The Lords Day Worship Service

April 15, 2012 ~ 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 highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon, minister in Victorian England There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery can no disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me. There isgreat incentive to worship and love God in the thought that, for some unfathomable reason, He wants me as His friend, and desires to be my friend, and has given His son to die for me in order to realize this purpose. Knowing God is a relationship calculated to thrill a mans heart. J.I. Packer, Knowing God

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: Unison: ~ based on Psalm 84:1-2, 10-12

Show us Your steadfast love, O God, and grant us Your salvation. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Our souls long, yes, faint for the courts of the Lord. Our hearts and our flesh will sing for joy to the living God, for a single day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! For the Lord God is our Light and our Shield; the Lord bestows favor and honour. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord Almighty, blessed are those who trust in You!

Leader:

Unison:

Hymns of Praise & Worship Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven 1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven To His feet your tribute bring Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven Who, like me, His praise should sing? Praise Him, praise Him, Praise Him, praise Him Praise the everlasting King 2. Praise Him for His grace and favor To our fathers in distress Praise Him, still the same forever Slow to chide and swift to bless Praise Him, praise Him, Praise Him, praise Him Glorious in His faithfulness 3. Father-like, He tends and spares us Well our feeble frame He knows In His hands He gently bears us Rescues us from all our foes Forever Give thanks to the Lord, Our God and King His love endures forever For He is good, He is above all things His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise Praise Him, praise Him, Praise Him, praise Him Widely as His mercy goes 4. Frail as summers flower we flourish Blows the wind and it is gone But while mortals rise and perish God endures unchanging on Praise Him, praise Him, Praise Him, praise Him Praise the High Eternal One 5. Angels, help us to adore Him You behold Him face to face Sun and moon, bow down before Him Dwellers all in time and space Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Praise with us the God of grace

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm His love endures forever For the life that's been reborn His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise chorus Forever God is faithful Forever God is strong Forever God is with us Forever and ever, forever (2X)

From the rising to the setting sun His love endures forever By the grace of God we will carry on His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise Better is One Day

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty My soul longs and even faints for You For here my heart is satisfied Within Your presence I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings chorus Better is one day in Your courts Better is one day in Your house Better is one day in Your courts Than thousands elsewhere (repeat)

One thing I ask and I would seek To see Your beauty To find You in the place Your glory dwells (repeat chorus) My heart and flesh cry out For You, the living God Your Spirits water for my soul Ive tasted and Ive seen Come once again to me I will draw near to You I will draw near to You

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: Listen to the testimony of the psalmist, When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, I will confess my rebellion to the LORD. And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Prayer of Confession ~ Silent confession and reflection. The Words of the Gospel Leader: Hear the Good News: The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. ~ Psalm 145:14; based on 1 John 1:8-9 ~ based on Psalm 32:3-4, NLT

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just To forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Songs of Response Completely Done What reason have I to doubt Why would I dwell in fear When all I have known is grace My future in Christ is clear My sins have been paid in full There's no condemnation here I live in the good of this My Father has brought me near I'm leaving my fears behind me now chorus The old is gone, the new has come What You complete is completely done We're heirs with Christ, the victory won What You complete is completely done I don't know what lies ahead What if I fail again You are my confidence You'll keep me to the end I'm leaving my fears behind me now

Before the Throne of God Above Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart, I know that while in Heavn He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart No tongue can bid me thence depart When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God, the Just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me Behold Him there! The risen Lamb My perfect, spotless Righteousness The great unchangeable I Am The King of glory and of grace! One with Himself I cannot die My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ, my Saviour and my God With Christ my Saviour and my 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:

Knowing God in the Gospel, & Being Known John Ferguson, Lead Pastor GALATIANS 4:8-20

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. 12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
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 and who are connected to a church that proclaims his Gospel 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 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 aisles. 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 The Power of the Cross Oh, to see the dawn Of the darkest day: Christ on the road to Calvary Tried by sinful men Torn and beaten, then Nailed to a cross of wood chorus This, the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us Took the blame, bore the wrath We stand forgiven at the cross Oh, to see the pain Written on Your face Bearing the awesome weight of sin Every bitter thought Every evil deed Crowning Your bloodstained brow (repeat chorus) Now the daylight flees Now the ground beneath Quakes as its Maker bows His head Curtain torn in two Dead are raised to life "Finished!" the vict'ry cry (repeat chorus) Oh, to see my name Written in the wounds For through Your suffering I am free Death is crushed to death Life is mine to live Won through Your selfless love chorus This, the power of the cross: Son of Godslain for us What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross

"Amazing Love (You Are My King)" I'm forgiven because you were forsaken I'm accepted, You were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again chorus Amazing love, how can it be? That You, my King, would die for me Amazing love, I know it's true Its my joy to honor You In all I do Ill honor you I'm forgiven because you were forsaken I'm accepted, you were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again (repeat chorus) You are my king / You are my king Jesus, You are my king / Jesus, You are my king (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 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 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.

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 and want to invest in her mission. If you are visiting with us, please feel no obligation to give.

Hymn of Praise & Worship

Lord Reign in Me Over all the earth You reign on high Every mountain stream Every sunset sky But my one request Lord my only aim Is that You reign in me again chorus Lord reign in me Reign in Your power Over all my dreams In my darkest hour You are the Lord Of all I am, so wont You reign in me again Over every thought Over every word May my life reflect The beauty of the Lord Cause You mean more to me Than any earthly thing So wont You reign in me again (repeat chorus) Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Let us confess our faith with these words The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love! The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O Lord; Your saints will extol You. They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations! ~ Psalm 145:8-13

 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 God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13) . 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 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 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. Last Newcomers Class: April 15th on Baptism New City Church is offering a class orienting you to the beliefs, values, & goals of the church. Open to everyone, this class will take place immediately after the worship service for about 45 minutes. Feel free to come with your questions & thoughts! If you are thinking of hitching your wagon to New City Church through membership, you wont want to miss this class. The class will be held in the board room after the morning service. Next Kids Club: Saturday, April 21st from 4pm-6pm Attention all kids ages 3-11: Join us for our Year in Review Special Event. We will be hosting another performance from Woodgreen Church's puppeteer's Heart's and Hands group. As well there will be a pizza supper following. Parents, please be kind enough to remember to RSVP by April 15th and bring a side dish (veggie, fruit or dessert). You can register online at NewCityChurch.ca or email Lori at 5blakeleys@gmail.comThanks and hope to see you there! Young Adults Dinner Hangout: Saturday, April 21, 6pm Calvin & Suzanne would like to invite you all over next Saturday, April 21st for a BBQ dinner & to hang out. We will provide beverages, burgers & all the standard fixings. Please bring a salad, side, snack or dessert to share. If you could let us know by the 19th if you are able to make it, that would be really helpful! 10337 Tuscany Hills Way NW. 403-685-5853 Downtown Study: Grace on the Bow Grace on the Bow is a weekly gathering every Thursday for those in the downtown area exploring key and relevant areas to life from a Christian perspective and in a nonthreatening environment. New location: We meet at the Bank of Montreal Head office

located at 350 - 7th Avenue SW. We meet in the lobby off of 3rd Street, in front of the information desk at 12:00 and end at 1:00 promptly. As always, all are welcome. For more information please contact Mike Ivancic at 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. Weekly Servants Schedule

Giving Update

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