The Lords Day Worship Service

November 25, 2012 ~ 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 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. ~ Romans 9:15 The most difficult lie I have ever contended with is this: Life is a story about me. ~ Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz No one will be a willing Prophet or Teacher, except he is persuaded that God is merciful. ~ John Calvin, Commentary on Jonah The highest value of a community with a tribal mindset is self-preservation. A tribal community exists solely for itself. But in a missional-minded community, the highest value isnt self-preservation but self-sacrifice. A missional community exists not primarily for itself but for others. Its a community willing to be inconvenienced and discomforted, willing to expend itself for others on Gods behalf. Tullian Tchavidjian, Surprised by Grace: Gods Relentless Pursuit of Rebels All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: based on Psalm 95

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. We have gathered to worship and enjoy our gracious God. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Unison:

Hymns of Praise & Worship Blessed Be Your Name Blessed be Your name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name Blessed be your name When Im found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out Ill turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say (chorus) Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name When the suns shining down on me When the worlds all as it should be Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though theres pain in the offering Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out Ill turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say (repeat chorus) You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord blessed be Your name (repeat chorus)

The Fathers Love How has the sinner been forgiven How has the rebel been made clean Or blinded eyes been made to see How have the orphans been adopted Who hated Your love and ran from grace Despised and rejected all Your ways

chorus How wonderful the Fathers love The Fathers love for us That He would send His only Son To come and rescue us He has saved us, called us blameless Guides us now and will sustain us Oh how wonderful the Fathers love Your mercy floods our lives with kindness Your grace has colored all we see And You have promised not to leave You freely give Your Spirit to us So we can be sure were sons of God And rest in the hope of whats to come (repeat chorus) bridge Though sufferings may fill our lives Were confident were heirs with Christ And so we cry, Abba, Father (repeat chorus)

Here I Am To Worship Light of the world You stepped down into darkness Open my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You chorus Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely All together worthy All together wonderful to me King of all days Oh so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above Humbly You came To the earth You created All for love's sake became poor (repeat chorus) I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross (repeat)

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

Prayer of Confession Unison: Almighty and merciful God, We have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things that we ought not to have done. Silent Confession and Reflection Unison: O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are repentant, according to Your promises Declared to the world in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for His sake, That we might live a holy, just, and humble life To the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

The Words of the Gospel Leader: Unison:

~ from Romans 8:1; 5:1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Song of Response "Amazing Love (You Are My King)" I'm forgiven because you were forsaken I'm accepted, You were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again chorus Amazing love, how can it be? That You, my King, would die for me Amazing love, I know it's true Its my joy to honor You In all I do Ill honor you I'm forgiven because you were forsaken I'm accepted, you were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again (repeat chorus) You are my king You are my king Jesus, You are my king Jesus, You are my king

 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:

Siding with the Compassionate Grace of God

John Ferguson, Pastor

JONAH 4

4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. 4 And the Lord said, Do you do well to be angry? 5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, It is better for me to die than to live. 9 But God said to Jonah, Do you do well to be angry for the plant? And he said, Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die. 10 And the Lord said, You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?
Leader: Unison: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

 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, 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 How Deep the Fathers Love For Us How deep the Fathers love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure 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 Behold the Man upon a cross My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no powr, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom

Christ Is Risen 1. Let no one caught in sin remain Inside the lie of inward shame We fix our eyes upon the cross And run to him who showed great love And bled for us / Freely you bled, for us chorus Christ is risen from the dead Trampling over death by death Come awake, come awake! Come and rise up from the grave! Christ is risen from the dead We are one with him again Come awake, come awake! Come and rise up from the grave! 2. Beneath the weight of all our sin You bow to none but heavens will No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown

No burden great can hold you down In strength you reign Forever let your church proclaim

(repeat chorus) Oh death! Where is your sting? Oh hell! Where is your victory? Oh Church! Come stand in the light! The glory of God has defeated the night! Oh death! Where is your sting? Oh hell! Where is your victory? Oh Church! Come stand in the light! Our God is not dead, He's alive! He's alive! Salvation Belongs to our God Salvation belongs to our God Who sits upon the throne And unto the Lamb Praise and glory Wisdom and thanks Honor and power and strength Be to our God forever and ever Be to our God forever and ever Be to our God forever and ever Amen! And we, the redeemed, shall be strong In purpose and unity Declaring aloud praise and glory Wisdom and thanks Honor and power and strength Be to our God forever and ever Be to our God forever and ever Be to our God forever and ever Amen!

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. Hymn of Praise & Worship Before the Throne of God Above 1. Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart, I know that while in Heavn He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart No tongue can bid me thence depart 2. When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God, the Just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me 3. Behold Him there! The risen Lamb My perfect, spotless Righteousness The great unchangeable I Am The King of glory and of grace! One with Himself I cannot die My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ, my Saviour and my God With Christ my Saviour and my God Our Confession of Faith

Colossians 1:15-20

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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Leader: Unison:

Let us confess our faith Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

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: Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). 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 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. A Concert of Prayer & Praise: Postponed TBA The concert of Prayer & Praise that was originally scheduled for this evening will be postponed for the moment. A new date will be determined shortly. Advent Begins Next Sunday

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The season of Advent begins next Sunday, December 2. Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival) is the four-week season of preparation for Christmas, the day we mark the first coming of Christ to the earth. A good celebration requires proper prepartion for us to fully enjoy it. During December, however, we mostly confus helpful readiness for the hustle of Christmas shopping, parties, and preparations. The Advent season, more reflective in nature, can feel out of sync with all this noise and busyness. Advent cultivates in us a discerning eye, helping us to spot the sin that clutters our lives and notice all the ways we need to be saved. By helping us to hope intensely for restoration, to feel our own need to be saved, Advent prepares us for the genuine Christmas joy and faith in the One who saves us from our sin, Jesus (taken from Seeking Gods Face). During our Sunday morning services, well use the birth narrative of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke to guide and direct our thoughts. This Advent season also marks the launch of our study of the Gospel of Luke that well take with us through 2013. Have Your Picked Up Your Copy of NCCs Prayer Book, Seeking Gods Face? New City Church is encouraging all of its participants to pick up a copy of Seeking Gods Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year. This devotional is a easy way to read Scripture every day. The book actually begins readings with the season of Advent (which this year starts on Dec. 2). Each day offers an verse inviting us into the presence of God by faith; it has a Bible reading from the Psalms and another from another portion of Scripture. It also includes suggestions for prayer as well as a prayer shaped from the reading and one of the Reformed confessions of faith. Each devotional concludes with a verse of blessing. This book is an easy way to read Scripture along with other participants at NCC. Together, we trust God to make His Word to dwell in us richly. The devotional can easily be read & prayed within 10 minutes, and it is short enough to be used in conjunction with other Bible reading & Bible study plans. Why not pick up a copy and read and pray along with your friends at NCC? Ladies Young and Old: Christmas Tea We will be gathering together to enjoy fellowship and get into the Christmas Spirit from 1-3pm on Saturday, December 8th. This event is an opportunity to connect with our community and friends. In support of Servants Anonymous Foundation we are selling tickets to this event for $2; as well, there will be a display to further support SAF through donations or jewellery purchases. More information on ticket sales will follow. Mark your calendar for the Kids Club Christmas Party: Saturday, December 15th 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Kids ages 4-11 are welcome to enjoy games, crafts, and learning more about Christ. Sign up online at newcitychurch.ca or email Lori (5blakeleys@gmail.com). Adult and youth volunteers are needed so please contact Lori if you are available. Downtown Study: Grace on the Bow Grace on Bow is a downtown weekly gathering of any and all who want to explore the key universal and spiritual issues from a Christian perspective in a non-threatening environment. We have begun a new series entitled ITS BEEN SAID. . . . (What an ancient faith REALLY has to say to a contemporary world and why it should matter). We meet in the foyer of the Bank of Montreal Head office located at 350 7th Avenue S.W. (the corners of 7th Avenue SW and 3rd Street). We meet in the lobby off of 3rd Street, in front of the information desk at 12:00 and end at 1:00 promptly.

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For more info contact Mike Ivancic at 403.828.2241. Helping Without Hurting Conference: Saturday, December 1, Sherwood Park Alliance Church, Edmonton Poverty. Its complicated. What are the root causes of poverty? What are appropriate solutions to eradicate poverty? Is there a wrong way to help others? Churches and individuals are called to care for the poor, but can our good intentions have unintended consequences? The Helping Without Hurting Conference dives into these questions and more. Pastor John wants to gather a group of folks who would be interested in attending this one day conference in Edmonton. Cost of the conference is $45. Well probably head up on Friday evening. Conference is Saturday from 8:30-4:30.

Weekly Servants Schedule

Giving Update

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

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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