The Lord’s Day Worship Service

May 15, 2011 ~ New City Church

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.
We’re glad you came.

After the Service

Please 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

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
~ Jesus, in the Gospel of John 14:6

“I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say
about him [i.e., Jesus Christ]: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t
accept his claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a
man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either
be a lunatic — on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the
Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a
madman or something worse. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his
being a great human teacher. He has not left that option open to us. He did not intend to.”
~ Oxford scholar & author, CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

When Christians affirm, as they do, that Jesus is the way, the true and living way by whom we
come to the Father (John 16:4), they are not claiming to know everything. They are claiming to
be on the way, and inviting others to join them as they press forward toward the fullness of truth,
toward the day when we shall know as we have been known.
~ Missiologist Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society

“And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever
has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
~ The Apostle John, in I John 5:11-12

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

The Call to Worship Psalm 100

Leader: We have gathered in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to
offer up a sacrifice of praise.
Unison: May His great Name be praised forever!

Leader: Shout for joy to the LORD all the earth.

People: Worship the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful songs.

Leader: Know that the LORD is God.

It is He who made us and we are His;
People: We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Leader: Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise;
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
Unison: For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Hymns of Praise & Worship

“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)

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 (men): Hallelujah
(women): To the Lord of heaven and earth
(repeat 3x)

“Better is One Day”

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty

My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

chorus:
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(repeat)

One thing I ask and I would seek

To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells

(repeat chorus)

My heart and flesh cry out

For You, the living God
Your Spirit’s water for my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You / I will draw near to You

“How Great Is Our God”

The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice, Let all the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice, and trembles at His voice

chorus:
How great is our God, sing with me
How 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 hands

Beginning and the end, beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One: Father, Spirit, Son

The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb
(repeat chorus)
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 Name above all names, worthy of all praise
My heart will sing how great is our God

 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: “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 like wool.” ~ Isaiah 1:18

Song of Confession

“Psalm 51 (God Be Merciful To Me)”

1. God be merciful to me 4. Broken, humbled to the dust

On Thy grace I rest my plea
Plenteous in compassion Thou
Blot out my transgressions now
Wash me, make me pure within
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin
By Thy wrath and judgment just
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice
From my sins O hide Thy face
Blot them out in boundless grace

2. My transgressions I confess 5. Gracious God, my heart renew,

Grief and guilt my soul oppress
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face
I confess Thy judgment just
Speechless I Thy mercy trust
Make my spirit right and true
Cast me not away from Thee
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me
Thy salvation’s joy impart
Steadfast make my willing heart.

3. I am evil, born in sin 6. Sinners then shall learn from me

Thou desirest truth within
Thou alone my Saviour art
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow
Wash me whiter than the snow
And 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; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 3:18

Leader: The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us. Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He
might bring us to God. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that
we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been
healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the
Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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Song of Response
“Thy Mercy, My God”

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song

The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last
Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast

Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live here

Sin would reduce me to utter despair
But through Thy free goodness, my spirit's revived
And He that first made me still keeps me alive

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart

Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And weep for the praise of the mercy I've found

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own

In the covenant love of Thy crucified Son
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine

 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: John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

“Restoration: God Is Committed To Giving Us New Life”

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10:1-11

10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another
way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To
him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them
out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know
his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of
strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying
to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came
before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters
by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

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 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
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 11:23-26

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The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper

Please come forward by rows to the center isle 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.

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

“How Deep the Father’s Love For Us”

1. How deep the Father’s love for us

How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
2. How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
3. Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
4. It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life

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 I know that it is finished
6. Why should I gain from His reward?
5. I will not boast in anything I cannot give an answer
No gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom But this I know with all my heart
But I will boast in Jesus Christ His wounds have paid my ransom
His death and resurrection

“I Will Rise”

There's a peace I've come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

chorus:
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

(repeat chorus)

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,

"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
(repeat)

(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

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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,
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

“Amazing Grace” (traditional)

1. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

2. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

3. Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home

4. The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail


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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 And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace

6. When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun

Our Confession of Faith ~Psalm 23

Leader: Let us confess our trust and confidence in our Christ, our God and our Good
Shepherd.

Unison: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil, for Your are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 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 Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and
be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you
peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
People: Amen!

 Community Life 

Congratulations ! and a Baby Shower!

We’re rejoicing with Glen & Annette Torjhelm on the safe arrival of their covenant daughter,
Kayla. Kayla was born into the world at 11:42 on Friday morning. We are having a baby
shower for Annette on Saturday June 4th at Catherine Gordon's place at 1:30 p.m. Please
let Suzanne Van Hill (403.685.5853) or Gayle Snyder (403.695.8748) know if you will be
able to attend.
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NCC Welcomes New Members
This week, New City Church welcomes into its membership Annie Arguile; Pete & Shannon
de Jong and their children (Matthew, Ally, Kimara, & Lydia); and John & Heather Ferguson
along with their covenant children (Justin, Kevin, Miranda, Jason, & Colton). We’re glad to
be on mission together with you!

Service Opportunity / Mercy Ministry

New City Church takes a group once a month and teams up with The Mustard Seed which
serves our city’s needy. Please take the opportunity to prepare & serve meals on June 11.
For more info, contact Annie Arguile (403.283.8322 / i_have_2_kids@hotmail.com).

Questionnaire for Parents

Over the next few weeks, we are asking parents with children at home to give us some
feedback. NCC is seeking to diagnosis what the needs of our families are, and perhaps
look at some options in terms of coming alongside you to support you in the discipleship of
your children. You can pick up a questionnaire on the Welcome Table.

The Marriage Course

We have plans to offer “The Marriage Course” in the fall, both for participants of New City
Church and as a ministry to our community. Previous to that, we need to form a planning
committee to work out the details of this service to New City Church and outreach to our
community. If you are interested, please speak to Pastor John.

Downtown Study Group: “Grace on the Bow”

The Downtown Study Group meets every Thursday from 12-1pm. The theme of the current
series is on “Seeking God”. Lunch is not provided (but feel free to bring your own). Feel
free to come and observe or bring your own insights and questions. Location: Shell Center,
400 4th Ave S.W., Room 1147. Tom Dekker (403.807.6687) & Mike Ivancic (403.828.2241)
will meet folks in the lobby to get passes to go up to the 11th floor together.

Tuesday Women’s Bible Study

You are invited to come and study the book of Ephesians with us. We are meeting every
Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30. Come prepared to learn about God's love, freedom
and empowering strength towards us. Time commitment consists of weekly meetings and
approximately 10 minutes guided homework per day. We are meeting at Henrietta’s home
(43 Coach Gate Way SW). For more information contact Joan Schmitt (403-935-4188 /
gardeningjoan@yahoo.com).

NOTE: The dates for the next three Bible studies will be Tuesday May 17, Tuesday May 31
and June 7. There will be no Bible study on the Tuesday May 24 which falls the day after the
May Victoria Day long weekend.

“The Excellent Wife” Book Study

We are reading and studying The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace. This is a book directed
to women who want information about God's plan, pattern and purpose for marriage. We're
meeting every second Saturday from 1-2:30 at Gayle’s home (115-1000 Centre Ave NE).
The next meetings are on Saturday, May 28th & June 11th. Contact Joan Schmitt (403-935-
4188 / gardeningjoan@yahoo.com) for more details.

Thursday Tuscany Community Group

The Tuscany Community Group is studying 1 Peter & will be meeting at Calvin & Suzanne
Van Hill’s house on Thursdays at 7pm. For directions, contact the Van Hill’s (403.685.5853).

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Coffee with the Pastor?
If you have any questions about Christianity, or would simply like to get together and talk
about life, Pastors John & Mike are available. Coffee is on them! You can contact John at
john@newcitychurch.ca / 403.991.5555 or Mike at mike@newcitychurch.ca / 403.828.2241.

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.

Giving Report

Weekly Servants

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