Lead Minister: Revd Lara Deen
Talk by: Revd Sarah Eden-Jones

A very warm welcome to Christ the Cornerstone this morning

Today we are staying all together for our worship. It is Bible Sunday when we give thanks to God for the gift of his word. We will be thinking together about how we love God with all our heart and soul and mind.

Welcome and opening prayer

Hymn: Praise, my soul, the King of heaven!

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven!
To his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Praise the everlasting king!

Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Glorious in his faithfulness!

Father-like he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Widely as his mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Praise with us the God of grace!

Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)
CCL31580

Quiz Time – Heads and Tails

Song: I am a city on a hill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg2We2iK7og

I am a city on a hill;
I am a light in the darkness.
Jesus living in me can change the world.
I am a city on a hill;
I am a light in the darkness.
Jesus living in me can change the world.

Let my light shine, let my light shine, let my light shine;
let my light shine, let my light shine, let my light shine.
If God is for me, who can stand against me?
Let my light shine, let my light shine, let my light shine.
If God is for me, who can stand against me?
Let my light shine, let my light shine, let my light shine.

We are a city on a hill;
we are a light in the darkness.
Jesus living in us can change the world.
We are a city on a hill;
we are a light in the darkness.
Jesus living in us can change the world

Let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine;
let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine.
If God is for us, who can stand against us?
Let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine.
If God is for us, who can stand against us?
Let your light shine, let your light shine, let your light shine.

Nick and Becky Drake (2014)
CCL31580

Confession: Saying Sorry to God

We will use our hands to help us as we pray and say sorry to God.

Please respond with the words:

Father. in your mercy,
forgive us and help us.

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

Bible Readings

2 Timothy 3: 14–17

Read by Kate Onah

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

NIV®

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

[Please stand as we listen to Jesus’ words.]

Matthew 22: 34–40

Read by Victoria Ohaekwe

The greatest commandment

³⁴ Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

³⁷ Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’

NIV®

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

Talk: How do we love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind?

By Revd Sarah Eden-Jones

Video: Josiah discovers the word of God, and everything changes

 

Hymn: As the deer pants for the water

As the deer pants for the water,
so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield,
to you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship you.

I want you more than gold or silver,
only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver
and the apple of my eye.

You alone …

You’re my Friend and you’re my Brother,
even though you are a king.
I love you more than any other,
so much more than anything.

You alone …

Martin Nystrom (b. 1966)
CCL31580

Prayer Response

Notices

Flowers in the Worship Area

Sunday, 25 October 2026

The flowers in the Worship Area are to celebrate Jean and John Brown’s 58th Wedding Anniversary. We wish them many more happy years together.

Barbara Smith’s funeral and memorial service

Thursday, 12 November 2026

Barbara Elizabeth Ann Smith’s funeral will take place on 12 November 2026, with a private burial. This will be followed by a Memorial Service at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone at 3.15 pm. Afterwards, the family warmly invites all who are able to join them for refreshments in the Guildhall.

Revd George Mwaura

Tea and coffee after the Morning Service this Sunday

Tea, coffee and fellowship following the 10.00 am service this Sunday (25 October 2026) will take place in the Cornerstone Café, as a healthcare provider will be using the Guildhall and Worship Area after the Service.

Weekly Prayer Sessions in the Chapel

We now have two weekly Prayer Sessions in the Chapel 9.30–10.00 am every Tuesday and Thursday. Everyone is welcome.

We also continue our Prayers for the City of Milton Keynes in the Chapel at 12.30 pm every Friday.

Cornerstone Contemporary Worship Band

We are hoping to start a Contemporary Worship Band to introduce different styles to our worship during services.

If you play a musical instrument or enjoy singing contemporary worship songs and would be interested in being part of the worship band, we would love to hear from you!

Please get in touch with Revd Lara Deen if you would like to be involved. Mobile: 07808 855478; Email : lara.deen@cornerstonemk.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

Revd Lara Deen

White Poppies and Red Poppies

The Peace Pledge Union has been promoting peace since 1934, and their annual White Poppy campaign calls for remembrance for all victims of war, both civilian and military, of all nationalities. At Cornerstone we sell their white poppies alongside the red poppies of the Royal British Legion. Many people wear both a red and white poppy.

Both red poppies and white poppies are now available at the Church Reception.

Social Justice Group

Closing hymn: Take my life, and let it be

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine,
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879)
CCL31580

Offertory

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

Thank you for joining our Service this morning.