1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

epiphany, week 5
01 february 2015
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Reflection
“Nothing annoys people so much as not receiving invitations.” • Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
“God is the comic shepherd who gets more of a kick out of that one lost sheep once he finds it again than out of the
ninety and nine who had the good sense not to get lost in the first place. God is the eccentric host who, when the
country-club crowd all turned out to have other things more important to do that come live it up with him, goes
out into the skid rows and soup kitchens and charity wards and brings home a freak show. The man with no legs
who sells shoelaces at the corner. The old woman in the moth-eaten fur coat who makes her daily rounds of the
garbage cans. The old wino with his pint in a brown paper bag. The pusher, the whore, the village idiot who stands
at the blinker light waving his hand as the cars go by. They are seated at the damask-laid table in the great hall. The
candles are all lit and the champagne glasses filled. At a sign from the host, the musicians in their gallery strike up
‘Amazing Grace’.” • Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale
Preparation
Use the time before the service as an opportunity to prepare for worship, quiet your heart, and receive Christ. Feel free
to read the reflections above. As a courtesy, please turn off your cell phone, beeper, iPod, or other noisemaker at this time.
Welcome
The ancient Celts believed that there were “thin places” on this earth; places where you could experience the
very presence of God. Worship is a “thin place” between heaven and earth where we meet with God. When we gather
for congregational worship we enter into the very presence of the Living God. No matter who you are or what you have
done, God, by his grace, is able to change your life forever. Meet with him at this “thin place”: worship.
Credits
All Scripture references taken from the New International Version (NIV), unless otherwise noted.
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Call to Worship
In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.
Christ dwells among us and is one with us.
Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.
He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.
Come now, all who thirst, and drink the water of life.
Come now, all who hunger, and be filled with good things.
Prayer of Invocation
“Hallelujah What a Savior” *
VERSE 1
Man of Sorrows! What a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
VERSE 3
Lifted up was he to die;
“It is finished!” was his cry;
Now in heaven exalted high
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
VERSE 2
Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned he stood;
Sealed my pardon with his blood
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
VERSE 4
When he comes, our glorious King
All his ransomed home to bring
Then anew his song we'll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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The Call to Worship is an
invitation into the unique activity of
worship. Our primary activity in
the worship service is to participate
in the gift exchange of worship
itself, by hearing God’s Word, by
offering prayers and praise, and by
receiving spiritual nourishment
offered at the Lord’s table.
The term invocation implies that
the congregation invokes, or “calls
upon,” God. In it, we express our
longing for God as well as deep
dependence and humility.
• Words + Music: Philip Bliss (1875)
*Indicates congregation standing
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“Your Great Name” *
Lost are saved, find their way at the sound of your great name
All condemned feel no shame at the sound of your great name
Every fear has no place at the sound of your great name
The enemy, he has to leave at the sound of your great name
CHORUS
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man, you are high and lifted up
That all the world will praise your great name
Why do we sing in church? As
God's people gather for worship, we
focus our attention on God and
away from ourselves by singing
together. We respond with
thanksgiving to God, because we
have hope. And we sing because it is
the best and most complete
response that we can utter.
All the weak find their strength at the sound of your great name
Hungry souls receive grace at the sound of your great name
The fatherless, they find their rest at the sound of your great name
Sick are healed and the dead are raised at the sound of your great name
Redeemer, my healer, Lord almighty
My saviour, defender, you are my King
Redeemer, my healer, Lord almighty
My saviour, defender, you are my King
• Words + Music: Krissy Nordhoff and Michael Neale (2009)
First Reading *
Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV)
6 Then
I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar
of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
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As the Bible is the primary means
by which God speaks to and edifies
his people, we read and listen to
the Scriptures together in worship.
In ancient Israel and the early
church, services of worship were
organized for the public reading of
scripture – a practice vital to
building up the community of faith.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And
he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
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Call to Confession
From Psalm 32:1-6 (NRSV)
The psalmist testifies:
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Let us confess our sin before God and one another.
Corporate Confession
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Because sin is so pervasive in both
our corporate and individual lives,
Christians and non-Christians are
called to come before the Father
with honesty and transparency,
confessing our brokenness and
asking for both forgiveness and
healing through Jesus Christ…
…we confess corporately to show
our unity even in our brokenness.
God of everlasting love,
we confess that we have been unfaithful
to our covenant with you and with one another.
We have worshiped other gods:
money, power, greed, and convenience.
We have served our own self-interest
instead of serving only you and your people.
We have not loved our neighbor as you have commanded,
nor have we rightly loved ourselves.
Forgive us, gracious God,
and bring us back into the fullness
of our covenant with you and one another.
Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Private Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
Based on Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:17
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ
died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has
begun. Thanks be to God.
We confess individually in order
to own our failing toward God and
toward humankind in thought,
word and deed.
Christ has given the Church
authority to declare forgiveness
of sins in his name. Because of
this, when the liturgist proclaims
that your sins are forgiven, you can
know that Christ agrees.
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“You Alone Can Rescue” *
Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still
CHORUS
You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
You, oh Lord, have made a way
The great divide You heal
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, your love goes further still
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
• Words + Music: Matt Redman (2010)
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer In response to God's having
gathered us in worship, we offer
our petitions to him for the
church, the nation, the world, the
city and those who are suffering.
Based on Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
today 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 the evil one. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Community Updates
At this time children grades K-5th are dismissed for CityKids children's church.
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Second Reading
Luke 14:1-24 (ESV)
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One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.
And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees,
saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him
and sent him away.
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And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not
immediately pull him out?” 6 And they could not reply to these things.
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Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to
them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone
more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your
place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go
and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will
be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and
he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or
your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when
you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot
repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
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When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who
will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”
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But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he
sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began
to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’
19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And
another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things
to his master.
“Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out
quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and
crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you
commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said
to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to
come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men
who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
Prayer of Illumination
The prayer of illumination
acknowledges the Spirit’s work in
this part of worship by requesting
God’s Spirit to act through the
reading and preaching of Scripture.
The prayer is offered for both the
preacher and the listener, for both
the speaking and the hearing of the
Word.
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Sermon
Meals with Jesus, Part 3
“A Meal of Mission” – Luke 14:1-24 (ESV)
Rev. Brad Jones, Lead Pastor
Notes
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A sermon is not just teaching for
living; it is mainly a time when
Christ encounters his people
through his Word.
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Affirmation of Faith *
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
dead, and buried. He descended to the dead. The third day he rose again from
the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of God
the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the
dead.
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When we affirm our
faith together, it reminds us that
we are part of an ancient and
global faith. This basic creed of
Christian churches, as most
familiarly known, is called the
Apostles' Creed. It has received this
title because of its great antiquity;
it dates from very early times in the
Church, a half century or so from
the last writings of the New
Testament.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Words of Institution
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
On the night on which Jesus was betrayed, he sat at supper with his disciples. While they were eating, he took a
piece of bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave it to them with the words, “This is my body. It is broken for you.
Do this to remember me.” Later he took the cup, saying, “This cup is God’s covenant, sealed with my blood. Drink
from it, all of you, to remember me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
*The word "catholic" refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Distribution of the Bread + Cup
CityChurch welcomes all baptized Christians – those who are trusting in Jesus
Christ for salvation and who are members of congregations that proclaim the
gospel – to receive the Holy Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper, or
the Eucharist) with us. We will be coming forward to receive Communion.
When you come forward, tear a piece of the bread, and then dip it into the
cup.
Please note that we use wine in Communion. If you cannot receive wine, nonalcoholic white grape juice is also available. If you are not able to receive The
Lord’s Supper, please use this time to meditate on one of the prayers below.
“The Eucharist is the definitive
action practiced in the Christian
community that keeps Jesus Christ
before us as the Savior of the world
and our Savior, and ourselves as
sinners in need of being saved. The
Eucharist is the sacramental act
that pulls us into actual material
participation with Christ (eating
and drinking bread and wine) as he
gives his very life “for us and for
our salvation” (cf., the Nicene
Creed)... The Eucharist puts Jesus
in his place: dying on the cross and
giving us that sacrificed life. And it
puts us in our place: opening our
hands and receiving the remission
of our sins, which is our salvation.”
• Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays
in Ten Thousand Places
Prayers of Meditation for Those Not Communing
Prayer for Those Searching for Truth
Prayer of Belief
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and
the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost
of following you as I consider the reasons for doing
so. 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.
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.
Prayer for Those Overcome with Sin
Lord Jesus Christ, 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 run with perseverance the race set before
me, looking to you, the pioneer and perfecter of my
faith. Amen.
Prayer for Renewal
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Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in
baptism, to love God and neighbor, and to a life of
committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I
may take the necessary steps to be one with your
people, to pursue forgiveness, reconciliation, and
peace, and to live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.
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Communion Song – “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus” *
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus
CHORUS
O! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
For my pardon this I see, nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing can for sin atone, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness, nothing but the blood of Jesus
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• Words + Music: Robert Lowry (1876)
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” *
CHORUS
Turn you eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace
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Gifts + Offerings
Christ calls us to give generously as a sign of gratitude for how much he has given us. Our response to his grace
enables us to give sacrificially of ourselves to one another and the work of Christ’s Kingdom. Your gift is an act
of personal worship to God in response to his grace in your life. The allocation of your time and money to God’s
service should be a byproduct of prayer and consultation with other Christians to whom you are accountable.
If you’re new to CityChurch, or are exploring Christianity, you’re under no obligation to give. However, if you call
CityChurch your “home church,” consider allocating a significant portion of your tithe and offering to the
community where you invest most of your time, and where others are investing in you.
The offering box is located on the table as you exit. For your convenience, one-time or recurring gifts can be
made online at: citychurchpb.com/giving (select account CityChurch Pompano Beach). You may also give via
text message by simply texting a dollar amount to 954.320.0092 and following the instructions.
Benediction *
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shine in our hearts, transform
our lives, and brighten the world. And the blessing of God almighty, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, rest upon you always.
Amen.
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Just as we ordain new ministers
and send them into the world to
serve, in the Benediction, Christ
ordains you with a blessing that
equips you for service.
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VISION
THE VISION OF CITYCHURCH is the Spiritual, Social, and Cultural renewal of Pompano Beach.
MISSION
WE SEEK TO BE the very presence of Christ in Pompano Beach by cultivating a community of Faith, Hope + Love
VALUES
Faith
Hope
Love
Because we are a Community
of Faith we value:
Because we are a Community
of Hope we value:
Because we are a Community
of Love we value:
The Gospel. The Gospel is the only
hope for humankind. The message
of the Gospel is that Christ has done
what is necessary to bring us into a
relationship with God. We keep it at
the center of everything.
The City. Christianity has always
thrived in an urban context. We love
Pompano Beach, and want to live,
work, celebrate, raise our families,
enjoy, and serve this great city.
Life in Community. The Trinity is at
the core of Christian truth; namely
that God himself has always been in
community – the Father and Son
and Spirit all loving, giving and
sharing with one another. We
acknowledge that we need each
other, and that the life Jesus offers
works only in connection with a
community of faith.
Mission & Movement. Because God
is the one who initiates relationships,
and sent his Son to seek and save
people, we will pursue relationships
with people in hope that they will be
restored to their Father. CityChurch
does not exist as an end in itself –
we desire to be an incubator for
church planting throughout South
Florida, in that when we grow, we
will be very intentional about
spinning off and beginning new
congregations throughout our city.
Each of these churches will partner
with us in pursuing the goal of
spiritual, social, and cultural renewal.
Arts & Industries. We believe that
the good news of the Gospel is
about God’s redemption of this
fallen world and its cultural
expressions. We are a church that
welcomes, encourages, and equips
artists of every medium... and
therefore we will seek to offer artists
opportunities to show or perform
their work, providing
encouragement for them to grow
and develop as artists. We also
believe that the good news of the
Gospel impacts work and the
marketplace. We will encourage
men and women to use their
positions, talents, and gifts to the
best of their abilities, and to the
betterment of our city.
Social Healing. The Gospel is the
good news of Christ’s kingdom.
CityChurch seeks to partner with
local social service agencies that
assist the suffering in our own local
community. Furthermore, we will
pray for sensitivity to the mercy
needs of our community and will
seek to serve our neighbors out of
Christ’s love.
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CityGroups
CityGroups are mid-sized gatherings of 15-20 people who exist to rehearse
the Gospel together, live it out to one another, and to be an extension of
God's love to our neighbors while serving the community around us. Tuesdays
6p - Hosted by Brad and Mandi Jones (kid-friendly)
Meets in South Pompano Neighborhood
6p - Hosted by John and Vanessa Thompson (kid-friendly)
Meets in Central (Old) Pompano Neighborhood
Fridays
8:30p - Hosted by Nathan and Lauren Hable; Fabio and Michelle Dias
Meets in East Pompano Neighborhood
“We who follow Jesus are a sent
people, even as Jesus was sent into
the world by His Heavenly Father.
We are a community sent on a
mission together: to keep on doing
the ministry of Jesus so that all
people and all creation might
experience the reconciliation of
God. God has designed the church
of Jesus Christ to be a ‘missional’
fellowship. The word ‘mission’
comes from the Latin word ‘missio’,
which means ‘having been sent.’
Since we have been sent to do God's
work, we are a ‘missional’
community together.”
• Mark D. Roberts
For more information or to join a CityGroup, email: [email protected].
DNA Groups
DNA (Discipleship, Nurture, Accountability) groups usually consist of 3-4 people—men with men, women with women—
who meet together weekly to be known and to bring the gospel to bear on each others lives so that they grow in and
live out our identity in Christ. If you are interested in being a part of a DNA group, email [email protected].
CityKids Check-In System
Parents, please note that we have a new wristband check-in system for our CityKids ministry. Upon signing in your
child to CityKids, the child will receive a green numbered wristband and you will receive a tear off tab with the same
number. The tab is to be presented to the classroom leader during pick up. If the tab is misplaced, a photo ID from
the person who signed the child in must be presented. Thank you for your cooperation as we strive for a fun and safe
environment for our CityKids. For any questions, email us at [email protected].
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Upcoming Events (Mark Your Calendar!)
Mon, Feb 2, 7:30p – CityChurch Writers Group
Sip Java — formally Brew VicPark (638 N Federal Hwy, FTL)
Songwriters, poets, playwrights, authors: you are invited to
a monthly meeting of creative minds in our community.
For more information, contact CityChurch FTL’s Artist-inResidence, Laura Creel ([email protected]).
Weds, Feb 4, 12-12:30p – Faith + Work Lunch
Upper Room Art Gallery at Riverfront (300 SW 1 Ave #123, FTL)
If you work in downtown Fort Lauderdale, join us on your
lunch break for a brief time of teaching, discussion, and
community. Lunch provided. To RSVP, contact Brad
Schmidt ([email protected]).
Weds, Feb 18, 6p – Ash Wednesday Service
Island City Park Preserve (823 NE 28 St, Wilton Manors)
Join the other congregations of CityChurch South Florida as
we start the Lenten season with this special service
meditating on our need of a savior and our commitment to
daily repentance and faith.
Thu, Feb 26, 7:30p – Codex Book Club
Stork's Bakery & Cafe (2505 NE 15 Ave, Wilton Manors)
Codex will next discuss Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry.
For more details and to get in on the discussion, contact
Phil Letizia ([email protected]).
Visit Us Online Download next week's bulletin, get sermon audio, keep up-to-date with our events calendar, set up repeated giving,
and more on our website (citychurchpb.com). Get updates throughout the week on Twitter (@CityChurchPB) or by
joining our Facebook page (facebook.com/citychurchpompano).
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Office ✦ 441 NE 3 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304 | Phone ✦ 954.543.1142
Web ✦ citychurchpb.com | Email ✦ [email protected]
CityChurch has no formal affiliation with the Pompano Beach Civic Center.
We are grateful to them for allowing us rental space at their facility.
CityChurch Pompano is a Baptist congregation affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention