All Age Service – Climate Sunday, 29 October 2023
Ministers: Revd George Mwaura and Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Call to Worship
For what we are about to share,
the water we drink, the air we breathe, the light from the sun, the food of earth,
the company of family and friends, this time here and now:
May we be thankful, may we be aware how every day is a gift, and every breath a prayer.
Amen
Welcome and Introduction
Hymn: For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
Christ our God, to you we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.
For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light:
Christ our God, to you we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight.
Christ our God, to you we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
pleasures pure and undefiled:
Christ our God, to you we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.
For each perfect gift of divine
to our race so freely given,
joys bestowed by love’s design,
flowers of earth and fruits of heaven:
Christ our God, to you we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.
F.S. Pierpoint (1835–1917)
CCL31580
Prayer of the Week
Creator God, giver of life, you sustain the earth and direct the nations.
In this time of climate crisis grant us clarity to hear the groaning of creation and the cries of the poor;
challenge us to change our lifestyles; guide our leaders to take courageous action;
enable your church to be a beacon of hope;
and foster within us a renewed vision of your purposes for your world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, by and for whom all things were made.
Amen
Hymn: Put peace into each other’s hands
Put peace into each other’s hands
and like a treasure hold it;
protect it like a candle flame,
with tenderness enfold it.
Put peace into each other’s hands,
with loving expectation;
be gentle in your words and way,
in touch with God’s creation.
Put peace into each other’s hands,
like bread we break for sharing;
look people warmly in the eye:
our life is meant for caring.
As at communion, shape your hands
into a waiting cradle;
the gift of Christ receive, revere,
united round the table.
Put Christ into each other’s hands,
he is love’s deepest measure;
in love make peace, give peace a chance:
and share it like a treasure.
Fred Kaan (1929–2009)
CCL31580
Bible Reading
Psalm 148
Read by Chibby Chima-Okoro
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labour;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
round your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children –
peace be on Israel.
NIV®
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Part One
Around the Tables
but for the globe, especially members who have families and friends
residing in those countries most affected by climate change.]
‘Climate Change’ – a poem by Sylvia Stults
Racial and Climate Justice
[Around the table discussion on the fact that many countries in the third worldhave an almost zero carbon footprint, but they are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.
What’s your response to this and what do you think should happen?
Heating and Insulation
Penitence
Most Gracious God,
we acknowledge our failure to live responsibly as part of your creation.
We have taken what we want, without considering the consequences;
we have wasted and discarded, without thought for the future.
Open our hearts and minds to the signs of our times, to the groaning of creation,
so that we may turn from our greed and lack of vision
and see a world being made anew in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Hymn: All things bright and beautiful
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colours,
he made their tiny wings:
All things bright and beautiful, …
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky:
All things bright and beautiful, …
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them every one:
All things bright and beautiful, …
The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
the rushes by the water
we gather every day:
All things bright and beautiful, …
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God almighty,
who has made all things well:
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895)
CCL31580
Gospel Reading
Luke 12: 16–31
Read by Joy Chapman
16 And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.”
18 ‘Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ ”
20 ‘But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
21 ‘This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God.’
Do not worry
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 ‘Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
NIV®
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ our light.
Part Two
write it on a sticky note and place it on the Coat of Responsibility.
In this way it would be a follow-up to the session back in February/March
that Cheryl and Peter led about the personal carbon calculator.]
Affirmation
Another world is not only possible, she is on her way.
On a quiet day I can hear her breathing.
We have been shown what is good.
May we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly.
We believe:
that justice is how love looks in public;
that hope is a song in a weary voice;
that stumbling is not falling;
that together we can be the change we long to see.
We believe:
that peace is the apology of the strong to the weak;
that faith is being sure of what we hope for;
that we all come from the Creator,
trailing wisps of glory.
We believe:
that if we have eyes to see;
that if we have ears to hear;
that when we least expect it,
hope bursts into life.
Stable walls echoing to a baby’s first cry
and a creation redeemed and renewed.
Amen
Hymn: For the fruits of his creation
For the fruits of his creation,
thanks be to God;
for his gifts to every nation,
thanks be to God;
for the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while men are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safe keeping,
thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labour,
God’s will is done;
in the help we give our neighbour,
God’s will is done;
in our world-wide task of caring
for he hungry and despairing,
in the harvests men are sharing,
God’s will is done.
For the harvests of his Spirit,
thanks be to God;
for the good all men inherit,
thanks be to God;
for the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all, that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
Fred Pratt Green (1903–2000)
CCL31580
Prayers and Intercessions
Led by Adrian Boynton
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
Commitment
As the whole of creation looks with eager longing for the redemption of humankind,
let us pledge ourselves anew to serve our Creator God, the maker of all things,
the Son through whom all things are made,
and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life, who renews the face of the earth.
Lord of life and giver of hope, we pledge ourselves to care for creation,
to reduce our waste, to live sustainably, and to value the rich diversity of life.
May your wisdom guide us, that life in all its forms may flourish,
and may be faithful in voicing creation’s praise.
May the commitment we have made this day be matched by our faithful living,
and may we pass on to those who come after
the rich heritage of which we are your grateful beneficiaries and stewards.
Amen
Notices
Jean & John Brown’s 55th Wedding Anniversary
Sunday, 29 October 2023
The Worship Area Flowers this weekend are donated by Jean & John Brown to celebrate their 55th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday. We send love, congratulations and our best wishes for many more happy years together.
Katherine Wheldon
Sunday Evening Service
The evening Service at 6.00 pm on Sunday, 29 October 2023 has been cancelled.
Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Advent Bible Study
There will be at least two Advent Bible Study groups this year, beginning the week of 27 November 2023. We will be using some of the Methodist study materials called ‘Out of the Ordinary’. You can have a look at https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/advent-and-christmas-resources
If you would like to take part, contact Mark in the Office or Stuart Kean or Pat Kyd
Thank you for Black History Sunday, 8 October 2023
We wish to thank everyone who made the Empire Windrush 75th Anniversary Service and luncheon special: Bouquets to our priests, Revd Ernesto and Revd George, who planned the service; Bouquets to Adrian Boynton, musical director and the Choir for their diverse range of music: you brought the congregation alive (more of this please). Bouquets to Rodney Hodge and Martha George, who provided personal insights and experiences from the Windrush generation; Glynne Gordon-Carter gave historical background information on the coming of the Empire Windrush. A special bouquet to Maureen Onwunali: through her inimitable style, Maureen’s poem entitled ‘Borrowed Sons’ captured and brought out so many emotions through the stanzas entitled: ‘Coming’, ‘Staying’ and ‘Legacy’. The bring-and-share lunch was well organised by Christine Mwaura and her group of ladies; to them we give bouquets for their wonderful co-operative spirit. The fellowship from the service continued into the luncheon. We present bouquets to members and friends who attended the morning’s events. Your presence and participation contributed to a memorable morning of fellowship for our Celebration of Black History Month. ‘He delights in the praise of his people.’
Christine Mwaura and Glynne Gordon-Carter
Cornerstone Church Christmas Cards
We have a Church Christmas card designed by the artist Yvonne Bell, one of our volunteer Receptionists. The text inside the card reads ‘The gift of love. The gift of peace. The gift of happiness. May all of these be yours at Christmas’
Packs of 5 cards are £3.99 per pack, with all proceeds going to the maintenance of the church building. Those purchasing these cards may have the equivalent number of 2nd class stamps at a 10% discount.
Bob Collard
Church Membership Renewal 2023
At Cornerstone we all renew our membership each year at this time. We would like this to be as simple and easy as possible. Every member on our email contact list will be contacted by email asking if they wish to continue membership and if there are any changes to their contact details. If you reply ‘yes’ then you will continue on the membership list with contact details unchanged or amended as appropriate. Your replies should be sent to our Stewardship Secretary, Janet Trimnell (steward.cccmk@gmail.com). Not every member has internet access – for members who need them, paper membership forms will be available in church at Sunday services – please ask a steward, complete the form and return it to the Stewardship Secretary’s pigeonhole in Reception. If you wish to speak to someone about your membership, please talk to Pat Kyd in church.
Confirmation Service
6.00 pm Sunday, 5 November 2023 at St Mary’s, Wavendon
Colin Ballard, one of our Steward volunteers at Sunday morning Services, is being confirmed on Sunday, 5 November 2023. Please remember Colin in your prayers.
Covenant Renewal
Sunday, 5 November 2023
The Service at 10.00 am on Sunday, 5 November 2023 will be an Act of Covenant Renewal with Holy Communion. The Service will be followed at 12.00 noon in Guildhall with Fellowship and a Bring-and-Share Lunch, to which members of our Roman Catholic congregations are invited. During this time of Fellowship the Act of Covenant Renewal will be read.
Offertory
Hymn: We plough the fields and scatter
We plough the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand;
he sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine,
and soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
for all his love.
He only is the maker
of all things near and far;
he paints the wayside flower,
he lights the evening star.
The wind and waves obey him,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us his children,
he gives our daily bread.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
for all his love.
…We thank thee then, O Father,
for all things bright and good:
the seed-time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer
for all thy love imparts,
but that which thou desirest,
our humble, thankful hearts.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
for all his love.
Matthias Claudius (1740–1815)
tr. Jane Montgomery Campbell (1817–1878)
CCL31580
Blessing
Go in strong and growing faith and treat the earth well.
It was not given to us by our parents, it was loaned to us by our children.
So walk softly upon the earth.
May its beauty surround you, its wisdom delight you, its music invite you.
Go in eager and refreshing hope.
Work with Christ risen from the dead, to fulfil the promise of a new creation.
And the blessings of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you today and always.
Amen
Dismissal
Church, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ, we will.
Amen