Led by: Revd George Mwaura

Gathering Music

Call to Worship

Come, people of God, seeking the treasure that cannot fade.
We come to worship the One whose kingdom grows beyond our imagining.

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, small yet full of promise.
God’s purposes often begin unnoticed, yet they transform the world.

The kingdom is like treasure hidden in a field, worth every sacrifice.
We gather to seek God’s wisdom and to receive God’s grace.

Come and worship the Lord, who works through waiting, striving, and hope.
We praise God whose faithfulness endures for ever.

Amen

Greetings and Welcome

Opening Prayer

Faithful and gracious God, you are at work in ways both hidden and surprising.
When we see only small beginnings, you are already bringing forth abundant life.
When the road is long and our plans are disrupted, you remain steadfast in love.
Open our hearts to receive the good news of your kingdom.
Teach us to value your gifts above all else.
May our worship honour you, our prayers draw us nearer to you,
and our lives bear witness to your transforming grace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Hymn: The heavens declare thy glory, Lord

The heavens declare thy glory, Lord,
in every star thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold thy word,
we read thy name in fairer lines.

Sun, moon, and stars convey thy praise
round the whole earth, and never stand;
so, when thy truth began its race,
it touched and glanced on every land.

Great Sun of Righteousness, arise;
bless the dark world with heavenly light;
thy gospel makes the simple wise,
thy laws are pure, thy judgements right.

Thy noblest wonders here we view,
in souls renewed and sins forgiven:
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
and make thy word my guide to heaven.

Isaac Watts (1674–1748)
Psalm 19
CCL31580

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Confession

Gracious God, we thank you for the treasure of your kingdom,
for the gift of your love revealed in Jesus Christ,
and for the countless ways your Spirit works quietly among us.
We thank you for seeds of faith planted in our lives,
for moments of growth and understanding, for your patience with us,
and for your faithfulness through every season.

Yet we confess that we often overlook your presence.
We seek quick results rather than trusting you’re timing.
We value temporary rewards more than eternal treasures.
We grow impatient when the path is difficult and lose heart when your purposes seem hidden.
Forgive us when we fail to recognize the worth of your kingdom.
Renew our vision, strengthen our faith, and teach us to live as faithful disciples.
By your mercy, transform us anew, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

[Silence]

Words of Grace

Hear the good news:
The God who calls us into the kingdom of heaven is rich in mercy and abundant in steadfast love.
In Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, our failures are redeemed,
and we are welcomed into God’s family.

Amen

Thanks be to God.

Ministry of the Word

Genesis 29: 15–28

Read by Pat Kyd

Jacob marries Leah and Rachel

After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, ¹⁵ Laban said to him, ‘Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.’

¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder one was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷ Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. ¹⁸ Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’

¹⁹ Laban said, ‘It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.’ ²⁰ So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

²¹ Then Jacob said to Laban, ‘Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.’

²² So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. ²³ But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. ²⁴ And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant.

²⁵ When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?’

²⁶ Laban replied, ‘It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder one. ²⁷ Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.’

²⁸ And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.

NIV®

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

Hymn: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,
and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you;
allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
allelu, alleluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you,
seek and ye shall find.;
knock and itshall be opened unto you;
allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
allelu, alleluia.

We shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God;
allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,
allelu, alleluia.

Karen Lafferty (1948–2013)
CCL31580

Matthew 13: 31–33 & 44–52

Read by Robin Kyd

The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast

³¹ He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’

³³ He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.’

^…

The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl

⁴⁴ ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

⁴⁵ ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The parable of the net

⁴⁷ ‘Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ⁵⁰ and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

⁵¹ ‘Have you understood all these things?’ Jesus asked.

‘Yes,’ they replied.

⁵² He said to them, ‘Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.’

NIV®

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

Sermon

By Revd George Mwaura

Silence / Musical Meditation

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God, Creator of all things,
whose purposes are greater than we can see
and whose kingdom is growing throughout the world.

We believe in Jesus Christ, who revealed the treasure of God’s kingdom,
called people to wholehearted discipleship, and gave his life for the salvation of the world.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who plants seeds of faith, nurtures growth in the Church,
and equips God’s people for faithful service.
We trust in God’s promises, we seek God’s kingdom, and we follow Christ in hope and joy.

Amen

Hymn: Jesu, thou joy of loving hearts

Jesu, thou joy of loving hearts,
thou fount of life, thou light of men;
from the best bliss that earth imparts
we turn unfilled to thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
thou savest those that on thee call;
to them that seek thee thou art good,
to them that find thee, all in all.

We taste thee, O thou living bread,
and long to feast upon thee still;
we drink of thee, the fountain-head,
and thirst our souls from thee to fill.

Our restless spirits yearn for thee,
where’er our changeful lot is cast,
glad when thy gracious smile we see,
blest when our faith can hold thee fast.

O Jesu, ever with us stay;
make all our moments calm and bright;
chase the dark night of sin away;
shed o’er the world thy holy light.

Jesu, dulcedo cordium
Latin, 12th century
tr. Ray Palmer (1808–1887)
CCL31580

Prayers of Intercession

Led by Glynne Gordon-Carter

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 the Peace

Christ has broken down every barrier that divides us
and has gathered us into one kingdom of grace and peace.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be always with you,
and also with you.

Let us share with one another a sign of Christ’s peace and wave to those watching on the live stream.

Notices and Offertory

Gift Day and Fundraising Event last Sunday (19 July 2026)

A message from the Church Council

A huge ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who helped make last Sunday’s Gift Day such a success! So far, we have raised over £6900. Amazing!

With some donations still coming in, and once gift aid is claimed, we should meet our target of £7000.

So, thank you to everyone who donated money so generously, who gave items for the auction, who bid at the auction, who baked cakes, who supplied books to sell, who bought things at our stalls, who helped get everything ready, who counted the money, ……………

It was a real team effort!

And a very special thank you to Don Head for being such an excellent auctioneer.

A reminder that donations are still welcome, if you haven’t made yours yet. There are yellow ‘Gift Day’ donation envelopes in Reception for gifts of cash or cheques. Card payments are welcome – please use the ‘Gift Day’ tab on the card machine in Reception. Or please use the following details for telephone or on-line banking:

Account name: Christ the Cornerstone Ecumenical Partnership
Sort code: 23 05 80 (Metro Bank)
Account number: 54451865
Please write ‘Gift Day’ as payment reference.

Thank you all again!  😀

Cheryl Montgomery and Peter Cope on behalf of the Church Council

Big Butterly Count: Between 17 July and 9 August 2026

Please take part in the Big Butterly Count that started on Friday, 17 July and continues until Sunday, 9 August 2026. All you have to do is choose a place to spot butterflies and moths and watch and record for 15 minutes! Details of what’s involved can be found on this website: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/.

Eco Church Core Group

Offertory Prayer

Gracious God, all abundance flows from your endless love.
We humbly present these offerings before you, those placed before your altar today
and those given faithfully electronically throughout the week, in ways seen and unseen.
Receive and bless them, that they may serve your purposes,
and reflect the generous love revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Prayer for the Week Ahead

God of hidden growth and abundant blessing, as we enter this new week,
help us to trust your work in our lives, even when we cannot yet see the harvest.
Give us courage to seek first your kingdom, wisdom to discern what truly matters,
and perseverance when the journey is long.
May the seeds of faith, hope, and love bear fruit in our homes, workplaces, communities,
and church. Through Jesus Christ, who calls us to follow him with joyful hearts.

Amen

Hymn: Be thou my vision

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
naught be all else to me save that thou art;
thou my best thought in the day and the night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true Word;
I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breast-plate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my armour, and be thou my might;
thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower:
raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise:
thou mine inheritance through all my days;
thou, and thou only the first in my heart,
high King of heaven, my treasure thou art!

High King of heaven, when battle is done,
grant heaven’s joy to me, O bright heaven’s sun;
Christ of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

Irish (8th century)
tr. Mary Byrne (1880–1931)
versified Eleanor Hull (1860–1935) and others, adapted
CCL31580

Sending out

Go now in the confidence of God’s faithfulness. Seek the treasure of God’s kingdom above all else.
Trust the Lord in seasons of waiting and unpredictability.
Nurture the seeds of faith wherever you are planted.
Bring wisdom from God’s storehouse to a world in need.
And serve Christ with gladness until his kingdom comes in fullness.

Blessing

And may God the Father, whose purposes unfold beyond our understanding,
give us patience and hope to seek the treasure beyond all treasures
and strengthen us for faithful living.
And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us all the days of our lives.

Amen

Church go in peace to serve and love the Lord.
In the name of Christ, we will.

Amen