The Lords Day Worship Service

June 23, 2013 ~ 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
What is your sense of identity and what is the purpose of your existence? The answer depends on what story you think you are part of. We all live the little stories of our own lives on the assumption of some larger story that makes sense to us, or that makes enough sense to all us to think it is probably, on balance, worth going on living. That is true even if you have to make such a story up for yourself rather than seeing yourself within a grand story that transcends your own life, and transcends even the material universe. ~ Christopher Wright, The Mission of Gods People I find in your Bible a unique interpretation of universal history, the history of the whole of creation and the history of the human race. And therefore a unique interpretation of the human person as a responsible actor in history. That is unique. There is nothing else in the whole religious literature of the world to put alongside it. ~ Badrinath, Hindu scholar, qtd. in Lesslie Newbigins A Walk Through the Bible The whole point of Christianity is that it offers a story which is the story of the whole world. It is public truth. ~ NT Wright, New Testament & the People of God I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. ~ CS Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Maybe redemption has stories to tell / Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell Where can you run to escape from yourself? / Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? / Salvation is here. ~ Switchfoot, Dare You To Move

God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: People: ~ based on Isaiah 12:2-6

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

Leader: Unison:

Leader:

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

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

In Christ He has in heavenly realms His blessings on us poured For pure and blameless in His sight He destined us to be And now weve been adopted through His Son eternally chorus To the praise of Your glory To the praise of Your mercy and grace To the praise of Your glory You are the God who saves Come praise and glorify our God Who gives His grace in Christ In Him our sins are washed away Redeemed through sacrifice In Him God has made known to us The mystry of His will That Christ should be the head of all His purpose to fulfill (repeat chorus) Come praise and glorify our God For weve believed the Word And through our faith we have a seal The Spirit of the Lord The Spirit guarantees our hope Until redemptions done Until we join in endless praise To God, the Three in One (repeat chorus)

King of Glory Lift up your gaze, be lifted up Tell everyone how great the love The love come down from heavens gate To kiss the earth with hope and grace Sing, Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!
(repeat)

Sing, Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!
(repeat)

There is one God, He is holy There is one Lord over everything There is one King, He is Jesus King of glory, strong and mighty!
(repeat)

Lift up your hands, be lifted up Let the redeemed declare the love And we bow down at heavens gate To kiss the feet of hope and grace

You are the King of glory The Lord, strong and mighty!
(repeat 4x)

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

~ Psalm 130:4-5

Leader:

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Prayerful Song of Confession 1. From the depths of woe I raise to Thee The voice of lamentation; Lord, turn a gracious ear to me And hear my supplication; If Thou iniquities dost mark, Our secret sins and misdeeds dark, O who shall stand before Thee? (Who shall stand before Thee?) O who shall stand before Thee? (Who shall stand before Thee?) The Words of the Gospel Leader: 2. To wash away the crimson stain, Grace, grace alone availeth; Our works, alas! Are all in vain; In much the best life faileth; No man can glory in Thy sight, All must alike confess Thy might, And live alone by mercy (Live alone by mercy) And live alone by mercy (Live alone by mercy) ~ based on Romans 5:8; 8:1; Acts 10:43

God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because, as all the prophets testify about Christ, everyone who believes in Him receives the forgiveness of sins through His name. To all who humbly seek the mercy of God, I say to you, that in Christ Jesus your sins are forgiven!

Song of Response 3. Therefore my trust is in the Lord, And not in mine own merit; On Him my soul shall rest, His word Upholds my fainting spirit; His promised mercy is my fort, My comfort and my sweet support; I wait for it with patience (Wait for it with patience) I wait for it with patience (Wait for it with patience) 4. What though I wait the live-long night, And til the dawn appeareth, My heart still trusteth in His might; It doubteth not nor feareth; Do thus, O ye of Israels seed, Ye of the Spirit born indeed; And wait til God appeareth (Wait til God appeareth) And wait til God appeareth (Wait til God appeareth)

5. Though great our sins and sore our woes His grace much more aboundeth; His helping love no limit knows, Our upmost need it soundeth. Our Shepherd good and true is He, Who will at last His Israel free From all their sin and sorrow (All their sin and sorrow) From all their sin and sorrow

(All their sin and sorrow)

O Great God of Highest Heaven O great God of highest heaven Occupy my lowly heart Own it all and reign supreme Conquer every rebel power Let no vice nor sin remain That resists Your holy war You have loved and purchased me Make me Yours forevermore I was blinded by my sin Had no ears to hear Your voice Did not know Your love within Had no taste for heaven's joys Then Your Spirit gave me life Opened up Your Word to me Through the gospel of Your Son Gave me endless hope and peace Help me now to live a life That's dependent on Your grace Keep my heart and guard my soul From the evils that I face You are worthy to be praised With my every thought and deed O great God of highest heaven Glorify Your Name through 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
Todays Scripture Lesson: LUKE 6:12-19 Turning the World Upside Down
John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

The Twelve Apostles 12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Jesus Ministers to a Great Multitude 17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
(notes)

 God Feeds Us His Covenant Meal From the east and the west, from the north and the south, people will come and take their places at the banquet in the Kingdom of God. ~ based on Luke 13:29
A Word About Participating in The Sacrament of The Lords Supper The Lords Supper is a special family meal that Christ gave to His Bride, the Church. For Christians, this meal is a time to receive these signs and seals of the New Covenant which Christ has established with them. Believers come to this Table to meet with their Lord and Saviour by faith, to be renewed by Him and strengthened in their callings and mission as they eat the bread and drink the wine. Therefore, all baptized Christians who trust in Christ alone as their Lord and Saviour 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 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 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 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 "Amazing Love (You Are My King)" I'm forgiven because you were forsaken I'm accepted, You were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again chorus Amazing love, how can it be? That You, my King, would die for me Amazing love, I know it's true Its my joy to honor You In all I do Ill honor you I'm forgiven because you were forsaken I'm accepted, you were condemned I'm alive and well Your spirit is within me Because you died and rose again (repeat chorus) You are my king You are my king Jesus, You are my king

Jesus, You are my king (repeat chorus) Mighty to Save Everyone needs compassion A love thats never failing Let mercy fall on me Everyone needs forgiveness The kindness of a Saviour The Hope of Nations chorus Saviour, He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever, Author of Salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave So take me as You find me All my fears and failures Fill my life again I give my life to follow Everything I believe in Now I surrender Shine your light and let the world see Were sining for the glory of the risen KingJesus! Shine your light and let the whole world see Were singing for the glory of the risen King 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 everyone 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 (repeat chorus)

 God Receives Our Offerings lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~
Jesus, in Matthew 6:20-21

The Prayers of the People Leader: Unison: Let us pray

(The leader prays for specific requests as the assembly prays along with him).

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts As we also have forgiven our debtors And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, Now and forever. Amen.

The Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings This collection of our tithes and offerings is for those who consider New City Church their church family and regularly benefit from her ministry and want to invest in her mission. If you are visiting with us, please feel no obligation to give. Hymn of Praise & Worship The Churchs One Foundation 1. The churchs one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord She is His new creation By water and the Word From heaven He came and sought her To be His holy bride With His own blood He bought her And for her life He died 2. Elect from every nation Yet one oer all the earth Her charter of salvation On Lord on faith, one birth One holy Name she blesses Partakes on holy food

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.

And to one hope she presses / With every grace endued 3. The church shall never perish Her dear Lord to defend To guide, sustain and cherish Is with her to the end Though there be those that hate her And false sons in her pale Against a foe or traitor She ever shall prevail 4. Mid toil and tribulation And tumult of her war She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore Til, with the vision glorious Her longing eyes are blessed And the great church victorious Shall be the church at rest 5. Yet she on earth union With God the Three in One And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won O happy ones and holy Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly On high may dwell with Thee

Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Let us confess our faith together

~ Philippians 2:5-11

We believe in our hearts and confess with our lips that Christ Jesus, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 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: People: 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). Amen.

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 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 life-changing 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 john@newcitychurch.ca 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 mike@newcitychurch.ca or call 403.828.2241.

Save the Date: Aug 30-Sept 1

New City Church Fellowship Retreat will be on the September long weekend! Everyone is invited! We have many hopes for this retreat, preeminent among which is the desire to get to know each other better and grow deeper in fellowship. A perfect opportunity to get away one last weekend before everything starts back up in September. And its a perfect opportunity to connect with your extended family at New City Church. Sign up by completing a registration form off the table in the foyer. (You can turn it in to Shannon de Jong or Gayle Eng or Pastor John.) New City Church is underwriting a portion of this retreat in order to make it affordable. Some limited scholarships based on need are available.

Premise: A Christianity Worth Thinking About (June 23) DUE TO THE RECENT FLOODING IN CALGARY, WE ARE POSTPONING TONIGHTS MEETING. INSTEAD, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE THIS DAY TO HELP CLEAN UP OUR CITY.

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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Upcoming Series: Life Together Life in Calgary can be busy. Too busy. And if we are honest, it can be a little depersonalizing. Surrounded by nearly 1.2 million people, many Calgarians are all too familiar with what sociologists call, crowded loneliness. Are we really meant to be surrounded by so many people and still be so unconnected? Sounknown? The short answer is no. This is simply just another way life is broken. And it is supposed to be so different. We are told that the early followers of Jesus devoted themselves to fellowship (Acts 2:42), that is, they devoted themselves to a new way of being human that they learned from Jesusa new way of doing life together. During the months of July & August, well be looking into the New Testament teaching about one another-ing, and well see that maybe, just maybe, we have been missing out on something vital to our humanity, to our Christianity, and to the mission that weve been sent on to this city. Weekly Servants Schedule

ESL Bible Study At The LeBlancs House Every third Friday of the month at 7:00pm at the LeBlancs house. All are welcome. For more information, contact Richard or Marie (richard_marie@shaw.ca).

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 our website at www.NewCityChurch.ca.

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