The Lord’s Day Worship Service

May 22, 2011 ~ 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.
We’re glad you came.

After the Service

Please stay around for some refreshments after the service and meet someone new. If I
haven’t met you before, please come say “Hello.” I’d like to make that connection.

Pastor John Ferguson

 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

“Justification is an act of God’s free grace in which he pardons us of all our sins and accepts us
as righteous in his sight because of the righteousness of Christ given to us and received by faith
alone.”
~ Westminster Shorter Catechism

When I took the place of sinner / and at Mercy’s footstool lay

Jesus took His place as Saviour / and at once put sins away.
Ah! ‘tis ruinous to cover / Fithly rags sores with rages more foul
Strip them bare at once before Him/ That His grace may make you whole
He delights in showing mercy / To a soul that owns its sin
But the soul that thinks of earning / Not a smile shall ever win

~ John Dickie, “Only the Sinner Finds the Saviour”

“If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on
the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the
law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the
law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I
count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For
his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain
Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but
that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith…”

~ The Apostle Paul, Philippians 3:4-9

1
  God Calls Us To Worship 
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6

The Call to Worship ~ based on Isaiah 12:2-6

Leader: Sing praises, for the Lord has done great things.
Let this be known in all the earth.
People: 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.

Leader: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Unison: Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name,
Make known His deeds among the peoples
Proclaim that His name is exalted.
Leader: Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done great things.
Let this be known I all the earth.

Hymns of Praise & Worship

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The King of creation
O my soul, praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear
Now to His temple draw near
Join me in glad adoration
Praise to the Lord who doth
Prosper thy work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy
Here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord who o’er all things
So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yes, so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen
How all thy longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord
O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the ‘Amen’ sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him

“Name Above All Names”

Great Creator of the heavens and the earth

You know every star by name
Awesome power is revealed in all Your works
And forever You will reign

Righteous Sovereign over history and time

Wholly God yet fully man
What a mystery that You left Your throne on high
To return with nail-scarred hands
2
 And one day every knee will humbly bow
And every tongue confess aloud that

chorus
Jesus is the name above all names
He is worthy of all praise
Jesus is the name above all names
King of kings for endless days

Perfect wisdom in the mercy of the Cross

Still I’ll never understand
Why a rebel so unworthy of such cost
Would be ransomed by Your hand

(repeat chorus)

“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

 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 ~ Jeremiah 17:9

Leader: 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.”

3
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.
Unison: Amen.

The Words of the Gospel ~ based on 1 John 1:8-2:1

Leader: While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that God offers
forgiveness to all who turn to the Lord Jesus Christ seeking His grace and
pardon. He is the Righteous One—our Advocate, who speaks in our defense.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and for the sins of the world.

To all who humbly seek the mercy of God,

I say to you, that in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven!

Song of Response

“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

4
 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

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: John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

“God Is Committed To Giving Us A New Record”

LUKE 18:9-14

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and
treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and
the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you
that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I
fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would
not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who
exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

5
 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 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 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

6
 about what it means to participate in the Lord’s 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 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.
7
Communion Hymns

“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

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

“In Christ Alone”

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

In Christ alone who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

8
 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

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

No guilt in life, no fear in death

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.

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 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.
9
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

“How High And How Wide”

No eye has seen

And no ear has heard
And no mind has ever conceived
The glorious things
That You have prepared for ev'ryone
Who has believed
You brought us near
And You called us Your own
And made us joint heirs
With Your Son

chorus:
How high and how wide
How deep and how long
How sweet and how strong
Is Your love
How lavish Your grace
How faithful Your ways
How great is Your love O Lord

Objects of mercy
Who should have known wrath
We're filled with unspeakable joy
Riches of wisdom unsearchable wealth
And the wonder of knowing Your voice
You are our treasure
And our great reward
Our hope and our glorious King

Our Confession of Faith ~ from 1 Corinthians 15:1-6;

Matthew 16:16; Revelation 22:13; John 20:28

Leader: Let us together profess our faith by saying…

Unison: This is the good news which we have received,

in which we stand, and by which we are saved, if we hold fast:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day,
and that he appeared to Peter, then to the Twelve,
10
 and then he appeared to over five hundred witnesses at one time.

We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus Christ is the first and the last
the beginning and the end;
He is our Lord and our God. Amen.

 God Sends Us Out Into The World With His Blessing 

“God has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” ~ from Micah 6:8

Leader: “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) .
People: Amen.

 Community Life 

Congratulations ! and a Baby Shower!

We’re rejoicing with Glen & Annette Torjhelm on the safe arrival of their covenant daughter,
Kayla. Kayla was born into the world at 11:42 on Friday morning. We are having a baby
shower for Annette on Saturday June 4th at Catherine Gordon's place at 1:30 p.m. Please
let Suzanne Van Hill (403.685.5853) or Gayle Snyder (403.695.8748) know if you will be
able to attend.

NCC Welcomes New Members

This week, New City Church welcomes into its membership Glen & Annette Torhjelm along
with their covenant child, Mikayla. We’re glad to be on mission together with you!

Service Opportunity / Mercy Ministry

New City Church takes a group once a month and teams up with The Mustard Seed which
serves our city’s needy. Please take the opportunity to prepare & serve meals on June 11.
For more info, contact Annie Arguile (403.283.8322 / i_have_2_kids@hotmail.com).

Questionnaire for Parents

Over the next few weeks, we are asking parents with children at home to give us some
feedback. NCC is seeking to diagnosis what the needs of our families are, and perhaps
look at some options in terms of coming alongside you to support you in the discipleship of
your children. You can pick up a questionnaire on the Welcome Table. Questionnaire’s are
due in next Sunday.

The Marriage Course

We have plans to offer “The Marriage Course” in the fall, both for participants of New City
Church and as a ministry to our community. Previous to that, we need to form a planning

11
 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 Pastor John.

Downtown Study Group: “Grace on the Bow”

The Downtown Study Group meets every Thursday from 12-1pm. The theme of the current
series is on “Seeking God”. Lunch is not provided (but feel free to bring your own). Feel
free to come and observe or bring your own insights and questions. Location: Shell Center,
400 4th Ave S.W., Room 1147. Tom Dekker (403.807.6687) & Mike Ivancic (403.828.2241)
will meet folks in the lobby to get passes to go up to the 11th floor together.

Tuesday Women’s Bible Study

You are invited to come and study the book of Ephesians with us. We are meeting every
Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30. Come prepared to learn about God's love, freedom
and empowering strength towards us. Time commitment consists of weekly meetings and
approximately 10 minutes guided homework per day. We are meeting at Henrietta’s home
(43 Coach Gate Way SW). For more information contact Joan Schmitt (403-935-4188 /
gardeningjoan@yahoo.com).

NOTE: The dates for the next three Bible studies will be Tuesday May 31 and June 7.
There will be no Bible study on the Tuesday May 24 which falls the day after the May
Victoria Day long weekend.

“The Excellent Wife” Book Study

We are reading and studying 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. We're
meeting every second Saturday from 1-2:30 at Gayle’s home (115-1000 Centre Ave NE).
The next meetings are on Saturday, May 28th & June 11th. Contact Joan Schmitt (403-935-
4188 / gardeningjoan@yahoo.com) for more details.

Thursday Tuscany Community Group

The Tuscany Community Group is studying 1 Peter & will be meeting at Calvin & Suzanne
Van Hill’s house on Thursdays at 7pm. For directions, contact the Van Hill’s (403.685.5853).

Coffee with the Pastor?

If you have any questions about Christianity, or would simply like to get together and talk
about life, Pastors John & Mike are available. Coffee is on them! You can contact John at
john@newcitychurch.ca / 403.991.5555 or Mike at mike@newcitychurch.ca / 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.

Weekly Servants

12