The Lords Day Worship Service

August 18, 2013 ~ 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 To concentrate on our rebellion, defection, and follyto say to the world I have some bad news and I have some bad news is to forget that the center of the Christian religion is not our sin but our Savior. ~ Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way its Supposed to Be Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that Gods kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? ~ The Apostle Paul, Romans 2:4 I come to the Lord with only one appeal, his mercy. I've no other defense. I've no other standing. I've no other hope. I can't escape the reality of my biggest problem-me! So I appeal to the one thing in my life that's sure and will never fail. I appeal to the one thing that guaranteed not only my acceptance with God, but the hope of new beginnings and fresh starts. I appeal on the basis of the greatest gift I ever have or ever will be given... Because of what Jesus did, God looks upon me with mercy. Its my only appeal; its the only source of hope; its my life. ~ Paul Tripp, Whiter Than Snow 1

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

Show us Your steadfast love, O God, and grant us Your salvation. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Our souls long, yes, faint for the courts of the Lord. Our hearts and our flesh will sing for joy to the living God, for a single day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! For the Lord God is our Light and our Shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. 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 All Creatures of our God and King 1. All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia, Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam Thou silver moon with softer gleam O praise Him, O praise Him Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia 2. Thou rushing wind that art so strong Ye clouds that sail in heavn along O praise Him, Alleluia! Thou rising morn in praise rejoice Ye lights of evening find a voice O praise Him, O praise Him Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia 3. Thou flowing water, pure and clear Make music for thy Lord to hear Alleluia, Alleluia! Thou fire so masterful and bright That givest man both warmth and light O praise Him, O praise Him Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia 4. And all ye men of tender heart Forgiving others take your part O sing ye, Alleluia! Ye who long pain and sorrow bear Praise God and on Him cast your care O praise Him, O praise Him Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia 5. Let all things their Creator bless And worship Him in humbleness, O praise Him, Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father Praise the Son, And praise the Spirit, Three in One O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

God of Wonders Lord of all creation Of water, earth and sky The heavens are Your tabernacle Glory to the Lord on high

chorus God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy Lord of heaven and earth Lord of heaven and earth Early in the morning I will celebrate the light When I stumble in the darkness I will call Your name by night. (repeat chorus) (men): Hallelujah (women): To the Lord of heaven and earth (repeat) We Will Glorify We will glorify the King of Kings We will glorify the Lamb We will glorify the Lord of lords Who is the great I AM Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty We will bow before His throne We will worship Him in righteousness We will worship Him alone He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth He is Lord of all who live He is Lord above the universe All praise to Him we give Hallelujah to the King of kings Hallelujah to the Lamb Hallelujah to the Lord of lords Who is the great I AM

God Graciously Renews Us in Christ Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love, in your great tenderness wipe away my offenses; wash me thoroughly from my guilt, purify me from my sin. ~ Psalm 51:1-2
Call to Confession Leader: Listen to the testimony of the psalmist, When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, I will confess my rebellion to the LORD. And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. ~ based on Psalm 32:3-4, NLT

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. Song of Response Ten Thousand Reasons chorus Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul Worship His holy name Sing like never before O my soul I'll worship Your holy name The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning It's time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes (repeat chorus) You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger Your name is great, and Your heart is kind For all Your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find (repeat chorus) And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing Your praise unending Ten thousand years and then forevermore (repeat chorus) Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name Lord, I'll worship Your holy name Sing like never before O my soul I'll worship Your holy name Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name I'll worship Your holy name ~ Psalm 145:14; based on 1 John 1:8-9

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: COLOSSIANS 3:12-13 Forgive One Another John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

12 Put on then, as Gods chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 4

(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 Worthy is the Lamb Thank you for the cross, Lord Thank you for the price You paid Bearing all my sin and shame In love You came And gave amazing grace Thank you for this love, Lord Thank you for the nail-pierced hands Washed me in Your cleansing flow Now all I know Your forgiveness and embrace Worthy is the Lamb Seated on the throne Crown You now with many crowns You reign victorious High and lifted up Jesus, Son of God The Darling of Heaven crucified Worthy is the Lamb Worthy is the Lamb Lord, I Need You Lord, I come, I confess Bowing here I find my rest Without You I fall apart You're the One that guides my heart Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You Where sin runs deep Your grace is more Where grace is found is where You are And where You are, Lord, I am free Holiness is Christ in me Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You Teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You Jesus, You're my hope and stay Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You You're my one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You

Be The Centre Jesus, be the centre Be my source, be my light Jesus

Jesus, be the centre Be my hope, be my song Jesus chorus Be the fire in my heart Be the wind in these sails Be the reason that I live Jesus, Jesus Jesus, be my vision Be my path, be my guide Jesus (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 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.

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.

Hymn of Praise & Worship My Hope is Built on Nothing Less My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus name chorus On Christ, the solid rock, I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand When darkness veils His lovely face I rest on His unchanging grace In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil (repeat chorus) His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood When all around my soul gives way He then is all my hope and stay (repeat chorus) When He shall come with trumpet sound O may I then in Him be found Dressed in all His righteousness alone Faultless to stand before the throne (repeat chorus) Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Heidelberg Catechism #1

Christian, what is your only comfort in life and in death? That I belongbody and soul, in life and in deathnot to myself but to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him!

 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.

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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 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. Premise: A Christianity Worth Thinking About Have you ever wondered why there is something rather than nothing? If you have, you are not alone. The question has occupied the minds of many people throughout history. Could it be that the question itself is a clue about reality? Our Premise meetings are designed to answer your questions and to help you articulate and defend the truth of Christianity in the market place of ideas. Our next few installments of our premise meetings will be answering the question, Are there good reasons to believe that God exists? How can I know? So join us Sunday evening, August 18th, from 6-7 as we explore A Christianity Worth Thinking About. Current Sermon Series: Life Together Life in Calgary can be busy. Too busy. And if we are honest, it can be a little depersonalizing. Surrounded by nearly 1.2 million people, many Calgarians are all too familiar with what sociologists call, crowded loneliness. Are we really meant to be surrounded by so many people and still be so unconnected? Sounknown? The short answer is no. This is simply just another way life is broken. And it is supposed to be so different. We are told that the early followers of Jesus devoted themselves to fellowship (Acts 2:42), that is, they devoted themselves to a new way of being human that they learned from Jesusa new way of doing life together. During the months of July & August, well be looking into the New Testament teaching about one another-ing, and well see that maybe, just maybe, we have been missing out on something vital to our humanity, to our Christianity, and to the mission that weve been sent on to this city.

The Worship Service on September 1st will be held at Camp Hamarttan in Olds, Alberta

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Well hold our worship service in conjunction with our retreat at Camp Hamarttan at our usual time of 10:30. Camp Hamarttan is located an hour north of Calgary. For directions, go to http://www.campharmattan.com/index.php/guest-groups/location.html.
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 can find us on iTunes. Were also on Facebook & have a blog for those who are not on Facebook as well. All is accessible via our website at www.NewCityChurch.ca.

Giving Update

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

Weekly Servants Schedule

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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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