The Lord’s Day Worship ServiceJanuary 27, 2013 ~ 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 to make sense of life and are looking for a caring community, you are warmly welcome here. We’re 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 ServicePlease stay around for some refreshments after the service and meet someone new. If we haven’t met you before, please come say “Hello.” We’d 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

“Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.’ This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even

calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”~ Jesus, in The Gospel of John (5:17-18)

“ ‘Father’ is the Christian name for God.”~ J.I. Packer, Knowing God

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us,that we should be called the children of God; and so we are.”

The Apostle John, 1 John 3:1

“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

~ The Apostle Paul, Galatians 4:6

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

The Call to Worship ~ from Psalm 135:1-3, 13

Leader: Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord,

who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God!

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to His name, for it is pleasant.

Unison: Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord, throughout all ages.

Hymns of Praise & Worship

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”

All hail the power of Jesus’ nameLet angels prostrate fall

Bring forth the royal diademAnd crown Him Lord of all

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s raceYe ransomed of the fall

Hail Him who saves you by His graceAnd crown Him Lord of all

Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribeOn this terrestrial ball

To Him all majesty ascribeAnd crown Him Lord of all

O with that yonder sacred throngWe at His feet may fall

We’ll join the everlasting songAnd crown Him Lord of all

“Blessed Be Your Name”

Blessed be Your nameIn the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flowBlessed be Your name

Blessed be your nameWhen I’m found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wildernessBlessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour outI’ll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes inLord still I will say

chorusBlessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the LordBlessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your nameWhen the sun’s shining down on meWhen the world’s all as it should be

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your nameOn the road marked with sufferingThough there’s pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour outI’ll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes inLord still I will say(repeat chorus)

You give and take awayYou give and take away

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My heart will choose to sayLord blessed be Your name

“Majesty of Heaven”

Majesty of heavenYour glory fills the skies

Light of the worldYou are Lord of all

Humbled by Your presenceAmazed by Who You are

Nothing comparesYou are Lord of all

chorusTo You the nations bow down

To You creation cries out, MajestyAll things You hold together

Your Name will stand forever, MajestyYou are majesty

Merciful and mightyMy heart is overwhelmed

You stand aloneYou are Lord of all

(repeat chorus)

bridge:Your name above all others

High and exaltedYour Kingdom shall reign forever

High and exalted

(repeat chorus)

God Graciously Renews Us in Christ Have mercy on me, O God, in Your faithful love, in Your great tenderness wipe away my offenses; wash

me thoroughly from my guilt, purify me from my sin. ~ Psalm 51:1-2

Call to Confession ~ based on Hebrews 4:15-16 & Psalm 51:1-2

Leader: The Scriptures teach us that in every respect our Lord Jesus Christ He was tempted as we are, yet He was without sin. Let us therefore cry out with the Psalmist,

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in of need.

Song of Confession “Psalm 51 (God Be Merciful To Me)”

1. God be merciful to meOn Thy grace I rest my plea

Plenteous in compassion ThouBlot out my transgressions nowWash me, make me pure within

Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin2. My transgressions I confessGrief and guilt my soul oppressI have sinned against Thy grace

And provoked Thee to Thy faceI confess Thy judgment just

Speechless I Thy mercy trust3. I am evil, born in sin

Thou desirest truth withinThou alone my Saviour art

Teach Thy wisdom to my heartMake me pure, Thy grace bestow

Wash me whiter than the snow

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4. Broken, humbled to the dustBy Thy wrath and judgment just

Let my contrite heart rejoiceAnd in gladness hear Thy voiceFrom my sins O hide Thy face

Blot them out in boundless grace

5. Gracious God, my heart renew, Make my spirit right and trueCast me not away from Thee

Let Thy Spirit dwell in meThy salvation’s joy impart

Steadfast make my willing heart.

6. Sinners then shall learn from meAnd return, O God, to Thee Savior all my guilt remove

And my tongue shall sing Thy love Touch my silent lips, O Lord

And my mouth shall praise accord

The Words of the Gospel ~ based on Romans 5:8; 8:1; Acts 10:43

Leader: God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because, as all the prophets testify about Christ, everyone who believes in Him receives the forgiveness of sins through His name. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God, I say to you, that in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven!

Song of Response “How Deep”

You were broken that I might be healedYou were cast off that I might draw nearYou were thirsty that I might come drink

Cried out in anguish that I might sing

How deep is Your loveHow high and how wide is Your mercy

How deep is Your graceOur hearts overflow with praise

To You

You knew darkness that I might know lightWept great tears that mine might be driedStripped of glory that I might be clothed

Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own

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

Today’s Scripture Lesson: “Finding Jesus Right Where He Should Be” John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

LUKE 2:39-52

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39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.Unison: 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

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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 Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a special family meal that Christ gave to His Bride, the Church. For Christians, this meal is a time to receive these signs and seals of the New Covenant which Christ has established with them. Believers come to this Table to meet with their Lord and Saviour by faith, to be renewed by Him and strengthened in their callings and mission as they eat the bread and drink the wine.

Therefore, all baptized Christians who trust in Christ alone as their Lord and Saviour, who are connected to a church that proclaims His Gospel, and who are at peace with their fellow believers, are invited to come to the Table.

If you are not yet a Christian, or if for whatever reason you are not prepared to share in this meal, we would encourage you to spend this time in prayer (perhaps using one of the prayers listed below). Consider the invitation of Jesus, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst…for my Father’s 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 Lord’s 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 Lord’s death until he comes.”

~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26The Sacrament of The Lord’s 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 Lord’s 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.

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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 “Behold the Lamb”

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away, slain for us, and we rememberThe promise made that all who come in faith find forgiveness at the cross

So we share in this bread of life, and we drink of His sacrificeAs a sign of our bonds of peace, around the table of the King

The body of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, torn for you: eat and rememberThe wounds that heal, the death that brings us life

Paid the price to make us oneSo we share in this bread of life and we drink of His sacrifice

As a sign of our bonds of love around the table of the king

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin, shed for you: drink and rememberHe drank death’s cup that all may enter in to receive the life of God

So we share in this bread of life and we drank of His sacrificeAs a sign of our bonds of grace around the table of the king

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise to respond and to rememberOur call to follow in the steps of Christ as His body here on earth

As we share in His suffering, we proclaim: Christ will come again!And we’ll join in the feast of heaven around the table of the King.

“The Father’s Love”

How has the sinner been forgivenHow has the rebel been made cleanOr blinded eyes been made to see

How have the orphans been adoptedWho hated Your love and ran from grace

Despised and rejected all Your ways

chorusHow wonderful the Father’s love

The Father’s love for us

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That He would send His only SonTo come and rescue us

He has saved us, called us blamelessGuides us now and will sustain us

Oh how wonderful the Father’s love

Your mercy floods our lives with kindnessYour grace has colored all we see

And You have promised not to leaveYou freely give Your Spirit to us

So we can be sure we’re sons of GodAnd rest in the hope of what’s to come

(repeat chorus)

bridgeThough sufferings may fill our lives

We’re confident we’re heirs with ChristAnd so we cry, “Abba, Father”

“My Faith Looks Up to Thee”

My faith looks up to TheeThou Lamb of Calvary

Savior divineNow hear me while I pray

Take all my guilt awayO let me from this day

Be wholly Thine

May Thy rich grace impartStrength to my fainting heart

My zeal inspireAs Thou hast died for meO may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless beA living fire

While life's dark maze I treadAnd griefs around me spread

Be Thou my guideBid darkness turn to day

Wipe sorrow's tears awayNor let me ever stray

From Thee aside

When ends life's transient dreamWhen death's cold, sullen stream

Shall o'er me rollBlest Savior, then in love

Fear and distrust removeAnO bear me safe above

A ransomed soul

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

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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 debtsAs we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,Now and forever. Amen.

The Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings

This collection of our tithes and offerings is for those who consider New City Church their church family and regularly benefit from her ministry. If you are visiting with us, please feel no obligation to give.

Hymn of Praise & Worship“And Can It Be?”

And can it be that I should gainAn int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died He for me who caused His pain?For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it beThat Thou my God shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it beThat Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne aboveSo free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but loveAnd bled for Adam’s helpless race‘Tis mercy all, immense and freeFor, O my God, it found out me

Amazing love! How can it beThat Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

Long my imprisoned spirit layFast bound in sin and nature’s nightThine eye diffused a quick’ning ray

I woke, the dungeon flamed with lightMy chains fell off, my heart was freeI rose, went forth, and followed Thee

Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dreadJesus, and all in Him is mine

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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Alive in Him my living HeadAnd clothed in righteousness divineBold I approach th’ eternal throne

And claim the crown through Christ my ownAmazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

Our Confession of Faith ~ from 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Matthew 16:16; Revelation 22:13; John 20:28

Leader: Let us together profess our faith by saying…

Unison: 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: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13).

People: Amen.

Community Life

Thanks for visiting New City Church !

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We’re 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 don’t 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.

Sunday School Today!Immediately after the service, there is a Sunday School for kids from Toddler to Grade 5. Sunday school last approximately 30 minutes and is over at 12:30.

Premise: A Christianity Worth Thinking About. Tonight 6pmWe believe that Christianity is to be commended, but often times Christians feel inadequate and unequipped to be effective, and skeptics don't know that there are good reasons to believe in Christianity. That’s why we want to invite you to “Premise.” Tonight, NCC's own Glen Torhjelm will be addressing the question: “Do the natural desires of our heart for truth, meaning, morality, and destiny require the existence of God?”

Meeting About Native Ministry & MissionsWe want to let you know about an upcoming meeting with Mission to the World (MTW). One of the missions coordinators with MTW, John Carter will be in Calgary along with another couple, Ron & Mary Gilbert, who are interested in Native Ministry here in Alberta. Let’s encourage them at this informational meeting on Friday, Feb 1st , 7pm @ New City Church. For more information, contact Don Kitchener (don@newcitychurch.ca).

New City Junior High Girls Bible StudyFor young ladies grades 7-9. Our next meeting will be on Friday, February 8th at 7pm at Sharon Peters’ house (157 Rockbluff Close). Don’t forget your journal, pen, & Bibl. All Junior High girls are welcome. For

more information, contact Sharon Peters at 403-274-9200 or keirap@telus.net, or Lise Daumler at 403-313-9480 or daumlerfamily@hotmail.com.

Kids Club Is Coming Up: Mark Your Calendars!Kids aged 4-11 are welcome to join us for our next event on Saturday, February 9th from 4-6pm at the Centre.  Please rsvp to Lori Blakeley if your kids will attend or if you are able to volunteer for this event by

Feb. 3.  Email Lori at 5blakeleys@gmail.com or call for more info 403 286-7088. 

ESL Bible Study Today At The LeBlanc’s HouseEvery third Sunday of the month at 2:30 at the LeBlanc’s house. All are welcome. For more information, contact Richard or Marie (richard_marie@shaw.ca).

Question #5: What else did God create?

Answer: God created all things by his powerful Word, and all his creation was very good; everything flourished under his loving rule.

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

New Ministry Coordinator: Gayle Eng!With new growth at NCC comes new challenges, not the least of which is organization and coordination. Gayle Eng has volunteered to act as a ministry coordinator. This role will no doubt evolve, but basically it will be designed to ensure all aspects of our church are coordinated to work effectively. Servant Team Leaders can go to Gayle with ideas, questions, or concerns. Gayle will keep a calendar to coordinate the various happenings in our community of faith

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Gayle’s oversight on the board of elders is Don Kitchener Gayle’s contact info: gayle.eng@live.ca / 587.215.7257

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

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

New City Church is teaming up with Faith Beyond Belief, Centre Street Church, and Biola University to sponsor a conference bringing in some of the top Christian thinkers of our era to help equip you to articulate and defend the faith. William Lane Craig, Sean McDowell, JP Moreland, Clay Jones and Craig Hazen will all be speaking at this first of its kind conference in Calgary. Our own Pete de Jong is chairing the Faith Beyond Belief committee organizing this conference, and Pastor John Ferguson will be teaching a break-out session.

For more details or to register, go to www.BeReadyCalgary.ca.

Weekly Servants Schedule

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