Sneak Peek of the Jan. 2 Worship Service

Here's a sneek peak of Sunday's worship service.  Here are the songs we'll be singing:

• God of Wonders
• Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
• Be Unto Your Name
• Be Thou My Vision
• How Deep the Father's Love For Us
• Shout to the Lord
• Lord Reign in Me

Check out the worship folder...

January 2, 2010 Worship Service

Sneek Peak of the Dec. 26th Worship Service

Worship Service (December 26, 2010)

Don't miss the Christmas Eve Service, 3pm

Good News: Santa or Jesus?

Check out this clip by Pastor John Piper, "Bad News: Santa is Coming to Town,"

Advent Season 2010

"Advent" simply means "coming" and it refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christmas, New City Church enters the story of the birth of Jesus in the four Sundays of Advent season beginning this Sunday, November 28th.

We often hear that Jesus is the reason for the season, but what does that mean?  Usually, it is a frustrated reminder from many Christians to push against the materialism that surrounds the holiday season.  Christmas is about more than decorations, presents, family.   And indeed it is.

But the Scripture details so much more than this.   Jesus is indeed the reason for the seaon, but so is the devil, the world, and you & me.   Does that sound odd to you?   Come worship with us this Advent season and grow in your understanding of the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. 

new audio & notes are online

New audio & notes are now online at New City Church:

This is (Still) My Father's World (John Ferguson)
What On Earth Are We Here For?--Part 1 (John Ferguson)
What On Earth Are We Here For?--Part 2 (John Ferguson)
What's Wrong With The World? (John Ferguson)
Outside of Eden (Mike Ivancic)
Following Jesus Into the City (Rohan Crown)

Sneak Peek of Nov. 21st Service

This Sunday, we'll be looking at Genesis 3:1-13, "Did God Actually Say...?  This is a continuation of our study in the series, The Renewal of All Things.

Here's the line-up of worship songs this week:

*  Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
*  Name Above All Names
*  How Deep the Father's Love For Us
* Jesus Messiah
*  Forever Grateful
*  I Will Rise
*  It Is Well With My Soul (click for a video telling the story behind this hymn)

Worship Service (November 21, 2010)

See you Sunday

Wise Counsel: Don't Use Email To Correct Others

Who has not sent an email and later regretted it?   Wise counsel is to be found here:



Perhaps the same could be said about posting comments on blogs & Facebook?

Sneak Peek of the Nov. 7th Worship Service

This week, Asst. Pastor Mike Ivancic will be teaching us from the book of Genesis as we continue our series, "The Renewal of All Things."   The lesson is entitled "Life Outside of Eden:  Two Brothers, Two Ways" and will be from Genesis 4:1-16 & Hebrews 11:4. [Click on the links to read and/or listen to the texts.]

Here's the worship service:

Worship Service (November 7, 2010)

As always, we are looking forward to an engaging, vibrant, warm service.   See you there.

U of Calgary is growing.

Glad to see that U of Calgary is growing. 30,838 under-graduate and graduate students are currently enrolled at the U of C, compared to27,763 students in 2007. Praying for the establishment of biblically based, missionally driven, Christ exalting ministries to be there.  A huge mission field just kilometers from the base of mission of New City Church.   Lord, open the doors....

Movie: "Luther"

October 31, 1517, is literally a date that changed the world.  It started out innocently enough.   A young, Augustinian monk nailed 95 Theses for debate to the castle door of Wittenburg.   The events flowing out of this event led to what we now know as the Reformation.  

This Saturday--October 30--you are invited to a showing of "Luther," which helps to set the Reformation in its proper context.   We'll begin shortly after 6pm at the Confederation Park Activity Centre.  Refreshments will be served.    

The Story

Do you know the story?

[click here to read the story]

Sneak Peek of Oct. 24th Service

Why do people do what they do?  When people think of vocation and what they want to do with their lives, what do you think drives them?  Money? Power? Influence?  Popularity?

As we continue our series on "The Renewal of All Things," and as we wrap up the first part dealing with creation, we will be looking at the dignity of vocation.  Since work is a good thing--part of God's original intention for creation--we should learn to embrace work as a calling to serve both God and our neighbor.

Here's what's on tap for our songs on Sunday:

Call to Worship:
-  Forever
-  Great is the Lord

Song of Confession
-  Psalm 130 (From the Depths of Woe)
-  Mighty to Save

Communion Songs
-  Behold the Lamb
-  Before the Throne of God Above

Concluding Song:
-  Be Thou My Vision

Here's a concluding thought from the great reformer, John Calvin,

"...before sin entered the world...it was necessary for men to occupy themselves with some work.  Why?  Because it was against our nature for us to be useless blocks of wood." 

new audio & notes are online: "The Good Samaritan" & "There Are No Ordinary People"

Audio is up from September 26 ("There Are No Ordinary People") & October 3 ("The Good Samaritan"). 

Synopsis for "There Are No Ordinary People":  If we were to truly grasp the significance of being created in the image of God, we would stand in renewed awe of God's creativity and His gift of life."

Synopsis for "The Good Samaritan":  Who is my neighbor?   That is the question that a lawyer wanted Jesus to answer.   In response, Jesus gives one of his greatest stories:  The Story of the Good Samaritan. 

Small groups are starting...

Below is a listing of the small groups that are offered during the 2010 Fall Semester. 

Community Groups:  We will be going through at 10 week look at the gospel and Christianity unpacking how the good news addresses every sphere of our lives

• Wednesdays 7:15-9pm @ Teresa Bravo's (led by Mike Ivancic)
• Thursdays 7-9pm @ Calvin & Suzanne Van Hill's (led by John Ferguson)

Ladies Bible Study:   Come join the ladies of New City as we learn how our individual stories fit within God's larger story.   We will be studying the Scripture through a study entitled Living Story: Learning God's Story of Grace.

• Beginning Oct. 19, Tuesdays  9:30-11:30am at  Henrietta Van Huigenbos (led by Heather Ferguson)

Check the calendar for more details & directions.

new audio & notes are online: "In the Beginning"

Audio & notes are up from last Sunday's study in the series, "The Renewal of All Things."  The title of the message:  "In the Beginning."  Synopsis:  The Scriptures reveal to us that God created the universe and everything in it.   We therefore find ourselves as characters within an epic story being told by a master Story Maker.  Click here to access the media player.

Resources on Prayer

Earlier this year, I read through Paul Miller's book on prayer called, "The Praying Life." It is easily one of the best books on prayer that I have read. In fact, I'm working through it again. You will find the following post from the Gospel Coalition blog written by Justin Taylor very informative, and perhaps whet your appetite to pursue God in prayer more fervently.

Paul Miller, executive director of See Jesus and the author of The Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World, was recently interviewed on FamilyLife Today. Below are links to the audio, descriptions of the session, and transcripts.

 Click here for the post.   


[HT:  Justin Taylor]
  

Can we trust the Bible?

At New City Church, we love the Scriptures.  We believe they are the inspired words of God given to tell us about His great project of redeeming & restoring this fallen world. 

At the same time, we recognize that many folks have questions about the Bible.  Can such an ancient book be trusted?  Aren't there problems & errors?   Can any thinking person credibly take the Bible seriously? 

Dr. Craig Evans, the author of Fabricating Jesus:  How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospel, will be in Calgary this weekend, and there are several events you might want to take advantage of.  The good folks over at Faith Beyond Belief are hosting Dr. Evans and have set up an excellent schedule.  Here's what's going on:

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospel

Pastor's breakfast
Full Gospel Tabernacle
9 am - 11 am

The New Testament: Reliable, Relevant and Redemptive

A talk for Christian post-secondary students & faculty
Rocky Mountain College, Chapel
1 pm - 3 pm

4039 Brentwood Road NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1L1
rockymountaincollege.ca

Is the Bible Reliable History?: A Discussion

An interactive forum (talk followed by Q&A); open to the public
University of Calgary, Room KNB 132
5:45 pm - 9 pm
Co-sponsored by the Freethinkers of the University of Calgary
2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
ucalgary.ca

Saturday, September 25th, 2010

The Origins of Christianity & the Importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Also includes a talk from our special guest, Dr. Craig Hazen (founder of the M.A. Program in Christian Apologetics at Biola University)
Public seminar, $20 at the door ($10 for students) - cash only
Full Gospel Tabernacle
9 am - 5 pm

Why We Trust the Bible

A youth event
Full Gospel Tabernacle
7 pm - 10 pm

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

The Crux of Christianity: Evidence for the Resurrection

Sunday service
Full Gospel Tabernacle
10 am - 12 pm

Hope you can make it out to some of these.  It will serve to answer many of your questions, and give you great confidence in the Scriptures.   Check out this mini-preview of Dr. Evans:



Here's a quick bio of Dr. Evans. 

New Audio Online: "The Ultimate Thirst Quencher"

Audio is up from our first service.  You can find it on our webpage, and hopefully it will be on itunes in a few days. 

Slide Show of our First Service

Here's a slide show of our first service. Thanks to all who made this possible with your prayers and support!

New City Church Blog

Welcome to the new blog of New City Church in Calgary.   A blog is a web-log, and we envision this blog to be a place of encouragement for our people, plus a place where we can highlight various resources.   Please let us know of any suggestions or improvements that you would like to see.   Thanks for stopping by!