March 17, 2013 Worship Service

7/29/2019 March 17, 2013 Worship Service

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The Lords Day Worship ServiceMarch 17, 2013 ~ The Fifth Sunday of Lent ~ New City Church Calgary

WelcomeWe are glad you have joined us today. Whether you are a Christian seeking to grow in yourrelationship with Jesus Christ, or a skeptic looking for answers, or someone who is struggling to makesense of life and are looking for a caring community, you are warmly welcome here. Were glad youcame. There is a nursery available for kids aged 0-2 years. Kids are always welcome in the servicewith 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 and

height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with Yourfullness. Amen. ~ based on Ephesians 3:18-19

If only a heart could be as white as snow.

~ U2, White as Snow

The human heart is a factory of idols Everyone of us is, from his mothers womb,

an expert in inventing idols.

~ John Calvin,Institutes of the Christian Religion

The greatest adversary of love to God is not His enemies, but His gifts. They are your basic meat andpotatoes and coffee and gardening and reading and decorating and traveling and investing and TV

watching and internet surfing and shopping and exercising and collecting and talking. And all of them

can become deadly substitutes for God.~ John Piper,A Hunger for God

"Here's the gorgeous message of the gospel: even though I've bowed again and again to an endless

catalog of God replacements, even though I've loved myself more than I've loved God, even though I've

rebelled against God's kingdom and sought to set up my own kingdom, God comes to me in grace...."

~ Paul David Tripp, Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin & Mercy

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

The Call to Worship ~ from Psalm 118:24; 113:1-4

Leader: This is the day that the Lord has madePeople: let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.People: Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!

Leader: From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord be praised!Unison: The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens!

Hymns of Praise & Worship

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heavenTo His feet your tribute bring

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgivenWho, like me, His praise should sing?

Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise HimPraise the everlasting King

2. Praise Him for His grace and favorTo our fathers in distress

Praise Him, still the same forever

Slow to chide and swift to blessPraise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him

Glorious in His faithfulness

3. Father-like, He tends and spares usWell our feeble frame He knowsIn His hands He gently bears us

Rescues us from all our foesPraise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him

Widely as His mercy goes

4. Frail as summers flower we flourishBlows the wind and it is gone

But while mortals rise and perishGod endures unchanging on

Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise HimPraise the High Eternal One

5. Angels, help us to adore HimYou behold Him face to face

Sun and moon, bow down before HimDwellers all in time and space

Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise HimPraise with us the God of grace

Sing Alleluia

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us singSun, moon, and stars rejoice on high

Praise to the Lord of light divine

Sing alleluia, sing alleluiaPraise the Father above

Sing alleluiaSing alleluia, sing alleluia

For His infinite love

Sing alleluia

Praise to the Giver of good thingsMerciful Father, Holy King

Join with the angels sing out loudPraise Him who reigns above the clouds

Sing alleluia, sing alleluiaPraise the Father above

Sing alleluiaSing alleluia, sing alleluia

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For His infinite love Sing alleluiaWomen: Men:O praise Him when the morning comes

Alleluia for the rising sunO praise Him when the day is done

Alleluia praise the Lord of loveO praise Him alleluia

Alleluia alleluia

All creatures of our God and KingLift up your voice and with us sing

(repeat chorus)

Here I Am To Worship

Light of the worldYou stepped down into darkness

Open my eyes, let me seeBeauty that made this heart adore YouHope of a life spent with You

chorusHere I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovelyAll together worthy

All together wonderful to me

King of all daysOh so highly exalted

Glorious in heaven aboveHumbly You cameTo the earth You created

All for love's sake became poor

(repeat chorus)

I'll never know how much it costTo see my sin upon that cross

I'll never know how much it costTo see my sin upon that cross

(repeat)

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 ~ from Psalm 33:13-14

Leader: The Psalmist tells us,The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man;

from where He sits enthroned He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

Prayer of Confession ~ based on Psalm 51:1-12

Leader: Merciful and holy GodYou pardon all who truly turn from their sins and look to You in faith.We humbly confess our sins and ask for Your mercy:we have not loved You with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.

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We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with You, our God.Unison: ~ Silent confession & reflection

Leader: Have mercy on us, O God. In Your loving-kindness and great compassion,Cleanse us from all our sins in thought, word, and deed.Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.Do not cast us from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from us.

Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and sustain us with a willing spirit,Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

The Words of the Gospel ~ from 1 Timothy 1:15

Leader: Here are words that you may fully trust, words that deserve full acceptance:Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

To all who confess their sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ,He says, Your sins are forgiven. He also says, Follow me.

Song of ResponseI Stand Amazed (How Marvelous)

I stand amazed in the presenceOf Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could love meA sinner, condemned, unclean.

Singing,

chorusHow marvelous! How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:How marvelous! How wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrowsHe made them His very own

And He bore the burden to CalvaryAnd suffered and died alone

When with the ransomed in gloryHis face I at last shall see

Twill be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me

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 Fatherthrough You. ~ based on John 6:68, Colossians 3:16-17

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Todays Scripture Lesson: Desperate DependenceJohn Ferguson, Lead Pastor

PSALM 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercyblot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,

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.

6 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.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of yourrighteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or Iwould 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;

19then will you delight in right sacrifices,in burnt offerings and whole burnt

offerings; then bulls will be offered on

your altar.

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, 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 nothunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirstfor my Fathers will is that everyone wholooks 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 childrenwho have not yet professed beliefin the Lord Jesus also refrain frompartaking until doing so. The pastor would be delighted to speak to families about what it means toparticipate 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 wayalso 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 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 serve youat 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, and thatno one comes to the Father except by You. If what you claim is true, please guide me and teachme. Open to me the reality of who You are. Grant that I might be undaunted in following You as I

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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 You

for 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 race youhave 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 HymnsJesus, I My Cross Have Taken

1. Jesus, I my cross have takenAll to leave and follow TheeDestitute, despised, forsaken

Thou from hence my all shall bePerish every fond ambition

All Ive sought or hoped or knownYet how rich is my condition

God and heaven are still my own

2. Let the world despise and leave meThey have left my Savior, too

Human hearts and looks deceive meThou art not, like them, untrue

O while Thou dost smile upon meGod of wisdom, love, and might

Foes may hate and friends disown meShow Thy face and all is bright

3. Man may trouble and distress meTwill but drive me to Thy breast

Life with trials hard may press meHeaven will bring me sweeter restOh, tis not in grief to harm me

While Thy love is left to meOh, twere not in joy to charm meWere that joy unmixed with Thee

4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasureCome disaster, scorn and painIn Thy service, pain is pleasure

With Thy favor, loss is gainI have called Thee Abba FatherI have stayed my heart on Thee

Storms may howl, and clouds may gatherAll must work for good to me

5. Soul, then know thy full salvationRise oer sin and fear and care

Joy to find in every stationSomething still to do or bear

Think what Spirit dwells within theeThink what Fathers smiles are thine

Think that Jesus died to win theeChild of heaven, canst thou repine

6. Haste thee on from grace to gloryArmed by faith, and winged by prayer

Heavens eternal days before theeGods own hand shall guide us thereSoon shall close thy earthly mission

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim daysHope shall change to glad fruitionFaith to sight, and prayer to praise

Jesus Messiah

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He became sin who knew no sinThat we might become His RighteousnessHe humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazingLove so amazing

chorus:Jesus Messiah

Name above all namesBlessed Redeemer, Emmanuel

The rescue for sinnersThe ransom from HeavenJesus Messiah, Lord of all

His body the bread

His blood the wineBroken and poured out all for love

The whole earth trembledAnd the veil was torn

Love so amazing

Love so amazing

(repeat chorus)

All our hope is in YouAll our hope is in You

All the glory to You, GodThe light of the world

I Exalt Thee

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earthThou art exalted far above all gods

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earthThou art exalted far above all gods

chorusI exalt Thee, I exalt Thee

I exalt Thee, O LordI exalt Thee, I exalt Thee

I exalt Thee, O Lord

God Receives Our Offerings lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves donot 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: 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 debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

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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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. If you are visiting with us, please feel no obligation to

give.

Hymn of Praise & WorshipI Will Glory In My Redeemer

I will glory in my RedeemerWhose priceless blood has ransomed meMine was the sin that drove the bitter nails

And hung Him on that judgment tree

I will glory in my Redeemer

Who crushed the power of sin and deathMy only Saviour before the Holy JudgeThe Lamb who is my RighteousnessThe Lamb who is my Righteousness

I will glory in my RedeemerMy life He bought, my love He owns

I have no longings for anotherIm satisfied in Him alone

I will glory in my RedeemerHis faithfulness my standing place

Though foes are mighty and rush upon meMy feet are firm held by His graceMy feet are firm held by His grace

I will glory in my RedeemerWho carries me on eagles wingsHe crowns my life with loving kindness

His triumph song Ill ever sing

I will glory in my RedeemerWho waits for me at gates of gold

And when He calls me it will be paradiseHis face forever to beholdHis face forever to behold

Our Confession of Faith ~ from Romans 8:1, 28, 38-39; 1 Timothy 1:17

Leader: Let us together profess our faith by saying

Unison: We believe there is no condemnationfor those who are in Christ Jesus;for we know that all things work together for goodfor those who love God,who are called according to Gods purpose.

We are convinced that neither life, nor deathnor angels, nor rulersnor things present, nor things to come,

nor powers, nor height, nor depth,nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us from the love of Godin Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Leader: Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God

be honour and glory forever and ever.Unison: Amen.

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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 the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The

Lord be with you all (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

People: 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 inyour understanding of the person and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have any questions about NewCity Church, Christianity, or the uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth, please dont hesitate to ask us. You cancontact Pastor John at [email protected] or call 403.991.5555. If you work in the downtown area, touchbase with Pastor Mike Ivancic who also works in downtown. You can contact Mike at [email protected] 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

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Question # 12 : What does God require in the ninth and tenthcommandments?

Answer: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love.

Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God

has given them or us.

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

Attention all Junior & Senior High YouthThe annual spring Alberta Youth Retreat is coming up on April 5-7 at Gull Lake. New City Churchs ownPastor John will be speaking on the issue of Thinking About Some of the Toughest Questions ChristiansFace. Cost is $115 per person before March 23, & $125 after that. $105 for multiple youth from the samefamily. Scholarships are available if needed to attend. See Pastor John for more details. Registration formsare available in the foyer, and will be online at www.NewCityChurch.calater in the week.

Western Canada Presbytery RetreatThere will be retreat in Canmore from May 2 - 4 this spring. The retreat is being organized by Presbytery butis for church members from all of the Western Canadian churches. The speaker is Jerram Barrs who is afaculty 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([email protected]).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 shouldbe made before April 1.

Intro to New City ChurchDo you want to learn more about Christianity? Do you want aclearer idea of the beliefs & mission of New City Church?

Are you interested in potentially joining NCC? Then join usfor this class exploring who NCC is as a community of faith.Come, join others & bring your questions. The next class willbe held on Saturday, April 15th from 9:00-2:00pm. Lunch &snacks are provided. Be sure to sign up online atwww.NewCityChurch.ca. Link will be up later this week.Speak to Pastor John for more details.

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. Justsearch for New City Church Calgary and you can find us on iTunes. Were alsoon Facebook & have a blog for those who are not on Facebook as well. All isaccessible via www.NewCityChurch.ca.

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March 17, 2013 Worship Service