Sanctuary is a word that means a sheltered or protected place. Under medieval law, it was a religious area where criminals could obtain "right of asylum" while on the run from the authorities. Today, a sanctuary is a spiritually consecrated area for worship, where believers may also find asylum from the pressures of life.
Here is where we gather to express our gratitude to God through prayers and praises. Here is where we find asylum from the chaos of secular life. Here is where we are touched by God. Technology enhances our worship. Sermons are accompanied by graphical aids or scriptural texts. We not only hear the Word but see the Word. Imagination and technology are powerful worship tools.
Baptism is an ordinance of Christ ("Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19). It is the practice of the Church ("Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins," Acts 2:38).
Our Baptistry is located underneath the pulpit. We Move the pulpit back out of the way, take up the floor boards, remove the Communion Table and then Fill It with water. Children are invited to come forward to witness baptisms. A glass front makes viewing much easier.
Decorations enhance our worship experiences by highlighting the significance of each season of the church year. For the season of Lent, we display a life-size Cross to remind us of the horrific price that Jesus paid to take away our sins. John the Baptist explained the mission of Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!," John 1:29. While on trial before the Roman governor, Jesus confirmed this holy mission: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice," John 18:37.
Memories are important to us. We moved to a new location and a new facility in 2002 but we took many things with us such as furniture, Paintings, books, and especially our stained glass windows. They were originally installed as part of a building program of long ago. Families had their names commemorated for donating money to that fund. We removed them from the old building and refitted them into special Light Boxes with fluorescent back lighting to create the effect of Daylight.
Our sanctuary is a place of spiritual asylum from the pressures of life. It is a place where we look to the future and remember the past. Here is where we gather to worship God. We are a people of vision and a people of heritage. We anticipate the future goodness of eternal life, and cherish the plan of redemption through the atoning death of Jesus Christ that enabled us to become a part of it. Please come and join us for worship this Sunday.
