The Lords Day Worship Service

January 22, 2012 ~ 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.

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 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. ~ Psalm 23 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. ~ Revelation 21:1-5

 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 Holy, Holy, Holy Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Which wert and art and evermore shalt be. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy, There is none beside Thee, Perfect in powr in love & purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! Forever Give thanks to the Lord, Our God and King His love endures forever For He is good, He is above all things His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm His love endures forever For the life that's been reborn His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise
chorus

Forever God is faithful Forever God is strong Forever God is with us Forever and ever, forever (2X) From the rising to the setting sun His love endures forever By the grace of God we will carry on His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise Sing praise, sing praise 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

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.

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.

Prayer of Confession Leader:

~ based on Psalm 51:1-12

Unison: 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. 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.

Songs 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

chorus Make these broken weary bones / rise to dance again Wet this dry and thirsty land with a river Lord our eyes are fixed on You, we are waiting For your garland of grace, as we praise Your name bridge Hallelujah, sing hallelujah We give all honour and praise to Your name Hallelujah, sing hallelujah We trade our sorrows For garments of praise Youre Worthy of My Praise I will worship with all of my heart I will praise You with all of my strength I will seek You all of my days I will follow all of Your ways

I will give You all my worship I will give You all my praise You alone I long to worship You alone are worthy of my praise I will bow down, and I'll hail You as king I will serve You, I will give You everything I will lift up my eyes to Your throne I will trust You, I will trust You alone I will give You all my worship I will give You all my praise You alone I long to worship You alone are worthy of my praise

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: JOHN 11:1-7, 17-44

The Resurrection & the Life

John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, Lord, he whom you love is ill. 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, Let us go to Judea again. 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you. 23 Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. 24 Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day. 25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? 27 She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, The Teacher is here and is calling for you. 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the

tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, See how he loved him! 37 But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying? 38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days. 40 Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God? 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me. 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out. 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, Unbind him, and let him go. Leader: Unison: This is the Word of the Lord. 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 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 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 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 powr, 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 Hosanna I see the King of glory Coming on the clouds with fire The whole earth shakes The whole earth shakes (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) I see a near revival Stirring as we pray and seek Were on our knees Were on our knees I see His love and mercy Washing over all our sin The people sing The people sing

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

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 Blessed Be Your Name Blessed be Your name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name Blessed be your name When Im found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be Your name

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.

Every blessing You pour out Ill turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord still I will say chorus Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name When the suns shining down on me When the worlds all as it should be Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though theres pain in the offering Blessed be Your name (repeat chorus) You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord blessed be Your name

Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison:

~ from Romans 8:1, 28, 38-39; 1 Timothy 1:17

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:

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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:

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

Newcomers Class Beginning February 12, New City Church will offer 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. Downtown Study: Grace on the Bow Grace on the Bow is a weekly gathering every Thursday for those in the downtown area exploring key and relevant areas to life from a Christian perspective and in a non-threatening environment. New location: We meet at the Bank of Montreal Head office located at 350 - 7th Avenue SW. We meet in the lobby off of 3rd Street, in front of the information desk at 12:00 and end at 1:00 promptly. As always, all are welcome. For more information please contact Mike Ivancic at 403.828.2241. Mens Discipleship: Basic Training Starts Up February 2 The mens discipleship group will resume its bi-monthly meetings on Thursday, February 2, 7-9pm in the Board Room here at the Confederation Park Activity Centre. Revamped for the home stretch, well begin working through Journey in Prayer by John Smed. You can pick up your copy today. Woodgreens Second Conference On Apologetics The conference has been scheduled for February 4, 2012 from 6:00 9:00 pm with Dr. Andy Bannister of RZIM as our guest speaker. Topics will include the biblical mandate for apologetics, God, creation, and science and Jesus, history, and the resurrection. 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 Presbyterian Church and further details will be published on www.calgaryreformedconference.ca as they become available.

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Weekly Servants Schedule

Weekly Giving

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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