Service of the Word – Live Streamed – Sunday, 12 July 2026
Led by Revd Dr Margaret Goodall
Introit
Sung by Cornerstone Young Voices
Call to Worship
Your grace is a lamp for our hearts, O God.
Light our way through the shadows of this world.
When we struggle with questions and doubts,
tell us your stories of hope and grace.
When we are about to wander off into the wilderness,
show us the paths to your peace and joy.
Hymn: Lord, the light of your love is shining
Lord, the light of your love is shining,
in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
set us free by the truth you now bring us,
shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine,
fill this land with the Father’s glory;
blaze, Spirit, blaze,
set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy;
send forth Your word,
Lord, and let there be light.
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence,
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine, …
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine, …
Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
CCL31580
Prayer
Introduction
Hymn: He taught in puns and riddles
He taught in puns and riddles,
in pictures wrung from words,
of gates and fields and shepherds,
of fish and flowers and herds.
These parables are potent,
ingrained with hope and grace,
infused with love and beauty,
transcending time and place.
So Jesus, Word incarnate,
became the word he spoke,
embodied loving kindness,
in whom our faith awoke.
Not just a simple shepherd,
a gate to keep the sheep,
the image offers credence
that we may safely sleep.
And every phrase he uttered,
and every step he took,
say, this is God, this shepherd,
into whose world we look.
His parables paint pictures
of love we strain to grasp,
beyond our comprehension,
this love will always last.
Andrew Pratt (b. 1948)
CCL31580
Bible Readings
Isaiah 55: 10–13
Read by Bob Collard
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
it will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn-bush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure for ever.’
NIV®
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Matthew 13: 1–9 & 18–23
Read by Colin Ballard
The parable of the sower
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.’
…
18 ‘Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 when anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.’
NIV®
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ our light.
The Prodigal Son
Cantata performed by Cornerstone Young Voices
Sermon
By Revd Dr Margaret Goodall
Hymn: Jesus Christ is waiting,
Jesus Christ is waiting, waiting in the streets;
no-one is his neighbour, all alone he eats.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I am lonely too.
Make me, friend or stranger, fit to wait on you.
Jesus Christ is raging, raging in the streets,
where injustice spirals and real hope retreats.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I am angry too.
In the Kingdom’s causes let me rage with you.
Jesus Christ is healing, healing in the streets;
curing those who suffer, touching those he meets.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I have pity too.
Let my care be active, healing just like you.
Jesus Christ is dancing, dancing in the streets,
where each sign of hatred he, with love defeats.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I should triumph too.
On suspicion’s graveyard let me dance with you.
Jesus Christ is calling, calling in the streets,
‘Who will join my journey? I will guide their feet.’
Listen, Lord Jesus, let my fears be few.
Walk one step before me; I will follow you.
John l. Bell (b. 1949) and Graham Maule (b. 1958) Iona Community
CCL31580
Prayers and Intercessions
Led by Rosemary Kearsey
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
Sharing Peace
Christ has reconciled us to God and to one another. Through his grace we are members of one body.
Friends may the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Let us share with one another a sign of Christ’s peace.
Notices
Revd Sarah Eden-Jones
Greetings! I’m Sarah, and I am excited to be joining you all in September.
My husband Nick and I feel called by the Spirit to come and serve with you in Milton Keynes. We have heard of what the Lord is doing among you and praise God for the new life he is bringing.
We have two older children, Isobel and Fergus, and as a family we would love your prayers as we leave Reading to be with you.
We are praying for you, that you might know how high and wide and deep is Jesus’ love for you! (Ephesians 3:18)
Cornerstone Gift Day and Fundraising Event
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Have you made your gift yet, to help us reach our target of £7,000?
Details of all the different ways you can pay are given in the information packs, along with an important letter from Revd George. If you weren’t able to collect your pack last week, please take it this Sunday!
It would be very helpful if your gifts could be received on or before 19 July 2026. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Fundraising Event – after the Service next Sunday (19 July 2026)
Please join us for this Fundraising Event – refreshments, cake stall, book stall, auction …..
So we need cakes to sell! It would be great if you could bake a cake, using Fairtrade ingredients if you have them (sugar, cocoa and chocolate are available in the Cornerstone Shop), and bring it along to the Guildhall before the Service. Please provide a list of ingredients to assist people with allergies. Contact Helen Timlin (h.e.timlin@proton.me) for more information. If you have any books for the second-hand book stall, please bring them along on Sunday and take them to the Guildhall before the Service.
We could still do with one or two more items or offers of help (e.g. an hour’s gardening, helping with shopping, etc.) for our auction. If you are able to offer something, please let Don know before Tuesday, so we’re able to circulate details before the weekend.
Thank you for all your help to make this event a success.
Leadership Team
Jean Christie
We are very sad to hear of the death of our Scottish friend Jean Christie. Jean and her husband Norman were members of the Church in the Library and the present Church of Christ the Cornerstone for many years until they moved to Lichfield some time ago.
Jean played a very active part in all our activities – stewarding, reading, pastoral care and helping to organise the very popular Burns Night suppers.
We send our deepest sympathy to Norman and to their son Martin who was a member of our church Sunday School.
Jill Peruško
Pastoral Cover
During Revd George’s annual leave: 25 June – 13 July 2026
While I am away, the Congregation will be cared for by Revd Dr Margaret Goodall. If you have any pastoral concerns or needs during this time, please contact Revd Dr Goodall directly or speak to one of the church’s pastoral workers, who will be happy to assist or put you in touch with Margaret.
Blessings, Revd George
Offering
Music by Cornerstone Young Voices
Hymn: I danced in the morning
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth;
at Bethlehem I had my birth.
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
and I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
but they would not dance, and they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
they came with me and the Dance went on:
Dance, then, wherever you may be …
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
and they left me there on a cross to die.
Dance, then, wherever you may be …
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone;
but I am the dance and I still go on.
Dance, then, wherever you may be …
They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me:
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
Dance, then, wherever you may be …
Sydney Carter (1915–2004)
CCL31580
Prayer of the Week
Story-telling God,
fill our hearts with your words that set us free to play in the kingdom of peace.
Help us to let go of our focus on ourselves, so we may reach out to share with others.
And send us out to live your words.
Amen