The Lords Day Worship Service

November 27, 2011 ~ The First Sunday of Advent Season 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. 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 people believe in God at all today, the overwhelming majority hold that this God however he, she, or it may be understoodis a loving being. But that is what makes the task of the Christian witness so daunting.the love of God in our culture has been purged of anything the culture finds uncomfortable. The love of God has been sanitized, democratized, and above all sentimentalized. ~ DA Carson, author & speaker It appears that all that is ever spoken of in the Scripture as an ultimate end of Gods works is included in that one phrase, the glory of God In the creatures knowing, esteeming, loving, rejoicing in, and praising God, the glory of God is both exhibited and acknowledged; his fullness is both received and returned. ~ Jonathan Edwards, The End for Which God Created the World The year of grace 1654Monday, 23 NovemberFrom about half past ten in the evening until half past midnight. Fire. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and scholars. Certainty, certainty, heartfelt joy, peace. God of Jesus ChristJoy, Joy, Joy, oceans of joy! ~ Blaise Pascal, mathematician & philosopher Could we with ink the ocean fill, / and were the skies of parchment made, / were every stalk on earth a quill, / and every man a scribe by trade, / to write the love of God above / would drain the ocean dry. / Nor could the scroll contain the whole / though stretched from sky to sky. ~ FH Lehman 1

 God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6
The Lighting of the Advent Candles The Call to Worship Leader: Dave & Gayle Eng ~ from Psalm 24:7-8

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. We have gathered to praise this King of Glory.

Unison:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Sing to the King Sing to the King Who is coming to reign Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain Life and salvation His empire shall bring And joy to the nations when Jesus is King chorus: Come, let us sing a song A song declaring that we belong to Jesus He is all we need Lift up a heart of praise Sing now with voices raised to Jesus Sing to the King For His returning we watch and we pray We will be ready the dawn of that day We'll join in singing with all the redeemed 'Cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King Joy to the World! Joy to the world! The Lord is come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And heavn and nature sing/ And heavn and nature sing And heavn, and heavn and nature sing Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods / Rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy/ Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Hymns of Praise & Worship

No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found / Far as the curse is found Far as, far as, the curse is found He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love / And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders of His love

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Come, thou long-expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee Israels strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art Dear desire of evry nation Joy of evry longing heart Joy to those who long to see Thee Dayspring from on high, appear Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse Of Thy birth we long to hear Oer the hills the angels singing News, glad tidings of a birth Go to Him, your praises bringing Christ the Lord has come to earth Come to earth to taste our sadness He whose glories knew no end By His life He brings us gladness Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend Leaving riches without number Born within a cattle stall This the everlasting wonder Christ was born the Lord of all Born Thy people to deliver Born a child and yet a King Born to reign in us forever Now Thy gracious kingdom bring By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone By Thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to Thy glorious throne

 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 John 1:9-11

The Apostle John tells us that Jesus, the true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Let us pause, and intentionally make room in our hearts for the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Prayer of Confession Unison: Merciful God, we confess that we do not know how to prepare for Your Advent. We have forgotten how to hope in miracles; We have ignored the promise of Your kingdom We get distracted by all the busyness of this season. ~ Silent confession and reflection Leader: Grant us the simple wonder of the shepherds, the intelligent courage of the Magi, and the patient faith of Mary and Joseph, that we may journey with them to Bethlehem and find the Good News of a child born to us a child born a King and destined to rule over everything. Now, in the quiet of our hearts, we ask you to make us ready for His coming. Amen. ~ from John 1:12; 1 John 2:1-2

Unison:

The Words of the Gospel Leader:

To all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ, to those who believe in His name, God gave the right to become the children of God.If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. He is the sacrifice that takes away our sins. May Christ alone be praised! Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder Let us love and sing and wonder Let us praise the Saviours name He has hushed the laws loud thunder He has quenched Mount Sinais flame He has washed us with His blood /He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood / He has brought us nigh to God

Song of Response

Let us love the Lord who bought us Pitied us when enemies Called us by His grace and taught us Gave us ears and gave us eyes He has washed us with His blood / He has washed us with His blood He has washed us with His blood / He presents our souls to God Let us sing though fierce temptation Threatens hard to bear us down For the Lord, our strong salvation, Holds in view the conqurors crown He who washed us with His blood / He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood / Soon will bring us home to God Let us wonder grace and justice Join and point to mercys store When through grace in Christ our trust is Justice smiles and asks no more He who washed us with His blood / He who washed us with His blood He who washed us with His blood / Has secured our way to God Let us praise and join the chorus Of the saints enthroned on high Here they trusted Him before us Now their praises fill the sky Thou hast washed us with Thy blood / Thou hast washed us with Thy blood Thou hast washed us with Thy blood / Thou are worthy, Lamb of God How Great Is Our God The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty Let all the earth rejoice, Let all the earth rejoice He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide And trembles at His voice, and trembles at His voice
chorus

How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God Age to age He stands, and time is in His hands Beginning and the end, beginning and the end The Godhead Three in One: Father, Spirit, Son The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb
(repeat chorus)

Name above all names, worthy of all praise My heart will sing how great is our God
(repeat chorus)

 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 3:16

For God So Loved The World

John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 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 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 thirst for 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 we 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 love me and 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) 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: Let us pray

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

Unison:

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 Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners Jesus! What a Friend for sinners / Jesus! Lover of my soul Friends may fail me, foes assail me / He, my Savior, makes me whole (chorus) Hallelujah! What a Savior / Hallelujah! What a Friend Saving, helping, keeping, loving / He is with me to the end Jesus! What a Strength in weakness / Let me hide myself in Him Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing / He, my Strength, my victry wins (repeat chorus) Jesus! What a Help in sorrow / While the billows oer me roll Even when my heart is breaking / He, my Comfort, helps my soul (repeat chorus) Jesus! What a Guide and Keeper / While the tempest still is high Storms about me, night oer takes me / He, my Pilot hears my cry (repeat chorus) Jesus! I do now receive Him / More than all in Him I find He hath granted me forgiveness / I am His, and He is mine (repeat chorus)

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.

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Our Confession of Faith Leader: Unison: Christians, in whom do you believe?

The Apostles Creed1

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.

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 our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Amen!

Community Life
Today Begins the Advent Season Christians all over the world celebrate the season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word meaning coming. The Advent season covers the four Sundays before Christmas and is a season of anticipation and waiting as we focus in upon the mission of the Son of God coming into the world. Our 2012 Advent season this year is called The Gift and will focus upon the best known verse in the Bible, John 3:16.
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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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Next Kids Club- Saturday, December 17th 3:15pm We will be meeting at the Seniors Lodge next door with Christmas Party at the Activity Center to follow until 6pm. NOTE: We will have a special kids club caroling rehearsal next Sunday (Dec 4th) after the potluck luncheon around 12:30pm. If you didn't pick up your caroling book see Lori. Potluck Coming Next Week: December 4, 2011 On the first Sunday of every month, we celebrate a meal together after the service. Its potluck style so please bring enough food for your family plus a few others so we can invite our guests to stay. Also, plan on bringing board games and/or outdoor games. Food Collection for The Mustard Seed On the first Sunday over every month (coinciding with our potluck meals), we are collecting food to help stock the food pantry at the Mustard Seed. Please bring non-perishable foods to help feed those in need in our city. Downtown Study Group: Grace on the Bow Grace on the Bow will be continue to held at the Shell Center at 400 4th Ave S.W., room 1147. Tom Dekker (403-807-6687) will meet folks in the lobby at 12:00 to secure passes and take folks to the meeting room. For more info on the small group, call Mike Ivancic at (403.515.6931). We will begin a new Series entitled a Life Shaped by Grace based on the Beatitudes from the greatest sermon ever preached. Mens Discipleship: BASIC TRAINING Information Meeting Next meeting will be on Thursday, December 1, from 7-9pm in Classroom #1 here at the Confederation Park Activity Centre. This is a great opportunity to invest in your spiritual growth as a man. For more information, pick up a brochure on the welcome table and speak to pastor John. 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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