February 26, 2012 by Cityview Presbyterian Church

First Sunday of Lent

February 26, 2012

Welcome to Cityview Presbyterian Church

Community Life: After the Service

To Our Guests: Visiting a church can be an intimidating experience. We are glad that you are here, and we hope to remove as much of that awkwardness as we can from your visit to Cityview. Our worship service usually lasts about 75 minutes. This worship guide will help you navigate the service. There are short paragraphs on the next page to explain each part of the service. The service is designed to be accessible to you, whether you’ve spent years in the church or you’ve never been to a church service in your life. During the service, we will try to help you understand how the message of Jesus can apply to your life today. If you are new to Cityview or just visiting, we would love to know that you were here. We have clipboards next to each row: we call those our “Connection Cards”. Connection Cards are a way for you to let us know whatever information you might want us to know and to request any information from us that you might need. Pastor Dan Adamson

Each week, we linger for fellowship with one another. Please join us for refreshments in the cafeteria.

Community Groups In addition to weekly worship, we offer small groups (community groups, men’s and women’s bible studies, book studies) that meet throughout the week. We want all of our members and regular attenders to be intentional about building trusting and meaningful spiritual relationships. For a complete list of our small groups, please visit our website (www.cityviewchicago.org) or fill out one of our “connection cards” for more information.

(dadamson@cityviewchicago.org) is available to answer questions, as well.

For Children: Children of all ages are welcome in the worship service. Nursery is provided during the service for children 2 years of age and younger.

Cover Image:

Cross and Sun Rays

Children ages three through 5th grade are given the choice of attending Sunday school classes beginning during the greeting portion of the service.

If you have any questions about children’s ministry at Cityivew, please contact Children’s Ministry Coordinator Hilary Clark (hilary.r.clark@gmail.com).

All songs used by permission CCLI License #11041992 Scripture reprinted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

The Liturgy Preparing for Worship The goal of our time of gathering is to engage with God together, listening to him in his Word and speaking to him in prayer and song. Because we often enter this time tired, overwhelmed and distracted, we take a few moments at the beginning of our meeting to prepare to meet God in worship. Call to Worship We need to be “called” to come and worship God because we default to thinking the world revolves around our needs and agendas, and also because we struggle to believe that God truly wants us to draw near to him. The call to worship focuses our attention on God and prepares us to meet him. Confession of Sin The Scriptures declare that each of us has failed in the way we act toward God and each other. We confess our sin to be honest and transparent about this reality and to admit our ongoing dependence on the mercy of God through Jesus. We confess as a community to show our unity even in our brokenness. Assurance of Grace We confess our sins not just to admit what is true, but also to be reminded again of the truth that Jesus came into this world to save sinners; and all of our sin has been forgiven through him. Every week, following our confession, we hear God speak to us in Scripture of this forgiveness so that our faith might be strengthened. Worship Through Giving Because money is so powerfully tied to our hearts, this is a valuable expression of worship as we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God and belongs to him. If you are visiting with us, we are just glad you are here- please do not feel obligated to give. The Sermon Some view the Sermon as a way to get principles for “right” living. In reality, as we open the Scripture we corporately encounter Christ. Therefore, as you listen, pray to be open to the Spirit’s leading, exhortation, encouragement, and healing. Communion Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal for Christians. We welcome all Christians - those who look to Christ alone for salvation, who are in good standing with His Church, and who seek strength to live more faithfully to their Savior - to join in this sacrament. The Benediction God always gets the last word in our encounter of worship. For Christians, it is always a word of blessing and sending to live our lives in the light of the reality of the Gospel of Christ.

ORDER OF WORSHIP “The season of Lent, when the Christian is encouraged to think of her death and the sin that caused it-- to examine herself, to know herself so deeply and well that knowledge becomes confession…When we genuinely remember the death we deserve to die, we will be moved to remember the death the Lord did in fact die-- because his took the place of ours. Ah, children, we will yearn to hear the Gospel story again and again, ever seeing therein our death in his, and rejoicing that we will therefore know a rising like his as well.”

Walter Wangerin “The true Scriptural source of consolation, in the face of all that troubles us, is to keep steadily before our eyes the second coming of Christ. “We must grasp and realize the blessed fact that the rightful King of the world is returning soon, and shall have His own again; that He shall put down that old usurper, the devil, and take away the curse from off the earth. “Let us cultivate the habit of daily looking forward to the resurrection of the dead, the gathering together of the saints, the restitution of all things, the banishment of sorrow and sin, and the re-establishment of a new kingdom, of which the rule shall be righteousness.”

J.C. Ryle

God Calls Us Preparing for Worship Leader: Lord God, in this season of Lent we look forward to our remembrance of Jesus’ death and our celebration of his resurrection. We pray that your Spirit will renew in us today our anticipation for these events and our awareness that Jesus’ death and resurrection are a sure source of hope and life. In the power of Jesus’ name we pray. All:

Amen.

Call to Worship - based on Isaiah 43:19-21 Leader: Let us worship God, who has done great things. All:

We rejoice in our God, who made a way through the desert of this world.

Leader:

Let us worship God, who has caused streams of mercy to flow in the wasteland.

All:

We are the people God has formed through Christ; we worship him, and we rejoice! Leader: Let us worship God in spirit and in truth. We praise God for the grace that has saved us. Alleluia! We rejoice!

Prayer of Invocation Leader: Journey with us, O holy God, as we begin our way to the cross. Sharpen our focus, that our attention may center more on you than ourselves. Lead us through the shadows of darkness and prepare our hearts, that we might be a people of prayer, ready to perceive and respond to your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. All:

Amen.

Hymn of Praise

Immortal, Invisible

Words: Walter Smith Music: Traditional Welsh Melody

Lenten Hymn

Who is This, So Weak and Helpless?

Words: William Walsham How Music: Chris Miner

Lenten Hymn

Who is This, So Weak and Helpless?

Words and Music: Isaac Wardell and Joseph Pensak

God Cleanses Us Prayer of Confession Leader: For letting ourselves be drawn away from you by temptations in the world about us; Lord, have mercy. All:

Lord, have mercy.

Leader: For living as if we were ashamed to belong to you, we come to you in sorrow for our sins; Christ, have mercy. All:

Christ have mercy.

Leader: For turning away from you, and ignoring your will for our lives; Lord, have mercy. All:

Lord have mercy.

Silent Confession Assurance of Grace - from 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24 Leader:

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we, free from sins, might live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed.

All: Leader:

Thanks be to God! Brothers and Sisters, you have heard Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holy demands and have confessed your sins to him. Do you believe that Jesus Christ, by his perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection has atoned for your sins and satisfied the wrath of God for you?

All:

We do.

Words and Music: American Spiritual

Hymn of Comfort

Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

Words: Anne Steele Music: Kevin Twit

Story of Grace Opportunities and Concerns

Passing of the Peace - from John 13:34 Leader:

Hear the teaching of Christ: “A new command I give you, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The peace of Christ be with you all.

All:

And also with you!

Worship Through Giving

God Speaks To Us Sermon Text – Mark 13: 24-37 24

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard, keep awake.[a] For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commandsthe doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,[c] or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God!

Sermon The Mission of God Reverend Dan Adamson

God Strengthens Us Confession of Faith â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Nicene Creed All:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration Leader:

The Lord be with you.

All:

And also with you.

Leader: All:

Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader:

Let us give thanks to our God.

All:

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Communion 12

Prayers for Reflection Prayer for those searching for truth Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. As I consider the reasons for doing so, grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. Amen. Prayer of belief Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen.

Doxology

Prayer for those struggling with sin Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and faithfully follow you in life. Amen.

Prayer of commitment Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.

O Lord of Light

God Commissions Us Hymn of Benediction

In Christ Alone

Words and Music: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Benediction Leader:

May the God who shakes heaven and earth, whom death could not contain, who lives to disturb and heal us, bless you with power to go forth and proclaim the gospel. The grace of God be with you all, now and always.

All:

Amen.

Dismissal Leader:

Let us go now to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All:

Thanks be to God!

Around Cityview 

Liturgy Training- If you have been or would like to begin serving as a liturgist, plan to stay after the service today for about 30 min. for a brief training. Talk to Dan Adamson for more information.



February Lunch in the Loop- This Tuesday, Feb 28 at noon, join fellow Cityview members for lunch. Meet at Chase Tower - 10 S. Dearborn St., Ground Floor in the table area). Contact Danny with questions (dannytkim@gmail.com or 773.875.0139).



Cityview Membership Seminar- Considering making Cityview your church home? Come learn more about the vision, values and community of our church. We have 2 dates to choose from: March 17 and March 24. The seminar consists of ONE session from 5 to 8:30 pm. RSVP to Dan Adamson.



Chiditarod- Come out to cheer for the Cityview Chiditarod team at the Avilas’ apartment (1300 West Ohio) around noon on Saturday, March 3rd. Contact Joel Avila for more information.



Men’s Study- The Men's group is starting up again March 2, meeting Friday mornings, 6:30 am at Paul Leo's place (737 W Washington # 2002). Any questions contact Dan Hoard (dan.h.hoard@gmail.com). Hope to see you there!

Serving This Week Sound/ Set-Up

Evan Devries Paul Leo and Danny Kim Lynda Adamson

Greeters Bread Snacks

Christina Jenq

Nursery

Erica Oh

Sunday School

Carolyn Koonce

Serving Next Week Sound/ Set-Up Greeters Bread Snacks Nursery Sunday School

Josh Koonce Nick and Janelle Lake Kylene Young Jenny Avila Monet Ball

Contacts

December 2011 Congregational Giving*

Actual Monthly Giving: Budgeted Monthly Giving:

Actual YTD Giving:

Budgeted 2011 Giving YTD: Difference:

CITYVIEWCHICAGO.ORG $ 18,411 $ 12,160 Difference: $ 6,251 $ 143,785 $145,920 $ (2,135)

*In addition to congregational giving, 20% of our overall operating budget is currently comprised of financial support from other churches and individuals. Our

budgeted congregational giving represents 80% of the overall operating budget.

Dan Adamson, Pastor dadamson@cityviewchicago.org Jenny Avila, Administrative Coordinator jenny.n.avila@gmail.com Herb Bowsher, Financial Administrator bowsher@comcast.net Hilary Clark, Children’s Ministry Coordinator hilary.r.clark@gmail.com Carolyn Koonce, Social Coordinator carolyn.groenewold@gmail.com Paul Leo, Service & Outreach Coordinator contactpaulleo@gmail.com Paul-David Young, Music Coordinator music@cityviewchicago.org 16