The Lords Day Worship Service

April 1, 2012 ~ Palm Sunday: The Sixth Sunday of Lent ~ 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. 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 When Jesus died and rose again, he not only paid for our freedom [from the tyranny of sin], but also provided us with our adoption papers, making us sons and daughters of the Most High God. ~ Phillip Ryken, pastor & author Gods family comprises solely adopted sons and daughtersthere are no natural-born sons or daughters in his divine household. ~ Trevor J. Burke, Adoption into Gods Family If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being Gods child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at allOur understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption. ~ JI Packer, Knowing God Gods purpose was not only to secure our sonship by His Son, but to assure us of it by His Spirit. He sent His Son that we might have the status of sonship, and He sent His Spirit that we might have an experience of it. This comes through the affectionate, confidential intimacy of our access to God in prayer, in which we find ourselves assuming the attitude and using the language not of slaves, but of sons. ~ John Stott, late Anglican minister & author

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship ~ from John 12:13; Zechariah 9:9

Leader: Recall the words of the Scriptures: A great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees, and went out to meet him, crying, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel! Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Unison: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! Hymns of Praise & Worship Sing Alleluia All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing Sun, moon, and stars rejoice on high Praise to the Lord of light divine chorus Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Praise the Father above Sing alleluia Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Women: O praise Him Alleluia O praise Him Alleluia O praise Him Alleluia For His infinite love Sing alleluia Praise to the Giver of good things Merciful Father, Holy King Join with the angels sing out loud Praise Him who reigns above the clouds (repeat chorus)

Men: when the morning comes for the rising sun when the day is done praise the Lord of love alleluia alleluia

All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing (repeat chorus) 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 3x) (repeat chorus) Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Come, thou fount of evry blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above Praise the mount! Im fixed upon it, mount of Gods unchanging love Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by Thy help Im come And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandring from the fold of God He to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood O to grace how great a debtor daily Im constrained to be Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandring heart to Thee Prone to wanderLord I feel itprone to leave the God I love Heres my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above

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

~ based on Matthew 22:37-38

The word Ebenezer means stone of help and comes from a story found in 1 Samuel 7, where the prophet Samuel erected a stone memorial to commemorate the Lords protection & blessing in the life of Gods people.

Leader:

Our Lord Jesus instructs us with these words, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. As the Lord has instructed us as to what our deepest loyalty should be, and because we have not lived fully in light of this commandment, let us confess our sins to God, trusting in Christ as our Saviour and Lord. Jesus, I Come (Out of My Bondage)

Song of Confession Out of my bondage, sorrow and night Jesus, I come; Jesus I come Into Thy freedom, gladness and light Jesus, I come to Thee Out of my sickness into Thy health Out of my wanting and into Thy wealth Out of my sin and into Thyself Jesus, I come to Thee Out of my shameful failure and loss Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come Into the glorious gain of Thy cross Jesus, I come to Thee Out of earths sorrows into Thy balm Out of lifes storms and into Thy calm Out of distress into jubilant psalm Jesus, I come to Thee The Words of the Gospel Leader: Out of unrest and arrogant pride Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come Into Thy blessed will to abide Jesus, I come to Thee Out of myself to dwell in Thy love Out of despair into raptures above Upward forever on wings like a dove Jesus, I come to Thee Out of the fear and dread of the tomb Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come Into the joy and light of Thy home Jesus, I come to Thee Out of the depths of ruin untold Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold Ever Thy glorious face to behold Jesus, I come to Thee
~ based on Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 3:18

Unison:

The proof of Gods 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. Amen! Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder

Song of Response 1. Let us love and sing and wonder Let us praise the Saviours name He has hushed the laws loud thunder He has quenched Mount Sinais flame He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He has brought us nigh to God 2. Let us love the Lord who bought us Pitied us when enemies Called us by His grace and taught us Gave us ears and gave us eyes He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood He presents our souls to God 3. Let us sing though fierce temptation Threatens hard to bear us down

For the Lord, our strong salvation, Holds in view the conqurors crown He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood Soon will bring us home to God 4. Let us wonder grace and justice Join and point to mercys store When through grace in Christ our trust is Justice smiles and asks no more He who washed us with His blood

He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood Has secured our way to God 5. Let us praise and join the chorus Of the saints enthroned on high Here they trusted Him before us Now their praises fill the sky Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou are worthy, Lamb of God

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: GALATIANS 4:1-7 The Gospel of Adoption
John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba! Father! 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
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, 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 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 front 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 aisles. 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 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 Jesus Messiah He became sin who knew no sin That we might become His Righteousness He humbled himself and carried the cross Love so amazing, Love so amazing I Will Rise 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)

chorus: Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel The rescue for sinners The ransom from Heaven Jesus Messiah, Lord of all His body the bread His blood the wine Broken and poured out all for love The whole earth trembled And the veil was torn Love so amazing, Love so amazing (repeat chorus) All our hope is in You All our hope is in You All the glory to You, God The light of the world Come Praise and Glorify Come praise and glorify our God The Father of our Lord In Christ He has in heavenly realms His blessings on us poured For pure and blameless in His sight He destined us to be And now weve been adopted through His Son eternally chorus To the praise of Your glory To the praise of Your mercy and grace To the praise of Your glory You are the God who saves Come praise and glorify our God Who gives His grace in Christ In Him our sins are washed away Redeemed through sacrifice In Him God has made known to us The mystry of His will That Christ should be the head of all His purpose to fulfill (repeat chorus) Come praise and glorify our God For weve believed the Word And through our faith we have a seal The Spirit of the Lord The Spirit guarantees our hope Until redemptions done Until we join in endless praise To God, the Three in One (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. If you are visiting with us, please feel no obligation to give. Hymn of Praise & Worship There is a Redeemer There is a Redeemer Jesus, Gods own Son Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Holy One chorus Thank You, O my Father For giving us Your Son And leaving Your Spirit Til the work on earth is done Jesus, my Redeemer Name above all names Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Hope for sinners slain (repeat chorus) When I stand in glory I will see His face And there Ill serve my King forever In that holy place (repeat chorus)

Our Confession of Faith

Heidelberg Catechism #1

Leader: Unison:

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 grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:2). Amen!

Community Life
Potluck Luncheon Today After the Service On the first Sunday of every month, we celebrate a meal together after the service. We want to be intentional in building regular times in which our lives intersect as we seek to create authentic community at New City Church. Everyone is welcome to stay. **Good Friday Service** Make plans now to attend the Good Friday Service on April 6 at 3pm. This service will be about an hour long as we remember the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ through a series of Scripture readings & songs. Remember, we live this side of the resurrection, so the mood of the service is sober, not somber. Its Friday, but Sundays a comin! We will serve Holy Communion at this service as well. Please note: there will be no nursery available. As always, children are welcome in our services. Jr./Sr. High Retreat: April 13-15

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A handful of sister churches in Alberta are combining for a retreat for students on April 13-15 at Gull Lake. Cost is $125 ($105 for siblings). Scholarships are available if needed. The speaker is Rev. Brad Jones, Youth Pastor at Westminster Chapel, Lethbridge, and the theme is on Knowing Gods Will. Registrations are due today! The Second Calgary Reformed Conference The date has been set for April 13-14, 2012 with Dr. Derek Thomas as our guest speaker. The theme will be When the Storm Breaks: Suffering the Christian Life (An overview of the book of Job) with one session on Friday evening and two on Saturday morning. The conference will be held at Woodgreen Church. www.calgaryreformedconference.ca. Ball Hockey Tournament in Support of Servants Anonymous There is an upcoming fundraiser in support of Servants Anonymous, a ministry to exploited women on the streets. Tom Daumler is helping to organize this event, and is forming a team for New City Church. When? Saturday, April 14th, 9am-4pm at Bearspaw Christian School (15001 69th Street NW Calgary). Contact/RSVP: Tom Daumler by April 6th (403.470.9696 / or email: (daumlermortgages@telus.net) Next Kids Club: Saturday, April 21st from 4pm-6pm Attention all kids ages 3-11: Join us for our Year in Review Special Event. We will be hosting another performance from Woodgreen Church's puppeteer's Heart's and Hands group. As well there will be a pizza supper following. Parents, please be kind enough to remember to RSVP by April 15th and bring a side dish (veggie, fruit or dessert). You can register online at NewCityChurch.ca or email Lori at 5blakeleys@gmail.comThanks and hope to see you there! Reformed Women's Retreat 2012 Our All-Sufficient God Please join us for our second annual women's retreat to be held at beautiful Camp Caroline on April 27 & 28. The cost for this year's retreat is $130 and includes all meals. Note that payment must be in by April 2, 2012. This year's retreat will feature three sessions by Sally Gleason. Please talk to Shannon de Jong (403.207.7817) if you would like more information. Registrations can be downloaded from http://reformedwomensretreat.blogspot.com/. New City Church Summer Carnival to Benefit Servants Anonymous Calling all clowns, trapeze artists and hotdog vendors or just anyone who has a heart for families and for people in the community! New City Church is planning a Family Summer Carnival in support of Servants Anonymous Foundation and we need you! This is a great opportunity to reach into your community in a fun, non-threatening way and support a great cause at the same time. Call Lise Daumler 403-978-9696 or lise@safoundation.com to find out more. Last Newcomers Class: April 15th on Baptism New City Church is offering a class orienting you to the beliefs, values, & goals of the church. Open to everyone, this class will take place immediately after the worship service for about 45 minutes. Feel free to come with your questions & thoughts! If you are thinking of hitching your wagon to New City Church through membership, you wont want to miss this class. The class will be held in the board room after the morning service. Downtown Study: Grace on the Bow Grace on the Bow is a weekly gathering every Thursday for those in the downtown area exploring key and relevant areas to life from a Christian perspective and in a nonthreatening environment. New location: We meet at the Bank of Montreal Head office

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located at 350 - 7th Avenue SW. We meet in the lobby off of 3rd Street, in front of the information desk at 12:00 and end at 1:00 promptly. As always, all are welcome. For more information please contact Mike Ivancic at 403.828.2241. Coffee with a Pastor? If you have any questions about Christianity, or would simply like to get together and talk about the issues of life, pastors John and Mike are available to you. Coffee is on them! You can contact John at john@newcitychurch.ca or call 403.991.5555. If you work in the downtown area, touch base with Mike who also works in downtown. You can contact him at mike@newcitychurch.ca or call 403.828.2241. 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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