Welcome to Cornerstone Morning Prayer.

Let us pray.

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all,
to you be glory and praise for ever!
As we look for your coming among us this day,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

I often find it helpful to say the words of hymns as a prayer.

Awake, awake, fling off the night
for God has sent his glorious light,
and we who live in Christ’s new day
must works of darkness put away.

Awake and rise in Christ renewed,
and with the Spirit’s power renewed.
The light of life in us must glow
and fruits of truth and goodness show.

Then sing for joy and use each day;
give thanks for everything alway.
Lift up your hearts; with one accord
praise God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark. 1. v 35-38.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you.”

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else- to the nearby villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

Reflections

Our short Bible passage this morning is a gem of how Jesus coped with the demands of His ministry; it is early days and he seems fired up with the Holy Spirit and quickly gets immersed and very busy! Jesus had been proclaiming the Gospel through word and action. not only teaching and preaching in the synagogue but also reaching out to the needs of those around him with great compassion.

He had then gone to Peter’s mother in law’s home for rest and refreshment only to find that she was ill in bed with a fever. His response was to put her needs before his own.

The intimate scene that follows of Jesus taking her hand and the fever subsiding seems so natural, and she was able then to lovingly and respectfully see to the needs of all her guests. Jesus’ busy day wasn’t over yet though, as the sick came that evening to the house and once more, he healed many. Yes! A very busy day!

After a short night’s sleep, he got up before dawn, seeking solitude to contemplate and to pray. This pattern of work; physical rest and early rising to commune with Father God sustained Jesus throughout his earthly life.

There have been times in all our lives that have been over busy and demanding and we have found it hard to make room for time with God!

More recently though we have been forced to stop and have time on our hands and are challenged to reflect on the past, the present and the future.

We have been encouraged in our Cornerstone morning and evening prayers to do just that; to use our time wisely, to learn new ways to pray, and to sort out what would God have us do personally and corporately as the “New Normal” emerges.

Some have found this extra time without structure difficult to manage, whilst others have found it suited their personalities and have sunk into it easily.

The disciples were eager to get on with the new day, as people were already gathering and they disturbed Jesus’ solitude; urging him to come to the gathered crowds. Jesus however tells them they must move on.

“We must go on to the other villages around here. I have to preach in them also, because that is why I came.”

Mixed feelings would be felt amongst them as they followed obediently, travelling into the villages throughout Galilee.

I imagine those first century disciples were no different in many respects to us 21^st century disciples as they approached the future; trying prayerfully to do God’s will as followers of Jesus.

Learning the art of ‘ letting go’ of the past as well as ‘taking up,’ new directions is my experience of this unusual time. Our Church of Cornerstone is dear to us all, but She too has to discern the will of God as together we seek the ways in which God would have us go forward.

Let us Pray.

Lord help us all to seek for your will within our personal lives and also as the Body of Christ here in the City Centre of Milton Keynes.

Help us to put aside all that prevents your loving purposes from being fulfilled in our lives and to be willing to serve you within the body of Christ at Cornerstone. Give us your grace to use your gift of time wisely, not becoming overburdened, but as disciples doing our part for the common good. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let us say together the prayer that Jesus taught us-

Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed by 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 forever.

Amen

Lord, you are the bread of heaven, giving life to the world.
You fill our emptiness with your goodness.
You come to our weakness with your strength.
Come, refresh, renew, restore us,
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with the Father and the Spirit
lives in glory everlasting. Amen.

We pray that your church may hunger and thirst after righteousness, finding ways to reach out to those who are hungry for food, those who have no home, those who have no status in our country and wait anxiously to have a decision from the Home Office. We remember also those whose lives are fragmented by the changes caused by this pandemic, Lord you are the bread of life,

Hear our prayer

We pray for all who feel drained and empty, for all who struggle today who are in pain. We pray for our loved ones and those who are on our hearts. Lord open your generous hands towards those who need your touch of love. We pray for Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. Lord you are the bread of life,

Hear our prayer.

We give thanks that you have sustained us throughout these difficult months. We give thanks for the lives of those whom we have loved on this earth, who no longer hunger or thirst, for they have been refreshed in your kingdom. Be with us on our earthly pilgrimage, that we may be sustained by your spiritual sustenance, and trust in your promises of eternal life. Lord you are the Bread of life,

Hear our prayer.

Lord we rejoice in the gift of this new day. May we never take for granted the privilege of the freedom to worship in this country, may we be aware of your presence in all that we do this day, giving thanks for the blessings we will receive, for you alone Lord make us dwell in safety. Thanks be to God

Amen

This day remember: Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May the love of God enfold you, the power of God protect you, and the leading of the Holy Spirit guide you now and always, Amen.

Thank you for joining with us this morning.

Jill and Paul Le Sueur.