The Lords Day Worship Service

March 17, 2013 ~ The 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

If only a heart could be as white as snow. ~ U2, White as Snow The human heart is a factory of idols Everyone of us is, from his mothers womb, an expert in inventing idols. ~ John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion The greatest adversary of love to God is not His enemies, but His gifts. They are your basic meat and potatoes and coffee and gardening and reading and decorating and traveling and investing and TV watching and internet surfing and shopping and exercising and collecting and talking. And all of them can become deadly substitutes for God.
~ John Piper, A Hunger for God

"Here's the gorgeous message of the gospel: even though I've bowed again and again to an endless catalog of God replacements, even though I've loved myself more than I've loved God, even though I've rebelled against God's kingdom and sought to set up my own kingdom, God comes to me in grace...." ~ Paul David Tripp, Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin & Mercy

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: Unison: This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it! Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord be praised! The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens! ~ from Psalm 118:24; 113:1-4

Hymns of Praise & Worship Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven 1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven To His feet your tribute bring Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven Who, like me, His praise should sing? Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Praise the everlasting King 2. Praise Him for His grace and favor To our fathers in distress Praise Him, still the same forever Slow to chide and swift to bless Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Glorious in His faithfulness 3. Father-like, He tends and spares us Well our feeble frame He knows In His hands He gently bears us Rescues us from all our foes Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Widely as His mercy goes 4. Frail as summers flower we flourish Blows the wind and it is gone But while mortals rise and perish God endures unchanging on Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Praise the High Eternal One 5. Angels, help us to adore Him You behold Him face to face Sun and moon, bow down before Him Dwellers all in time and space Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him Praise with us the God of grace

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 Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Praise the Father above Sing alleluia Sing alleluia, sing 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 Sing alleluia, sing alleluia Praise the Father above Sing alleluia Sing alleluia, sing alleluia

For His infinite love Women: O praise Him Alleluia O praise Him Alleluia O praise Him Alleluia

Sing alleluia 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) 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)

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: ~ from Psalm 33:13-14

The Psalmist tells us, The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man; from where He sits enthroned He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. ~ based on Psalm 51:1-12

Prayer of Confession Leader:

Merciful and holy God You pardon all who truly turn from their sins and look to You in faith. We humbly confess our sins and ask for Your mercy: we have not loved You with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.

Unison: Leader:

We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with You, our God. ~ Silent confession & reflection Have mercy on us, O God. In Your loving-kindness and great compassion, Cleanse us from all our sins in thought, word, and deed. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and sustain us with a willing spirit, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. ~ from 1 Timothy 1:15

The Words of the Gospel Leader:

Here are words that you may fully trust, words that deserve full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. To all who confess their sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, He says, Your sins are forgiven. He also says, Follow me.

Song of Response I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene And wonder how He could love me A sinner, condemned, unclean. Singing, chorus How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be: How marvelous! How wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me! He took my sins and my sorrows He made them His very own And He bore the burden to Calvary And suffered and died alone When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see Twill be my joy through the ages To sing of His love for me

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 4

Todays Scripture Lesson: PSALM 51

Desperate Dependence
John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Leader: Unison:

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

 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 center aisle and form a semi-circle in front of the Table to receive the bread and the wine. When finished, place your cup at the side tables and proceed to your seat via the outer isles. If you are unable to come forward, we would be delighted to serve you at your seat. New City Church uses wine in serving the Lords Supper. We would encourage you to take of the wine since it is a symbol of joy and celebration in Scripture. However, juice is also provided if you cannot drink wine due to health reasons or issues of conscience. Prayers for Those Not Communing A Prayer Searching for the Truth: Jesus, You claim to be the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except by You. If what you claim is true, please guide me and teach me. Open to me the reality of who You are. Grant that I might be undaunted in following You as I

consider the reasons for doing so. Give me an understanding of You that is coherent, convincing, and leads to the eternal life that You promise. Amen. A Prayer of Trust in the Lord Jesus: Jesus, I confess that I am more broken, flawed, and sinful than I had ever before dared to admit. Yet You tell me that I am more loved than I ever dared to hope, and that You accept all who turn to You in simple faith. I am doing that right now. I thank You for taking the justice that my sins deserved when You died on the Cross. I eagerly trust You for the forgiveness for my sins, and I receive from You now the eternal life that You promise to all who come to You. Amen. A Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin: Lord Jesus, You know the battle that rages within my heart. Grant that in my battles with sin, I may see in You the fulfillment of all my needs. Give me strength to turn from every false satisfaction to find my ultimate joy in You. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely to me, and fill me with your Spirit to run with perseverance the race you have set before me, looking to You, the pioneer and champion of my faith. Amen. A Prayer for Children (who have yet to profess faith): Jesus, the Bible tells me that You blessed kids like me. Help me to know who You are and to understand what You have done for me. Amen. Communion Hymns Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken 1. Jesus, I my cross have taken All to leave and follow Thee Destitute, despised, forsaken Thou from hence my all shall be Perish every fond ambition All Ive sought or hoped or known Yet how rich is my condition God and heaven are still my own 2. Let the world despise and leave me They have left my Savior, too Human hearts and looks deceive me Thou art not, like them, untrue O while Thou dost smile upon me God of wisdom, love, and might Foes may hate and friends disown me Show Thy face and all is bright 3. Man may trouble and distress me Twill but drive me to Thy breast Life with trials hard may press me Heaven will bring me sweeter rest Oh, tis not in grief to harm me While Thy love is left to me Oh, twere not in joy to charm me Were that joy unmixed with Thee 4. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure Come disaster, scorn and pain In Thy service, pain is pleasure With Thy favor, loss is gain I have called Thee Abba Father I have stayed my heart on Thee Storms may howl, and clouds may gather All must work for good to me 5. Soul, then know thy full salvation Rise oer sin and fear and care Joy to find in every station Something still to do or bear Think what Spirit dwells within thee Think what Fathers smiles are thine Think that Jesus died to win thee Child of heaven, canst thou repine 6. Haste thee on from grace to glory Armed by faith, and winged by prayer Heavens eternal days before thee Gods own hand shall guide us there Soon shall close thy earthly mission Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days Hope shall change to glad fruition Faith to sight, and prayer to praise

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 I Exalt Thee

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

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth Thou art exalted far above all gods For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth Thou art exalted far above all gods chorus I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee I exalt Thee, O Lord I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee I exalt Thee, O Lord

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

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,

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.

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 I Will Glory In My Redeemer I will glory in my Redeemer Whose priceless blood has ransomed me Mine was the sin that drove the bitter nails And hung Him on that judgment tree I will glory in my Redeemer Who crushed the power of sin and death My only Saviour before the Holy Judge The Lamb who is my Righteousness The Lamb who is my Righteousness I will glory in my Redeemer My life He bought, my love He owns I have no longings for another Im satisfied in Him alone I will glory in my Redeemer His faithfulness my standing place Though foes are mighty and rush upon me My feet are firm held by His grace My feet are firm held by His grace I will glory in my Redeemer Who carries me on eagles wings He crowns my life with loving kindness His triumph song Ill ever sing I will glory in my Redeemer Who waits for me at gates of gold And when He calls me it will be paradise His face forever to behold His face forever to behold ~ from Romans 8:1, 28, 38-39; 1 Timothy 1:17

Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison:

Let us together profess our faith by saying We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to Gods purpose. We are convinced that neither life, nor death nor angels, nor rulers nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Leader: Unison:

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

God Sends Us Out Into The World With His Blessing

Leader: People:

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Amen!

Community Life

Thanks for visiting New City Church! Were delighted to have had you with us today. If you are looking for a place to explore Christianity and its lifechanging relevance, we hope that you will find New City Church a safe place to ask questions and to grow in your understanding of the person and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have any questions about New City Church, Christianity, or the uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth, please dont hesitate to ask us. You can contact Pastor John at [email protected] or call 403.991.5555. If you work in the downtown area, touch base with Pastor Mike Ivancic who also works in downtown. You can contact Mike at [email protected] or call 403.828.2241. Join us Sunday evenings for the life changing video series by well-known author & speaker, RC Sproul As a part of our focus on spiritual growth and renewal during the season of Lent, we are embarking on a 6 week study of he video series, The Holiness of God, by Dr. RC Sproul. Pastor John has this to say: This video series and book by Dr. RC Sproul greatly enlarged my vision of our holy God and revolutionized my spiritual life by giving me a deeper understanding of the Cross of Jesus Christ. I have literally not been the same since I encountered this as a university student. I cannot commend it highly enough.

Sunday evenings from 6-7pm @ New City Church Each video is approximately 30 minutes long; discussion to follow Childcare provided from toddler to age 10

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Question #12: What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments? Answer: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us. Designed to be used by individuals, families, & churches to learn the basic beliefs of Christianity. Check it out: http://www.newcitycatechism.com or http://newcitychurch.ca resources

Attention all Junior & Senior High Youth The annual spring Alberta Youth Retreat is coming up on April 5-7 at Gull Lake. New City Churchs own Pastor John will be speaking on the issue of Thinking About Some of the Toughest Questions Christians Face. Cost is $115 per person before March 23, & $125 after that. $105 for multiple youth from the same family. Scholarships are available if needed to attend. See Pastor John for more details. Registration forms are available in the foyer, and will be online at www.NewCityChurch.ca later in the week. Western Canada Presbytery Retreat There will be retreat in Canmore from May 2 - 4 this spring. The retreat is being organized by Presbytery but is for church members from all of the Western Canadian churches. The speaker is Jerram Barrs who is a faculty member at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. The retreat theme is "Learning Evangelism from Jesus". More information, be sure to pick up a brochure in the foyer, or speak to Don Kitchener ([email protected]). For those wishing to attend you need to register for the retreat separately from booking your stay in the hotel. The deadline for the reduced early bird rate for the retreat registration is March 1. The hotel booking should be made before April 1. Intro to New City Church Do you want to learn more about Christianity? Do you want a clearer idea of the beliefs & mission of New City Church? Are you interested in potentially joining NCC? Then join us for this class exploring who NCC is as a community of faith. Come, join others & bring your questions. The next class will be held on Saturday, April 15th from 9:00-2:00pm. Lunch & snacks are provided. Be sure to sign up online at www.NewCityChurch.ca. Link will be up later this week. Speak to Pastor John for more details. ESL Bible Study At The LeBlancs House Every third Sunday of the month at 2:30 at the LeBlancs house. All are welcome. For more information, contact Richard or Marie ([email protected]). New City Church Online. Visit us NCC online at www.NewCityChurch.ca. Here, you can find our sermons & sermon notes posted. You can also subscribe to our sermons via iTunes. Just search for New City Church Calgary and you can find us on iTunes. Were also on Facebook & have a blog for those who are not on Facebook as well. All is accessible via www.NewCityChurch.ca.

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Weekly Servants Schedule

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