News

In Person Worship

Each week, we have 3 services: 8:30 and 11 am Traditional Services in the Sanctuary and the 10:45 am AWE Contemporary Service in the Light House Auditorium. During the summer, families will worship together! Praise Packs will be provided to engage and welcome younger children in the congregation. Nursery will still be available for children 3 & younger.  

Online Worship

We livestream our 8:30 am Traditional Service and our 11:00 am AWE Contemporary Service. If you prefer to view the Traditional Service at 11:00, you can re-play the 8:30 service at that time or any other time.

To view the Saxe Gotha Services and other resources, please go to: https://www.youtube.com/user/SaxeGothaPres.

During our mission trip to Juba, South Sudan in June, we distributed 402 Talking Bibles that were acquired with the generous donations from our congregation at Saxe Gotha during our Change for South Sudan offering. Over 124 representatives from 27 different Presbyterian Churches received training on the use and care of the Talking Bibles during seven sessions. The Bibles distributed were translated in eight different South Sudanese languages: Dinka Bor (40); Dinka Pagdang (55); Nuer (95); Shilluk (90); Mule (40); Anyauk (60); Tennent (40) and Arabic (22). Each congregation were instructed on how to form listening groups within their churches and outside in their communities to maximize the use of the Talking Bibles. They were also asked for ideas about how the Talking Bibles might be used to accomplish various goals their churches may have; such as evangelism, trauma healing, theological education, church planting, etc. Since an estimated 80% of the population cannot read or write, all of the participants agreed that the Talking Bibles will be a blessing to them and their congregations!

Thank you to everyone who donated to making distributing the Talking Bibles possible! If you feel led to give, there will be a Change for South Sudan Collection on Sunday, August 14 during worship services or you can give online now through the link below.

Five members of Trinity South Sudan Ministry traveled to Juba, South Sudan between June 15 and June 27 to meet leaders and congregations of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan (PCOSS) and various organizations providing humanitarian assistance and services to the citizens of South Sudan.

The members of the mission team were: Rev. Dr. Ben Sloan, Greg Force, Amy Smith, Robert Cely and Lee Ann Alexander. On arrival in Juba, they were joined by two South Sudanese volunteers: Abass Odiel and Johnson Kengen.

Click here if you would like to learn more about the 2023 Officer Nominations for Elder and Deacon. Please submit all nominations to Pansy at pfloyd@saxegotha.org by September 25.

Maryssa Drake is a Columbia, SC native, and a graduate of Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and a Theatre Minor. She is coming from Mt. Horeb United Methodist, where she acted as the Traditional Worship Producer. She has gained media experience while working as a part of the video staff for Winthrop's news show, in Digital Content for Winthrop's Office of Admissions, as an Assistant Videographer and as a Projectionist and Media Editor for the Nickelodeon Theatre. She is very excited and is looking forward to the start of her time here at Saxe Gotha.

After months of praying, interviewing and seeking God’s will for this position, we welcome Garth Olson as our Director of Music and Worship Arts. He will begin on August 15, 2022.

Garth has over 20 years experience as a Director of Music and Worship leader. Garth has a Bachelor of Science in Music and Business (Double Major), Certificate in Worship and Leadership Studies and a Master of Arts in Music and Worship. He comes to us from Texas where he was Director of Worship Arts at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown. In addition to his experience in choral, orchestral and handbell directing, Garth is an accomplished pianist, experienced organist and skilled in overseeing technical arts (sound/light and multimedia). Garth is experienced in both traditional and contemporary worship services. According to Garth he feels, “ Worship is responding to God,” and looks forward to using his talents and skills to create “Christocentric, authentic and accessible worship opportunities” at Saxe Gotha. One of his current choir members described Garth as “very passionate about worshiping through music.” We look forward to seeing how God will use Garth’s talents, skills and knowledge to glorify God.

Garth is excited to move to Lexington and hopes to enjoy some of the many amenities in the area. We look forward to getting to know Garth as he joins the Saxe Gotha family.

We want to thank the Search Team for all their hard work: John Lee, Madonna Moore, Stephane McGee, Sonya Turner and John Anderson. And thanks to Miki Keisler for so ably filling in during this busy interim. 

Who is God? How can we better understand who God is to us? Throughout Scripture, God is given many names. Each name gives us a glimpse into God’s Character. Join us in our latest sermon series as we seek to better understand God as we explore the Names of God! 

If you would like to delve deeper into the names of God, Pastors Patrick and HH recommend two books: for adults, “Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide” by Ann Spangler and for children, “I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God” by Diane M. Stortz.  

Are you going through a difficult time? A Stephen Minister can help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support. They receive special training to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community experiencing challenges in life --- grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss and many other life difficulties.

Contact Renee’ Starnes at rstarnes@saxegotha.org or call the Church Office at 803-359-7770 to learn more.

Praise Packs will be offered to assist your child with the transition into service. The bags will contain coloring sheets and papers related to the sermon topic, crayons and quiet fidget toys. The bags will be available at every service for all elementary-aged children.

Our Children's Ministry staff is here to help if you are participating in the worship service and need assistance with childcare during the service. Contact Erin Stoudemire if you would like to make special arrangements for your child: estoudemire@saxegotha.org.

If you would like to preview the music that will be included in the AWE Contemporary Worship Service, click on the link below. Thanks to Jason Flores for putting this together for us!

The Lexington Lion’s Club is collecting old eye glasses and hearing aids. The glasses and hearing aids are used in other countries for people who cannot afford them. Collect all those old eye glasses and hearing aids and donate them for a good cause. The collection box is located in the Church Office.

Please contact Hope Andrew at handrews@saxegotha.org or 803.359.7770 ext. 126 or stop by the Child Development Center to pick up a Registration Packet. 

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.

This group will not meet during the summer, but will resume on Saturday, September 10. Look for the update during early September. Please contact Carol Harden at 217-652-2768 or Colette Phillips at 803-553-8741 if you plan to attend. 

This ministry meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:30 am in Room 154 in the Main Building. This group will gather again on September 8 after their summer break. 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.

Please email or call Carl Hammond at Carl@AmeriCareMidlands.com or 803-767-0864 if you are interested. All volunteers assist once every 5 weeks.

Caring Connections Brotherhood is gathering at The Flight Deck every Tuesday at 12:00 noon.

Free Exercise classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays in the Fellowship Hall from 9:00 - 10:00 am. Contact Vicky Beatty with questions: vpbeatty@gmail.com.

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 Child Development Center is looking for Teachers interested in teaching children ages 2-4 in the morning or kindergarten-fifth graders in the afternoon. For specific details please contact Hope Andrews at 803-359-2058 or handrews@saxegotha.org.

The United Heroes Ministry here at SGPC sends cards and care packages to our military. We are in the process of updating our list of names and addresses. Please send the name and address of those that are active duty, serving overseas or stateside, to Jody Sullivan at unitedheroes@saxegotha.org or call 704-798-5444 to get your loved one added to the list.  

From learning more of God's Word to creating meaningful projects to completing creative Bible challenges, Sunday School is a way for kids to grow spiritually! We meet at 9:45 am in the gym. This week, we will continue our study of the prophets while learning about Isaiah. 

Just a Reminder: Sunday School ends at 10:30 am. Please pick-up your children promptly, so that Kids Sunday School leaders can get to Children's Worship.

Nursery is available for ALL services and Sunday School. Friends ages 3 and younger can join us in Room 215 during the worship services.

Preschool Sunday School for ages 2 through kindergarten will be meeting in rooms 214 and 224.

Please contact Sara McCarter at smccarter@saxegotha.org if you have any questions.

Do you or someone you know need to talk to someone?

Have you heard about Stephen Ministers?

If you would like to talk to someone, contact Carol Perrin at 803-917-6690 or by email tictic8000@yahoo.com.

Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, relocation or chronic or terminal illness.

Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ's love and care to people during a time of need.

Since 1975, more than 600,000 people from more than 13,000 congregations and other organizations have been trained as Stephen Ministers.

Meet at 8:00 am (the 2nd Saturday of the month) at the church outdoor patio in front of the Light House and bring a sack breakfast to eat, then leave from there to assist individuals in need. Contact Keith Hall with questions: Nailbenders.sg@gmail.com.

(the 3rd Tuesday of the month), 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. 

To Volunteer, contact Loretta Gobbel at 319-4608 or Pete Eckert at 608-9835 or email missions@saxegotha.org.  

July 19 Update: Thank you to our Drive Thru Prayer Volunteers. We had 10 volunteers and 11 cars stopped for prayer. 

Meets In Person on Mondays at 6:30 am in Light House Room 112-113. Led by Brad Farrar.

Meets virtually on Mondays at 8:30 am for a brief lesson and to pray for each other and for other people. Contact Scott Welborn at ebleedbabyblu@gmail.com for meeting information.

These Bible studies are open to men of all ages.

Here is the specific link to it if you already have your account set up: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/CustomLibrary/8737. RightNow is like the Netflix of Christian media and Bible studies. And if you’re already tired of watching TV and scrolling the internet, then feed your mind and heart with good stuff! We have several different channels within Saxe Gotha’s custom library: Adults, Youth, Children, Worship and the Arts, Missions and Outreach, Marriage and Parenting. 

If you need help setting up your Right Now account, you can contact one of the following:

HH Ham: hhham@saxegotha.org

Patrick Cherry: pcherry@saxegotha.org

Justin Hall: jhall@saxegotha.org

The studies and videos inside Saxe Gotha’s library on RightNow are just suggestions from our staff. Please feel free to explore and enjoy the many wonderful videos on Right Now while you are at home!

Did you know that when shopping Amazon, they will make a donation to Saxe Gotha with no additional cost to you? The only requirement is to go through smile.amazon.com instead of Amazon.com and choose Saxe Gotha as your charity of choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service, but with each purchase you help reduce the debt.

NEW: AmazonSmile customers can now support Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.

Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device

Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'

Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.