The Lords Day Worship Service

October 20, 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 Why are you so polite with me, always saying Yes, sir, and Thats right, sir, but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. ~ Eugene Peterson paraphrasing the words of Christ in Luke 6:46-49 (The Message) Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians dont simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water [given in Jesus name], missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus name, hands raised in adoration too the Father, feet washed in company with the Son. Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. ~ James, the brother of Jesus, in James 1:22-25 If you love me, keep my commandments. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. ~ Jesus of Nazareth, in the Gospel of John 14:15, 21

 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 in all the earth.

Leader: Unison:

Leader:

Hymns of Praise & Worship Come, Christians, Join to Sing Come, Christians, join to sing, Alleluia! Amen Loud praise to Christ our King, Alleluia! Amen Let all with heart and voice, before His throne rejoice Praise is His gracious choice, Alleluia! Amen Come lift your hearts on high, Alleluia! Amen Let praises fill the sky, Alleluia! Amen He is our Guide and Friend, to us Hell condescend His love shall never end, Alleluia! Amen Praise yet our Christ again, Alleluia! Amen Life shall not end the strain, Alleluia! Amen On heavens blissful shore, His goodness well adore Singing forevermore, Alleluia! Amen! 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

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.

The Words of the Gospel Leader:

~ based on 1 John 1:8-2:1

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!

Songs of Response Lord Most High From the ends of the earth (echo) From the depths of the sea (echo) From the heights of the heavens (echo) Your name be praised From the hearts of the weak (echo) From the shouts of the strong (echo) From the lips of all people (echo) This song we raise, Lord Throughout the endless ages You will be crowned with praises Lord Most High Exalted in every nation Sovereign of all creation Lord Most High, be magnified

A Shield About Me Thou, O Lord are a Shield about me Youre my glory Youre the lifter of my head (repeat) Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah Youre the lifter of my head

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:

Building on the Right Foundation

John Ferguson, Pastor

46 Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.
(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 Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken 1. Jesus, I my cross have taken All to leave and follow Thee Destitute, despised, forsaken Thou from hence my all shall be Perish every fond ambition All Ive sought or hoped or known Yet how rich is my condition God and heaven are still my own 2. Let the world despise and leave me They have left my Savior, too Human hearts and looks deceive me Thou art not, like them, untrue O while Thou dost smile upon me God of wisdom, love, and might Foes may hate and friends disown me Show Thy face and all is bright 3. Man may trouble and distress me Twill but drive me to Thy breast Life with trials hard may press me Heaven will bring me sweeter rest Oh, tis not in grief to harm me While Thy love is left to me Oh, twere not in joy to charm me Were that joy unmixed with Thee Agnus Dei Alleluia, alleluia For our Lord God Almighty reigns Alleluia, alleluia For our Lord God Almighty reigns Alleluia Holy, Holy Are You Lord God Almighty Worthy is the Lamb Worthy is the Lamb You are Holy, Holy Are You Lord God Almighty Worthy is the Lamb Worthy is the Lamb Amen 4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure Come disaster, scorn and pain In Thy service, pain is pleasure With Thy favor, loss is gain I have called Thee Abba Father I have stayed my heart on Thee Storms may howl, and clouds may gather All must work for good to me 5. Soul, then know thy full salvation Rise oer sin and fear and care Joy to find in every station Something still to do or bear Think what Spirit dwells within thee Think what Fathers smiles are thine Think that Jesus died to win thee Child of heaven, canst thou repine 6. Haste thee on from grace to glory Armed by faith, and winged by prayer Heavens eternal days before thee Gods own hand shall guide us there Soon shall close thy earthly mission Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days Hope shall change to glad fruition Faith to sight, and prayer to praise

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)

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 How Firm A Foundation How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord Is laid for your faith in His excellent word What more can He say than to you He hath said To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid Ill strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand When through the deep waters I call thee to go The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply The flame shall not harm thee, I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose I will not, I will not, desert to his foes That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake Ill never, no never, no never forsake

Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Let us confess our faith together

Philippians 2:5-11

We believe in our hearts and confess with our lips that Christ Jesus, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 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.

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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 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. Join a Community Group This Fall! Make it a priority to fellowship with others at New City Church as we continue on our journey of becoming a family of faith seeking to live out our Christianity with one another. This fall, New City Church is sponsoring a handful of community groups. If youd like, sign up for a particular group online at NewCityChurch.ca Tuscany Community Group (NW) / Open to everyone Hosts: Don & Ina Kitchener When: Mondays, starting 6pm with a meal together Where: 159 Tuscany Hills Circle NW Contact: Mike Ivancic / c. 403.828-2241 Contact: Don or Ina / h. 403.547-4461 Citadel Community Group (NW) / Open to everyone Hosts: John & Heather Ferguson When: Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8pm Where: 331 Citadel Drive NW Contact: John or Heather / h. 403.208.6644 Chestermere Community Group (E) Open to Young Adults Hosts: David & Christine Fletcher When: Sundays for lunch & early afternoon Where: 136 West Creek Close, Chestermere Contact: David or Christine / 403.277.5700 ** See Young Adults Welcome below Saddle Ridge Community Group (NE) Open to everyone Hosts: Grant & Carol Galpin When: Monday evenings. 7-9pm Where: 824 Saddlecreek Way NE Contact: Grant / 403.615.7597

***Babysitting can be made available for the community groups. To be determined by each group. Young Adults Welcome!

1. Supper and Games Night - Friday 11th October 2. Meetings on Sundays October 20th & 27th after church 3. Pizza & Movie Night - Friday 1st November Showing Movie "Luther" ** All meetings at David & Christine Fletcher's home. For info or directions call (403) 277 5700

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Premise: A Christianity Worth Thinking About 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. We will be continuing our series Are there good reasons to believe that God exists? How can I know? Join us next Sunday evening as we look at the existence of God from the case for morality. Do we need God to be good, or can morality be grounded in something else? Come and bring your questions along with your thinking caps as Pastor John presents this case using examples from culture and film. Next Meeting: Sunday, October 27 @ 6pm. 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. Weekly Servants Schedule

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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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