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.
• 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
The Advent Devotionals are here. They are free of charge but supplies are limited. They can be found in the Narthex, Church Office and Light House Atrium. They come from the same ministry as last year, Frontier Fellowship, which is one of our ministry partners. They also compliment our advent sermon series “Journey to a Manager.” If you would like a daily email version of the advent devotional, you can sign up for that using this link: https://frontierfellowship.com/subscribe-advent/.
Please pickup tags on the Christmas trees in the Narthex or Light House Atrium. The deadline to return these gifts has been extended to Sunday, December 11. If you would like to get a name but are unable to come to Saxe Gotha, please call the office at 803-359-7770 and we will happily email you one of the remaining Love-A-Family tags. Please contact Kathy Seymour at 803-920-7385 or 4kathys@gmail.com if you have questions.
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
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.
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.
Join the NextGen team for a bright night of fun holiday lights! Families and friends are all welcome to join us at Segra Park for this great time. We have a special ticket price available, so be sure to sign up here.
Poinsettia Dedication List 2022
Mail – the envelope must be postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2022.
Offering – any offering submitted either in cash or check by year end.
In Person – Check/Cash can be hand delivered to the business office by Jan. 3, 2023 no later than 5:00 pm (checks dated Dec. 31, 2022).
