The Lords Day Worship Service

April 28, 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

O great God of highest heaven Occupy my lowly heart Own it all and reign supreme Conquer every rebel power Let no vice or sin remain That resists Your holy war You have loved and purchased me Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin Had no ears to hear Your voice Did not know Your love within Had no taste for heavens joys Then Your Spirit gave me life Opened up Your Word to me Through the gospel of Your Son Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life Thats dependent on Your grace Keep my heart and guard my soul From the evils that I face You are worthy to be praised With my every thought and deed O great God of highest heaven Glorify Your Name through me ~ O Great God of Highest Heaven ~ Bob Kauflin

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

Sing praises, for the Lord has done great things. Let this be known in all the earth. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, For the Lord God is my strength and my song, And He has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, Make known His deeds among the peoples Proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done great things. Let this be known I all the earth.

Leader: Unison:

Leader:

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

How Great You Are Our God is great The Father of creation His splendor fills the earth The lightning crash The thunder sings His praises The galaxies cant help but shout His worth

chorus My soul must sing to You an offering How great You are My soul must sing, oh, let the heavens ring How great You are Oh, how great You are The Word made flesh Gods promise to the fallen He came with powr to save The light of life was crushed for our rebellion He died our death and rose up from the grave Our King will come With trumpet blasts resounding To claim His blood-washed bride Hell rend the skies, descending in His glory And in an instant faith will turn to sight

King of Glory Lift up your gaze, be lifted up Tell everyone how great the love The love come down from heavens gate To kiss the earth with hope and grace Sing, Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!
(repeat)

Lift up your hands, be lifted up Let the redeemed declare the love And we bow down at heavens gate To kiss the feet of hope and grace Sing, Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!
(repeat)

There is one God, He is holy There is one Lord over everything There is one King, He is Jesus King of glory, strong and mighty!
(repeat)

You are the King of glory The Lord, strong and mighty!
(repeat 4x)

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:

~ Jeremiah 17:9

The Lord has spoken through the prophet Jeremiah saying, The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind.

Prayer of Confession Leader: Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. ~ Silent confession and reflection. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. ~ Silent confession and reflection. Set us free from a past we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed. ~ Silent confession and reflection. Leader: And grant us grace to grow more and more in Your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. ~ based on 1 John 1:8-2:1

The Words of the Gospel Leader:

While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that God offers forgiveness to all who turn to the Lord Jesus Christ seeking His grace and pardon. He is the Righteous Oneour Advocate, who speaks in our defense. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and for the sins of the world. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God, I say to you, that in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven!

Song of Response Here I am, humbled by Your majesty Covered by Your grace so free Here I am, knowing Im a sinful man Covered by the blood of the Lamb

Majesty Here I stand knowing that Im Your desire Sanctified by glory and fire Now Ive found the greatest love of all is mine Since You laid down Your life The greatest sacrifice Majesty, majesty Your grace has found me just as I am Empty handed but alive in Your hands Majesty, majesty Forever I am changed by Your love In the presence of Your majesty, majesty

Now Ive found the greatest love of all is mine Since You laid down Your life The greatest sacrifice chorus Majesty, majesty Your grace has found me just as I am Empty handed but alive in Your hands Here I am, humbled by the love that You give Forgiven so that I can forgive

 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: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10

Not Only In Word

Rev. David Fletcher, Guest Minister

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Leader: Unison: This is the Word of the Lord. 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 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 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 The Power of the Cross Now the daylight flees Now the ground beneath Quakes as its Maker bows His head Curtain torn in two Dead are raised to life "Finished!" the vict'ry cry (repeat chorus) Oh, to see my name Written in the wounds For through Your suffering I am free Death is crushed to death Life is mine to live Won through Your selfless love chorus This, the power of the cross: Son of Godslain for us What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross How Deep You were broken that I might be healed You were cast off that I might draw near You were thirsty that I might come drink Cried out in anguish that I might sing How deep is Your love How high and how wide is Your mercy How deep is Your grace Our hearts overflow with praise To You

Oh, to see the dawn Of the darkest day: Christ on the road to Calvary Tried by sinful men Torn and beaten, then Nailed to a cross of wood chorus This, the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us Took the blame, bore the wrath We stand forgiven at the cross Oh, to see the pain Written on Your face Bearing the awesome weight of sin Every bitter thought Every evil deed Crowning Your bloodstained brow (repeat chorus)

You knew darkness that I might know light Wept great tears that mine might be dried Stripped of glory that I might be clothed Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own God So Loved The World God so loved the world, that He gave God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son Worthy is the Lamb that was slain Worthy is the Lamb that was slain Hes risen from the dead He is risen! Hes high and lifted up Heaven and earth adore

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 Faith Has Found a Resting Place My faith has found a resting place Not in device nor creed I trust the Ever-living One His wounds for me shall plead chorus I need no other argument I need no other plea It is enough that Jesus died And that He died for me Enough for me that Jesus saves This ends my fear and doubt A sinful soul I come to Him He'll never cast me out (repeat chorus) My heart is leaning on the Word The written Word of God Salvation by my Savior's name Salvation through His blood (repeat chorus) My great Physician heals the sick The lost He came to save For me His precious blood He shed For me His life He gave Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Let us together profess our faith by saying 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. ~ from 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Matthew 16:16; Revelation 22:13; John 20:28

We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ 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: People: 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) . 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 lifechanging 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. Special Thanks to Rev. David Fletcher

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Special thanks to Rev. David Fletcher for filling in today as Pastor John has been on vacation. We appreciate your ministry to us and among us, David! Next Sunday at New City Church Next Sunday, well resume our series in the Gospel of Luke asking the question about Jesus, Who is this man? Western Canada Presbytery Retreat There will be retreat in Canmore from May 2 - 4 this spring. The retreat is being organized by Presbytery but is for church members from all of the Western Canadian churches. The speaker is Jerram Barrs who is a faculty 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 (contact: Don Kitchener don@newcitychurch.ca).

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 www.NewCityChurch.ca.

ESL Bible Study At The LeBlancs House Every third Friday of the month at 7:00pm at the LeBlancs house. All are welcome. For more information, contact Richard or Marie (richard_marie@shaw.ca). Next meeting is on April 19 th! Weekly Servants Schedule

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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