The Lords Day Worship Service

January 20, 2013 ~ New City Church Calgary

Welcome We 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. Were 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 Service Please stay around for some refreshments after the service and meet someone new. If we havent met you before, please come say Hello. Wed like to make that connection. Pastors John Ferguson & Mike Ivancic

Reflections & Preparation for Worship O God, by Your power may we, together with all the saints, comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with Your fullness. Amen. ~ based on Ephesians 3:18-19

The name of Jesus is not so much written as ploughed into the history of the world.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist & poet (1803-1882)

I am a historian. I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.
~ H.G. Wells, British author (1866-1946)

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, is of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
~ CS Lewis, God in the Dock (1898-1963)

Jesus is a litmus test for where a person is. My response to Jesus is the test, and the answer comes from my heart. Each persons response to him reveals where he or she is before God.
~ Darrell Bock, Luke: IVP New Testament Commentary Series

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: People: Leader: Unison: ~ from Psalm 86:8-10 & 73:25-26

There is none like You, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All the nations You have made shall come and bow down before You, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous things, You alone are God! Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and My portion forever!

Hymns of Praise & Worship Sing Alleluia All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing Sun, moon, and stars rejoice on high Praise to the Lord of light divine Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Praise the Father above Sing alleluia Sing alleluia, sing alleluia For His infinite love Sing alleluia Women: O praise Him Alleluia O praise Him Alleluia O praise Him Alleluia Praise to the Giver of good things Merciful Father, Holy King Join with the angels sing out loud Praise Him who reigns above the clouds Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Praise the Father above Sing alleluia Sing alleluia, sing alleluia For His infinite love Sing alleluia Men: when the morning comes for the rising sun when the day is done praise the Lord of love alleluia alleluia

All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Praise the Father above Sing alleluia Sing alleluia, sing alleluia For His infinite love

Sing alleluia Our Great God Eternal God, unchanging, mysterious and unknown Your boundless love unfailing, in grace and mercy shown Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight around your glorious throne They raise their voices day and night in praise to You alone Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God! Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God! Lord, we are weak and frail, helpless in the storm Surround us with Your angels, hold us in Your arms Our cold and ruthless enemy, his pleasure is our harm Rise up, O Lord, and he will flee before our sovereign God Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God! Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God! Let every creature in the sea and every flying bird Let every mountain, every field and valley of the earth Let all the moons and all the stars in all the universe Sing praises to the living God, who rules them by His word Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God! Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!

How Great Is Our God The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty Let all the earth rejoice, Let all the earth rejoice He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide And trembles at His voice, and trembles at His voice
chorus

How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands Beginning and the end, beginning and the end The Godhead Three in One: Father, Spirit, Son The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb
(repeat chorus)

Name above all names, worthy of all praise

Seraphim are angels. Cf. Isaiah 6:2, Above [the Lord] stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

My heart will sing how great is our God

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 Leader:

~ from Isaiah 30:15, 18, &19b

The Lord God, the Holy One of Israel spoke through the prophet Isaiah, saying, In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah pleaded with the people, Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show mercy to youHe will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you. ~ from Psalm 25:6-7, 11, 16-18

Prayer of Confession

Unison: Remember Your mercy, O Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me for the sake of Your goodness ~ Silent confession & reflection For Your names sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distress. Consider my affliction and trouble and forgive all my sins. Amen.

The Words of the Gospel Leader:

~ based on Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 1:18; 2:18

Isaiah the prophet spoke about the coming Saviour of the word, Jesus Christ, when he said, Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. Understand then that you were ransomed not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. He suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring us to God.

Song of Response Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder 1. Let us love and sing and wonder Let us praise the Saviours name He has hushed the laws loud thunder He has quenched Mount Sinais flame He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He has brought us nigh to God 2. Let us love the Lord who bought us Pitied us when enemies Called us by His grace and taught us Gave us ears and gave us eyes He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He presents our souls to God 3. Let us sing though fierce temptation Threatens hard to bear us down For the Lord, our strong salvation, Holds in view the conqurors crown He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood Soon will bring us home to God 4. Let us wonder grace and justice Join and point to mercys store When through grace in Christ our trust is Justice smiles and asks no more He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood Has secured our way to God 5. Let us praise and join the chorus Of the saints enthroned on high Here they trusted Him before us Now their praises fill the sky Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou are worthy, Lamb of God

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
Todays Scripture Lesson: LUKE 2:21-38 My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
John Ferguson, Pastor

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the 5

temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory to your people Israel. 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Leader: Unison: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
(notes)

 God Feeds Us His Covenant Meal 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 Lords Supper The Lords 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 thirstfor my Fathers 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 Lords 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 Lords death until he comes. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Sacrament of The Lords 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 Lords 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, 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 Jesus Messiah He became sin who knew no sin That we might become His Righteousness He humbled himself and carried the cross Love so amazing / Love so amazing chorus Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel The rescue for sinners The ransom from Heaven Jesus Messiah, Lord of all His body the bread His blood the wine Broken and poured out all for love The whole earth trembled And the veil was torn Love so amazing / Love so amazing All our hope is in You All our hope is in You All the glory to You, God The light of the world

Hosanna I see the King of glory Coming on the clouds with fire The whole earth shakes The whole earth shakes I see His love and mercy Washing over all our sin The people sing The people sing chorus Hosanna, hosanna Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, hosanna Hosanna in the highest I see a generation Rising up to take their place With selfless faith

With selfless faith I see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek Were on our knees Were on our knees (repeat chorus)

Open up my eyes to the things unseen Show me how to love like You Have loved me Break my heart for what breaks Yours Everything I am, for Your Kingdoms cause As I walk from earth into eternity (repeat chorus)

Heal my heart and make it clean Majesty of Heaven Majesty of heaven Your glory fills the skies Light of the world You are Lord of all Humbled by Your presence Amazed by Who You are Nothing compares You are Lord of all chorus To You the nations bow down To You creation cries out, Majesty All things You hold together Your Name will stand forever Majesty, You are majesty Merciful and mighty My heart is overwhelmed You stand alone You are Lord of all (repeat chorus) bridge Your name above all others High and exalted Your Kingdom shall reign forever High and exalted

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 Leader: Unison: Let us pray

(The leader prays for specific requests as the assembly prays along with him).

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 debts As we also have forgiven our debtors.

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.

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 In Christ Alone In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My comforter, my All in all Here in the love of Christ I stand In Christ alone who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sins curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From lifes first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Til he returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ Ill stand ~ from the Heidelberg Catechism Q&A #60

Christian, how are you made right with God? Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God's commandments and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined to all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.

10

 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: People: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (Galatians 6:18). Amen!

Community Life
Thanks for visiting New City Church! Were delighted to have had you with us today. If you are looking for a place to explore Christianity and its lifechanging 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 dont 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. Sunday School Starts Today! Immediately after the service, there is a Sunday School for kids from Toddler to Grade 5. Sunday school last approximately 30 minutes and is over at 12:30. ESL Bible Study Today At The LeBlancs House Every third Sunday of the month at 2:30 at the LeBlancs house. All are welcome. For more information, contact Richard or Marie (richard_marie@shaw.ca). New City Junior High Girls Bible Study For young ladies grades 7-9. Our next meeting will be on Friday, February 8th at 7pm at Sharon Peters house (157 Rockbluff Close). Dont forget your journal, pen, & Bibl. All Junior High girls are welcome. For more information, contact Sharon Peters at 403-274-9200 or keirap@telus.net, or Lise Daumler at 403-3139480 or daumlerfamily@hotmail.com. Kids Club Is Coming Up: Mark Your Calendars! Kids aged 4-11 are welcome to join us for our next event on Saturday, February 9th from 4-6pm at the Centre. Please rsvp to Lori Blakeley if your kids will attend or if you are able to volunteer for this event by Feb. 3. Email Lori at 5blakeleys@gmail.com or call for more info 403 286-7088. Heads Up On An Upcoming Meeting About Missions To Native Indians We want to let you know about an upcoming meeting with Mission to the World (MTW). One of the missions coordinators with MTW, John Carter will be in Calgary along with another couple, Ron & Mary Gilbert, who are interested in ministry to Native Indians here in Alberta. Lets encourage them at this informational meeting on Friday, Feb 1st. Details about venue will be forthcoming. For more information, contact Don Kitchener (don@newcitychurch.ca). 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.

11

Question #4: How and why did God create us? Answer: God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory. Designed to be used by individuals, families, & churches to learn the basic beliefs of Christianity. Check it out: http://www.newcitycatechism.com or http://newcitychurch.ca resources New Ministry Coordinator: Gayle Eng! With new growth at NCC comes new challenges, not the least of which is organization and coordination. Gayle Eng has volunteered to act as a ministry coordinator. This role will no doubt evolve, but basically it will be designed to ensure all aspects of our church are coordinated to work effectively. Servant Team Leaders can go to Gayle with ideas, questions, or concerns. Gayle will keep a calendar to coordinate the various happenings in our community of faith Gayles oversight on the board of elders is Don Kitchener Gayles contact info: gayle.eng@live.ca / 587.215.7257 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. Upcoming Conference: The Dungeon Flamd With Light Pastor Clint Humfrey and our friends at Calvary Grace Church are sponsoring a conference with guest speaker Michael Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky). The subtitle of the conference is: Revival in 18th Century England & Its Lesson for Today. January 25-27, 2o13 @ St. John Lutheran Church. Visit Calvarygrace.ca for more info or to register. Weekly Servants Schedule

12

13