The Lords Day Worship Service

March 3, 2013 ~ The Third Sunday of Lent ~ New City Church

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 Like salvation, sin is a word that belongs to the traditional Christian vocabulary. I am not a sinner, people often say, b/c they seem to be associating sin with specific and rather sensational misdeeds like murder, adultery, and theft. But sin has a much wider connotation than that What the bible means by sin is primarily self-centeredness. For Gods 2 great commandments are first that we love him with all our being and secondly that we love our neighbor as we love our self. Sin, then, is the reversal of this order. It is to put ourselves firstour neighbor next when it suits our convenience, and God somewhere in the background.
~ John Stott, the late Anglican minister & author

To concentrate on our rebellion, defection, and folly to say to the world I have some bad news and I have some bad news is to forget that the center of the Christian religion is not our sin but our Savior.
~ Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way Its Supposed To Be

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine 1

~ John Stocker, published 1776

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. Come Praise and Glorify Come praise and glorify our God The Father of our Lord In Christ He has in heavenly realms His blessings on us poured For pure and blameless in His sight He destined us to be And now weve been adopted through His Son eternally chorus To the praise of Your glory To the praise of Your mercy and grace To the praise of Your glory You are the God who saves Come praise and glorify our God Who gives His grace in Christ In Him our sins are washed away Redeemed through sacrifice In Him God has made known to us The mystry of His will That Christ should be the head of all His purpose to fulfill (repeat chorus) Come praise and glorify our God For weve believed the Word And through our faith we have a seal The Spirit of the Lord The Spirit guarantees our hope Until redemptions done Until we join in endless praise To God, the Three in One ~ from Psalm 135:1-3, 13

Unison:

Hymns of Praise & Worship

O For a Thousand Tongues O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemers praise The glories of my God and King The triumphs of His grace My gracious Master and my God Assist me to proclaim To spread through all the earth abroad

The honours of Thy name Jesus, the name that charms our fears That bids our sorrows cease Tis music in the sinners ears Tis life and health and peace He breaks the power of reigning sin He sets the prisoner free His blood can make the foulest clean His blood availed for me He speaks and, listening to His voice New life the dead receive The mournful, broken hearts rejoice The humble poor believe Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb Your loosened tongues employ Ye blind, behold your Saviour come And leap, ye lame, for joy

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 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 The Words of the Gospel Leader:

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 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 (repeat chorus)

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: PSALM 51

A Severe Mercy
John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, 4

and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Leader: Unison: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

(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 Just As I Am Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bidst me come to Thee O Lamb of God, I come, I come Oh Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot To Thee Whose blood can cleanse each spot O Lamb of God, I come, I come O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt Fightings and fears within, without O Lamb of God, I come, I come O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind Sight, riches, healing of the mind Yea, all I need in Thee to find O Lamb of God, I come, I come O Lamb of God, I come, I come Just as I am Thou wilt receive Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve Because Thy promise I believe Oh Lamb of God, I come, I come Oh Lamb of God, I come, I come

Name Above All Names From the brightness of His glory Jesus, the Son of God descends Takes on the nature of a servant Jesus, obedient to death The Father willed to crush Him As a sacrifice for sin He satisfied Gods justice

And in victry rose again chorus You are highly exalted Name above all names Worthy of all praise You are reigning in glory Jesus, Youre the King over everything Exalted to the highest place Given the name above all other names The tomb is empty, Christ has risen Jesus, the Lamb once crucified The angels never cease to worship Jesus, in heaven glorified To Him belongs the power The wisdom, might and strength All glory and dominion To the Lord of every age (repeat chorus) Our knees will bow, our tongues proclaim That You are Lord of all Our knees will bow, our tongues proclaim That You are Lord of all Mighty to Save Everyone needs compassion A love thats never failing Let mercy fall on me Everyone needs forgiveness The kindness of a Saviour The Hope of Nations chorus Saviour, He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever, Author of Salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave So take me as You find me All my fears and failures Fill my life again I give my life to follow Everything I believe in Now I surrender Shine your light and let the world see Were sining for the glory of the risen King Jesus! Shine your light and let the whole world see Were singing for the glory of the risen King

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 Thy Mercy, My God Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live here Sin 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 heart Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground And weep for the praise of the mercy I've found Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine

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.

Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine

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. Jesus Christ 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. Join us Sunday evenings for the life changing video series by well-known author & speaker, RC Sproul As a part of our focus on spiritual growth and renewal during the season of Lent, we are embarking on a 6 week study of he video series, The Holiness of God, by Dr. RC Sproul. Pastor John has this to say: This video series and book by Dr. RC Sproul greatly enlarged my vision of our holy God and revolutionized my spiritual life by giving me a deeper understanding of the Cross of Jesus Christ. I have literally not been the same since I encountered this as a university student. I cannot commend it highly enough.

Sunday evenings from 6-7pm @ New City Church Each video is approximately 30 minutes long; discussion to follow Childcare provided from toddler to age 10

Question #10: What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments? Answer: Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love and honor our father and mother, submitting to their godly discipline and direction. 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

Kid's Club Easter Celebration: Saturday, March 16, 4-6pm @ New City Church Children ages 4-11 are invited to join us in celebrating what Jesus has done for us. Parent's are asked to bring an Easter snack to share. New friends welcome! For more information or to register your kid(s) with Lori or to sign up to volunteer at 5blakeleys@gmail.com. Western Canada Presbytery Retreat There will be retreat in Canmore from May 2 - 4 this spring. The retreat is being organized by Presbytery but is for church members from all of the Western Canadian churches. The speaker is Jerram Barrs who is a

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faculty member at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. The retreat theme is "Learning Evangelism from Jesus". More information, be sure to pick up a brochure in the foyer, or speak to Don Kitchener (don@newcitychurch.ca). For those wishing to attend you need to register for the retreat separately from booking your stay in the hotel. The deadline for the reduced early bird rate for the retreat registration is March 1. The hotel booking should be made before April 1. Intro to New City Church Do you want to learn more about Christianity? Do you want a clearer idea of the beliefs & mission of New City Church? Are you interested in potentially joining NCC? Then join us for this class exploring who NCC is as a community of faith. Come, join others & bring your questions. The next class will be held on Saturday, April 15th from 9:00-2:00pm. Lunch & snacks are provided. Be sure to sign up online at www.NewCityChurch.ca. Speak to Pastor John for more details. ESL Bible Study 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 Church Online. Visit us NCC online at www.NewCityChurch.ca. Here, you can find our sermons & sermon notes posted. You can also subscribe to our sermons via iTunes. Just search for New City Church Calgary and you can find us on iTunes. Were also on Facebook & have a blog for those who are not on Facebook as well. All is accessible via www.NewCityChurch.ca.

Weekly Servants Schedule

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.

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