Starting this Sunday we will begin our services with a new Call to Worship. I am REALLY excited about this. We will be using the New City Catechism, developed by Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church and the Gospel Coalition.

WHAT IS IT? The New City Catechism is a teaching/ learning tool devised to help us learn the truths of our faith, and to verbalize them. By memorizing these questions and answers and the Scripture that goes with them, we will hide the Truth of Christ in our hearts to help us grow in love for Christ and others. Most catechisms are designed EITHER for children OR adults. The New City Catechism uses the same questions for both children and adults, so we can be learning together. There are 52 questions and answers, enabling us to memorize one question, one answer, and one Scripture passage each week.

WHY? I believe it is essential that we hold fast to the TRUTH of our faith. We may KNOW what we believe, but can we VERBALIZE it?

HOW WILL WE USE IT? The New City Catechism will be used on several levels…

1. CHURCH: We will use the catechism questions, answers, verses, and prayers as a Call to Worship in our Worship Gatherings each Sunday.

2. PERSONAL: Church members will be encouraged to MEMORIZE the questions, answers and verses each week. They will be published in the church bulletin each Sunday.

3. FAMILY: Families are encouraged to use the questions and answers as part of their family worship time each week. Help your children memorize them and memorize them yourselves.

You can get the Catechism online at www.newcitycatechism.com or get the iPad app here. Included are the Questions, Answers, Commentary, Prayers, and Videos explaining the application of the Truth of the Word of God.

Join me as we TOGETHER learn and apply the Truth to our lives in 2013.

QUESTION #1: What is our only hope in life and death?

ANSWER #1: That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION #1: Romans 14:7–8