Leader: Revd Sarah Eden-Jones
Preacher: Revd George Mwaura

Today we are marking and celebrating Black History Month. We want to honour those in our community with African and Caribbean heritage and celebrate all they have done to strengthen and shape Britain today. We want to give thanks especially for the contribution of the Black community to the church in the UK and especially here at Christ the Cornerstone. We are one body in Christ Jesus and each one is a part of it!

Welcome and Greetings

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

We meet in the presence of God,
who knows our needs, hears our cries, feels our pain, and heals our wounds.

Faithful one, whose word is life:
come with saving power to free our praise, inspire our prayer and shape our lives
for the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Opening worship

Hymn:
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not;
as thou hast been thou for ever wilt be:
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand has provided,
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love:
Great is thy faithfulness! …

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is thy faithfulness! …

Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960)
CCL31580

Prayer of Comfession

Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Lord God, our maker and our redeemer, this is your world and we are your people:
come among us and save us.

You made us to be one family, yet we have divided humanity.
Father, forgive us: save us and help us.

You rejoice in our differences, yet we make them a cause of enmity.
Father, forgive us: save us and help us.

We have seen the ill-treatment of others and have not gone to their aid;
Father, forgive us: save us and help us.

We have condoned evil and dishonesty and failed to strive for justice;
Father, forgive us: save us and help us.

We have heard the good news of Christ, but have failed to share it with others;
Father, forgive us: save us and help us.

We have not loved you with all our heart, nor our neighbours as ourselves;
Father, forgive us: save us and help us.

May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins,
heal and strengthen you by his Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.

Amen

Prayer of the Week

Compassionate God, who sent Jesus Christ to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities, create in us new hearts and enlarged visions, to see the image of God in every person
irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.
May we be generous in our love of others
as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice;
creating communities of human flourishing, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

Amen

Worship songs

Way Maker

You are here, moving in our midst.
I worship You, I worship You.
You are here, working in this place.
I worship You, I worship You. [Repeat]

Chorus

And You are:
Way maker, miracle worker,
Promise keeper, light in the darkness,
My God, that is who You are. [Repeat]

You are here, touching every heart,
I worship You, I worship You.
You are here, healing every heart,
I worship You, I worship You.

You are here, turning lives around,
I worship You, I worship You.
You are here, mending every heart,
I worship You, I worship You.

Chorus

And You are:
Way maker, miracle worker,
Promise keeper, light in the darkness,
My God, that is who You are.

(That is who You are), That is who You are,
(That is who You are), That is who You are.

Even when I don’t see it, You’re workin’;
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re workin’.
You never stop, You never stop workin’;
You never stop, You never stop workin’.

Way maker, miracle worker,
Promise keeper, light in the darkness,
My God, that is who You are. [Repeat]

Yeah, that is who You are
(That is who You are), That is who You are,
(That is who You are), That is who You are.

Sinach (Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu) (b. 1972)
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Nara Ekele Mo
(Accept my praise/thanksgiving)

Narekele mo. [×3] You’ve done so much for me,
I cannot tell it all.
Narekele mo.
If I had ten thousand tongues,
it still won’t be enough.
Narekele mo (Accept my praise/thanksgiving).

Chukwu na gwamar’ele (God that heals my sickness/disease),
when you heal you heal completely.
Narekele mo.
Chukwu mar’obi mo (God that knows my heart)
Isi ikendule (Living water),
Narekele mo.

Verse 2

What shall I render to Jehovah?
For He has done so very much for me.
What shall I render to Jehovah?
For He has done so very much for me.

Chorus

Nara nara eh
Narekele, Narekele mo
We sing nara nara eh
Nara nara eh
Narekele, Narekele mo.

[Repeat verse 2 and chorus]

Tim Godfrey (b. 1980)
CCL31580

Prayer for the Children

[As they go out to their group time.]

Testimony

By Chinwe Osaghae

Bible Readings

1 Corinthians 12: 12–27

Read by Joy Enenche

Unity and diversity in the body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ And so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honourable we treat with special honour. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

NIV®

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

Mark 10: 42–45

Read by Kudakwashe Matare

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
Thanks be to God.

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

NIV®

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

Sermon

By Revd George Mwaura

Affirmation of Faith

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high
We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen

Hymn: Amazing grace!

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, trials and snares
I have already come.
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me;
his word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

John Newton (1725–1807)
CCL31580

Prayers of Intercession

Led by Grace Hunting

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

The Peace

We are the body of Christ.
In the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace and builds up our common life.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Offertory Song:
We are marching in the light of God

We are marching in the light of God. [×4]
We are marching, marching;
we are marching, Oh, Ohhh.
We are marching in the light of God.
We are marching, marching;
we are marching, Oh, Ohhh.
We are marching in the light of God.

We are living in the love of God. [×4]
We are living, living;
we are living, Oh, Ohhh.
We are living in the love of God.
We are living, living;
we are living, Oh, Ohhh.
We are living in the love of God.

We are moving in the power of God. [×4]
We are moving, moving;
We are moving, Oh, Ohhh.
We are moving in the power of God.
We are moving, moving;
We are moving, Oh, Ohhh.
We are moving in the power of God.

Anders Nyberg (b. 1955) (v.1), Andrew Maries (b. 1949) (vv.2 &b 3)
CCL31580

Offertory Prayer

Gracious God, accept these gifts, and with them our lives, to be used in your service;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Notices

Weekly Prayer Sessions in the Chapel

Revd Sarah Eden-Jones is initiating two weekly Prayer Sessions in the Chapel 9.30–10.00 am every Tuesday and Thursday. Everyone is welcome.

We are continuing our Prayers for the City in the Chapel at 12.30 pm every Friday.

Harvest Festival

10.00 am Sunday, 18 October 2026

As we gather for our Harvest Festival on Sunday, 18 October 2026, please bring donations of non-perishable food to church, if you are able. Suitable items include tinned vegetables, fruit, beans and soup, as well as rice, pasta, cereals, tea and coffee. Please ensure that all items are unopened and within their use-by or best-before dates. Your gifts will be distributed to appropriate local charities to support individuals and families in need.  Thank you for your generosity. As we give thanks for God’s provision, may we share our blessings with others.

Revd George Mwaura

Cornerstone Church Council

7.00 pm Tuesday, 20 October 2026 in the Small Hall

Cornerstone Church Council will meet at 7.00 pm on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 in the Small Hall. Items to be considered include Youth Work, Safeguarding, Complaints Policy and the new Coordinating Group with the Trading Company.

Pat Kyd, Church Secretary

Cornerstone Clergy weekly days off

These days are flexible, but the usual days off will be:

Revd Sarah Eden-Jones: Saturday;
Revd Lara Deen: Friday;
Revd George Mwaura: Friday.

MK Cycling Summit 2026

9.30 am – 3.30 pm Thursday, 15 October 2026

There will be a Cycling Summit organised by many organisations interested in increasing the numbers of people participating in cycling in Milton Keynes, including a focus on how to encourage more women and girls to cycle. The Summit will be held in the Hub Theatre, at the Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA. To see the draft agenda and to sign up click the link here.

Cornerstone Eco Church Group

MK Eco Church Network

10.00am – 12.30pm Saturday. 17 October 2026, St Michael’s Church Woburn Sands, Church Road, Milton Keynes MK17 8TA

In the first half of the meeting the Eco Church Group at St Michael’s will talk about ‘The Journey so far…’, which will be followed by a talk by Judith Heinemann on ‘How can we support the recovery of nature in our local areas?’ In the second half there will be a talk and demonstration about sustainability in floral arrangements, given by Theresa Wedderburn, from Branch-out MK CIC. To register, please use the Ticket Tailor link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ecochurchnetwork/2421693

For more information contact Stuart Kean (stuart.kean@gmail.com).

An Act of Unity and Commitment

Dear people of God, we stand in the shadow of the prophets crying out for justice and peace. God calls us to be a people of reconciliation, serving a world in need. Courageous women and men have taken the risk of standing up and speaking out for the least and the lowest. This work involves risking ourselves for the sake of God’s love and moving beyond ourselves in order to seek and serve Christ and one another. We are all called to the work and ministry of social justice and reconciliation.

Will you persevere in prayer and fellowship?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim the good news of reconciliation in both word and deed?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge and address the prejudices that keep you loving all God’s children?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you strive to see Christ in all persons, and value those with whom you disagree?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek to mend what is broken by human sin and greed?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you strive to speak words that liberate and heal and break the bonds of silence?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek the perfect love which casts out all fear?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you work toward dismantling the sin of abuse of power?
With the help of God, I will.

May almighty God empower us to continue his work of reconciliation,
give us the courage to overcome fears and embody love,
give us grace to grow in self-awareness and personal integrity,
and strengthen us to seek the unity that is in Christ,
that we may rejoice with all God’s children as disciples of God’s Son.

Amen

Song: This little light of mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

On Monday, He gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday, peace came from above.
Wednesday, He told me to have more faith,
Thursday, He gave me the gift of grace.
Friday, He told me just to watch and pray,
Saturday, He told me just what to say.
Sunday, he gave me the power divine,
just let my little light shine.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Traditional
CCL31580

Blessing

The love of the Lord Jesus draw you to himself,
the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen you in his service,
the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always

Amen

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

Amen

Benediction

May God’s blessing surround you each day,
as you trust him and walk in his way.
May his presence within guard and keep you from sin.
Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.