Celebrant: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Preachers: Grace Hunting and David Rennie

Welcome

God of all ages, your breath gives us life.
Your artistry in creation leaves us gasping in wonder;
longing to experience that which is of you. In each person, there you are, if we could but discern you.
Accept us again, O ancient yet youthful God, as we gather to worship and adore you.

Amen

[Silence]

Welcome to the house of God.
We have come from all the corners of the earth.

Welcome to the hospitality of God.
We come as we are; we bring our life, our stories, our journey.

Welcome, brothers and sisters.
We are the rainbow people of God.

Welcome chosen people
May God our companion bind us in his love.

Amen

Hymn: All things bright and beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colours,
he made their tiny wings:

All things bright and beautiful, …

The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky:

All things bright and beautiful, …

The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them every one:

All things bright and beautiful, …

The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
the rushes by the water
we gather every day:

All things bright and beautiful, …

He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God almighty,
who has made all things well:

All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.

Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–1895)
CCL31580

Prayer of Approach

Ever-loving God, Rock through all the ages:
rest your Holy Spirit on the shoulders of every older adult in your Church,
that rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may find refreshment for the journey,
renewed joy in belonging to your Kingdom, and recovery of sight
to recognise you clearly along their way,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

Amen

Confession

Gracious God, we know that there is a time to be born, a time to grow old and a time to die.
We know that ageing is a part of life.
Yet sometimes we forget.

Sometimes we fail to embrace the life of our older people.
We confess that we sometimes do not hear the voices of our older people: their needs and concerns.
In our busy daily life, sometimes we just don’t stop and listen.
Forgive us when we close our ears to our older people.

We confess that we sometimes become reluctant to share
precious resources of life with our older people.
In this competitive world, too often our priorities go to where we readily see new life,
youth and the promise of worldly success.
Forgive us for our failure to share.

We confess that many people in our society would never know old age,
or become old before time, through the struggles in their lives.
Forgive us when we fail to notice and act.

Loving God, the Giver of Life, bring to us the awareness that our life depends on each other.
We are called to uphold each other, especially those who are weak, frail and vulnerable.
Fill us with your compassion, love and grace, the grace that walks with us, embracing even our death.
In the name of Christ.

[Silence]

Assurance of Forgiveness

God is love.
Through Christ, God reaches out to us,
embracing the young and the old, the strong and the weak, the living and the dying.

In Christ we are one.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of the Week

God of the unknown, as age draws in on us, irresistible as the tide,
make our life’s last quarter the best that there has been.
As our strength ebbs, release our inner vitality, all you have taught us over the years;
as our energy diminishes, increase our compassion, and educate our prayer.
You have made us human to share your divine life; grant us the first fruits;
make our life’s last quarter the best that there has been.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Philippians 2: 1–13

Read by Kim Burchell, Secretary to the Older Person’s Board

Imitating Christ’s Humility

¹ Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death –
even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.

NIV®

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

Matthew 21: 23–32

Read by Jenn Hill, Member of Q Alliance on the Older Person’s Board

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you this authority?’

²⁴ Jesus replied, ‘I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism – where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?’

They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?” ²⁶ But if we say, “Of human origin” – we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, ‘We don’t know.’

Then he said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

²⁸ ‘What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”

²⁹ ‘ “I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

³⁰ ‘Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go.

³¹ ‘Which of the two did what his father wanted?’

‘The first,’ they answered.

Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

NIV®

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

Meditation

By Grace Hunting

[Silence]

Reflect on old age from a multi-faith perspective

By David Rennie

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.

Creator Father, beloved Son and living Spirit.

Amen

Prayers and Intercessions

Led by Chris Row, Vice-Chair of the Older Person’s Board

The Peace

The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said,

‘Peace be with you.’

Then the disciples were they glad when they saw the risen Lord.

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

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Hymn: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy, there is none beside thee
perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessèd Trinity!

Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
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.

Almighty God, good Father to us all, your face is turned towards your world.
In love you gave us Jesus your Son to rescue us from sin and death.
Your Word goes out to call us home to the city where angels sing your praise.

We join with them in heaven’s song:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We bless the name of Jesus, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh,
whose brokenness and suffering makes love real,
who on the night in which he was betrayed took bread,
gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples saying,

Take, eat. This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

After supper he took the cup saying,

Drink from this, all of you, this is my blood given for you.
Do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me.

This is the mystery of our faith.

[Said] Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.

Therefore, as we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we acknowledge brokenness as a path to truth.
We long for the bread of tomorrow: eternally broken and so able to nourish.
We long for the new wine of the kingdom: continuously poured out that thirst may be quenched.

Send your Spirit on us now,
that by these gifts we may feed on Christ with opened eyes and hearts on fire.
May we and all who share this food offer ourselves to live for you
and be welcomed at your feast in heaven, where all creation worships you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours forever and ever.

Amen

The Lord’s Prayer [said]

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

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Post Communion Prayer

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us.
Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your spirit to give ourselves for others.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Fill the World with Love

Sung by the U3A Choir

Notices

Sponsored Bible Reading event last Saturday

(23 September 2023)

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our Bible Reading marathon a big success. Special thanks to our twelve readers, who kept going for nearly four hours between them! They chose a wonderful selection of Bible readings to share with us. Thank you, too, to everyone who made a donation. We have over £800 so far, and more is still being collected.

Peter Cope

It is not too late to give a donation!

You can pay on-line using the following bank details:

Account name: Ecumenical Partnership of Christ the Cornerstone Milton Keynes
Sort code: 23 05 80; Account number 37995851 (Metro Bank)
Please give reference as: sponsor bible.

There are some brown envelopes on the round table in Reception for cash donations.
All the money is for church funds.

Coffee Morning and Fair Trade stall at the Almere

10.30 am – 12.30 pm Saturday, 7 October 2023

We are returning after a very enjoyable gathering in the spring with residents of these new apartments in Avebury Boulevard, MK9 2FF. Please offer your support for a short time if you can, to provide cakes/cookies, help transport the Fair Trade stall goods, set up or clear the room or simply to meet and greet our neighbours with a smile – many are recently moved into Milton Keynes. More information (including arranging drop off of cakes etc. in advance if you are not available on the day) from Joy Chapman, 07854 762676, cjoy.chapman9@gmail.com.

Black History Sunday, 8 October 2023

Bring and Share Lunch

The 75th Anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush on 22 June 1948 is being commemorated by many churches and civic organisations in the UK.

On Sunday, 8 October 2023 a special service is being planned by Revd Ernesto and Revd George. Members of our Congregation who have connections with ‘Windrushers’ as second or third generations will be contributing to the worship. After the service, we will be having a ‘bring and share’ lunch in the Guildhall, which Christine Mwaura is coordinating. Please contact Christine with respect to your assistance, as well as any queries you may have. We look forward to everyone’s participation, as this will be our special event for the celebration of Black History Month.

Christine Mwaura, Glynne Gordon-Carter

MK Can! – World Record attempt, 10 km of cans for MK Food Bank

We have reached our target of 350 cans needed for the MK Food Bank’s ‘MK Can!’ on World Food Day: Monday, 16 October 2023 to fill Cornerstone’s 25 metre section of the 10 km. So thanks to everyone who has contributed. For more information see https://mkfoodbank.org.uk/mk-can/.

We will need volunteers on the day, so please offer your services if you can be available for some or all of the time 9.00 am – 5.00 pm on Monday, 16 October, in Campbell Park. Contact to Mubina Chakera (mubinachakera@hotmail.com) or David Chapman (david@dachapman.free-online.co.uk).

Social Justice Committee

Offering

Hymn: Amazing grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, trials and snares
I have already come.
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me;
his word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

John Newton (1725–1807)
CCL31580

Blessing

Go as beloved of God to grow old in Christ.
Be blessed in years and be a blessing to God’s Kingdom.
Keep alive the gifts of wisdom received from older friends
and become the gift of wisdom for those who follow.
Remember you are God’s children even into old age:
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you always

Amen

Dismissal

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

Amen