The Lord’s Day Worship Service

January 2, 2010 ~ 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. We’re glad you
came.

After the Service

Please stay around for some refreshments after the service and meet someone new. If we haven’t met
you before, please come say “Hello.” We’d 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

I am my own affliction / I am my own disease

There ain't no drug that they could sell /Ah, there ain't no drug to make me well
There ain't no drug, it's not enough / The sickness is myself
I made a mess of me / I wanna get back the rest of me
I made a mess of me / I wanna spend the rest of my life alive
~ Switchfoot, “Mess of Me”

“Our minds are fallen; they have been corrupted through sin (see Rom 1:28-29). When we come to
Christ, we are transferred into a new realm of righteousness and life (see Rom 5-8). Nevertheless, our
minds are not immediately changed; our thinking still tends to follow the well-worn ruts of the old way of
life. Thus, we are called to engage in the lifelong process of changing the way we think, and by
changing the way we think, we change the way we live.”
~ Douglas Moo, Encountering the Book of Romans

“This is what we should seek…throughout the whole of Scripture: to know Jesus Christ truly, and the
infinite riches which are included in Him and are offered to us by God the Father.”
~ John Calvin

“Prefer having eyes to read the Scripture, and be blind to everything else, rather than to read everything
else and neglect the Bible.”
~ M Richmond

We have scarcely begun to see all of God that the Scriptures give us to see, and what we have not yet
seen is exceedingly glorious.”
~ John Piper
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  God Calls Us To Worship 
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6

The Call to Worship ~ from Psalm 86

Leader: There is none like You, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.
All the nations You have made shall come and bow down before You, O Lord,
and shall glorify Your name!

Unison: For You are great and do wondrous things. You alone are God!

Leader: Teach us Your way, O Lord, that we may walk in Your truth.
Unite our hearts to fear Your name.

Unison: We will give thanks to You, O Lord our God, with our whole hearts
and we will glorify Your name forever.
For great is Your steadfast love towards us.

Hymns of Praise & Worship

“God of Wonders”

Lord of all creation

Of water, earth and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

chorus
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth

Early in the morning

I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night.

(repeat chorus)

(men): Hallelujah
(women): To the Lord of heaven and earth
(repeat 3x)

(repeat chorus)

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 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zioncity of our God

He whose word cannot be broken formed thee for His own abode
On the Rock of Ages founded, what can shake they sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded, thou may’st smile at all thy foes

See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love

Well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove
Who can faint while such a river ever flows their thirst t’assuage?
Grace which, like the Lord, the giver, never fails from age to age

Round each habitation hov’ring, see the cloud and fire appear
For a glory and a cov’ring, showing that the Lord is near
Thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day
Safe they feed upon the manna which He gives them when they pray

Saviour, if of Zion’s city, I through grace a member am

Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show
Solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion’s children know

“Be Unto Your Name”

We are a moment, You are forever

Lord of all ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting reigning on high

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name

We are the broken, You are the healer

Jesus Redeemer, mighty to save
You are the love song we’ll sing forever
Bowing before You blessing your name

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name


Zion is the name of the height upon which King David built Jerusalem. Zion is used in Scripture to
denote the city proper, but also serves as a metaphor for God’s people as the church (Hebrews
12:22) and even of heaven itself (Revelation 14:1).
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  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 ~ 1 John 1:5-8

Leader: The Apostle John wrote, “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to
you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with
Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in
the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we way we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Therefore, in this moment let us silently confess
our sins against God and against our neighbours….

Prayer of Confession

~ Silent confession & reflection

The Words of the Gospel ~ 1 John 1:9; 2:1

Leader: The Apostle John also tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If anyone does sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One.

Song of Response

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise

Thou my inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won

May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all

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  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

Today’s Scripture Lesson: “Total Transformation”

John Ferguson, Lead Pastor

Romans 12:1-2

12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable
and perfect.

Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.

Unison: Thanks be to God!

(notes)

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  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 Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s 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 Father’s 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 Lord’s 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 Lord’s death until he comes.
~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

The Sacrament of The Lord’s 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 Lord’s 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

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 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 Father’s Love For Us”

How deep the Father’s love for us It was my sin that held Him there
How vast beyond all measure Until it was accomplished
That He should give His only Son His dying breath has brought me life
To make a wretch His treasure I know that it is finished
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away I will not boast in anything
As wounds which mar the Chosen One No gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom
Bring many sons to glory But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Behold the Man upon a cross Why should I gain from His reward?
My sin upon His shoulders I cannot give an answer
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice But this I know with all my heart
Call out among the scoffers His wounds have paid my ransom

“Shout to the Lord”

My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

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 Shout to the Lord all the earth
Let us sing power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands

Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise
I have in You

 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

“Lord Reign in Me”

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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 Over all the earth
You reign on high
Every mountain stream
Every sunset sky
But my one request
Lord my only aim
Is that You reign in me again

chorus
Lord reign in me
Reign in Your power
Over all my dreams
In my darkest hour
You are the Lord
Of all I am
So won’t You reign in me again

Over every thought

Over every word
May my life reflect
The beauty of the Lord
‘Cause You mean more to me
Than any earthly thing
So won’t You reign in me again

(repeat chorus)

Our Confession of Faith ~ from Romans 8:1, 28, 38-39; 1 Timothy 1:17

Leader: Let us together profess our faith by saying…

Unison: 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 God’s 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.

Leader: Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever
and ever.
Unison: Amen.

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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: “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:18) .
People: Amen!

 Community Life 

Next Sunday: We will resume our sermon series, “The Renewal of All Things.” This series is
designed to give us the big picture of Scripture as well as aid us in the construction of a biblical
worldview. We have already examined the sections on Creation & the Fall. Now we will look at God’s
plan of Redemption.

No Small Groups this week: Small Groups will resume the second week of January.

Attention Twenty-Something’s: Are you interested in forming a community group with other 20-
somethings? Please let pastor John know.

Newcomer’s Class: Beginning Sunday, January 23rd, New City Church will be offering a Newcomer’s
class. This 4-week class will introduce you to the vision and distinctives of New City Church, our hopes
and dreams, and your part to play in it all. There will also be an opportunity to explore what
membership at New City Church means with its privileges and responsibilities. All are invited to attend
this classes that will be held for 45 minutes immediately after the worship service. For more info, talk to
Pastors John Ferguson or Mike Ivancic.

Upcoming Mustard Seed Ministry Opportunities: Every month, New City Church sends a team of 4-
5 people to help serve meals to people in need in Calgary. Our next dates are: January 29, February
19, and March 19. Would you consider serving our city in this way? For more info, contact Annie
Arguile ([email protected]).

Coffee with a Pastor? If you have any questions about Christianity, or would simply like to get
together and talk about the issues of life, pastors John and Mike are available to you. Coffee is on
them! You can contact him at [email protected] or call 403.991.5555. If you work in the
downtown area, you can touch base with asst. pastor Mike Ivancic who also works in downtown. You
can contact him at [email protected] or call 403.828.2241.

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.

Bible Reading Plans: As mentioned in the sermon, check out the New City Church blog for some
Bible reading plans: http://newcitychurchcalgary.blogspot.com/

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