The Lord’s Day Worship Service

March 13, 2011 ~ The First Sunday in the Season of Lent

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

“When God committed Himself to choosing one nation for His own [Israel], He implemented the next
stage of His over-arching promise-plan to bring the blessings of salvation to all nations on the earth.”
~ Philip Greenslade, A Passion for God’s Story

“…the ‘ten words’ [i.e., commandments] are not intended as legalistic ‘sound bites’ for moralistic people
keen to make compliant citizens in a conventional society. Rather, they are the radical means by which
the creator God’s ordering of chaos at creation is replicated at the social level, so that heaven’s will is
done on earth. Rather than being relics of an outmoded social order, therefore, the ‘ten words’ are
liberating signposts pointed to the renewal of human community in Christ. They come as the ‘maker’s
instructions’ for a better world, they are an act of re-creation.”
~ Philip Greenslade, A Passion for God’s Story

“It is easy to see that the moral sense has been bred out of certain sections of the population, like the
wings that have been bred off certain chickens to produce more white meat on them. This is a
generation of wingless chickens.”
~ Flannery O’Connor, southern author, 1925-1964

I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-
informed people I know are religious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally,
hope that I’m right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God! I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t
want the universe to be like that.
~ Thomas Nagel, New York University

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to
whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'
~ CS Lewis
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  God Calls Us To Worship 
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6

The Call to Worship ~ based on Isaiah 40:25-26; 28

Leader: “To whom then will you compare me that I should be like him?” says the Holy One. “Lift
up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by
number, calling them all by name? By the greatness of His might, and because He is
strong in power not one is missing….
Unison: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the
Creator of the ends of the earth.

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 He’ll condescend
His love shall never end, Alleluia! Amen

Praise yet our Christ again, Alleluia! Amen

Life shall not end the strain, Alleluia! Amen
On heaven’s blissful shore, His goodness we’ll adore
Singing forevermore, “Alleluia! Amen!”

“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)

(repeat chorus)

“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

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 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 ~ from Psalm 139:23-24 & Exodus 20

Leader: The Psalmist said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my
thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting!” As we make this prayer our own, let us take a moment to reflect on God’s
calling on our lives, hear these words that God spoke to our forefathers, saying,

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them…
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…
“Honor your father and your mother…
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet….”

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Prayer of Confession

~ Silent Confession & Reflection

Leader: God of compassion, You are slow to anger and full of mercy, welcoming sinners like us
who return to You with repentant hearts. Receive in Your loving embrace all who come
home to You. Seat them at Your bountiful table of grace, that, with all Your children,
they may feast with delight on amazing grace which satisfies the craving heart. We ask
this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Words of the Gospel ~ Psalm 145:14; based on 1 John 1:8-9

Leader: Hear the Good News:

The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.

Song of Response

“Garments of Praise”

Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Let the oil of gladness flow down
From Your throne

Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Your joy is my strength alone
My strength alone

Make these broken weary bones

Rise to dance again
Wet this dry and thirsty land with a river
Let our eyes are fixed on You
We are waiting
For your garland of grace
As we praise Your name

Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Let the oil of gladness flow down
From Your throne

Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Your joy is my strength alone
My strength alone

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 Hallelujah, sing hallelujah
We give all honour and praise to Your name
Hallelujah, sing hallelujah
We trade our sorrows
For garments of praise

Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Let the oil of gladness flow down
From Your throne

Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Your joy is my strength alone
My strength alone

 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: “Redemption: Calling a People for His Own Glory (Part 2)”
John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

Exodus 20:1-17

20:1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or
that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or
serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to
the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those
who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who
takes his name in vain.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the
seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your
daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your
gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the
seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is
giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male

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 servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

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
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 participate in the Lord’s Supper.
The Words of Institution

“The Lord Jesus, on the night we 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
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

“Behold the Lamb”

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away, slain for us, and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith find forgiveness at the cross
So we share in this bread of life, and we drink of his sacrifice
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 As a sign of our bonds of peace, around the table of the King
The body of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, torn for you: eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one
So we share in this bread of life and we drink of his sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of love around the table of the king

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin, shed for you: drink and remember
He drank death’s cup that all may enter in to receive the life of God
So we share in this bread of life and we drank of his sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of grace around the table of the king

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise to respond and to remember

Our call to follow in the steps of Christ as His body here on earth
As we share in His suffering, we proclaim: Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven around the table of the King.

“In Christ Alone”

1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my All in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

2. In Christ alone who took on flesh 4. No guilt in life, no fear in death

Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

 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: “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.

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 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 sins
As we also have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
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

“Praise the Father, Praise the Son”

O sov’reign God, O matchless King

The saints adore, the angels sing To the valley, for my soul
And fall before the throne of grace Thy great descent has made me whole
To You belongs the highest praise Your word my heart has welcomed home
Now peace like water ever flows
These sufferings, this passing tide
Under Your wings I will abide (repeat chorus)
And every enemy shall flee
You are my hope and victory Yours is the kingdom,
Yours is the power,
chorus: Yours is the glory forever!
Praise the Father, praise the Son (repeat)
Praise the Spirit, Three in One
Clothed in power and in grace (repeat chorus)
The name above all other names

Our Confession of Faith ~ Based on the Ten Commandments & Micah 6:8

Leader: The God who saved us in Jesus Christ gave this law, saying:
I am the Lord your God! You shall have no other gods before me.
Unison: We will worship the Lord our God and serve Him only.

Leader: You shall not make yourself an image of anything to worship it.
Unison: Living no more in bondage to idols of our age,
we will worship the Lord our God in spirit and in truth.

Leader: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Unison: We will use the holy name of God with reverence,
praising Him in everything we do and say.

Leader: You shall observe the Sabbath by keeping it holy,

for in six days you shall labor and do all your work.

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Unison: This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Leader: You shall honor your father and mother, that you may live long
in the land the Lord your God is giving to you.
Unison: As children we will be obedient to our parents in the Lord;
as parents we will correct our children and guide them
in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Leader: You shall not murder.

Unison: We will be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us.

Leader: You shall not commit adultery.

Unison: We will use our bodies in ways that are holy
and honorable, abstaining from immorality and impurity.

Leader: You shall not steal.

Unison: We will do what we can for our neighbor’s good,
and work faithfully so that we may share with the poor.

Leader: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Unison: We will speak the truth with our neighbor in love,
render judgments that are true and make for peace,
and not devise in our hearts any evil against anyone.

Leader: You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Unison: We will be content whatever our circumstances
through the strength of Christ within us.

Leader: Thus we must love God with our whole being and our neighbor as ourselves.
Unison: For the Lord requires of us to do justice, to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with 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: “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:18).
People: Amen!

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  Community Life 

Tonight - The Easter Experience

Christians around the world and throughout history have often used the 40 days leading up to
Easter as an opportunity for deeper reflection (1) on the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ; and
(2) our own need for spiritual growth. Some traditions call this period of time, “Lent” (from the
middle-English word for Spring).

At New City Church, we want to mark this season of Lent with a 6-week DVD study called, “The
Easter Experience.” This study is based on a DVD series. So make plans now to carve out the
evenings on the 6 Sundays before Easter to come together as a community of faith to reflect more
deeply upon the necessity of the death of the Saviour and to explore more deeply its meaning for
our own spiritual lives. (Dates: March 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, & 17. Easter is one Sunday, April
24th). Coffee, tea & desserts will be provided.

Downtown Study Group

A new study is beginning this week on Thursday’s from 12:00-1:00pm, led by Pastor Mike.
Location: The offices of New North Resources: Ste 885, 700 4th Ave SW (McFarlane Tower @ the
NW corner of 6th St & 4th Ave). Ring the bell for entrance. If you have any trouble accessing the
office, call Brad Osborne at 403.803.3916. For more info about the study group, contact pastor
Mike at 403.828.2241.

New Women’s Bible Study Forming

Would you like to learn what God has to say about your particular situation? Do you desire to
please God and know Him better or do you just have a lot of questions? You are warmly invited to
come out and study the book of Ephesians with us.

Time commitment consists of a weekly Tuesday morning meeting and approximately 10 minutes
guided homework per day. Starting date: Tuesday, March 22, 9:30-11:30am at Henrietta
VanHuigenbos’ home (43 Coach Gate Way SW). Contact: Joan Schmitt (403-935-4188 /
gardeningjoan@yahoo.com) for more details and to let her know if you require a book.

New Book Study Forming – “The Excellent Wife”

We are getting together to read and study 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.
Specific issues women face will be dealt with. This study is relevant to all interested women and
you are invited to join us and learn how by God’s grace we can be changed.

We will be meeting every second Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. at Gayle Snyder's home. Books will be
handed out the week of March 20. We will meet the first time on April 2 to discuss the assigned
chapters." Contact Joan Schmitt (403-935-4188 / gardeningjoan@yahoo.com) for more details and
to let her know if you need a book.

Women’s Bible Study

We are continuing our study learning how our individual stories fit within God’s larger story using
Living Story: Learning God’s Story of Grace. Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 at Henrietta Vanhuigenbos’
home (43 Coach Gate Way SW). Led by Heather Ferguson: hferguson10@gmail.com/
403.208.6644. Check out the calendar at www.NewCityChurch.ca for more details.

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Thursday Tuscany Community Group
We’re continuing our DVD series, “H2O: A Journey of Faith” examining the claims of Jesus. Meets
at the Van Hills every Thurs from 7-9pm. Led by Pastor John (john@newcitychurch.ca). Call the
Van Hill’s for directions: 403-685-5853.

Volunteers Needed
We have need for volunteers to help operate the slides for the worship service. Skills needed:
attention to detail and an itchy trigger finger. If you would like to help out in this important aspect of
our service, please talk to Pastor John or Twyla Wolfe.

The Marriage Course

We have plans to offer “The Marriage Course” during the months of May to June. 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 Twyla Wolfe or Pastor John.

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 asst. pastor Mike Ivancic who also works in downtown. You can contact Mike at
mike@newcitychurch.ca or call 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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