The Lord’s Day Worship ServiceJanuary 6, 2012 ~ New City Church Calgary

WelcomeWe are glad you have joined us today. Whether you are a Christian seeking to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ, or a skeptic looking for answers, or someone who is struggling to make sense of life and are looking for a caring community, you are warmly welcome here. We’re glad you came. There is a nursery available for kids aged 0-2 years. Kids are always welcome in the service with us too.

After the ServicePlease stay around for some refreshments after the service and meet someone new. If we haven’t met you before, please come say “Hello.” We’d like to make that connection.

Pastors John Ferguson & Mike Ivancic

God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6

The Call to Worship ~ from Psalm 118:24; 113:1-4

Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made…People: …let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.People: Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!

Leader: From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord be praised!Unison: The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!

Hymns of Praise & Worship

“Forever”

Give thanks to the Lord, Our God and KingHis love endures forever

For He is good, He is above all thingsHis love endures foreverSing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched armHis love endures forever

For the life that's been rebornHis love endures foreverSing praise, sing praiseSing praise, sing praise

chorus Forever God is faithfulForever God is strongForever God is with us

Forever and ever, forever (2X)

From the rising to the setting sunHis love endures forever

By the grace of God we will carry onHis love endures foreverSing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise

(repeat chorus)

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"Everlasting God"

Strength will rise as we wait upon the LordWe will wait upon the LordWe will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign foreverOur hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting GodThe everlasting God

You do not faintYou won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weakYou comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

“Crown Him with Many Crowns”

1. Crown Him with many crownsThe Lamb upon His throne

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns All music but its own

Awake, my soul and sing Of Him Who died for thee

And hail Him as thy matchless King Through all eternity

2. Crown Him the Lord of loveBehold His hands and side

Rich wounds, yet visible aboveIn beauty glorified

No angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight

But downward bends His wond'ring eye At mysteries so bright

3. Crown Him the Lord of lifeWho triumphed o'er the grave

Who rose victorious to the strife For those He came to save

His glories now we singWho died, and rose on high

, Who died eternal life to bringAnd lives that death may die

4. Crown Him the Lord of heav'n One with the Father known

One with the Spirit through Him giv'n From yonder glorious throneTo Thee be endless praiseFor Thou for us hast died

Be Thou, O Lord, through endless days Adored and magnified

God Graciously Renews Us in Christ Have mercy on me, O God, in Your faithful love, in Your great tenderness wipe away my offenses; wash

me thoroughly from my guilt, purify me from my sin. ~ Psalm 51:1-2

Call to Confession ~ based on Exodus 20

Leader: God spoke His Holy Law to our forefathers saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

You shall have no other gods before me.’

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You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything….You shall not bow down to them or serve them….You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.Honor your father and mother.You shall not murder.You shall not commit adultery.You shall not steal.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.You shall not covet…anything that is your neighbour’s.

Prayer of Confession

Unison: ~ Silent confession & reflection

The Words of the Gospel ~ from Galatians 3:13 & 2 Timothy 1:9-10

Leader: The Scripture tells us, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.’ Know that God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Song of Response

“Thy Mercy, My God”

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my songThe joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue

Thy free grace alone, from the first to the lastHath won my affection and bound my soul fast

Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live hereSin would reduce me to utter despair

But through Thy free goodness, my spirit's revived And He that first made me still keeps me alive

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heartWhich wonders to feel its own hardness departDissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the groundAnd weep for the praise of the mercy I've found

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I ownIn the covenant love of Thy crucified Son

All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine

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God Gives Us His Words of Eternal Life Lord Jesus, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life! Let Your word dwell in us richly, that whatever we do, in word or deed, we may do everything in Your name, giving thanks to the Father

through You. ~ based on John 6:68, Colossians 3:16-17

Today’s Scripture Lesson: “Never Give In! Good Reasons to Persevere in 2013” Rev. David Fletcher, Guest Minister

2 CORINTHIANS 4:1

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.”

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.Unison: Thanks be to God!

(notes)

God Feeds Us His Covenant Meal 4

From the east and the west, from the north and the south, people will come and take their places at the banquet in the Kingdom of God. ~ based on Luke 13:29

A Word About Participating in The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a special family meal that Christ gave to His Bride, the Church. For Christians, this meal is a time to receive these signs and seals of the New Covenant which Christ has established with them. Believers come to this Table to meet with their Lord and Saviour by faith, to be renewed by Him and strengthened in their callings and mission as they eat the bread and drink the wine.

Therefore, all baptized Christians who trust in Christ alone as their Lord and Saviour, who are connected to a church that proclaims His Gospel, and who are at peace with their fellow believers, are invited to come to the Table.

If you are not yet a Christian, or if for whatever reason you are not prepared to share in this meal, we would encourage you to spend this time in prayer (perhaps using one of the prayers listed below). Consider the invitation of Jesus, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…for my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:35, 40).

We would ask that children who have not yet professed belief in the Lord Jesus also refrain from partaking until doing so. The pastor would be delighted to speak to families about what it means to participate in the Lord’s Supper.

The Words of Institution

“The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper

Please come forward by rows to the center aisle and form a semi-circle in front of the Table to receive the bread and the wine. When finished, place your cup at the side tables and proceed to your seat via the outer isles. If you are unable to come forward, we would be delighted to serve you at your seat.

New City Church uses wine in serving the Lord’s Supper. We would encourage you to take of the wine since it is a symbol of joy and celebration in Scripture. However, juice is also provided if you cannot drink wine due to health reasons or issues of conscience.

Prayers for Those Not Communing

A Prayer Searching for the Truth: Jesus, You claim to be the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except by You. If what you claim is true, please guide me and teach me. Open to me the reality of who You are. Grant that I might be undaunted in following You as I consider the reasons for doing so. Give me an understanding of You that is coherent, convincing,

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and leads to the eternal life that You promise. Amen.

A Prayer of Trust in the Lord Jesus: Jesus, I confess that I am more broken, flawed, and sinful than I had ever before dared to admit. Yet You tell me that I am more loved than I ever dared to hope, and that You accept all who turn to You in simple faith. I am doing that right now. I thank You for taking the justice that my sins deserved when You died on the Cross. I eagerly trust You for the forgiveness for my sins, and I receive from You now the eternal life that You promise to all who come to You. Amen.

A Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin: Lord Jesus, You know the battle that rages within my heart. Grant that in my battles with sin, I may see in You the fulfillment of all my needs. Give me strength to turn from every false satisfaction to find my ultimate joy in You. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely to me, and fill me with your Spirit to run with perseverance the race you have set before me, looking to You, the pioneer and champion of my faith. Amen.

A Prayer for Children (who have yet to profess faith): Jesus, the Bible tells me that You blessed kids like me. Help me to know who You are and to understand what You have done for me. Amen.

Communion Hymns “Only Jesus”

Father of grace, You’ve sacrificedYour only Son for us, the crucified Jesus

Enlarge our hearts to love Your SonO grant to us the grace to walk with Him always

To make Him our great delightBringing worship with our lives

chorusOnly Jesus! Only Jesus!Give us Jesus, we cry

Only Jesus! Only Jesus!The Pearl of greatest price

Spirit of grace, You’ve shed Your lightUpon our darkened eyes, unveiling Jesus Christ

Come change our hearts, conform our waysTo honor Jesus’ Name, His glory our refrain

Let His love compel our ownAs we worship at His throne

(repeat chorus)

Jesus, our great SaviourLord of heaven, Son of God

(repeat chorus)

Name Above All Names”

From the brightness of His gloryJesus, the Son of God descendsTakes on the nature of a servant

Jesus, obedient to deathThe Father willed to crush Him

As a sacrifice for sinHe satisfied God’s justiceAnd in vict’ry rose again

chorusYou are highly exalted / Name above all names

Worthy of all praiseYou are reigning in glory

Jesus, You’re the King over everything

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Exalted to the highest placeGiven the name above all other names

The tomb is empty, Christ has risenJesus, the Lamb once crucified

The angels never cease to worshipJesus, in heaven glorifiedTo Him belongs the power

The wisdom, might and strengthAll glory and dominion

To the Lord of every age

(repeat chorus)

Our knees will bow, our tongues proclaimThat You are Lord of all

Our knees will bow, our tongues proclaimThat You are Lord of all

(repeat chorus)

“All I Have Is Christ”

I once was lost in darkest nightYet thought I knew the way

The sin that promised joy and lifeHad led me to the grave

I had no hope that You would ownA rebel to Your will

And if You had not loved me firstI would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound raceIndifferent to the cost

You looked upon my helpless stateAnd led me to the cross

And I beheld God’s love displayedYou suffered in my place

You bore the wrath reserved for meNow all I know is grace

chorusHallelujah! All I have is Christ

Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours aloneAnd live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commandsCould never come from me

Oh Father, use my ransomed lifeIn any way You choose.

And let my song forever beMy only boast is You

(repeat chorus)

God Receives Our Offerings “…lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~ Jesus, in Matthew

6:20-21

The Prayers of the People

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Leader: “Let us pray…”(The leader prays for specific requests as the assembly prays along with him).

Unison: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom come, Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,And forgive us our debtsAs we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,Now and forever. Amen.

The Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings

This collection of our tithes and offerings is for those who consider New City Church their church family and regularly benefit from her ministry. If you are visiting with us, please feel no obligation to give.

Hymn of Praise & Worship

“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at His word,Just to rest upon His promise, just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus, just to trust His cleansing blood;Just in simple faith to plunge me ‘neath the healing, cleansing flood!Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;And I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

Our Confession of Faith ~ Psalm 23

Leader: Let us confess our trust and confidence in Christ, our God and Good Shepherd.

The language of debt/debtor is not to be understood primarily in a financial sense but in the moral/ theological sense of our indebtedness due to our sins against God and others, or the sins others may have committed against us.

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Unison: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of deathI will fear no evil, for Your are with me;Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

God Sends Us Out Into The World With His Blessing “God has shown you 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.” ~ from Micah 6:8

Leader: “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

People: Amen!

Community Life

Thanks for visiting New City Church !

We’re delighted to have had you with us today. If you are looking for a place to explore Christianity and its life-changing relevance, we hope that you will find New City Church a safe place to ask questions and to grow in your understanding of the person and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have any questions about New City Church, Christianity, or the uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth, please don’t hesitate to ask us. You can contact Pastor John at john@newcitychurch.ca or call 403.991.5555. If you work in the downtown area, touch base with Pastor Mike Ivancic who also works in downtown. You can contact Mike at mike@newcitychurch.ca or call 403.828.2241.

All songs used by permission. CCLI license # 273300. Parts of the worship service are adapted from or reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, c. 2004, CRC Publications.

Question #2: What is God?

Answer: God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.

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Designed to be used by individuals, families, and churches to learn the basic teachings of Christianity. Check it out: http://www.newcitycatechism.com or http://newcitychurch.ca resources

Be Ready: Reasonable Faith in an Uncertain World – March 8 & 9, 2013

As ambassadors for Christ, Christians are called not only to communicate the Gospel to others, but also to be ready to answer questions that others may ask us about the hope that we have. This conference is an excellent opportunity to become better equipped for just such a task.

New City Church is teaming up with Faith Beyond Belief, Centre Street Church, and Biola University to sponsor a conference bringing in some of the top Christian thinkers of our era to help equip you to articulate and defend the faith. William Lane Craig, Sean McDowell, JP Moreland, Clay Jones and Craig Hazen will all be speaking at this first of its kind conference in Calgary. Our own Pete de Jong is chairing the Faith Beyond Belief committee organizing this conference, and Pastor John Ferguson will be teaching a break-out session.

For more details or to register, go to www.BeReadyCalgary.ca.

Weekly Servants Schedule

Giving Update

*Non-NCC indicates funds raised outside the congregation of New City Church to aid in this church planting project.

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