Presiding Minister: Revd Dr Margaret Goodall

The Gathering of the Community

Call to Worship

Welcome this day to the house of our God.
We greet each other in peace and in love.

Welcome this day to the worship of our Creator.
We worship in hope and with grace.

Welcome this day to our community of faith,
Where we are sisters and brothers in Christ.

Friends, let us worship God.

Hymn: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thin aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining;
low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;
angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
odours of Edom, and offerings divine,
gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
vainly with gifts would his favour secure:
richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
dawn on our darkness, and lend us thin aid;
star of the east, the horizon adorning,
guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
CCL31580

Prayer of Approach

God, you love us more than we can know,
you chose us from the very beginning to be family.
We praise your holy name.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Word become flesh,
who lived among us and gave himself for us,
we praise your holy name.

Holy Spirit, present and power in our lives from the moment that we first believed,
we praise your holy name.

Prayer for today

Eternal God we are listening for your gracious word, made flesh for us in Jesus Christ.
Call us to come and see where he leads, and teach us to believe in his name.
Help us to do as he tells us, so that our lives might be signs of his glory.
We pray this in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Isaiah 43: 1–7

Read by Bob Collard

Israel’s only Saviour

¹ But now, this is what the Lord says –
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
⁴ Since you are precious and honoured in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
⁶ I will say to the north, “Give them up!”
and to the south, “Do not hold them back.”
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth –
⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.’

NIV®

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

Luke 3: 15–17 & 21–22

Read by Rosemary Goldie

¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. ¹⁶ John answered them all, ‘I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’

…

²¹ When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’

NIV®

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

Hymn: Will you come and follow me

Will you come and follow me,
if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know
and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my love be known,
will you let my life be grown,
in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see
if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean
and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean
in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go
where your love and footsteps show,
thus I’ll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.

John l. Bell (b. 1949) and Graham Maule (b. 1958) Iona Community
CCL31580

Sermon

By Revd Dr Margaret Goodall

[Silence]

Introduction to the Covenant, and Prayers of Confession

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.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your constant love;
in the fullness of your mercy, blot out my offences and cleanse me from my sins.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Givemethe joy of your help again and strengthen me with a willing spirit.

Assurance of Pardon

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.

The Covenant

[We stand for the Covenant.]

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

Prayers of Intercession

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.

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.

Amen

The Offering

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

Hymn: By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered

By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered
and confidently waiting, come what may,
we know that God is with us night and morning,
and never fails to meet us each new day.

Yet are our hearts by their old foe tormented;
still evil days bring burdens hard to bear;
O give our frightened souls the sure salvation
for which, O Lord, you taught us to prepare.

And when the cup you give is filled to brimming
with bitter suffering, hard to understand,
we take it gladly, trusting though with trembling,
out of so good and so beloved a hand.

If once again, in this mixed world, you give us
the joy we had, the brightness of your sun,
we shall recall what we have learned through sorrow,
and dedicate our lives to you alone.

Now as your silence deeply spreads around us,
open our ears to hear your children raise
from all the world, from every nation round us,
to you their universal hymn of praise.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–1945)
tr. Fred Pratt Green (1903–2000)
CCL31580

The Thanksgiving

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 a 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

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 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:

We thank you Lord,
that you have fed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ
and given us a taste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all people.

Amen

Closing Prayers

May you go forth with the assurance that you are deeply loved and cherished by God.

May you find your true identity in God’s unending love,
just as Jesus was called the beloved Son at His baptism.

May the Holy Spirit rest upon you, filling you with peace, joy, and a sense of belonging,
guiding and strengthening you in all you do, as you live out your calling.

Amen

Notices

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 ‘Do you believe this?’

18–25 January 2025

Each year the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity runs from 18 January to 25 January, the Conversion of St Paul. As well as the Concert for Peace on Sunday, 19 January 2025, there will be a Worship Event at Cornerstone at 6.00 pm on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, organised by Churches Together in Milton Keynes.

A Call to Serve: Join Our Welcoming Ministry

Your presence can change lives at Cornerstone Church. We’re blessed to keep our doors open seven days a week, creating a sanctuary where anyone can find peace, connection, and God’s love. But we need dedicated hearts like yours to help us continue this vital mission.

Right now, we’re seeking compassionate souls to join our Reception team. This role is more than just greeting visitors – it’s about being the first warm smile someone sees when they’re searching for hope. With your gift of time, just a few hours weekly, you’ll help us maintain this sacred space while supporting the programmes that make our ministry possible.

We believe in nurturing our volunteers’ spiritual growth. As you serve, you’ll receive professional training and might discover a calling to expand your role into Pastoral Care, touching lives in even deeper ways. Our team members find profound fulfilment in being God’s hands and feet in our community, supported by monthly group meetings led by experienced mentors.

The rewards of serving are immeasurable – the joy in a visitor’s eyes when they feel truly welcomed, the peace of knowing you’ve helped maintain a house of worship, and the deep satisfaction of putting your faith into action. Whether you can offer time during quiet weekday mornings or busy evening hours, your service will ripple out to touch countless lives.

Ready to begin this rewarding journey? Please get in touch with Pat or Robin Kyd, Rosemary Keasey, or Diane Phillips to learn more about joining our Ministry Team. Your commitment to serve could be the answer to someone’s prayers.

Advent Bible Studies 2024

If you attended one or more sessions of the Advent Bible Studies, we would appreciate your feedback. Please email comments, suggestions to Cheryl (chezmonty73@gmail.com).

A Concert for Peace

7.00 pm Sunday, 19 January 2025

As part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches Together in Milton Keynes is presenting this Concert for Peace, featuring two beautiful works: ‘Requiem’ by Sir John Rutter and the popular ‘Armed Man’ by Sir Karl Jenkins. The Cornerstone Chamber Choir, Orchestra and Soloists are directed by Adrian Boynton, with Guest Muezzin Arif Master.

Tickets at £22 and £15 (under 18years £5) are available from: boyntonmusic@btinternet.com; 07961 348697; https://tinyurl.com/2x8ymxv8 (fees apply); cornerstonemusicmk.co.uk. In aid of St Mark’s Meals and SieveMK Gateway.

Bishop of Oxford’s Visitation to Cornerstone

The Bishop of Oxford’s representatives completed their report on Cornerstone and presented it to Bishop Steven last month. This month Bishop Steven will be coming to Cornerstone to talk to us about the report.

7.00 pm Thursday, 23 January 2025

There will be a meeting of Bishop Steven with members of the Church Council, Trading Company, PCC, Ministerial Team and Cornerstone Trust where a presentation and preliminary discussion regarding the bishop’s visitation report and its recommendations will take place.

Sunday, 26 January 2025

The Bishop of Oxford will attend morning worship at Cornerstone on Sunday, 26 January 2025, and afterwards Bishop Steven will speak to the Congregation about the report.

Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga

Revd Ernesto is on post-Christmas annual leave 11–19 January 2025.

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