The Lords Day Worship Service

June 2, 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 do I know of You Who spoke me into motion? Where have I even stood But the shore along Your ocean? Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful? What do I know? What do I know of Holy? ~ Addison Road, What Do I Know of Holy? If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, he would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and he sent us a Savior. - D.A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation Jesus! What a Friend for sinners Jesus! Lover of my soul Friends may fail me, foes assail me He, my Savior, makes me whole. ~ J. Wilber Chapman, Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners! 1

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Call to Worship Leader: Unison: ~ based on Psalm 84:1-2, 10-12

Show us Your steadfast love, O God, and grant us Your salvation. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Our souls long, yes, faint for the courts of the Lord. Our hearts and our flesh will sing for joy to the living God, for a single day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! For the Lord God is our Light and our Shield; the Lord bestows favor and honour. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord Almighty, blessed are those who trust in You!

Leader:

Unison:

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 oer 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 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 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

Our Great God Eternal God, unchanging, mysterious and unknown Your boundless love unfailing, in grace and mercy shown Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight around your glorious throne They raise their voices day and night in praise to You alone Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God! Hallelujah! Glory be to our great God!

Seraphim are angels. Cf. Isaiah 6:2, Above [the Lord] stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

Lord, we are weak and frail, helpless in the storm Surround us with Your angels, hold us in Your arms Our cold and ruthless enemy, his pleasure is our harm Rise up, O Lord, and he will flee before our sovereign God (repeat chorus) Let every creature in the sea and every flying bird Let every mountain, every field and valley of the earth Let all the moons and all the stars in all the universe Sing praises to the living God, who rules them by His word (repeat chorus)

Better is One Day How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty My soul longs and even faints for You For here my heart is satisfied Within Your presence I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings chorus: Better is one day in Your courts Better is one day in Your house Better is one day in Your courts Than thousands elsewhere (repeat) One thing I ask and I would seek To see Your beauty To find You in the place Your glory dwells (repeat chorus) My heart and flesh cry out For You, the living God Your Spirits water for my soul Ive tasted and Ive seen Come once again to me I will draw near to You I will draw near to You

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: Listen to the testimony of the psalmist,

~ based on Psalm 32:3-4, NLT

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, I will confess my rebellion to the LORD. And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Prayer of Confession ~ Silent confession and reflection. The Words of the Gospel 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 Completely Done What reason have I to doubt Why would I dwell in fear When all I have known is grace My future in Christ is clear My sins have been paid in full There's no condemnation here I live in the good of this My Father has brought me near I'm leaving my fears behind me now ~ Psalm 145:14; based on 1 John 1:8-9

chorus The old is gone, the new has come What You complete is completely done We're heirs with Christ, the victory won What You complete is completely done I don't know what lies ahead What if I fail again You are my confidence You'll keep me to the end I'm leaving my fears behind me now

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: LUKE 5:12-26

The Paradox of Jesus

John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, I will; be clean. And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them. 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. 17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, Man, your sins are forgiven you. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Rise and walk? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sinshe said to the man who was paralyzedI say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home. 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, We have seen extraordinary things today.
(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 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 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 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 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)

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

Salvation Belongs to our God Salvation belongs to our God Who sits upon the throne And unto the Lamb Praise and glory Wisdom and thanks Honor and power and strength chorus Be to our God forever and ever Be to our God forever and ever Be to our God forever and ever Amen! And we, the redeemed, shall be strong In purpose and unity Declaring aloud praise and glory Wisdom and thanks Honor and power and strength

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.

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.

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 It Is Well With My Soul When peace, like a river, attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul. chorus It is well (echo) With my soul (echo) It is well, it is well with my soul Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come Let this blest assurance control That Christ has regarded my helpless estate And has shed His own blood for my soul My sinO the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not the part but the whole Is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend Even soit is well with my soul Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Christian, what is your only comfort in life and in death? That I belongbody and soul, in life and in deathnot to myself but to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him! ~ Heidelberg Catechism #1

 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:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13) . 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 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 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. 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.

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.

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).

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 sounconnected? So unknown? 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

Giving Update

*Non-NCC indicates funds raised outside the congregation of New City Church to aid in this church planting project.

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