A separate video feed of the choir will be available here during the service.

Led by: Revd George Mwaura and Revd Dr Margaret Goodall
Preacher: Revd Dr Margaret Goodall

Gathering Music

Welcome

Hymn: Christ is the world’s light

Christ is the world’s light, he and no other,
born in our darkness, he became our brother.
If we have seen him, we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high.

Christ is the world’s peace, he and no other,
no-one can serve him and despise another.
Who else unites us, one in God the Father?
Glory to God on high.

Christ is the world’s life, he and no other,
sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother,
he who redeems us, reigns with God the Father:
Glory to God on high.

Give God the glory, God and no other;
give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father;
give God the glory, God in man, my brother:
Glory to God on high.

Fred Pratt Green (1903–2000)
CCL31580

Invitation to Worship

Let us pray:

We gather, O God, in this worship space,
mindful of your presence.
We are here to rejoice as we wait to see your glory.
Help us to proclaim the joy you promise.

In this time of worship, we ask that you bless us
through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit and through the stories of Christ’s ministry among us.

Loving God, through your Spirit unite us, young and not so young,
in joyful celebration
as we worship you, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

[Silence]

Prayer of the Week

God of grace, through the mediation of your Son, you call us into a new covenant.
Help us therefore to draw near with faith and join ourselves in a perpetual covenant with you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Jeremiah 31: 31–34

Read by Brian Halstead

³¹ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord,
‘when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
³² It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them,’
declares the Lord.
³³ ‘This is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,’ declares the Lord.
‘I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbour,
or say to one another, “Know the Lord,”
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,’
declares the Lord.
‘For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.’

NIV®

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

Hymn: O God, you search me and you know me

O God, you search me, and you know me.
All my thoughts lie open to your gaze.
When I walk or lie down, you are before me,
ever the maker and keeper of my days.

You know my resting and my rising.
You discern my purpose from afar
and with love everlasting, you besiege me,
in every moment of life or death, you are.

Before a word is on my tongue, Lord,
you have known its meaning through and through.
You are with me beyond my understanding:
God of my present, my past and future, too.

Although your Spirit is upon me,
still I search for shelter from your light.
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you;
even the darkness is radiant in your sight.

For you created me and shaped me,
gave me life within my mother’s womb.
For the wonder of who I am, I praise you.
Safe in your hands, all creation is made new.

Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)
CCL31580

John 1: 29–42

Read by Chibby Chima-Okoro

John Testifies about Jesus

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’

³² Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.’

John’s disciples follow Jesus

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’

They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’

³⁹ ‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).

NIV®

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

Sermon

By Revd Dr Margaret Goodall

[Silence]

The Covenant

God made a covenant with the people of Israel, calling them to be a holy nation,
chosen to bear witness to his steadfast love by finding delight in the law.

The covenant was renewed in Jesus Christ our Lord, in his life, work, death and resurrection.
In him all people may be set free from sin and its power, and united in love and obedience.

In this covenant God promises us new life in Christ.
For our part we promise to live no longer for ourselves but for God.

We meet, therefore, as generations have met before us,
to renew the covenant which bound them and binds us to God.

Let us then seek forgiveness for the sin by which we have denied God’s claim upon us.

Let us pray:

God of mercy, hear us as we confess our sins.
For the sin that has made us slow to learn from Christ, reluctant to follow him,
and afraid to bear the cross:

Lord, have mercy,
Lord, forgive.

For the sin that has caused the poverty of our worship,
the formality and selfishness of our prayers,
our neglect of fellowship and the means of grace,
and our hesitating witness for Christ:

Lord, have mercy,
Lord, forgive.

For the sin that has led us to misuse your gifts,
evade our responsibilities,
and fail to be good stewards of your creation.

Lord, have mercy,
Lord, forgive.

For the sin that has made us unwilling to overcome evil with good,
tolerant of injustice, quick to condemn, and selfish in sharing your love with others:

Lord, have mercy,
Lord, forgive.

[Silence]

Have mercy on us, O God, in your constant love;
in the fullness of your mercy blot out our offences.
Wash away all our guilt, and cleanse us from our sins.
Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
Give us the joy of your help again and strengthen us with a willing spirit.

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just,
and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Therefore, to all who truly repent this is God’s gracious word: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’

Amen

Thanks be to God.

Sisters and brothers in Christ, let us again accept our place within this covenant
which God has made with us and with all who are called to be Christ’s disciples.

This means that, by the help of the Holy Spirit, we accept God’s purpose for us,
and the call to love and serve God in all our life and work.

Christ has many services to be done: some are easy, others are difficult;
some bring honour, others bring reproach;
some are suitable to our natural inclinations and material interests, others are contrary to both;
in some we may please Christ and please ourselves;
in others we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.
Yet the power to do all these things is given to us in Christ, who strengthens us.

Therefore, let us make this covenant of God our own.
Let us give ourselves to him, trusting in his promises and relying on his grace.

Eternal God, in your faithful and enduring love
you call us to share in your gracious covenant in Jesus Christ.
In obedience we hear and accept your commands;
in love we seek to do your perfect will; with joy we offer ourselves anew to you.
We are no longer our own but yours.

I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me, in all that I do and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me and when there is none;
when I am troubled and when I am at peace.
Your will be done when I am valued and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfillment and when it is lacking;
when I have all things and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer all that I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose.
Glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven.

Amen

[Silence]

Prayers of Intercession

Read by Robin Kyd

As we have entered this covenant not for ourselves alone, but as God’s servants and witnesses,
let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Loving God, hear us as we pray for your holy catholic Church:
make us all one, that the world may believe.

Inspire and lead all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world:
establish justice and peace among all people.

Have compassion on all who suffer from any sickness, grief or trouble:
deliver them from their distress.

We praise you for all your saints who have entered your eternal glory:
bring us all to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray in silence for our own needs and for those of others …

[Silence]

Lord our God, you have helped us by your grace to make these prayers,
and you have promised through Christ our Lord
that when two or three agree in his name you will grant what they ask.
Answer now your servants’ prayers according to their needs.
In this world grant that we may truly know you,
and in the world to come graciously give us eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Peace

The Lord has made an everlasting covenant of peace with his people.

The peace of the Lord be always with you,
and also with you.

Greet one another in the name of Christ.

Hymn: O God, what offering shall I give

O God, what offering shall I give
to thee, the Lord of earth and skies?
My spirit, soul, and flesh receive,
a holy, living sacrifice:
small as it is, ’tis all my store;
more shouldst thou have, if I had more.

Now, O my God, thou hast my soul,
no longer mine, but thine I am;
guard thou thine own, possess it whole,
cheer it with hope, with love inflame;
thou hast my spirit, there display
thy glory to the perfect day.

Thou hast my flesh, thy hallowed shrine,
devoted solely to thy will;
here let thy light for ever shine,
this house still let thy presence fill;
O source of life, live, dwell, and move
in me, till all my life be love!

Send down thy likeness from above,
and let this my adoring be;
clothe me with wisdom, patience, love,
with lowliness and purity,
than gold and pearls more precious far,
and brighter than the morning star.

Lord, arm me with thy Spirit’s might,
since I am called by thy great name;
in thee let all my thoughts unite,
of all my works be thou the aim:
thy love attend me all my days,
and my sole business be thy praise.

Joachim Lange (1679–1744))
tr. John Wesley (1703–1791)
CCL31580

The Thanksgiving

Lord and giver of every good thing, we bring you bread and wine for our Communion,
our gifts and our lives for your Kingdom
Transform them by your grace and love, made known to us in Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Amen

God is here.
His Spirit is with us

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Loving God, you made this wonderful world for us to enjoy.
You made your people to live for you and for one another.
You gave us Jesus to be our friend and bring us closer to you.
He died on the cross but you raised him to life, to live with us for ever.
You send us your Spirit, and you bring us to this table so that we can share your love.
For all your goodness we give you thanks, and together we give you praise, saying:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Praise be to you O Lord

We gather at this table to remember that on the night before he died,
Jesus had a meal with his friends.

He took a loaf of bread. After blessing it he broke it and gave it to them, saying,
‘Take, eat. This is my body, give for you.
Each time you do this remember me.’

Then Jesus also took the cup.
After giving thanks he passed it to his friends saying:
‘Drink. This cup, poured out for you is the promise of God’s love.
Whenever you drink it, remember me.’

So remembering Jesus’ death and celebrating his resurrection, we pray:

Lord of all life,
help us to be your true disciples
and work together for the day when your Kingdom comes
and justice, peace and mercy are seen in all the world.

Now send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon what we do here.
That we and these gifts, touched by your Spirit,
may be signs of life and love to one another and the world.

Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours, O Lord, for ever and ever.

Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

We say together the prayer that Jesus gave us:

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.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Amen

The Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

The Sharing of the Bread and Wine

Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life.
Those who come to me shall not hunger and those who believe in me shall never thirst.’
Draw near with faith.

Prayer after Communion

Let us pray:

Faithful God, with these holy gifts
you have fed and strengthened us in Jesus Christ your Son.
Guide us on our way, that with all your faithful people
we may come to share the feast of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Notices

Andrew Donaldson

We were saddened to learn of the death of Andrew Donaldson last weekend. Andrew was a long-standing member of Cornerstone, who made a huge contribution to the Church in many capacities. He served on Ecumenical Council and on Finance & Resources Committee. During the week he also served as a volunteer on the Reception desk. At Sunday services he served as a reader, steward and chalice server. Details of Andrew’s funeral will be notified as soon as they are available. We send our love and sympathy to Andrew’s wife Jenny.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins this week

18–25 January 2023

Churches Together in Milton Keynes have put together an impressive schedule of services and events across Milton Keynes on every day of the Week of Prayer. Printed flyers with the full programme are available in Reception. The programme is also on the Churches Together in Milton Keynes website at https://www.ctmk.church/2022/10/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2023.html The services and events this week are listed on the back of this Notice Sheet.

Cornerstone’s own contribution to the programme is a performance of Tippet’s A Child of Our Time at 7.30 pm on Sunday, 22 January 2022.

Volunteers needed for coffee rota

Providing coffee and tea after the Sunday morning Service creates a wonderful opportunity for fellowship when we can talk and listen to each other and so get to know one another better. However, in recent months it has become harder to provide coffee and tea after every Sunday morning Service due to a shortage of volunteers. We are looking for a few more volunteers to join the coffee rota, which only takes approximately an hour or so once a month. If you’re able to volunteer once a month or every two months, please contact Stuart Kean (stuart.kean@gmail.com).

Thank you,
Stuart Kean

Offertory

Hymn: O thou who camest from above

O thou who camest from above
the fire celestial to impart,
kindle a flame of sacred love
on the mean altar if my heart!

There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and, trembling, to its source return
in humble prayer and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire
to work and speak and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire
and still stir up the gift in me.

Still let me prove thy perfect will,
my acts of faith, and love repeat;
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make the sacrifice complete.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
CCL31580

Blessing

The blessing of God,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you for ever.

Amen

Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ,

Amen