirement Fund Help The Men in Ministry's recent Fish Fry had a total of 155 guys attend. The event was not only a great evening of food and fellowship, but it was also a big help in reducing the total of our building fund debt, as the net proceeds of $1057 was applied to this fund. Periodically throughout the year the Men of SGPC will sell BBQ to also help alleviate some of our church's financial burdens, so check back for future details!

bookstore-merchant-lady.jpg Donations needed for SGPC Library! A dedicated team of volunteers has been working on redoing and reorganizing our church library.  We are now looking for donations of the following kinds of Christian books:  marriage, children, youth, large print, and Christian fiction. We ask that donations be in good condition and have been published since 2000.  All donations will be reviewed and must be approved by the pastors.  If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please contact Helen Harrison Coker via email or phone (803.359.7770).  Donations may be place in the library or given to HH Coker.

To learn more about adult ministries, please visit the  Adult Ministries webpage.
Senior SeniorAdultsAdults movie-items.jpg

Senior Adults Movie Night: May 26  All
senior adults are invited to join us here at Saxe Gotha for a movie night on Thursday, May 26th! We'll watch the movie Shenandoah in the Light House, Rooms 112/113. Please bring appetizers or desserts to share with friends. We'll begin at 5:30 PM and our movie will start at 6 PM. Popcorn, iced tea and water will be provided. Note that we'll have the normal classroom chairs, but feel free to bring more comfortable chairs with you.  Hope to see you at our next movie night!

Seniors' Summer Suppers & Speakers Senior Adults plan to join us at the church on Wednesday Nights during the summer months! The normal routine is for everyone to bring their own supper so that all can eat together and fellowship starting at 5:30 PM in the Main Building, Room 151. Afterwards the group will move to the SGPC Library (MB, Rm. 152) for a scheduled program. These events will continue each Wednesday now through August 3rd. On June 1st our presenter will be Oakleaf Village and we will all be treated to supper! So make plans to join us!  

Senior Luncheon Photos  Be sure to check out the photos from our recent luncheon! Thanks to Mike Graves, our main photographer! 

Visit the Seniors webpage for more information.
Children's MinistriesChildren Splash Logo
Sunday AM: Sunday School 9:45-10:30 AM  (Click SPLASH logo for classroom locations.) 

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SUNDAY MORNING This Week Please make it a priority to bring your children regularly to Sunday School. They will learn so much about God's word and the story that He left for us. These concepts contribute to the spiritual growth and nurture of our children and there is nothing that is more important than building this strong foundation.  
Preschool SS: Our Preschool children (ages 2-5 years) will begin a brand new curriculum called "Preschool This I Know." It is the same series that our elementary kids use, but it's written for preschoolers. They will begin the series in Genesis and move through the Bible in chronological order. You can check out the weekly  Parent Resource that can be found each week on the Children's ministry webpage. The lesson for this week is "Laban Tricks Jacob." 
Elementary SS: In Elementary Sunday school we're also working our way through God's big story written especially for us - The Bible! We began our journey in Genesis and are continuing forward in chronological order. This week's lesson is titled "Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego." Check out the weekly   Parent Resource that can be found each week on the Children's ministry webpage.

SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE Musical
We still have some more great photos from the SNL Anniversary musical!  We have added these photos to our Walgreen's Site. If anyone would like information on how to order pictures, please contact Lori Lowman (803.359.7770, ext. 28).

Register for Vacation Bible School 2016!  It's June 27-30, which is Monday through Thursday. We'll have two sessions available: AM Session - 9 am - 12 Noon AND PM Session - 6:30-8:00 pm.  Our theme is Submerged: Finding the Truth Below the Surface! Get the printable VBS Registration form or a form fillable VBS Registration Form on the children's ministry webpage & share it with friends now! (Return printable forms to SGPC; email electronic one after downloading & completing it). We also have a Volunteer Registration form for all who are helping to complete and return to the children's ministry staff.  Mark the date  and make plans to be there!
summer fun children
Summer Plans!
 Get the full scoop on the Children's Ministry Summer Calendar. Get the Summer Registration form on the children's ministry webpage, too!  Know that the Recreation/Health section also has dates for the SGPC Summer Camps, too, so check them out! 

CDC logo SGPC CDC Openings & Registration Registration is open for the SGPC Child Development Center Summer 2016 program, the Afterschool Program 2016-2017, and the Preschool Program 2016-17 for children ages 2-4 years.  If you are interested in any of the three CDC programs for your child, please go to the CDC webpage (located under Growth tab, then Child Development Center option) for more information. If you have any questions, please contact the CDC staff at 803.359.2058. Thanks for spreading the word to friends with children, too!

Mother's morning out babies Mother's Morning Out Please know that registration is open for the 2016-2017 school year for MMO. Registration forms can be found at the SGPC receptionist's desk.

Parent's Weekly Encouragement Be sure to click on Parent's Resource in the Sunday School articles above. There is an elementary Parent Resource and a Preschool Parent Resource.  Each of these are quick and easy ways to preview the lesson that your child will have in Sunday School.  This is a very easy way to start the conversation at home before the kids get to Sunday School. Be sure to scroll up and check it out!

To get more information about our children's ministries, visit the SPLASH Children's Ministry webpage that's under the Growth tab on our homepage.  
Middle School YouthConnect

Sunday AM: 
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45-10:30 AM
6th Graders Light House Rm. 147
7th Graders (Confirmation Class) Light House Rm. 145-146
8th & 9th Graders Light House Rm. 143/144

Night of Worship & Prayer: May 25th  Join us from 6:30-7:30 PM on Wednesday, May 25th in the Light House for a special night that our youth and Youth Praise Band will lead!

Youth Wednesday & Sunday Nights
Please know that our Wednesday & Sunday Night programming has ended for the school year, but we have some exciting things planned in between, so check back here for details on future summer events!

Middle C/Youth Chimes Know that regular rehearsals for the school year have ended. (Normally they are held on Sundays in the sanctuary from 4-5 pm.) We'll resume rehearsals in the fall when the school year begins and all middle school youth who enjoy singing are welcome! Have questions about joining the group? Contact Hal McIntosh. For students attending SonPower, please make sure you have completed all necessary forms. Contact Matt McCall (803.359.7770, ext. 30) if you have questions in this regard.
 
Upcoming Events
May 25: Night of Worship & Praise
June 14:
Tasty Tuesdays Begin
June 17:
Summer Kick Off for Youth!
July 11-15:
Middle School Mission Trip

Get the full scoop & Summer Calendar on SGPC Middle School webpage!
High School Youthhigh

Sunday  AM:
  Bible Study from 9:45-10:30 AM in Light House
8th & 9th Graders Light House, Rm. 143-144
10th, 11th & 12th Graders Light House, Rm. 141-142

Youth Wednesday & Sunday Nights Know that our programming for the school year has ended, but check back for summer program info. soon!

Night of Prayer & Worship: May 25  Be sure to join us on Wednesday, May 25th from 6:30-7:30 pm as our youth lead our church in worship and prayer.  Encourage friends to join you as well.  Doors to Light House will open at 6 PM, so come early for fellowship, too.

SOUL This high school vocal ensemble is done for the school year. (It normally rehearses on Sundays in the sanctuary at 4 PM, along with Middle C.) But it will resume in the fall. All high school youth are welcome. Questions about joining group? Please contact Hal McIntosh. Also, know that all who are attending SonPower should make sure all paperwork is completed and returned immediately.  Questions? Contact Matt McCall (803.359.7770, ext. 30).

High School Volunteers Be sure to read the Recreation/Health section that details the need for soccer camp volunteers!

Upcoming Events:
May 25: Night of Prayer & Worship
June 14: Tasty Tuesdays Begin
June 17: Summer Kick Off for Youth!
July 11-15: Middle School Mission Trip

To see more on High School ministries, visit the SGPC High School webpage!
Missions: MissionsGive God Joy Through Service
 
MigrantMinistry2 Volunteer for Migrant Ministry This Summer!  Migrant Ministry serves the workers who are temporarily located in the SC Midlands area to work the local farms.  We continue to partner with and lead these efforts that the local PC(USA) Presbytery founded, as it's an extremely important ministry.  On a weekly basis we feed them dinner, provide a fun activity, and a local pastor gives a short sermon to encourage them in their walk with Christ.  SGPC is currently in need of summer volunteers!  This year's program will begin June 7th and continue each Tuesday evening during the summer months.  The ministry needs many volunteers to make this effort successful.  It also needs a bus driver.  If you can help, please contact Susan Herndon via email or phone (803.413.4526).  You can also visit the Migrant Ministry webpage for details about this summer missions ministry. Thanks in advance for your prayers for this ministry as well as your possible time in serving others in Christ's name through Migrant Ministry!

Kenya Mission Trip 2015 Help with Kenya Mission Trip On June 30th our four-member mission team will travel to Kisumu, Kenya to minister to the orphans at the Neema Children's Home and the local widows we have been supporting. You can make a financial contribution to this ministry by writing a check to Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church and writing "Kenya missions" in the memo line. We would also welcome donations of the following items that we can take with us:  Soccer clkenya mission trip needs 2016othing (good condition) of all sizes, reading glasses of all strengths, bottles of ibuprofen, boxes of crayons and small watercolor paint sets. As the time draws closer, we may need additional items. If you can help, please drop off these needed items in the blue SGPC missions bins no later than June 17th, as this will give us ample time to pack them. If you have questions, please be sure to contact Eve Barker. Thanks for your continued prayers for the people of Kisumu, Kenya and our mission team! 

Learn more about Missions efforts with Saxe Gotha Presbyterian!
Recreation/Health  beach_ball_floating.jpg RecHealth

Summer Camps at SGPC
We have many fun and exciting activities to offer children this summer through our 2016 Summer Camps! Our SGPC summer camps continue to be a big hit for the children in our community each summer. Kids play and learn about art, basketball and much more! We welcome the children of SGPC members, as well as any children in the community who are not a formal part of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian. So make plans to join us this summer for a LOT of FUN in a very wholesome, Christian environment!  See the dates below and get the details and links to registration forms on the SGPC Recreation/Health webpage under the Summer Camps tab. Check it out and share with friends!

2016 SGPC Summer Camp Dates
June 6 - 9:  Kelly's Camp - Ninja Warrior Sports Challenge
June 20 - 24:  Art Camp - Early Childhood AND Elementary/Intermediate
June 27-30:  Vacation Bible School (morning & evening options)
July 11-14:  Basketball Camp #1
July 11-14:  Kelly's Camp - Twizzlenastics & Olympic Circus Kids
July 11-15:  Tech-Know Time: LEGO Awesome Adventures (FULL) 
July 11-15:  Tech-Know Time: LEGO Mindstorms Deep Space Terraformers (FULL)
July 18-21:  SPGC Soccer Camp 
July 25-28:  Basketball Camp #2
July 25-28:  Kelly's Camp - Aero Gymnastics Flip-Fly & Tumble Camp
July 25-29:  Tech-Know Time: LEGO Awesome Adventures (FULL) 
July 25-29:  Tech-Know Time: LEGO Mindstorms Deep Space Terraformers (FULL) 
Aug 8 - 11:  Kelly's Camp - Tennis Buddies & All American Sports

soccer_kids_silly.jpg Soccer Camp Volunteers Needed  The Saxe Gotha Soccer Camp is looking for volunteers to assist with the camp the week of July 18th- 21st. The camps will be held from 9 AM until 12 PM each day, so volunteers would need to arrive a little early and leave a little later. We are in need of personnel from high school age and up who have some experience with soccer, as well as anyone who can help with things non-soccer related such as serving snacks, being hall monitors, and helping as Bible lesson leaders. If interested, please contact Alex Hackett via email or contact any of the Next Generation staff members. 
 
Visit the SGPC recreation/health ministry webpage  to learn more about such ministries.