Holy Communion – Live Streamed – Sunday, 18 December 2022
A separate video feed of the choir will be available here during the service.
Preacher and Celebrant: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Gathering Music
Welcome
Gathering Prayer
Lord, you alone know our hearts, our histories and our hopes.
You alone know our futures and our fears.
Lead us on, so that whatever part we may play, our story may be shaped by your story,
through Jesus, son of Mary, and given a name through Joseph.
Amen
Hymn: Long ago, prophets knew
Long ago, prophets knew
Christ would come, born a Jew,
come to make all things new,
Bear his people’s burden,
freely love and pardon.
Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!
sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!
when he comes,
when he comes,
who will make him welcome?
God in time, od in man,
this is God’s timeless plan:
he will come, as a man,
born himself of woman,
God divinely human.
Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring! …</span
Mary, Hail! Though afraid,
she believed, she obeyed.
In her womb God is laid:
till the time expected,
nurtured and protected.
Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring! …</span
Journey ends! Where afar
Bethl’em shines, like a star,
stable door stands ajar.
Unborn Son of Mary,
Saviour, do not tarry!
Ring, bells, ring, ring, ring!
sing, choirs, sing, sing, sing!
Jesus comes,
Jesus comes,
we will make him welcome?
Fred Pratt Green (1903–2000)
CCL31580
Prayer of Confession
Forgive us, God, when we want to be centre stage and not in the wings,
when we want the leading role and not a bit part,
when your voice gets drowned out by the sound of our own,
when stage fright prevents us from playing out part;
forgive us and grant us humility, grace and openness to your calling – this Advent and far beyond.
Gracious God, in you no one is insignificant, no one goes unnoticed, no one is turned away,
no one is forgotten, no promise that you make is broken, no plan is unfulfilled.
So, with confidence, we can lay down all that burdens us and step out boldly, confidently and forgiven,
in the name of Jesus.
Amen
Peruvian Gloria
Sung by the Cornerstone Children’s Choir
Prayer of the Week
We praise you, eternal God, for the voices you give us, for the roles you entrust to us,
for the company you surround us with – angels, shepherds, Mary and Joseph,
friends and family, our communities, and our brothers and sisters around the world.
All creation has a share in your redeeming purposes and a place in your heart.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Amen
The Advent Candle is lit
As we light the last candle before Christmas Day,
we give thanks for the role Mary played in God’s unfolding story and pray.
God of all our lives, you call each of us to play a part in your story and purposes for the world.
May this flame ignite in us the courage and the humility of Mary and Joseph,
that we may shine your light into the lives of others,
and draw them to the Christmas stable where hope is born and all are loved.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Ministry of the Word
Psalm 80: 1–7
Read by Nerys Steeds
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
4 How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smoulder
against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us an object of derision to our neighbours,
and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
NIV®
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Song: Soon, and very soon
Sung by the Cornerstone Children’s Choir
Soon, and very soon, we are going to see the King. [×3] Halleluiah, halleluiah, we are going to see the King.
No more crying there, we are going to see the King. [×3] Halleluiah, halleluiah, we are going to see the King.
No more dying there, we are going to see the King. [×3] Halleluiah, halleluiah, we are going to see the King.
Andraé Crouch (1942–2015)
CCL31580
Matthew 1: 18–25
Read by Peter Steeds
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: his mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a so n, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’
22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
NIV®
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ our light.
Meditation
By Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Choral Response
Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God the Father:
Origin and destiny of us all.
We believe in the beloved Son:
Promise of Hope; God’s laughter in the face of despair.
We believe in the Holy Spirit:
the sacred wind that binds us together in God’s love.
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 Glynne Gordon-Carter
The Peace
The Lord Jesus Christ, said:
I leave you peace, my peace I give you.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
and also with you.
Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
Hymn: Go, tell it on the mountain
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
o’er wandering flocks by night,
behold from out of heaven
there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain, …
And lo, when they had seen it,
they all bowed down and prayed,
they travelled on together
to where the Babe was laid.
Go, tell it on the mountain, …
When I was a seeker,
I sought both night and day:
I sked my Lord o help me
and he showed me the way.
Go, tell it on the mountain, …
He made me a watchman
upon the city wall,
and if I am a Christian,
I am the least of all.
Go, tell it on the mountain, …
Traditional
CCL31580
Holy Communion
The Thanksgiving
As we come to this table, we are reminded that this is the table of Jesus Christ,
a banquet prepared for everyone.
All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith,
all who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice,
are welcome here.
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 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 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.
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.
Amen
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, while many, one.
Make us, though broken, whole.
Make us, despite death, alive.
And so we pray:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
And so we join with our brothers and sisters around the world in the prayer Jesus taught us:
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
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
Sharing the bread and cup
The body of Christ – the Bread of life.
The blood of Christ – the Cup of salvation.
Let us eat and drink together for our strengthening in the faith, and for the sake of the world.
Prayer after Communion
We thank you, God, for breaking into our world and pouring into our lives and our experiences.
We thank you, God, for this meal of thanksgiving and the stories of love, grace, and hope that it tells.
Amen
Notices
Cornerstone Christmas Appeal 2022 – Reminder
The beneficiaries of our appeal this year will be Advantage Africa, Citizens Advice, and the Winter Night Shelter (now operating all year round). Leaflets with more details about the charities and donation envelopes for the appeal are available in the Reception area if you haven’t already received them. We know budgets might be tight this year, but please give as generously as you are able. Please put donation envelopes in the collection plates at any service up to 31 December 2022 – or hand them in at the Reception desk during the week.
Please make cheques payable to ‘Cornerstone Christmas Appeal’.
You can also donate by online or telephone banking using the following account details:
Metro bank business account number: 43302825
Account name: Cornerstone Christmas Appeal
Sort code: 23 05 80
Please write ‘Xmas’ as the payment reference.
A huge ‘thank you’, on behalf of all the people our charities will support using your donations.
Peter Cope
Cornerstone Prayer Network
Prayer is central to our Christian fellowship. The Cornerstone Prayer Network is here for people who have asked us to pray for them. Please send your prayer requests to cornerstonechurch.prayernetwork@gmail.com and the details will be passed on to the members of the Prayer Network. If your prayer request is for someone else, please check with them before sending details to the Cornerstone Prayer Network.
If you would like to become a member of the Cornerstone Prayer Network, please send your details by email to cornerstonechurch.prayernetwork@gmail.com, or speak to June Halstead after a Service in the church.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18–25 January 2023
Churches Together in Milton Keynes has organised a diverse programme of services and events on every day of the in churches around Milton Keynes.
Wednesday, 18 January 7.30 pm: Prayer for the City – St Mary’s, Bletchley
Led by Pastor Ferdinand Tambwe, Rehoboth Church. Speakers include Revd Canon Helen Cameron, Moderator of the Free Churches Group, and Rt Revd David Oakley, Bishop of Northampton
Thursday, 19 January 7.30 pm: Come and Sing Evensong – St Mary & St Giles, Stony Stratford
Preacher: Revd Lisa Kerry, Baptist Regional Minister
Friday, 20 January 7.30 pm: We Sing! – St Edward the Confessor, Shenley Church End
Saturday, 21 January 10.00 am – 3.00 pm: Mission Fair – The Servant King, Furzton
Sunday, 22 January 6.00 pm: A Child of Our Time – Christ the Cornerstone
Monday, 23 January 7.30 pm: Climate Unity – The Quaker Centre, Downhead Park
Tuesday, 24 January 7.30 pm: Any Questions? – Christ Church, Stantonbury
Panellists to include Revd Geoffrey Clarke, Moderator of the URC East Midlands Synod
Wednesday, 25 January 7.30 pm: A Celebration of Justice – Christ the King, Kents Hill
Preacher: Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England
Printed copies of this programme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023, with additional details are available in Reception. The programme is also available on the Churches Together in Milton Keynes website at https://www.ctmk.church/2022/10/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2023.html.
Offering
Hymn: See him lying on a bed of straw
See him lying on a bed of straw:
a draughty stable with an open door;
Mary cradling the babe she bore
the Prince of Glory is his name.
O now carry me to Bethlehem
to see the Lord appear to men!
Just as poor as was the stable then,
the Prince of Glory when he came.
Star of silver sweep across the skies,
show where Jesus in the manger lies;
shepherds swiftly from your stupor rise
to see the Saviour of the World.
O now carry me to Bethlehem …
Angels, sing the song that you began,
bring God’s glory to the heart of man;
Sing that Bethl’ems little baby can
be salvation to the soul.
O now carry me to Bethlehem …
Mine are riches, from your poverty,
from your innocence, eternity;
mine forgiveness by your death for me,
child of sorrow for my joy.
O now carry me to Bethlehem …
Michael Perry (1942–1996)
CCL31580
Blessing
Be people of peace.
Let peace live in your heart and share the peace of Christ with all you meet.
Share peace by acting out of compassion and not fear.
Share peace by listening to all sides of the story.
Share peace by praying for our world. In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share peace.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, share peace and hope with those you meet.
And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you today and always.
Amen
The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.
Amen