The Lords Day Worship Service

December 23, 2012 ~ The Fourth Sunday of Advent 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

The Season of Advent

The season of Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival) is the four-week season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas, the day we mark the first coming of Christ to the earth. The great proclamation The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14) assures us that God has entered into human history through the incarnation of the Son. The season of Advent, a season of waiting, is designed to cultivate our awareness of Gods actionspast, present, and future. In Advent we hear the prophecies of the Messiahs coming as addressed to uspeople who wait for the second coming. In Advent we heighten our anticipation for the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament promises, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, death will be swallowed up, and every tear will be wiped away. In this way Advent highlights for us the larger story of Gods redemptive plan. A deliberate tension must be built into our practice of the Advent season. Christ has come, and yet not all things have reached completion. While we remember Israels waiting and hoping and we give thanks for Christs birth, we also anticipate his second coming at the end of time. For this reason Advent began as a penitential season, a time for discipline and intentional repentance in the confident expectation and hope of Christs coming again (The Worship Sourcebook). During our Sunday morning services, well use the birth narrative of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke to guide and direct our thoughts. This Advent season also marks the launch of our study of the Gospel of Luke that well take with us through 2013.

God Calls Us To Worship Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. ~ Psalm 150:6 1

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!

~ from Psalm 118:24; 113:1-4

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!

Hymns of Praise & Worship O Worship the King O worship the King all glorious above And gratefully sing His wonderful love Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise O tell of His might, O sing of His grace Whose robe is the light, Whose canopy space His chariots of wrath the deep thunder clouds form And dark is His path on the winds of the storm Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain Frail children of dust and feeble as frail In Thee do we trust, nor find the to fail Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend Shout to the North Men of faith rise up and sing Of the great and glorious King You are strong when you feel weak In your brokenness complete chorus Shout to the North and the South Sing to the East and the West Jesus is Saviour to all Lord of heaven and earth Rise up women of the truth Stand and sing to broken hearts Who can know the healing power

Of our awesome King of love (repeat chorus) We've been through fire We've been through rain We've been refined by the power of His name We've fallen deeper in love with you You've burned the truth on our lips (repeat chorus) O Come Let Us Adore Him O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord We'll praise His name forever We'll praise His name forever We'll praise His name forever Christ the Lord We'll give Him all the glory We'll give Him all the glory We'll give Him all the glory Christ the Lord For He alone is worthy For He alone is worthy For He alone is worthy Christ the Lord

Rise up church with broken wings Fill this place with songs again Of our God who reigns on high By His grace again we'll fly (repeat chorus)

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. ~ based on Psalm 51:1-12

Prayer of Confession 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.

Unison: Leader:

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. The Words of the Gospel Leader: ~ from 1 Timothy 1:15

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 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, honour 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 well sing forever Bowing before You blessing Your name Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty Worthy is the Lamb who was slain Highest praises, honour and glory Be unto Your name Be unto Your name

Ten Thousand Reasons chorus Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul Worship His holy name Sing like never before O my soul I'll worship Your holy name The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning It's time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes (repeat chorus) You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger Your name is great, and Your heart is kind For all Your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore (repeat chorus) Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name Lord, I'll worship Your holy name Sing like never before O my soul I'll worship Your holy name Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name I'll worship Your holy name

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:

The Magnificat: The Subversive Song of Mary

John Ferguson, Pastor

LUKE 1:39-56

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 5

52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
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 asle 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 We Hunger and Thirst Exalted Son of glory humbly came down Wounded for the broken, bore the sinners crown Through the willing death You died You became our Bread of Life chorus Jesus, we hunger and thirst for You, Lord As we remember Your sacrifice We see the wounds from Your hands and pierced side Extravagant love! Oh how great the price Now our lives are Yours I Will Rise There's a peace I've come to know Though my heart and flesh may fail There's an anchor for my soul I can say "It is well" Jesus has overcome And the grave is overwhelmed The victory is won He is risen from the dead chorus And I will rise when He calls my name No more sorrow, no more pain I will rise on eagles' wings Before my God fall on my knees And rise, I will rise There's a day that's drawing near We Will Glorify We will glorify the King of Kings We will glorify the Lamb We will glorify the Lord of lords Who is the great I AM Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty We will bow before His throne We will worship Him in righteousness We will worship Him alone He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth He is Lord of all who live When this darkness breaks to light And the shadows disappear And my faith shall be my eyes Jesus has overcome And the grave is overwhelmed The victory is won He is risen from the dead (repeat chorus) And I hear the voice of many angels sing, "Worthy is the Lamb" And I hear the cry of every longing heart, "Worthy is the Lamb" (repeat) The priceless blood of Jesus, this gracious cup A life spring overflowing, poured out for us He has conquered every sin For the ones who trust in Him (repeat chorus) The cup we drink, the bread we eat Reminds us You are all we need And makes us long for Your wedding feast (repeat chorus)

He is Lord above the universe All praise to Him we give Hallelujah to the King of kings

Hallelujah to the Lamb Hallelujah to the Lord of lords Who is the great I AM

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 Once In Royal Davids City Once in royal Davids city stood a lowly cattle shed Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all And His shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall With the poor, and mean, and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy And our eyes at last shall see Him through His own redeeming love For that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heavn above And He leads His children on to the place where He is gone Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by

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.

We shall see him, but in heaven, set at Gods right hand on high When like stars his children crowned all in white shall wait around 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:

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! Come Lord Jesus!

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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. Christmas Eve Service, 3-4pm This year, well continue our tradition of gathering on Christmas Eve for A Celebration in Lessons & Carols. Make plans to attend and invite your friends. Premise: A Christianity Worth Thinking About At New City Church, we want to help equip you to be an effective ambassador for Jesus Christ. We believe that Christianity is to be commended, but often times Christians feel inadequate and unequipped to be effective. To that end, we are initiating a series of meetings called Premise. On Sunday evening, December 30th, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Bruce Gordon to New City Church. Dr. Gordon has taught at the University of Calgary, Northwestern University, the University of Notre Dame, Baylor University, and currently is a professor in History & Philosophy of Science. A leading proponent in the Intelligent Design movement having worked with William Dembski & The Discovery Institute in Seattle, Dr. Gordon will give a lecture called, Life, The Universe, & Everything: How the Natural Universe Points to the Supernatural. Q&A to follow. Make plans now to attend and invite your friends. Have Your Picked Up Your Copy of NCCs Prayer Book, Seeking Gods Face? New City Church is encouraging all of its participants to pick up a copy of Seeking Gods Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year. This devotional is a easy way to read Scripture every day. The book actually begins readings with the season of Advent. Each day offers an verse inviting us into the presence of God by faith; it has a Bible reading from the Psalms and another from another portion of Scripture. It also includes suggestions for prayer as well as a prayer shaped from the reading and one of the Reformed confessions of faith. Each devotional concludes with a verse of blessing. This book is an easy way to read Scripture along with other participants at NCC. Together, we trust God to make His Word to dwell in us richly. The devotional can easily be read & prayed within 10 minutes, and it is short enough to be used in conjunction with other Bible reading & Bible study plans. Why not pick up a copy and read and pray along with your friends at NCC?

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New Resource: The New City Catechism Our friends at the Gospel Coalition have put together a new catechism nicely called, The New City Catechism. What is a catechism? It is a statement of the Christian faith in the form of Questions & Answers. Some well-known catechisms are the Westminster Catechism (107 questions) & the Heidelberg Catechism (129 questions). The New City Catechism is comprised of only 52 questions and answers. There is therefore only one question and answer for each week of the year, making it simple to fit into church calendars and achievable even for people with demanding schedules. Part 1 has 20 questions (God, creation and fall, law); Part 2 has 15 questions (Christ, redemption, grace); and Part 3 (Spirit, restoration, growing in grace). Think of it as an introduction to Christian beliefs, and a gateway to exploring the longer catechisms. This new catechism is web based and also has a nifty app (& the catechism can be downloaded as well). Each question has a Bible verse, a short commentary & prayer taken from the writings of Christians from the past, a link to suggested readings, as well as a short video commentary.

Check it out: http://www.newcitycatechism.com or http://newcitychurch.ca resources

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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