Leader: Revd Lara Deen
Celebrant: Rt Revd Bishop Jonathan Meyrick
Preacher: Revd Sarah Eden-Jones

Gathering Music

Welcome and Opening Prayer

The Lord be with you,
and also with you.

 

Hymn: Ten thousand reasons (Bless the Lord, O my soul)

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul,
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before
O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy name.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning:
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord….

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger,
Your name is great and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing;
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord….

And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come,
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending:
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Bless the Lord….

Jonas Myrin (b. 1982) and Matt Redman (b, 1974)
CCL31580

Prayer of Preparation

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Confession

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins,
to be our advocate in heaven, and to bring us to eternal life.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith,
firmly resolved to keep God’s commandments and to live in love and peace with all.

Lord God, we have sinned against you; we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent. Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us and restore us to the joy of your salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent,
have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Collect

Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation:
stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope
that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Song: All through history

Noah built the most enormous boat
that kept the birds and animals afloat.
The Lord was good, the Lord was strong,
and Noah lived his life for Him.

Moses led his people through the sea,
taking them away from slavery.
The Lord was good, the Lord was strong,
and Moses lived his life for Him.

Oh-oh thank you, oh thank you,
that all through history
You were faithful.
Thank you, O thank you.
that You are just the same
when it comes to me;
when it comes to me.

David fought Goliath and he won;
a humble shepherd boy became a king.
The Lord was good, the Lord was strong,
and David lived his life for Him.

Daniel was inside a lion’s den,
but God brought him to safety once again.
The Lord was good, the Lord was strong,
and Moses lived his life for Him.

Oh-oh thank you, oh thank you, …

Jesus died to take away our sin,
so we could get to know our God again.
The Lord is good, the Lord is strong,
and we will live our lives for Him.

Oh-oh thank you, oh thank you, …

Becky Drake (2018)
CCL31580

Prayer for the children and young people
as they go to their group time

Ministry of the Word

1 Thessalonians 5: 1–11

Read by Martin Petchey

The day of the Lord

¹ Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

NIV®

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

Matthew 25: 14–30

Read by Brian Halstead

The parable of the bags of gold

¹⁴ ‘Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,^[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹ ‘After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.”

²¹ ‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

²² ‘The man with two bags of gold also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two bags of gold: see, I have gained two more.”

²³ ‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

²⁴ ‘Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

²⁶ ‘His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

²⁸ ‘“So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

NIV®

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

By Revd Sarah Eden-Jones

The Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe 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, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come to judge the living and the dead.

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

Choral Reflection

Intercessions

Led by Glynne Gordon-Carter

The Peace

Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross.
We meet in his name and share his peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you,
and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Offertory Hymn: From heaven you came, helpless babe

From heaven you came, helpless babe,
entered our world, your glory veiled;
not to be served, but to serve,
and give your life, that we might live.
This our God, the Servant King,
he calls us now to follow him,
to bring our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King.

There in the garden of tears,
my heavy load he chose to bear;
his heart with sorrow was torn,
‘Yet not my will but yours,’ he said.
This our God, the Servant King,
he calls us now to follow him,
to bring our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King.

Come see his hands and his feet,
the scars that speak of sacrifice,
hands that flung stars into space
to cruel nails surrendered.
This our God, the Servant King,
he calls us now to follow him,
to bring our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King.

So let us learn how to serve,
and in our lives enthrone him;
each other’s needs to prefer,
for it is Christ we’re serving.
This our God, the Servant King,
he calls us now to follow him,
to bring our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King.

Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
CCL31580

Offertory Prayer

Generous God, creator, redeemer, sustainer, at your table we present this money,
symbol of the work you have given us to do;
use it, use us, in the service of your world to the glory of your name.

Amen

Holy Communion

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, it is our duty and our joy, at all times and in all places to give you thanks and praise,
holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

For he is your living Word;
through him you have created all things from the beginning, and formed us in your own image.
Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin,
giving him to be born of a woman and to die upon the cross;
you raised him from the dead and exalted him to your right hand on high.
Through him you have sent upon us your holy and life-giving Spirit,
and made us a people for your own possession.

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:

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.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks;
he 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.’

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying:
‘Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of your kingdom,
and with this bread and this cup we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.

Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your love
and unite us in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty
in songs of everlasting praise:

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

Amen

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

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 bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Post-Communion Prayer

Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.

Amen

Notices

Come and celebrate God’s creation and the new life God brings

This Sunday (15 November 2026) after the Morning Service outside the Guildhall

We have 200 daffodil bulbs and we would like to invite everyone in church to plant a bulb in shared pots after the service. We want to celebrate God’s creation and the hope of the new life we find in Jesus. Each bulb should come into bloom in time for our Easter celebrations! Everything will be provided outside the Guildhall. Please join us in this act of celebration and hope.

Cornerstone Eco Church Group

Please pray for a successful outcome at the UN Conference on Climate Change – CoP31 in Antalya, Turkey

The UN Conference on Climate Change (CoP31) is taking place 9–20 November 2026 in Antalya, Turkey. Governments have an opportunity to make bold commitments on many aspects of climate change, including providing the finance needed to tackle climate change, especially in countries in the global South. The Church of England has produced some useful information about how to engage with CoP31 including some prayer points. To help focus our prayers for CoP31, Green Christian’s November prayer guide includes daily prayers for many of the issues that will be discussed at CoP31. Please include these in your prayers.

Cornerstone Eco Church Group

Church Congregational Meeting

Sunday, 22 November 2026

Our next Church Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, 22 November 2026 immediately after Sunday Morning Service, in the Worship Area. All are welcome.

Thanksgiving Service for Colin Ballard

12.30 pm Monday, 23 November 2026 at Cornerstone

A Thanksgiving Service for Colin will be held at 12.30 pm on Monday, 23 November2026 at the church. All are welcome. This will be followed by a burial at Wolverton Cemetery.

Preparing the Worship Area for Advent

9.30 am –~12.00 noon Saturday, 28 November 2026

Circle the date – on Saturday, 28 November from 9.30 am until about noon we will be getting the Worship Area ready for Advent. Please come and help decorate the tree, set up the crib and decorate with evergreens. Cafe refreshments will be available.

Cheryl Montgomery

Youth Christmas Hangout

7.00–9.00 pm Saturday, 12 December 2026

Calling all youth in years 7–13! There will be a Christmas Youth Hangout 7.00–9.00 pm on Saturday, 12 December at Heron’s Lodge in Loughton. There will be cheesy chips, hotdogs, Christmas games, prayer and a time for forming friendships. The evening is for youth from churches across Milton Keynes. Parents, if your youth would like to go, please email sarah.eden-Jones@cornerstonemk.co.uk so we have an indication of numbers for catering.

Revd Sarah Eden-Jones

Administrator on leave

Mark Okor, Church Administrator, will be on leave 18 November – 1 December 2026.

Cheryl Montgomery

Hymn: Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!

Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!
God’s saving news to all the nations take:
proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King,
that all the world his glorious praise may sing.

Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all,
he will in grace respond to all who call:
how shall they call if they have never heard
the gracious invitation of his word?

Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:
share God’s good gifts – let no-one be denied;
Live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.

Go forth and tell! O Church of God, arise!
Go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;
go till all nations his great name adore,
and serve him, Lord and King for evermore.

James E. Seddon (1915–1983)
CCL31580

Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
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