The Sanctuary

A Day of Praise & Worship with Special Guest, Laramie Rodriguez

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:18:00 +0000

Laramie Rodriguez will be with us in service Sunday, May 20th. Laramie taught music in Whitfield County Schools and currently teaches in Gordon County. He has led worship in national conferences and youth events in both English and Spanish and currently leads at the Calhoun Spanish Church of God of Prophecy. You will be blessed by his anointed ministry!

The music is similar to what you'd hear on J103 featuring songs from Desperation Band, Gateway Worship, Bethel Church, Hillsong, and others. In this special service, there will be praise and worship, scripture readings and prayer time.

Service begins at 10:30 am and concludes around 11:45. We are located at 515 Reed Road NW in Dalton, GA. There is a map on the contact tab. A graduate brunch will be served starting at 10:00 honoring our graduates. All are welcome. Dress is casual. We'd love to see you there.

The Parable of the Sower

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Sunday, April 15th, we are resuming our series in the book of Mark with The Parable of the Sower in Mark chapter 4. This is one of Jesus major teachings on fruitfulness. Others include The True Vine in John 15, and The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. You will not want to miss what the Bible teaches about God's command to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth, (Genesis 1:28). See you there!

EGG HUNT, and Inflatable followed by Cookout, Saturday, April 7th, 10:00 - 12:00

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:45:00 +0000

Guest Speaker Rick Collins, March 25 @10:30!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:52:00 +0000

Rick Collins will be in service with us March 25. Pastor Rick is the District Superintendent for the Georgia Assemblies of God. Always encouraging, refreshing in both candor and insight, and very funny; you'll be blessed by his ministry. You won't want to miss this. See you there!

Pastor Rick's blog

Georgia Assemblies of God Website

The Sanctuary Is FIVE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:29:00 +0000

On February 12, 2012, The Sanctuary will be celebrating 5 years of ministry to the communities of Northwest Georgia. Special guests Jon and Gina Hester (more about Jon) will be with us to minister as well as guest worship leader, Laramie Rodriguez. Come celebrate with us!

FAST 2012, January 1-21

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:10:00 +0000

The Sanctuary begins its annual fast today after lunch. The type of fast is up to you but we encourage you to participate in some way. Strictly speaking, fasting is abstaining from food. Many of us will drink only water for the first three days and then we will transition into what is called the Daniel Fast or Daniel Diet for the remainder of the 21 days.

Fasting has numerous benefits both spiritually and physically. Obviously, if you have health concerns, you should consult with a doctor before fasting. But for most of us fasting is actually healthy if done properly.

Far more important is the spiritual benefits. Life is more than food, Luke 12:23. Fasting and prayer brings focus and priority to the real issues of life like little else can. Do you need a breakthrough? Are there lifestyle changes you need to make? Are you grappling with sinful behavior and temptation? Are there some things you need to change? Initiating a fast is a wonderful way to bring about change in your life. Fasting, when coupled with prayer, changes your life. It helps you see things from God's perspective. Join us for this year's fasting and prayer initiative.

I'll post additional details on the sermon notes tab with links that will be there for the duration of our church's fast.

Game Night, December 31st, 8:00 - 12:01 am

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:41:00 +0000

Bring a finger food and games and let's bring in the new year together!

11:00am Christmas Day Communion Service - 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Opening Hymn:

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

The Christmas story: How Jesus came into our world.

Matt. 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-33; John 1:1-5

Joy to the World

The Christ story: Why Jesus came into our world.

John 1:1-10; Isaiah 53:1-10

O Come All Ye Faithful

The Communion: Celebrating Jesus in our lives.

Luke 23:32-49; Hebrews 9:11-14

The Commission: Carrying Jesus into our world.

Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:4-5, 8-11

SOLO: O Holy Night
CONGREGATION: Silent Night

Closing Prayer

DECEMBER!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:03:00 +0000

(click on picture to enlarge)

This Sunday, December 11... The Mouse's Tale

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:15:00 +0000

You are invited to the Children's Christmas program this Sunday at The Sanctuary. It is entitled A Mouse's Tale. The service begins at 10:30. Our children (and adults) have worked very hard. We know you'll be touched and we'd love to see you there!

©Group Publishing

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Church This Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:47:00 +0000

This Sunday after service, we'll be enjoying a meal together to celebrate God's providence for this year. We are thankful for all He has done! Psalm 85:1-3

Everybody's a Kid Sunday!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:54:00 +0000

This Sunday, November 13, 2011, Karla Newport's puppet ministry will be ministering to our children and our big kids too! Come expecting something special as we reach out to our kids. See you at The Sanctuary at 10:30 am!

Wednesdays in October & November, 6:30 - 7:30pm

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:39:00 +0000

When God's Spirit Moves

with Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle

Wednesdays at The Sanctuary, October 5 - November 9, 6:30-7:30.

DEDICATION SERVICE, October 2, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:26:00 +0000

We will be dedicating our new facility for use as The Sanctuary on Sunday, October 2nd, at 10:30. We are grateful for all that God has done and wish to have a special service praising Him for His goodness, recognizing from where He has brought us, and rededicating ourselves to His purposes for our lives. Come celebrate with us. The best is yet to come!

Jon Hester, Guest Speaker, Sunday September 18.

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:31:00 +0000

Jon Hester will be the guest speaker at The Sanctuary this Sunday, September 18. I know you'll be encouraged by his preaching. We look forward to seeing you in service with us!

The Power of a Whisper, DVD study from Bill Hybels, starting Wednesday, 9/7

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Starting this Wednesday, September 7 at 6:30 -7:30pm. Mid-week services are one hour long during the school year.

The Power of a Whisper
a DVD study from Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Church.

Benefit Yard-Sale for Colt Frisbee

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:10:00 +0000

Colt is 3 months old. He is having open-heart surgery September 2 in Atlanta. Due to mounting medical expenses, family friend, Melissa Tousignant is hosting two benefit yard sales to be held at The Sanctuary. If you have items to donate, you can reach her at 706.386.4786. The first yard sale is on Saturday, September 10 and the second will be the following Saturday, September 17th. Both sales begin at 7:00 am. All money raised will go directly to this local family for expenses.

Game Night! September 2, 6:30pm at the Church

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:56:00 +0000

Game Night! Friday, September 2, 6:30pm at the Church. Bring snacks and finger foods.
Fall planning followup meeting, Wednesday, August 31 @6:30pm.

BAPTISM!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:57:00 +0000

We'll be having a baptismal service at the Corbitt's pool next Sunday, August 21, at 2:00 pm. We'd love for you to participate in this special service! Call or email Eric for details or directions.

eric@thesanctuaryonline.us
706.264.9362

Back to School Party!!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:59:00 +0000

This Saturday, August 13th at 11:00, The Sanctuary will be hosting a back to school event at the church for our youth and children. There will be a wet slide inflatable so come dressed for that. Pizza will be provided. Please bring drinks & chips for your family. Hope to see you there!

Pastor Ken Will Be Speaking This Week, August 7th

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Pastor Ken Wiggins will be speaking this weekend, August 7, at The Sanctuary. Ken has extensive youth ministry experience and served as pastor to the congregation that used to meet in this facility, Calvary Assembly of God. He is currently the youth pastor here. I know you'll be encouraged by his ministry.

Service begins at 10:30 and ends around 11:45. We'd love to see you there.

Thinking Like God Thinks, pt 4; Who Is Worthy?

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Isaiah 55:6-9 Part of learning to think the way God thinks is in sharing His values, loving what He loves, treasuring what He prizes, and knowing how to measure the worth of something from His perspective. Offense and conflict often arise out of treating what another values with contempt.

My wife has this brown barrel ceramic cookie jar looking thing. It's hidden in the back of a top shelf so no one can “inadvertently” destroy it because if you look at it, you’d want to destroy it. One of these days, I'm going to find out why this thing has value to her. The only reason I value it at all is because she values it and she is valuable to me. If I were to throw it away without asking her about it, she would interpret that to mean, I don't care about what she values. Everyday, across the earth, people treat the things God values as worthless or with contempt.

The ‘no big deal’ approach to the person of God is dangerous! (Hebrews 10:26-31; Exodus 20:7; Revelation 3:16) specifically because we see as worthless the things God calls Worthy. Worship is the condition or quality of worth. Over time, the ‘th’ has fallen out of English pronunciation, but originally, the word was ‘worthship’. It means ‘to offer something of worth to the one who is worthy.’ In order to think God’s thoughts, have His mindset (Philippians 2:5-11), we start by learning to share His values, to esteem that which He esteems, to love what He loves, to hold dear the things in which He finds worth. What do you value? What consumes your thoughts? What is worthy of your time? What do you worship? Is it worthy? The better question is this:
Who is worthy? This question is asked and answered in Revelation 5.

Barriers to Intimacy with God

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:22:00 +0000

God is trying to suck the life out of me!

People often view God as some cosmic killjoy who's out to ruin our fun and is like some giant Granny who's always shaking a finger at us and preaching. They see Him as controlling, petty, and manipulative... Oh, they don't say that; but their actions do. There are times when we ALL think of God as restrictive rather than liberating. There are times when we ALL think of God as poised to pounce on us in judgment when we slip up. But I think we're viewing Him in a limited way or missing His point completely. It is true, there are things we give up to walk with God. But that is only one percent of the story.

There're some things you need to know about me...

I think we could make the case that the deepest need of a human is to know and be known intimately. And if you're going to walk closely with anyone, you've got to understand their set of 'deal-breakers'. How many of us have laid down the law with new acquaintances by saying something to the effect of, "Alright. If we're going to be friends, there're some things you need to know about me. Number 1: You can't be talking during the movie! Number 2: Stop piddling around! You are pokey, Pokey, POKEY!! I've got things to do! Number 3: Don't ever touch the remote. EVER. Number 4: Stop showing up early! I'm vacuuming right up until the time we said for you to come over. Number 5: Why do you ask me a question and NOT listen to the answer? Stop that! Stop it NOW. I could go on but you get the point.

We all have deal-breakers...

We all have deal-breakers. Some of them involve politics. Others relate to religion and faith. Maybe you're passionate about boycotting Disneyland and I don't give a rip. Perhaps you hate Harry Potter and I'm not concerned by it. Maybe you're a fitness nut or you home school and others take your passions lightly. Or you could be a vegan and I'm killing cattle by the thousands. You're big deal is not everybody's big deal. What's huge to me may be nothing to you. Our deal-breakers are barriers to real intimacy with one another. When I treat your all-consuming passion as insignificant, or even worse, with mockery, we're not going to grow closer. If I want to be intimate with someone, I have to respect what's important to them.

It's the same with God...

Any time you come along side someone else in relationship, you have to leave something of yourself behind. When I married Linda, we agreed to be faithful to each other. We forsook all others. It's a big deal to both of us. If I want to be close to God, I have to agree with Him about what's really important in life.

When He introduced Himself to the children of Israel at Sinai, He said, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." Exodus 20:2, NKJV This is who I am. This is what I do. I am your God. I turn folks loose! Now if we're going to hang out together, there's some things you need to know about me... some things I won't put up with. Then He gives the TEN DEAL-BREAKERS. Essentially He is saying, "I don't run around with liars, cheaters, thieves, and murderers.

There is incredible fulfillment and freedom in intimacy. My wife and I experience deep satisfaction in our trusting and faithful relationship with one another. It's liberating like nothing else. I am free to be myself with her without fear of rejection because our relationship is protected by the rules of faithfulness, respect, and love. But if I begin to treat our relationship in cavalier or uncaring ways... if I belittle or demean that which is of value to her... if I treat that which is sacred as ordinary... then I allow barriers to intimacy to develop in our friendship.

Our main problem with God, the sin problem, is this: what He calls a big deal, we think of as insignificant. But if you want intimacy with God, you've got to come around to His way of thinking. The rules we find restrictive are actually the only ways to intimacy with Him. I'm trusting you to know I'm not talking about legalism, works, and judging others when I emphasize the importance of obedience to God's law. I come into fellowship with Him when I agree with Him about my sin and I use His solution, the Son of His love Colossians 1:13. When I transgress or offend His law, I create a barrier to the unhindered, free fellowship He desires for us.

God's best is obtained by removing the barriers to intimacy with Him... by adopting His priorities as my own... by rejecting self-centeredness and embracing the mindset of Christ, Philippians 2:5-11.

You Know What You Should Do

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:31:00 +0000

Isaiah 55:6-8

Last week we began our series on Understanding God. Thinking God’s thoughts or thinking like God is the path to changing the way you live. In trying to better understand God’s viewpoint, we looked at one of His characteristics, mercy. The idea, His mercy endures forever, is throughout scripture. “I desire mercy…” (Hosea 6:6) shows us one of the ways that God wants us to relate to others. In part 2, we’re going to focus on another oft quoted passage, Micah 6:8.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

This verse will form the structure of the message on July 24. Here’s one of the things we know about God:

You are good and do only good; Psalm 119:68a, NLT

Later in the same Psalm, David says, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.” (Psalm 119:143-144) God always does the right thing. God spoke to Job saying, “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.”(Job 37:23) And again, it is “not His will that any should perish.” (2 Peter 3:9). God’s intentions and plans for you are good! (Jeremiah 29:11) If we’re going to begin to understand God, it has to start with the knowledge that He behaves towards us out of His goodness and that we in turn begin to think and act like Him. Psalm 15 talks about the man who can live with God in His sanctuary and describes him as one ‘who keeps his oath even when it hurts.’ Doing right is easy until faced with a shortcut to your fulfilled desires and dreams. God calls us to do what is right... because He always does the right thing.

New Series beginning July 17: Understanding God

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Minter) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Norman Vincent Peale, Joel Osteen, and many others have emphasized the power of positive thinking. Many in Christian leadership are leery of these kinds of preachers feeling that they have divorced themselves from the component of suffering that should accompany the preaching of the gospel message. I’m not here to pass judgment on positive preachers and thinkers. I find much to like in what they say. Certainly, all of us emphasize one part or another of the New Testament in accordance with our given temperaments. As a preacher, I usually feel a desire to distance myself from prosperity preachers and teachers because the inordinate focus on blessing and success as defined by wealth. But everything they say is not wrong and there is much to learn from approaching our daily lives with an outlook based on an increasing faith in the goodness of God. Truly, no one can overstate the significance of how your attitude impacts your life. I think we can all agree that your thinking governs your behavior. Any real change begins by changing the way you think. You don’t change the way you think unless you recognize your thinking is wrong.

Last week I preached about wilderness thinking vs. the overcomer thinking of Caleb. Wilderness thinking is basically, “This is too hard. Let’s go back to Egypt.” Overcomer thinking is “We are well able to overcome it,” Numbers 13:30 NKJV. We also know from this story and others, that people seldom change their minds unless forced to the point of desperation by circumstances and in fact, many die wandering around in circles in the desert NEVER experiencing God’s best for their lives.

God wants to change your thinking about some things. I want us to begin to hear and understand what God is saying to us. Over the coming weeks I will be tackling some big questions in the series, “Understanding God”. What moves God to speak and act in our personal lives? What is He thinking about right now? What are His values? Why can’t we understand what He is saying? God speaking through Isaiah says, “Come, let us reason together…” He wants you to ‘get’ Him. Join us at The Sanctuary for this important series.