Preacher: Revd George Mwaura
Celebrant: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga

Gathering Music

Welcome

God of grace and truth, we come to you in awe and wonder,
for you are the source of all wisdom and understanding.
You have given us your Word of truth that teaches us your will and your ways
Help us to worship you in spirit and in truth, to listen to your Word with humility and obedience,
to receive your grace with gratitude and joy, and to share your love with honesty and kindness.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Amen

[Silence]

Welcome to the hospitality of God.
We have come from all the corners of the earth.

Welcome to the hospitality of God.
We come as we are; we bring our life, our stories, our journey.

Welcome, brothers and sisters.
We are the rainbow people of God.

Welcome, chosen people.
May God our companion bind us in his love.

Amen

Hymn: At the name of Jesus

At the name of Jesus
every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him
King of glory now:
’tis the Father’s pleasure
we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word.

At his voice creation
sprang at one to sight,
all the angel faces,
all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations,
stars upon their way,
all the heavenly orders,
in their great array.

Humbled for a season,
to receive a name
from the lips of sinners
unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it
spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious,
when from death he passed:

Bore it up triumphant
with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures,
to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead,
to the Father’s breast;
filled it with the glory,
of that perfect rest.

Name him, Christians, name him,
with love as strong as death,
but with awe and wonder
and with bated breath:
he is God the Saviour,
he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshipped,
trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone him;
there let him subdue
all that is not holy,
all that is not true:
crown him as your Captain
in temptation’s hour;
let his will enfold you
in its light and power.

Surely, this Lord Jesus
shall return again,
with his Father’s glory,
with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire
meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him
King of glory now.

Caroline M. Noel (1817–1877)
CCL31580

Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have misused our tongues, which you have given us as a gift.

We have spoken words that hurt, deceive, or destroy others.
We have remained silent when we should have spoken up for justice or peace.
We have violated your law of love.

Forgive us, O God.

Help us to tame our tongues and to speak with wisdom and grace.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who died for us and rose again.

[Silence]

Loving God, thank you that your forgiveness sets us free
We rejoice in this new start and ask you to help us to forgive others as you have forgiven us.

Amen

Prayer of the Week

Lord of time and space, and realms beyond our imagining,
we praise and adore you for your divinity in all dimensions.
Yet we remember the babe born as one of us,
who walked among us in all our suffering, and who is with us still:
Man, and Messiah, the hope of the world, beyond our wildest dreams.
Abide with us always we pray.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Isaiah 50: 4–9a

Read by Katherine Wheldon

⁴ The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
⁵ The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;
I have not been rebellious,
I have not turned away.
⁶ I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
⁷ Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
⁸ He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
⁹ It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
Who will condemn me?

NIV®

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Hymn: Just as I am, without one plea

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou biddst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fighting within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am (thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down),
now, to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am, of that free love
the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Charlotte Elliott (1789–1871)
CCL31580

Mark 8: 27–38

Read by Richard May-Miller

Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah

²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’

²⁸ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’

²⁹ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’

Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’

³⁰ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus predicts his death

³¹ He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³² He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’

The way of the cross

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.’

NIV®

This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ our light.

Meditation

By Revd George Mwaura

[Silence]

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in the Creator:
the maker of all things

We believe in the Son:
the redeemer of our broken world

We believe in the Spirit:
The sacred wind that binds all things together in the family of God.

Creator Father, beloved Son and living Spirit.

Amen

Prayers and Intercessions

Led by Glynne Gordon-Carter

The Peace

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, ‘Peace be with you.’
Then were they glad when they saw the Lord.

The peace of God be always with you.
and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Hymn: Lord, for the years

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care;
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain;
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him,
Lord of our world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us,
self on the cross and Christ upon the throne;
past put behind us, for the future take us,
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926–2024)
CCL31580

Holy Communion

The Thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this bread to offer,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this wine to set before you,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become for us the cup of salvation.

Blessed be God for ever.

The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.

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

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

Almighty God, good Father to us all, your face is turned towards your world.
In love you gave us Jesus your Son to rescue us from sin and death.
Your Word goes out to call us home to the city where angels sing your praise.

We join with them in heaven’s song:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We bless the name of Jesus, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh,
whose brokenness and suffering makes love real,
who on the night in which he was betrayed took bread,
gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples saying,

Take, eat. This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

After supper he took the cup saying,

Drink from this, all of you, this is my blood given for you.
Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me.

This is the mystery of our faith.

Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.

Therefore, as we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we acknowledge brokenness as a path to truth.
We long for the bread of tomorrow: eternally broken and so able to nourish.
We long for the new wine of the kingdom: continuously poured out that thirst may be quenched.

Send your Spirit on us now,
that by these gifts we may feed on Christ with opened eyes and hearts on fire.
May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you
and be welcomed at your feast in heaven, where all creation worships you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.

Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen

The Communion

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Amen

Invitation

Come to this table, not because you must, but because you may,
not because you are strong, but because you are weak.
Come, not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come,
but because you need mercy and help.
Come, because you love the Lord a little and would like to love him more.
Come, because he loved you and gave himself for you.
Come and meet the risen Christ, for you are his Body.

Post Communion Prayer

Eternal Father, we thank you for nourishing us with these heavenly gifts:
may our communion strengthen us in faith, build us up in hope, and make us grow in love;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Notices

Stall for Fairtrade Fortnight

3.00–5.30 pm Saturday, 14 September 2024 in Reception at Cornerstone

Come and find out about recent developments, browse, sample and buy from our range of Fairly traded treats and essentials:

Teas, coffees, cocoa, chocolate biscuits, jams, savouries. cleaning and toiletries (including eco-friendly large sizes and handwash refills).

Crafts and accessories.

Joy Chapman

Church Trustees

The Church Trustees meet on at 7,00 pm Tuesday, 17 September 2024. Among the agenda items are Pastoral Friends scheme, Reforming the Education and Worship Committee, and Covenant Renewal and Harvest. Please contact any of the Trustees (their names and photos are in Reception) with views, ideas or offers of help.

Pat Kyd, Church Secretary

Consultation on Milton Keynes City Plan 2050

Milton Keynes City Council have started a consultation on the ‘MK City Plan 2050’: the plan for how the city will develop between now and 2050. It is really important and will determine the priorities for Milton Keynes for the next thirty years. The consultation is open now and closes at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 9 October 2024.

The consultation documents are on the council website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/city-plan. Alternatively, copies of the response form, draft MK City Plan 2050, policies maps and Topic Papers are all available in the Central Library, as well as other public libraries across Milton Keynes (www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/libraries/library-info/library-hours). Alternatively, you can contact the council to make an appointment to view the documents in the Civic office.

There are also drop-in public exhibitions being held in different locations in MK where staff from MK City Council will be available to explain the draft plan and answer questions.

Cheryl is planning to attend the exhibition on 18 September at lunchtime at the Christian Centre in Oldbrook. If anyone would like to join her, please let her know and they could form a small group.

For more information please contact Cheryl or David.

Cheryl Montgomery chezmonty73@gmail.com
David Chapman dachapman9@gmail.com

Joan Sanders

Joan Sanders was a long-standing RC member of Cornerstone, and volunteered for many years in Reception, She died last Sunday in hospital after poor health for some time. She was a lovely person and will be sadly missed.

Pat Kyd

Volunteers’ Tea Party

4.30 pm on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 in the Worship Area

A tea party for Cornerstone volunteers takes place on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 in the Worship Area, starting at 4.30 pm. Volunteers are asked to RSVP to Marianne Cockburn (marianne.cockburn@cornerstoneevents.co.uk) or Simon Lowson (simon.lowson@cornerstoneevents.co.uk).

Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga

Revd Ernesto will be away on annual leave 16–23 September 2024. He will be available for Bishop Steven’s commissaries 23–27 September 2024.

Revd Ernesto has been elected to represent Milton Keynes Deanery at the Oxford Diocesan Synod. He has also been elected to the Milton Keynes Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee. Please remember him in your prayers as he serves on these new wider roles in the Oxford Diocese and the Deanery.

Ann Wilson, Church Warden, Clerck to the PCC

Offering

Final Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, dwell in us and help us to praise you.
Give us words of encouragement to support those who struggle.
Train our hearts to be generous and kind. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

Hymn: We have a gospel to proclaim

We have a gospel to proclaim,
good news for all throughout the earth;
the gospel of a Saviour’s name:
we sing his glory, tell his worth.

Tell of his birth at Bethlehem
not in a royal house or hall
but in a stable dark and dim,
the Word made flesh, a light for all.

Tell of his death at Calvary,
hated by those he came to save,
in lonely suffering on the cross;
for all he loved his life he gave.

Tell of that glorious Easter morn:
empty the tomb, for he was free.
He broke the power of death and hell
that we might share his victory.

Tell of his reign at God’s right hand,
by all creation glorified.
He sends his Spirit on his church
to live for him, the Lamb who died.

Now we rejoice to name him King:
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
This gospel-message we proclaim:
we sing his glory, tell his worth.

Edward J. Burns (b. 1938)
CCL31580

Blessing

God be in your head, and in your understanding;
God be in your eyes, and in your looking;
God be in your mouth, and in your speaking
God be in your heart, and in your thinking;
God be at your end, and at your departing.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you today and always.

Amen

Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ,

Amen