Preacher and Celebrant: Revd Tim Norwood

Gathering Music

Call to Worship

From Thessalonica, we hear the call to live lives of diligent purpose, not in idleness, but in faithful work.
We come to worship the God who calls us to labour with our own hands.

From Jerusalem, we hear the words of endurance, to stand firm amidst trials,
trusting that not a hair of our heads will perish.
We come to worship the God who strengthens us in times of trouble.

Let us gather our hearts and minds, ready to receive wisdom, grace,
and renewed purpose from the One who is faithful.

Amen Let us worship God!

Greeting and welcome

Hymn: All my hope on God is founded

All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.

God’s great goodness aye endureth
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light, and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
new-born worlds rise and adore.

Daily doth th’Almighty giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.

Still from man to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ his Son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.

Robert Bridges (1844–1930)
CCL31580

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Confession

Holy and Merciful God,
we give you thanks for your unwavering presence in a world of change and uncertainty.
We thank you for the gift of life and the ability to work, to create, and to contribute.
We are grateful for the example of Christ, who taught us diligence and perseverance,
and for the promise that in our endurance, we will gain our lives.
Yet, we confess, O Lord, that we often fall short of your calling.
We confess our moments of idleness,
when we have been busybodies rather than busy for your kingdom.
We confess our fears and anxieties when faced with trials and the signs of a troubled world,
forgetting your promise to protect us.
Forgive us when we have grown weary in doing good, and when we have failed to stand firm in our faith.
Strengthen us, we pray, by your Spirit, to live lives worthy of your calling, to work with integrity,
to endure with hope, and to always abound in love and good deeds, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

[Silence]

Kyrie

Prayer of the Week

Gracious God, whose love unites your people in every place and generation,
strengthen us to stand firm when faith is tested,
and to work together with steadfast hearts for what is right.
As we break one bread and share one cup, may we be renewed in the hope of your kingdom,
and in the fellowship of all who follow Christ across the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen

Bible Readings

2 Thessalonians 3: 6–13

Read by Shay De Silva

Warning against idleness

⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. ¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

NIV®

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

Hymn: Brother, sister, let me serve you

Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journey
and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we’ve known together
of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.

Richard Gillard (b. 1953)
CCL31580

Luke 21: 5–19

Read by Stuart Kean

The destruction of the temple and signs of the end times

⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’

⁷ ‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?’

⁸ He replied: ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and, “The time is near.” Do not follow them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.’

¹⁰ Then he said to them: ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

¹² ‘But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ Stand firm, and you will win life.

NIV®

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

Sermon

By Revd Tim Norwood

Musical meditation

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who calls us to diligent work and faithful endurance.
We believe that he empowers us to live purposefully, to stand firm in times of trial,
and to never tire of doing what is good.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Guide,
who sustains us through persecution and strengthens us to bear witness to Christ.
We believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen

Prayers of Intercession

Led by Cheryl Montgomery

Sharing the Peace

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be always with you.
And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of Christ’s peace and wave to those watching on the live stream.

Hymn: Christ is the world’s light, he and no other

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

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you,
and also with you.
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.

It is truly right and good, and our joyful duty, at all times and in all places,
to give thanks to you, Holy God, almighty and merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For in Christ, you have not only shown us the path of diligent living,
calling us away from idleness and into purposeful work,
but you have also given us the strength to endure the trials and tribulations of this world.
You sustain us in our labours and fortify us in our faith, that we might always abound in good deeds.
Therefore, with all your people on earth and all the company of heaven,
we praise your Holy name and join their unending hymn:

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 give you thanks, most gracious God, for the redemptive act of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.

On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks;
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
‘Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.’

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:
‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this for the remembrance of me.’

Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Living God, pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Grant that we, who receive these holy mysteries, may be made one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
Strengthen us through this sacred meal to live out your call without idleness,
to stand firm in our faith amidst all challenges,
and to never cease doing good, until your kingdom comes in its fullness
and we feast with you at your heavenly banquet.

Amen

And now, as the Saviour taught us, let us pray together:

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.
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

Breaking of the Bread

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast.

These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Come, for all is ready.

Music as Meal is shared

Post Communion Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for this holy meal,
by which you have nourished us with the body and blood of your Son.
Strengthen us through this sacrament to live diligently, to stand firm in our faith,
and to always abound in good deeds, for the glory of your name.

Amen

Notices and Offertory

Light up the Dome for a Loved One this Christmas

To help raise funds for the church, you can sponsor the lighting of the Dome during the Christmas season. Do you have an anniversary or a special birthday or maybe you want to remember someone special?

You can sign up for your special date on the board on the round table in the Reception Area. All the details about how you can pay your donation are there as well (cash, cheque, card or bank transfer). If you are able to consider a minimum donation of £20, that would be much appreciated. Last year we raised just over £1000.

If you are not able to come into the building at the moment, but would like to sponsor a date, please email Peter (petercope26@gmail.com) with the details.

THANK YOU! Peter Cope

Norma Bowden

Some folk at Cornerstone will fondly remember Norma & Stuart Bowden, who used to staff the Reception Desk until Stuart’s death some years ago. With sadness, I now tell you of Norma’s death on 26 October 2025 in Milton Keynes Hospital. She was still living in her own home until a fall the previous day.

Her funeral is next Thursday (20 November 2025), 2.45 pm at Willen Church. All are welcome.

Steve Barnes

Home for Good Vision Evening

7.15–8.30 pm in the Small Hall

Moving forward

Please remember to respond to Bishop Dave’s invitation for you to share your concise, heartfelt ideas on these two key questions:

• Considering our vision to be an Oasis of Hope in the city and the changes we are navigating, what essential qualities should we seek in a minister to work among us?
• Thinking of our vision above, what are your dreams for our church’s future, and how do you see us embodying this vision more fully in the community?

Please feel free to write your thoughts down on paper and bring them with you to church this month. These will then be handed to Revd Assa Humphreys, and his team as they work on the profile for the church

Offertory Prayer

Gracious God, all abundance flows from your endless love.
We humbly present these offerings, both those given today and those already shared,
asking for your blessing as we build your kingdom through this church and beyond.

Amen

Hymn: The church’s one foundation

The church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word;
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride,
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,
yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.

’Mid toil, and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great Church victorious
shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is one:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

S.J. Stone (1839–1900)
CCL31580

Blessing and Sending

May the God of all peace, who calls you to work with your own hands and to stand firm in faith,
bless you and keep you.
May God empower you to live purposefully, to endure all trials, and to never tire of doing what is good.
And may the blessings of God Almighty, the Father the Son and the holy Spirit
descend and rest upon us all today and always.

Amen

Dismissal

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