The Lords Day Worship Service

January 27, 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

Jesus answered them, My Father is working until now, and I am working. This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
~ Jesus, in The Gospel of John (5:17-18)

Father is the Christian name for God.

~ J.I. Packer, Knowing God

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are.
The Apostle John, 1 John 3:1

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father!
~ The Apostle Paul, Galatians 4:6

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God! Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to His name, for it is pleasant. Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages. ~ from Psalm 135:1-3, 13

Unison:

Hymns of Praise & Worship All Hail the Power of Jesus Name All hail the power of Jesus name Let angels prostrate fall Bring forth the royal diadem And crown Him Lord of all Ye chosen seed of Israels race Ye ransomed of the fall Hail Him who saves you by His grace And crown Him Lord of all Let evry kindred, evry tribe On this terrestrial ball To Him all majesty ascribe And crown Him Lord of all O with that yonder sacred throng We at His feet may fall Well join the everlasting song And crown Him Lord of all

Blessed Be Your Name Blessed be Your name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name Blessed be your name When Im found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out Ill turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say chorus Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name When the suns shining down on me When the worlds all as it should be Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though theres pain in the offering Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out Ill turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say (repeat chorus)

You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord blessed be Your name 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 (repeat chorus)

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 Hebrews 4:15-16 & Psalm 51:1-2

Leader: The Scriptures teach us that in every respect our Lord Jesus Christ He was tempted as we are, yet He was without sin. Let us therefore cry out with the Psalmist, Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in of need. Song of Confession Psalm 51 (God Be Merciful To Me) 1. God be merciful to me On Thy grace I rest my plea Plenteous in compassion Thou Blot out my transgressions now Wash me, make me pure within Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin 2. My transgressions I confess Grief and guilt my soul oppress I have sinned against Thy grace And provoked Thee to Thy face I confess Thy judgment just Speechless I Thy mercy trust

3. I am evil, born in sin Thou desirest truth within Thou alone my Saviour art Teach Thy wisdom to my heart Make me pure, Thy grace bestow Wash me whiter than the snow 4. Broken, humbled to the dust By Thy wrath and judgment just Let my contrite heart rejoice And in gladness hear Thy voice From my sins O hide Thy face Blot them out in boundless grace The Words of the Gospel Leader:

5. Gracious God, my heart renew, Make my spirit right and true Cast me not away from Thee Let Thy Spirit dwell in me Thy salvations joy impart Steadfast make my willing heart. 6. Sinners then shall learn from me And return, O God, to Thee Savior all my guilt remove And my tongue shall sing Thy love Touch my silent lips, O Lord And my mouth shall praise accord ~ based on Romans 5:8; 8:1; Acts 10:43

God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because, as all the prophets testify about Christ, everyone who believes in Him receives the forgiveness of sins through His name. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God, I say to you, that in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven!

Song of Response How Deep You were broken that I might be healed You were cast off that I might draw near You were thirsty that I might come drink Cried out in anguish that I might sing How deep is Your love How high and how wide is Your mercy How deep is Your grace Our hearts overflow with praise To You You knew darkness that I might know light Wept great tears that mine might be dried Stripped of glory that I might be clothed Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own

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:

Finding Jesus Right Where He Should Be

John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

LUKE 2:39-52

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. 49 And he said to them, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
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 Behold the Lamb Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away, slain for us, and we remember The promise made that all who come in faith find forgiveness at the cross So we share in this bread of life, and we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of peace, around the table of the King The body of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, torn for you: eat and remember The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life Paid the price to make us one So we share in this bread of life and we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of love around the table of the king The blood that cleanses every stain of sin, shed for you: drink and remember He drank deaths cup that all may enter in to receive the life of God So we share in this bread of life and we drank of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of grace around the table of the king And so with thankfulness and faith we rise to respond and to remember Our call to follow in the steps of Christ as His body here on earth As we share in His suffering, we proclaim: Christ will come again! And well join in the feast of heaven around the table of the King. The Fathers Love How has the sinner been forgiven How has the rebel been made clean Or blinded eyes been made to see How have the orphans been adopted Who hated Your love and ran from grace

Despised and rejected all Your ways chorus How wonderful the Fathers love The Fathers love for us That He would send His only Son To come and rescue us He has saved us, called us blameless Guides us now and will sustain us Oh how wonderful the Fathers love Your mercy floods our lives with kindness Your grace has colored all we see And You have promised not to leave You freely give Your Spirit to us So we can be sure were sons of God And rest in the hope of whats to come (repeat chorus) bridge Though sufferings may fill our lives Were confident were heirs with Christ And so we cry, Abba, Father My Faith Looks Up to Thee My faith looks up to Thee Thou Lamb of Calvary Savior divine Now hear me while I pray Take all my guilt away O let me from this day Be wholly Thine May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart My zeal inspire As Thou hast died for me O may my love to Thee Pure, warm, and changeless be A living fire While life's dark maze I tread And griefs around me spread Be Thou my guide Bid darkness turn to day Wipe sorrow's tears away Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside When ends life's transient dream When death's cold, sullen stream Shall o'er me roll Blest Savior, then in love Fear and distrust removeAn O bear me safe above A ransomed soul

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. 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 And Can It Be? And can it be that I should gain An intrest in the Saviours blood? Died He for me who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou my God shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God shouldst die for me? He left His Fathers throne above So free, so infinite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love And bled for Adams helpless race Tis mercy all, immense and free For, O my God, it found out me Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God shouldst die for me? Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and natures night Thine eye diffused a quickning ray I woke, the dungeon flamed with light My chains fell off, my heart was free

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.

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God shouldst die for me? No condemnation now I dread Jesus, and all in Him is mine Alive in Him my living Head And clothed in righteousness divine Bold I approach th eternal throne And claim the crown through Christ my own Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God shouldst die for me? Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: ~ from 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Matthew 16:16; Revelation 22:13; John 20:28

Let us together profess our faith by saying This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold fast: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, and that he appeared to Peter, then to the Twelve, and then he appeared to over five hundred witnesses at one time. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end; He is our Lord and our God. Amen.

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:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:13). Amen.

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Thanks for visiting New City Church!

Community Life

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 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. Premise: A Christianity Worth Thinking About. Tonight 6pm We believe that Christianity is to be commended, but often times Christians feel inadequate and unequipped to be effective, and skeptics don't know that there are good reasons to believe in Christianity. Thats why we want to invite you to Premise. Tonight, NCC's own Glen Torhjelm will be addressing the question: Do the natural desires of our heart for truth, meaning, morality, and destiny require the existence of God? Meeting About Native Ministry & Missions 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 Native Ministry here in Alberta. Lets encourage them at this informational meeting on Friday, Feb 1st , 7pm @ New City Church. For more information, contact Don Kitchener (don@newcitychurch.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. 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).

Question #5: What else did God create? Answer: God created all things by his powerful Word, and all his creation was very good; everything flourished under his loving rule.

Designed to be used by individuals, families, & churches to learn the basic beliefs of Christianity.

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 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. Weekly Servants Schedule

Check it out: http://www.newcitycatechism.com or http://newcitychurch.ca resources

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