Presiding Minister: Revd George Mwaura

Gathering Music

Call to Worship

A shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse; a branch shall grow from his roots.

The Spirit of the Lord rests upon him, wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might.

The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord!’

Make his paths straight, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.

Come, let us worship the One who brings justice and peace.

We come with hearts ready to be changed, eager to see God’s salvation.

Greetings and Welcome

Lighting the Second Candle of Peace

Prince of Peace, we light the candle of Peace.
Calm our fears and heal our divisions.
Make us peacemakers in your world.

Amen

Hymn: God is working his purpose out

God is working his purpose out, as year succeeds to year,
God is working his purpose out, and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west, wherever feet have trod,
by the mouth of many messengers goes forth the voice of God.
‘Give ear to me, ye continents, ye isles give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

What can we do to work God’s work, to prosper and increase
the love of God for all humankind, the reign of the Prince of Peace?
What can we do to hasten the time, the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

March we forth in the strength of God, with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious Gospel of truth may shine throughout the world;
fight we the fight with sorrow and sin, to set their captives free,
that the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth unless God blesses the deed;
vainly we hope for the harvest-tide till God give life to the seed;
yet nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

Arthur C. Ainger (1841–1919)
CCL31580

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Confession

Gracious and merciful God, we thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness.
We give you thanks for sending prophets to prepare your way,
for the promise of the Messiah who brings justice to the poor and hope to the afflicted.
We thank you for the peaceable kingdom you are creating, where the wolf dwells with the lamb
and your knowledge covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.

Yet we confess, O Lord, that we have not always prepared the way for you in our lives.
We have been like trees that bear no good fruit.
We have judged by appearances and decided by hearsay.
We have failed to speak out for justice or to defend the afflicted.
We have harboured division where you call us to peace.
Forgive us, we pray. By your Holy Spirit and fire, burn away all that is not of you.
Create in us clean hearts and renew a right spirit within us.
Help us to bear fruit worthy of repentance,
that we may truly prepare the way for Christ’s coming in our lives and in our world.
In the name of the One who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire, we pray.

Amen

Kyrie

Prayer of the Week

God of all hope and expectation,
as we journey through this season of Advent, teach us the discipline of waiting.
When the world rushes past, slow our hearts to watch and listen for your coming.
When despair threatens to overwhelm, remind us of your promises that never fail.
Grant us the courage of John the Baptist to speak truth and call others to repentance.
Give us eyes to see the tender shoot growing from Jesse’s stump,
even when the world looks like a barren wilderness,
for we ask in the name of Who was, and is, and is to come.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Isaiah 11: 1–10

Read by Joy Chapman

The branch from Jesse

¹ A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
² The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him –
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord –
³ and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
⁴ but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
⁵ Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash round his waist.

⁶ The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
⁷ The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

¹⁰ In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting-place will be glorious.

NIV®

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

Hymn: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s cry

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
come then and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings from the King of kings.

Then cleansed be every Christian breast,
and furnished for so great a guest!
Yea, let us each our heart prepare,
for Christ o come and enter there.

For thou art our salvation, Lord,
our refuge and our great reward;
without thy grace our souls must fade,
and wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth thy hand to heal our sore,
and make us rise, to fall no more;
once mor upon thy people shine,
and fill the world with love divine.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee
whose advent set thy people free,
whom, with the Father, we adore,
and Holy Ghost, for evermore.

Charles Coffin (1676–1749)
tr. John Chandler (1808–1876)
CCL31580

Matthew 3: 1–12

Read by Solomon Pitan

John the Baptist prepares the way

¹ In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.”’

⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt round his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan.

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ The axe has been laid to the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ ‘I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’

NIV®

Sermon

By Revd George Mwaura

Musical Meditation

Affirmation of Faith in Advent

We believe in the God of promises kept,
who sends prophets to prepare the way and never leaves us without hope.

We believe in Jesus Christ, the shoot from Jesse’s stump,
upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rests,
who judges with righteousness and brings justice to the afflicted.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who baptises us with fire, refines us like wheat, and empowers us to bear good fruit.

We believe the kingdom of heaven has come near,
that the wilderness can bloom, that the wolf can dwell with the lamb, and that God’s peace will have no end. We are Advent people, watching, waiting, preparing the way, until Christ comes again in glory.

Amen

Prayers of intercession

Led by Adrian Boynton

Sharing the Peace

The prophet Isaiah proclaims a vision of peace, where predator and prey lie down together, where a little child shall lead them, and where none shall hurt or destroy on all God’s holy mountain.

This is the peace Christ offers us and calls us to share.

May the peace of Christ, which breaks down every dividing wall, be with you all.
And also with you.

Let us share signs of this peace with one another and wave to those watching on the live stream.

Hymn: As the deer pants for the water

As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield,
to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.

I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye.

You alone …

You’re my Friend and you’re my Brother,
even though you are a king.
I love you more than any other,
so much more than anything.

You alone …

Martin Nystrom (b. 1966)
CCL31580

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

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

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

It is indeed right and good, always and everywhere to give you thanks and praise,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this season of Advent, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for your Son.
You promised through the prophet Isaiah that a shoot would spring from the stump of Jesse,
one anointed with your Spirit, who would bring justice to the poor and peace to all creation.

We wait and watch for the fulfilment of all your promises.
We long for the day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb,
when your knowledge will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea,
and when Christ will come again in glory.
Therefore, with angels and archangels, with prophets and apostles, and with all the company of heaven,
we join the eternal hymn of praise:

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!

Holy God, we praise you for creating the heavens and the earth, and for making us in your image.
Though we turned away from you, you never abandoned us.
You spoke through prophets, calling us back to your ways of justice and peace.
In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ, born of Mary, the shoot from Jesse’s line.
Upon him rested your Spirit, wisdom and understanding, counsel and might.
He came preaching good news to the poor, proclaiming liberty to the captives,
and bringing sight to the blind.

On the night before he gave himself up for us,
Jesus took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
‘Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’
After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, and gave it to them, saying:
‘Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:

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

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
bearing fruit worthy of repentance, preparing the way of the Lord.
By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, bearing fruit worthy of repentance, preparing the way of the Lord. By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

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.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen

Breaking of the Bread

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast.

The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all is ready.

Music as Meal is shared

Post Communion Prayer

God of hope and expectation, you have fed us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation.
As we have been nourished at this table, send us out to prepare your way in the world.
Make us bearers of your justice, agents of your peace, and witnesses to your coming kingdom.
Keep us watchful and ready until Christ comes again in glory.

Amen

Notices and Offertory

Offering Envelopes for 2026

If you would like a set of offering envelopes for next year please let me know. If you are currently using envelopes, you should have received an email from me about this, but I need to know if there is anyone else who would like a set for 2026.

Janet Trimnell
steward.cccmk@gmail.com

Cornerstone Christmas Charity Appeal 2025

Our 14th annual Christmas charity appeal is launching this week! In 2025 we are supporting four brilliant charities:

Advantage Africa

Willen Hospice

St Mark’s Meals

and MK ANSARS.

Please make sure to collect your Christmas Appeal envelope from Reception – it contains information about the charities as well as details of how to make your donations. (cash, cheque, bank transfer, card machine).

Our Christmas Appeal is one of the special ways the Cornerstone Congregation reaches out to others in need. Please give generously if you are able! Thank you.

Christmas Appeal Committee

Light up the Dome for a Loved One this Christmas

To help raise funds for the church, you can sponsor the lighting of the Dome during the Christmas season. Do you have an anniversary or a special birthday or maybe you want to remember someone special?

You can sign up for your special date on the board on the round table in the Reception Area. All the details about how you can pay your donation are there as well (cash, cheque, card or bank transfer). If you are able to consider a minimum donation of £20, that would be much appreciated. Last year we raised just over £1000.

If you are not able to come into the building at the moment, but would like to sponsor a date, please email Peter (petercope26@gmail.com) with the details.

THANK YOU! Peter Cope

Advent Bible Study 2025 – Week 3

This week’s Bible readings are: Isaiah 35: 1–10; Psalm 146: 5–10; Matthew 11: 2–11; James 5: 7–10.

Christmas Praise 2025

6.00 pm next Sunday (14 December) by Zoom

If you have a favourite Christmas carol, or reading, please come online and join us for our Christmas Praise Service.

Please send your choice by email to rosemary.kearsey@btopenworld.com, send a text to 0776 8407576, or phone me on the same number. I would like to hear from you by Friday, 5 December 2025 so that I have timer to prepare a service with all your choices.

Rosemary Kearsey

Offertory Prayer

Gracious God, all abundance flows from your endless love.
We humbly present these offerings – both those given today and those already shared –
asking for your blessing as we build your kingdom through this church and beyond.

Amen

Hymn: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed!

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed!
Great David’s greater Son!
hail, in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free,
to take away transgression,
and rule in equity.

He comes with succour speedy
to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
who souls, condemned and dying,
were precious in his sight.

He shall come down like showers,
upon the fruitful earth
and love, joy, hope’ like flowers,
spring in his path to birth:
before him on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill and valley flow.

Arabia’s desert-ranger
to him shall bow the knee;
the Ethiopian stranger
his glory come to see;
with offerings of devotion
ships from the isles shall meet,
to pour the wealth of ocean
in tribute at his feet.

Kings shall down before him,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him,
his praise all people sing:
to him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.

O’er every foe victorious,
he on his throne shall rest;
from age to age more glorious,
all-blessing and all-blest:
the tide of time shall never
his covenant remove;
his name shall stand for ever,
his changeless name of love.

James Montgomery (1771–1854)
CCL31580

Blessing and Sending out

Go now into the wilderness of this world to prepare the way of the Lord.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, we will.

And may the blessings of God Almighty Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
descend and rest upon you all and all those whom you love today and always.

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Dismissal

Church, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ, we will.

Amen