The Church of Christ the Cornerstone
Baptist Union / Church of England / Methodist Church / Roman Catholic Church / United Reformed Church
Lord, we thank You for Your perfect wisdom and for Your Holy Spirit. We thank You that they work together to bring us closer to You. We ask You to bring us together this morning to learn with our minds, to experience with our hearts, and to know that we are all one in You ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus.
Amen
We believe in the sun,
though it is late in rising.
We believe in love,
though sometimes it is absent.
We believe in God,
though sometimes God is silent.
Amen
Here is Heaven made amongst us
When in peace we dwell side by side.
From the blinding glare of blank canvas
Life, in colours of communal pride.
Home to many sons and daughters,
Myriad more have journeyed through,
Floating on the peaceful waters,
Centuries old, yet still brand new.
.
Here is Heaven in sunrise glory
Over flower, field and lake.
Here a beacon sings its story
And the thirst for knowledge slaked.
Here our champions train for battle,
First was born his mysterious ways.
Here first heard in lowly chapel
Story of Amazing Grace.
.
Here the splendour of Midsummer,
Here protection when days were dark.
Here have monarchs made their slumber,
Humbler citizens found their ark.
Here are singers and musicians
Finding worship in their art.
Here are progress and tradition,
Both find room in faithful hearts.
.
Here are people of many nations,
Diverse cultures in unity.
Each follows their heart’s vocation
And builds a true community.
Here we raise our joyful voices,
Heart and Music the other owns.
Soul and Spirit both rejoices;
Here is Heaven and heav’n is home.
As part of the 25/50 celebrations a Weaving Trust event will be held at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone. The main session is a series of one-to-one conversations, where people simply talk about their lives in Milton Keynes, and find out about the lives of others. There will be a feedback session at the end when we hope to gain insight and foresight into our developing community.
Tea and cake will be served afterwards.
Weaving Trust is a campaign of Citizens:MK.
All that divides us from God died with Christ on the cross. As we are again one with him, we commit ourselves, in the power of his Spirit, to break down our divisions and become one with each other, so that Christ’s name be glorified, the kingdom come and God’s will be done.
Amen
Lord, we thank you for sending us your son. We thank you for the people who brought each one of us to you: for those who have taken time with us in so many ways, encouraged us in bad times as well as in good times. We thank you and pray for an opportunity to do the same whenever and wherever we can in Jesus’ name.
Amen
We thank you, God, that Jesus identified with us by being baptised himself.
He didn’t need to, but he wanted to.
We thank you that John did as Jesus asked, even though he didn’t really understand.
And then the Spirit came and revealed Him to us.
Today, we too come to the river praying with longing and open hearts.
Come to us, loving God, so we too can receive your spirit.
Amen
God of all places and people, you bow towards us,
listening, attentive; knowing the language of our hearts,
for your ear is tuned to our silences.
We pray that in the year ahead
we may grow as a community
both in grace and in deeper appreciation
of each other.
Amen
Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of Mary: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Amen
Once we were no community at all –
a wandering collection of outsider people,
stateless and homeless, nameless and hopeless,
then, Lord of Salvation, you gathered us in
round a child from a manger to claim us, each one:
a unified nation of witnessing voices
joined up with heaven in life’s New Song.
We come and adore.
Amen
Once we were no community at all –
a wandering collection of outsider people,
stateless and homeless, nameless and hopeless,
then, Lord of Salvation, you gathered us in
round a child from a manger to claim us, each one:
a unified nation of witnessing voices
joined up with heaven in life’s New Song.
We come and adore.
Amen
Who is it you grace with the angels’ song?
Could it possibly be me – the collector of
offended noses, wrinkled faces,
sideways glances full of disgust?
The sight and the sound of it pierces my heart:
‘This gift, this greatness wrapped up small
is for you – just for you.’
Come and adore!
Amen
Autumn’s splendour gives way to the dark:
creation lies waiting for the miracle to come.
The angels sang of it (most people ignored it):
there’s a king on the way to warm up the cold,
to fire up my spirit with blazing hope.
Come down from the high hills into the light.
The search is on – come and adore!
Amen
Lead us loving God; be our light in this season of darkness. Guide our feet to walk in paths of righteousness that we may illuminate the way for others and straighten the roads for Christ’s return in glory to rule with justice and mercy for ever and ever.
Amen
Thank you for being an unchanging God
in a changing world, a Light in the darkness,
a Gift in the midst of poverty.
Help us to be the first-fruits of your goodness
through what we do every day.
Amen
Registered charity number: 1202248
Address: 300 Saxon Gate West, Central Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes MK9 2ES
Email: admin@cornerstonemk.co.uk
Phone: 01908 237777 (answered when the Cornerstone building is open)
Go to: Financial Giving to the Church of Christ the Cornerstone for full information.