February 17, 2013 Worship Service

7/29/2019 February 17, 2013 Worship Service

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The Lords Day Worship ServiceFebruary 17, 2013 ~ The First Sunday of Lent ~ New City Church Calgary

WelcomeWe 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 tomake sense of life and are looking for a caring community, you are warmly welcome here. Wereglad you came. There is a nursery available for kids aged 0-2 years. Kids are always welcome in theservice with us too.

After the ServicePlease stay around for some refreshments after the service and meet someone new. If we haventmet you before, please come say Hello. Wed like to make that connection.

Pastors John Ferguson & Mike Ivancic

Reflections & Preparation for WorshipO God, by Your power may we, together with all the saints, comprehend the breadth and length andheight 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

Mile upon mile got no direction / Were all playing the same game

Were all looking for redemption / Just afraid to say the name

Country Singer Pat Green, Wave On Wave

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, In repentance and rest is your

salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.~ Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found. Why

do I keep ignoring the place of true love and persist in looking for it elsewhere? Why do I keep

leaving home where I am called a child of God, the Beloved of my Father?~ Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

Free me from a dark dream / Candy floss, ice cream

All the kids are screaming but the ghosts arent realHeres what we gotta be / love and community

Laughter is eternity if joy is real.~ U2s Bono, Get on Your Boots

Joy is the serious business of heaven.~ CS Lewis,Letters to Malcolm

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God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6

The Call to Worship ~ based on Psalm 95

Leader: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving;Let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.We have gathered to worship and enjoy our gracious God.

Unison: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Hymns of Praise & WorshipHoly, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy, There is none beside Thee,Perfect in powr in love & purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;

Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Our Great God

Eternal God, unchanging, mysterious and unknownYour boundless love unfailing, in grace and mercy shown

Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight around your glorious throneThey raise their voices day and night in praise to You alone

Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!

Lord, we are weak and frail, helpless in the storm

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

his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

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Surround us with Your angels, hold us in Your armsOur cold and ruthless enemy, his pleasure is our harm

Rise up, O Lord, and he will flee before our sovereign God


Let every creature in the sea and every flying birdLet every mountain, every field and valley of the earthLet all the moons and all the stars in all the universe

Sing praises to the living God, who rules them by His word


God Graciously Renews Us in ChristHave 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 ~ Isaiah 1:18

Leader: Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be likewool.

Prayer of Confession

Unison: Almighty and merciful God,We have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep.We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.We have offended against Your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;And we have done those things that we ought not to have done.

~ Silent Confession and Reflection

Unison: O Lord, have mercy upon us.Spare those who confess their faults.Restore those who are repentant, according to Your promisesDeclared to the world in Christ Jesus, our Lord.And grant, O merciful God, for His sake,That we might live a holy, just, and humble lifeTo the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

The Words of the Gospel ~ from Romans 8:1; 5:1

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Leader: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Sincewe have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord JesusChrist.

Songs of ResponseMajesty

Here I am, humbled by Your majestyCovered by Your grace so free

Here I am, knowing Im a sinful manCovered by the blood of the Lamb

Now Ive found the greatest love of all is mineSince You laid down Your life

The greatest sacrifice

chorusMajesty, majesty

Your grace has found me just as I amEmpty handed but alive in Your hands

Here I am, humbled by the love that You giveForgiven so that I can forgive

Here I stand knowing that Im Your desireSanctified by glory and fire

Now Ive found the greatest love of all is mineSince You laid down Your life

The greatest sacrifice

Majesty, majestyYour grace has found me just as I amEmpty handed but alive in Your hands

Majesty, majestyForever I am changed by Your love

In the presence of Your majesty, majesty

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my songThis cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and stormWhat heights of love, what depths of peaceWhen fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my All in allHere in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousnessScorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus diedThe wrath of God was satisfiedFor every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body layLight of the world by darkness slain

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Then bursting forth in glorious dayUp from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victorySins curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mineBought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in meFrom lifes first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destinyNo power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His handTil he returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ Ill stand

God Gives Us His Words of Eternal LifeLord 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: Joy is the Serious Business of HeavenJohn Ferguson, Lead Pastor

LUKE 15:1-2, 11-24

1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and thescribes grumbled, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them.

11 And he said, There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father,Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between

them. 13Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far

country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything,a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out

to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longingto be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than

enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him,

Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son.Treat me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was

still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer

worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, andput it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill

it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and isfound. And they began to celebrate.

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.Unison: Thanks be to God!

(notes)

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God Feeds Us His Covenant MealFrom 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. ForChristians, this meal is a time to receive these signs and seals of the New Covenant which Christhas established with them. Believers come to this Table to meet with their Lord and Saviour byfaith, to be renewed by Him and strengthened in their callings and mission as they eat the breadand drink the wine.

Therefore, all baptized Christians who trust in Christ alone as their Lord and Saviour, who areconnected 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 prayerslisted below). Consider the invitation of Jesus, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shallnot hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirstfor my Fathers will is that everyonewho looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the lastday (John 6:35, 40).

We would ask that childrenwho have not yet professed belief in the Lord Jesus also refrainfrom partaking until doing so. The pastor would be delighted to speak to families about what itmeans to participate in the Lords Supper.

The Words of Institution

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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 proclaimthe 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 toreceive the bread and the wine. When finished, place your cup at the side tables and proceed toyour seat via the outer isles. If you are unable to come forward we would be delighted to serveyou at your seat.

New City Church uses wine in serving the Lords Supper. We would encourage you to take ofthe wine since it is a symbol of joy and celebration in Scripture. However, juice is also provided ifyou 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, andthat no one comes to the Father except by You. If what You claim is true, please guide me andteach me. Open to me the reality of who You are. Grant that I might be undaunted in followingYou 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 sinfulthan I had ever before dared to admit. Yet you tell me that I am more loved than I ever dared tohope, and that You accept all who turn to You in simple faith. I am doing that right now. I thankYou for taking the justice that my sins deserved when You died on the Cross. I eagerly trust Youfor the forgiveness for my sins, and I receive from You now the eternal life that You promise to allwho come to You. Amen.

A Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin: Lord Jesus, You know the battle that rages within myheart. Grant that in my battles with sin, I may see in You the fulfillment of all my needs. Give mestrength to turn from every false satisfaction to find my ultimate joy in You. Enable me to lay asidethe sin that clings so closely to me, and fill me with your Spirit to run with perseverance the raceYou 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 youblessed kids like me. Help me to know who You are and to understand what You have done forme. Amen.

Communion HymnsHow Great Is Our God

The splendor of the King, clothed in majestyLet all the earth rejoice, Let all the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hideAnd trembles at His voice, and trembles at His voice

chorus

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How great is our God, sing with meHow great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands, and time is in His handsBeginning and the end, beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One: Father, Spirit, SonThe Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb

(repeat chorus)

Name above all names, worthy of all praiseMy heart will sing how great is our God

(repeat chorus)

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Amazing grace how sweet the soundThat saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm foundWas blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fearAnd grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appearThe hour I first believed

chorusMy chains are goneI've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed meAnd like a flood His mercy reigns

Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to meHis word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion beAs long as life endures

(repeat chorus)

The earth shall soon dissolve like snowThe sun forbear to shine

But God, Who called me here belowWill be forever mine / Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

O The Wonderful Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of Glory diedMy richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled downDid ever such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown

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chorus

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful crossBids me come and die and find that I may truly live

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful crossAll who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my 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, inMatthew 6:20-21

The Prayers of the People

Leader: Let us pray(The leader prays for specific requests as the assembly prays along with him).

Unison: 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 debtorsAnd 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 churchfamily and regularly benefit from her ministry and want to invest in her mission. If you are visitingwith us, please feel no obligation to give.

Hymn of Praise & Worship

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heartNaught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Thou my best thought by day or by nightWaking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

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.

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Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true wordI ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father, I Thy true sonThou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor mans empty praiseThou my inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heartHigh King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory wonMay I reach heavens joys, O bright heavns Sun

Heart of my own heart, whatever befallStill be my vision, O Ruler of all

Our Confession of Faith ~ from Colossians 1:15-20

Leader: Let us confess our faith

Unison: Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;For by Him all things were created,

in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesAll things were created through Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.And He is the head of the body, the church.He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

that in everything He might be preeminent.

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

and through Him to reconcile to Himself all thingswhether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

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: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gaveus eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish

them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).People: Amen!

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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 togrow in your understanding of the person and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have any questionsabout New City Church, Christianity, or the uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth, please dont hesitate to askus. You can contact Pastor John at [email protected] or call 403.991.5555. If you work in thedowntown area, touch base with Pastor Mike Ivancic who also works in downtown. You can contact Mike [email protected] 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, byDr. RC Sproul. Pastor John has this to say:

This video series and book by Dr. RC Sproul greatly enlarged my vision of our holyGod 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 # 8 : What is the law of God stated in the TenCommandments??

Answer: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make

for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the

earth beneath or in the waters belowyou shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not

misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father

and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not

give false testimony. You shall not covet.

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

Be Ready: Reasonable Faith in an Uncertain World March 8 & 9, 2013

As ambassadors for Christ, Christians are called not only to communicate theGospel to others, but also to be ready to answer questions that others may askus about the hope that we have. This conference is an excellent opportunity tobecome better equipped for just such a task.

New City Church is teaming up with Faith Beyond Belief, Centre Street Church, and Biola University tosponsor a conference bringing in some of the top Christian thinkers of our era to help equip you to articulate

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and defend the faith. William Lane Craig, Sean McDowell, JP Moreland, Clay Jones and Craig Hazen will allbe speaking at this first of its kind conference in Calgary. Our own Pete de Jong is chairing the Faith BeyondBelief committee organizing this conference, and Pastor John Ferguson will be teaching a break-outsession. For more details or to register, go to www.BeReadyCalgary.ca.

ESL Bible Study At The LeBlancs HouseEvery third Sunday of the month at 2:30 at the LeBlancs house. All are welcome. For more information,contact Richard or Marie ([email protected]).

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 canfind us on iTunes. Were also on Facebook & have a blog for those who are not on Facebook as well. Allis 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 TheWorship Sourcebook, c. 2004, CRC Publications.

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http://www.bereadycalgary.ca/http://www.bereadycalgary.ca/

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February 17, 2013 Worship Service