The Lords Day Worship Service

March 25, 2012 ~ Fifth Sunday of Lent ~ 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 When it comes to salvation, there are no differences among us. We are equal under the law and equal in the gospel. We are all equally in need of salvation and equally unable to save ourselves because of our sin. We all need the same cross and the same empty tomb. We all need the same atoning death and the same bodily resurrection. In a word, we all need the same Christ. Once we have come to him by the same faith, it is Christ for all and all in Christ. ~ Phillip Graham Ryken, commentator What tongue, either of men or angels, can sufficiently extol and magnify the great mercy of God towards us, that we who are miserable sinners, and by nature the children of wrath, should be called to His grace and glory, to be made the children and heirs of God, fellow-heirs with the Son of God, and lords over heaven and earth, and that only by the means of our faith in Christ Jesus. ~ Martin Luther, reformer See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. ~ The Apostle John, in 1 John 3:1 [The gospel] enables me to answer the most basic of all human questions, Who am I? and to say, In Christ I am a son of God In Christ I am united to all the redeemed people of God, past, present and future. In Christ, I discover my identity. In Christ I find my feet. In Christ I come home. ~ John R.W. Stott, Anglican author 1

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: Unison: Leader: Psalm 100

We have gathered in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to offer up a sacrifice of praise. May His great Name be praised forever! Shout for joy to the LORD all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us and we are His; We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise; Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

People: Leader: Unison:

Hymns of Praise & Worship Let Your Kingdom Come Your glorious cause, O God, engages our hearts May Jesus Christ be known wherever we are We ask not for ourselves, but for Your renown The cross has saved us so we pray Your Kingdom come chorus Let Your Kingdom come Let Your will be done So that everyone might know Your Name Let Your song be heard everywhere on earth Till Your sovereign work on earth is done Let Your Kingdom come Give us Your strength, O God, and courage to speak Perform Your wondrous deeds through those who are weak Lord use us as You want, whatever the test By grace well preach Your gospel Til our dying breath (repeat chorus) O Worship the King

O worship the King all glorious above And gratefully sing His wonderful love Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise O tell of His might, O sing of His grace Whose robe is the light, Whose canopy space His chariots of wrath the deep thunder clouds form And dark is His path on the winds of the storm Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain Frail children of dust and feeble as frail In Thee do we trust, nor find the to fail Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend 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

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: ~ Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me in the path of everlasting life

Prayer of Confession

Lord, Have Mercy Jesus Ive forgotten the words that You have spoken Promises that burned within my heart have now grown dim With a doubting heart I follow the paths of earthly wisdom Forgive me for my unbelief renew the fire again chorus Lord have mercy Christ have mercy Lord have mercy on me
(repeat)

I have built an altar where Ive worshipped things of man I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from You Now I am returning to Your mercies ever flowing Pardon my transgressions, help me love You again
(repeat chorus)

I have longed to know You and all Your tender mercies Like a river of forgiveness ever flowing without end So I bow my heart before You in the goodness of Your presence Your grace forever shining like a beacon in the night
(repeat chorus)

The Words of the Gospel Leader:

~ based on 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24

Hear the Good News: This saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, That we might be dead to sin and alive to all that is good. Hearing these comforting words, if you sincerely turn from your sins by turning in trust to the Lord Jesus Christ who came to save sinners, I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ that you are indeed forgiven!

Song of Response How Deep the Fathers Love For Us How deep the Fathers love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom

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:

The Gospel Creates a New Humanity John Ferguson, Lead Pastor GALATIANS 3:26-29

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
Leader: Unison: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Main Idea: Since the invitation of the Gospel is for everyone, everyoneno matter their backgroundcan enter the family of God by grace through faith alone in Christ.
(notes)

(notes cont)

 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 6

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 Here I Am To Worship Light of the world You stepped down into darkness Open my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You chorus Here I am to worship / Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely All together worthy All together wonderful to me

King of all days Oh so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above Humbly You came To the earth You created All for love's sake became poor (repeat chorus) I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross (repeat) Hosanna I see the King of glory Coming on the clouds with fire The whole earth shakes The whole earth shakes I see His love and mercy Washing over all our sin The people sing The people sin

chorus Hosanna, hosanna / Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, hosanna / Hosanna in the highest I see a generation Rising up to take their place With selfless faith With selfless faith (repeat chorus) Heal my heart and make it clean Open up my eyes to the things unseen Show me how to love like You Have loved me Break my heart for what breaks Yours Everything I am, for Your Kingdoms cause As I walk from earth into eternity I see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek Were on our knees Were on our knees

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed

chorus My chains are gone / I've been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures (repeat chorus) The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine But God, Who called me here below Will be forever mine / Will be forever mine You are forever mine

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 Before the Throne of God Above Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands,

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.

My name is written on His heart, I know that while in Heavn He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart No tongue can bid me thence depart When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God, the Just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me Behold Him there! The risen Lamb My perfect, spotless Righteousness The great unchangeable I Am The King of glory and of grace! One with Himself I cannot die My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ, my Saviour and my God With Christ my Saviour and my God Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: The Apostles Creed1

Christians, in whom do you believe? We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And we believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell.2 the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. And we believe in the Holy Spirit The holy catholic church,3 the communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen.

The Apostles Creed is an ancient creed (that is, statement of faith) of the Church and historically has been widely used and cherished by believers. Although it was not written by the Apostles, we believe it to be a concise summary of their teachings. It may have originated as a baptismal formula around the 2nd century, and developed into its present form by the 6th or 7th century. 2 Jesus descent into hell consisted in His priestly act of offering Himself up as a sacrifice for sins, undergoing the judicial wrath of God on the Cross, and remaining under the power of death for three days before being vindicated in His resurrection. 3 The term catholic means universal and hence does not refer to any one particular church, but to Christs universal Church, wherever she may be found gathering in Christs name.

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 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 Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). Amen!

Community Life
Newcomers Class 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 will not meet this week due to Pastor Mikes absence. Jr./Sr. High Retreat: April 13-15 A handful of sister churches in Alberta are combining for a retreat for students on April 13-15 at Gull Lake. Cost is $115 before March 22 & $125 after ($105 for siblings). Scholarships are available. The theme is on Knowing Gods Will. See pastor John for more details. 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. 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.

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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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