The Lords Day Worship Service

December 2, 2012 ~ First Sunday in the Season of Advent 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 season of Advent begins this Sunday, December 2. Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival) is the four-week season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas, the day we mark the first coming of Christ to the earth. The great proclamation The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14) assures us that God has entered into human history through the incarnation of the Son. The season of Advent, a season of waiting, is designed to cultivate our awareness of Gods actionspast, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiahs coming as addressed to uspeople who wait for the second coming. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament promises, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, death will be swallowed up, and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of Gods redemptive plan. A deliberate tension must be built into our practice of the Advent season. Christ has come, and yet not all things have reached completion. While we remember Israels waiting and hoping and we give thanks for Christs birth, we also anticipate his second coming at the end of time. For this reason Advent began as a penitential season, a time for discipline and intentional repentance in the confident expectation and hope of Christs coming again (The Worship Sourcebook). During our Sunday morning services, well use the birth narrative of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke to guide and direct our thoughts. This Advent season also marks the launch of our study of the Gospel of Luke that well take with us through 2013.

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Lighting of the Advent Candle The lighting of the Advent Candle depicts our growing expectation for the coming of Christ, the light of the world. 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 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

Sing to the King Sing to the King Who is coming to reign Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain Life and salvation His empire shall bring And joy to the nations when Jesus is King

Come, let us sing a song A song declaring that we belong to Jesus He is all we need

Lift up a heart of praise Sing now with voices raised to Jesus Sing to the King

For His returning we watch and we pray We will be ready the dawn of that day We'll join in singing with all the redeemed 'Cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee Israels strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art Dear desire of evry nation Joy of evry longing heart 2. Joy to those who long to see Thee Dayspring from on high, appear Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse Of Thy birth we long to hear Oer the hills the angels singing News, glad tidings of a birth Go to Him, your praises bringing Christ the Lord has come to earth 3. Come to earth to taste our sadness He whose glories knew no end By His life He brings us gladness Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend Leaving riches without number Born within a cattle stall This the everlasting wonder Christ was born the Lord of all 4. Born Thy people to deliver Born a child and yet a King Born to reign in us forever Now Thy gracious kingdom bring By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone By Thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne

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,

~ based on Psalm 32:3-4, NLT

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. 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 Beautiful Scandalous Night Go on up to the mountain of mercy To the crimson perpetual tide Kneel down on the shore /Be thirsty no more Go under and be purified Follow Christ to the Holy Mountain Sinner, sorry and wrecked by the fall Cleanse your heart and your soul In the fountain that flows For you and for me and for all c chorus At the wonderful tragic mysterious tree On that beautiful scandalous night you and me Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white On that beautiful scandalous night On the hillside you will be delivered At the foot of the cross, justified And your spirit restored By the river that pours, From our blessed Saviour's sid3 ~ Psalm 145:14; based on 1 John 1:8-9

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: Faith Embracing the Facts of Christmas
John Ferguson, Pastor

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE 1:1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
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 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 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 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 I see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek Were on our knees / Were on our knees (repeat chorus) Heal my heart and make it clean 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)

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 (repeat chorus) The whole earth trembled And the veil was torn All our hope is in You / All our hope is in You Love so amazing /Love so amazing All the glory to You, God /The light of the world 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 (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 Hail the Day Hail the day that Christ arose Through the skies to worlds unknown Glorious there He ever reigns Object of all Heavens praise See Him lift His hands above See the scars of His great love He has conquered death and sin Saving all who hope in Him chorus Hallelujah, hallelujah The King of Love is on His throne Hallelujah, hallelujah His grace will lead us safely home Though He dwells beyond the stars His redeemed are on His heart Even now He intercedes Jesus cares for all our needs (repeat chorus)

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:

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. Potluck Luncheon Today after the Service: Please Stay! On the first Sunday of every month, we celebrate a meal together after the service. We want to be intentional in building regular times in which our lives intersect as we seek to create authentic community at New City Church. So please stay & eat with us! Christmas Eve Service, 3-4pm This year, well continue our tradition of gathering on Christmas Eve for A Celebration in Lessons & Carols. Make plans to attend and invite your friends. Have Your Picked Up Your Copy of NCCs Prayer Book, Seeking Gods Face? New City Church is encouraging all of its participants to pick up a copy of Seeking Gods Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year. This devotional is a easy way to read Scripture every day. The book actually begins readings with the season of Advent (which this year starts on Dec. 2). Each day offers an verse inviting us into the presence of God by faith; it has a Bible reading from the Psalms and another from another portion of Scripture. It also includes suggestions for prayer as well as a prayer shaped from the reading and one of the Reformed confessions of faith. Each devotional concludes with a verse of blessing. This book is an easy way to read Scripture along with other participants at NCC. Together, we trust God to make His Word to dwell in us richly. The devotional can easily be read & prayed within 10 minutes, and it is short enough to be used in conjunction with other Bible reading & Bible study plans. Why not pick up a copy and read and pray along with your friends at NCC? Ladies Young and Old: Christmas Tea We will be gathering together to enjoy fellowship and get into the Christmas Spirit from 1-3pm on Saturday, December 8th. This event is an opportunity to connect with our community and friends. In support of Servants Anonymous Foundation we are selling tickets to this event for $2; as well, there will be a display to further support SAF through donations or jewellery purchases. More information on ticket sales will follow. ESL Bible Study at the LeBlancs The LeBlancs are planning on hosting another ESL Bible Study on Sunday, December 9th. This Bible study is open to anyone interested. Marie has some printed invitations that you can give to neighbours & others who might be interested. The LeBlancs are asking people to pray and informing people who are interested to contact us if they would like more information. All are welcome. Richard & Marie LeBlanc (home phone: 403-338-0707; email: richard_marie@shaw.ca) Attention Young Adults: Next Sunday at Dave & Gayles House, 6pm Next Sunday, December 9th, well continue our bi-monthly meetings going through our study of Christianity called, H20: A Journey of Faith. Whether you are a follower of Christ, skeptical, or just unsure of what you believe, this basic introduction to Jesus Christ who claimed to be able to quench our spiritual thirst may be just what you are looking for. So why not join up with other Young Adults for this study? Check online at NewCityChurch.ca (community tab young adults) for directions, or call Gayles cell 587-215-7257 or

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Dave's cell 403-477-0064. Mark your calendar for the Kids Club Christmas Party: Saturday, December 15th 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Kids ages 4-11 are welcome to enjoy games, crafts, and learning more about Christ. Sign up online at newcitychurch.ca or email Lori (5blakeleys@gmail.com). Adult and youth volunteers are needed so please contact Lori if you are available. Downtown Study: Grace on the Bow Grace on Bow is a downtown weekly gathering of any and all who want to explore the key universal and spiritual issues from a Christian perspective in a non-threatening environment. We have begun a new series entitled ITS BEEN SAID. . . . (What an ancient faith REALLY has to say to a contemporary world and why it should matter). We meet in the foyer of the Bank of Montreal Head office located at 350 7th Avenue S.W. (the corners of 7th Avenue SW and 3rd Street). We meet in the lobby off of 3rd Street, in front of the information desk at 12:00 and end at 1:00 promptly. For more info contact Mike Ivancic at 403.828.2241. Weekly Servants Schedule

Giving Update

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

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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