Led by: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Preacher: Revd George Mwaura

Gathering Music

Welcome

As we begin our Advent journey, we come together in hope,
to worship the one who brings hope to the whole world.
We come together to worship the Lord.

[Silence]

God of hope,
as we take our first steps on the Advent journey we take them with you, and for you;
with one another, and for one another;
and with Christians around the world.
We follow the path of those who have gone before us,
refreshing it for those who will come after us,
and trusting you every step of the way, hopefully and joyfully.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of Might,
who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
in ancient times didst give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

Latin Advent Antiphons
tr. J.M. Neale (1818–1866)
CCL31580

Lighting the First Advent Candle

God of hope,
we light this candle as we prepare for the coming of your Son.
Awaken our hearts to you this Advent season,
so that when Christ arrives, we are ready to receive him with all our hearts,
all our minds, and all our strength.
Amen

Prayer of Confession & Forgiveness

God of Advent,
it hurts us to remember the mistakes we have made.
We are sorry for the bad decisions that have ended our hopes and those of others:
forgive us and help us to choose well.

We are sorry when our misreading of situations has spoil our hopes and those of others:
forgive us and help us to act wisely.

We are sorry when resentment and jealously have poisoned our hopes and those of others:
forgive us and help us to think carefully.

[Silence]

Lord Jesus, child of Christmas and Saviour of all the world,
trusting your promise of forgiveness,
we lift our heads and take the next steps;
we let go of old mistakes and embrace new opportunities;
we come out of our darkness into your Advent light,
and begin again, hopefully, and confidently.
In your name.

Amen

Prayer of the Week

Loving God, as we enter this season of Advent, our hearts are conflicted:
Yes, we are joyful in the anticipation of celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,
yet we cannot help but feel the weight of the turmoil and uncertainty
that surrounds us in our world today.
In the midst of chaos and fear, we turn to you, our Rock and our Redeemer.
We find comfort in your Word, which reminds us that you are our only true source
of hope and peace in the current darkness.
As we light the first candle of hope, we pray that you would ignite a flame of hope in our hearts.
May we be reminded that our hope is not in the stability of our circumstances,
but in the unchanging nature of your character and the promises you have made to us.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Jeremiah 33: 14–16

Read by Veronica Fernandes

¹⁴ ‘”The days are coming,” declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfil the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

¹⁵ ‘”In those days and at that time
I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line;
he will do what is just and right in the land.
¹⁶ In those days Judah will be saved
and Jerusalem will live in safety.
This is the name by which it will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.”

NIV®

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

Hymn: O Lord, the clouds are gathering

O Lord, the clouds are gathering,
the fire of judgment burns.
How we have fallen!
O Lord, you stand appalled to see
your laws of love so scorned
and lives so broken.

Have mercy, Lord,
have mercy, Lord.
Forgive us, Lord,
forgive us, Lord.
Restore us, Lord;
revive your church again.
Let justice flow,
let justice flow,
like rivers,
like rivers,
and righteousness like a never-failing stream.

O Lord, over the nations now,
where is the dove of peace?
Her wings are broken,
O Lord, while precious children starve,
the tools of war increase,
their bread is stolen.

Have mercy, Lord, …

O Lord, dark powers are poised to flood
our streets with hate and fear.
We must awaken!
O Lord, let love reclaim the lives
that sin would sweep away,
and let your kingdom come!

Have mercy, Lord, …

Yet, O Lord, your glorious cross shall tower
triumphant in this land,
evil confounding;
through the fire your suffering church display
the glories of her Christ,
praises resounding!

Have mercy, Lord, …

Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
CCL31580

Luke 21: 25–36

Read by Brian Halstead

²⁵ ‘There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶ People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷ At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

²⁹ He told them this parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰ When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

³² ‘Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

³⁴ ‘Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.’

NIV®

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

Meditation

By Revd George Mwaura

[Silence]

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in the Creator:
the maker of all things

We believe in the Son:
the redeemer of our broken world

We believe in the Spirit:
The sacred wind that binds all things together in the family of God.

We believe on the coming of that day on this day,
when the creation will be made whole once more
and God’s peace and justice will reign on all people
and we will adore the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.
Amen

Prayers and Intercessions

Led by Adrian Boynton

Sharing the Peace

In the tender mercy of our God,
the dayspring from on high shall break upon us,
to give light to those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death
and to guide our feet into the way of peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you!

Let us share with one another a sign of peace

Hymn: I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship

I cannot tell why he, whom angels worship,
should set his love upon the sons of men,
or why, as Shepherd, he should seek the wanderers,
to bring them back, the know not how or when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary
when Bethl’em’s manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,
and so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.

I cannot tell how silently he suffered,
as with his peace he graced the place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted
and stays our sin and calms our lurking fear
and lifts the burden from the heavy laden;
for still the Saviour, Saviour of the world is here.

I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun will shine in splendour
when he the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.

I cannot tell how all the lands will worship,
when at his bidding every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when every heart with joy and love is filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
and myriad myriad human voices sing’
and earth to heav’n, and heav’n to earth, will answer,
‘at last the Saviour, Saviour of the world is King!’

William Young Fullerton (1857–1952)
CCL31580

Holy Communion

The Thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this bread to offer,
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.

Blessed be God for ever.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this wine to offer,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become our spiritual drink.

Blessed be God for ever.

The Lord 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 thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Breath of peace, Giver of all life,
Source of love that knows no boundaries.
Your song of wisdom rang out before the world began;
throughout the ages, your song of liberation has
impregnated us with your hope for a world where:

Those considered last and least are first and most;
violence is overcome by the power of your ancient love;
and, all siblings work together for peace.

You bring our longings to birth,
and send prophets to awaken us to your approaching Advent among us.
We thank you for those who, like Mary,
have the strength and courage to give birth to your love in the world;
for those who, like the shepherds, dare to seek out the Child of Bethlehem;
for those who, like the wise ones, actively challenge violent and oppressive powers.
We praise you that your everlasting light is shown to us:

in womb
and tomb

in cradle
and cross

in tenderness
and compassion.

We join in the Advent prayer of all your people,
O come, Emmanuel.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
our King, our Teacher,
our Hope and our Saviour.
Come and save us.

And, as we wait and watch for your coming among us, we proclaim your goodness.
At this time, we also remember all with whom you would have us share your feast.

[Silence]

God of hope, make this bread the means of our rebuilding,
this wine the medium of our transformation,
this table the foundation of our renewal,
and this community the place of our rebirth.

At this time, we remember Jesus, who on the night before he died,
took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it, and said:
“Take and eat; whenever you do this, remember me.”

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup, saying:
“This is the new covenant; remember me.”
Gracious God, breath of peace, source of love,
we pray for your Spirit.

Make us one.
Make us whole.
Make us alive.

Come, Holy Spirit, come.

And so we join with our brothers and sisters around the world in the prayer Jesus taught 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.
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

The Communion

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.
Amen

Post Communion Prayer

Gracious God, make us watchful and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin
but active in his service and joyful in his praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Notices & Offering

Advent Bible study week 2 The One who Comes before

Bible readings: Malachai 3:1–4; Luke 3:1–6

Cornerstone Christmas Charity Appeal 2024

We are launching our annual Christmas Charity Appeal this Sunday. The charities we will be supporting this year are Advantage Africa, MK:Act (domestic abuse intervention service), Tools for Self Reliance and MK Christian Foundation’s Urban Farm. A leaflet with details of all the charities and ways to donate will be available at Sunday morning’s service and will also be circulated by e-mail.

Our Christmas Appeal has raised the amazing total of over £133,000 for local and international charities over the past twelve years. Any donations you could make this year would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Cornerstone Appeal Committee

Light up the dome for a loved one! Help raise funds for the church

Just a reminder: If you would like to light up our dome for a night this Christmas in memory of someone special or to celebrate a special occasion, please sign up on the poster in Reception.

If you are not able to get into the church but would like to choose a date, please contact our treasurer at petercope26@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Peter Cope

Bishop of Oxford’s Visitation to Cornerstone

Date for your diary: Sunday, 26 January 2025

The Bishop of Oxford’s representatives have completed their report on Cornerstone. The Bishop will attend morning worship at Cornerstone on Sunday, 26 January 2025 and will speak to the Congregation afterwards about the report. There will be a bring-and-share lunch.

Final Prayer

Let us pray that this Advent prayer will inspire us to prepare the way of the Lord.

Dear God, you have heard our prayers.
Help us to share what we have with others during this holy season.
May we keep our minds and hearts on the coming of your kingdom now and always.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

May the light of Christ shine in our lives.

Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free,
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
CCL31580

Blessing

May God himself, the God of peace, make you perfect and holy;
and keep you all safe and blameless, in spirit, soul and body,
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you always.

Amen

Sending out

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

Amen