Preacher: Revd George Mwaura
Celebrant: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga

Gathering Music

Welcome

Loving Lord, as we come to worship,
help us to see and hear not only the familiar but the unexpected, the new, the different.
Help us to understand and have a new awareness of you and of your story,
of your love and your presence in our lives.

[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: O for a thousand tongues to sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing
my dear Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.

He speaks; and, listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive,
the mournful broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.

Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,
your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your Saviour come;
and leap, ye lame, for joy!

My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim
and spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of the name.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
CCL31580

Prayer of Approach

We gather together today, Lord, the events of Easter still fresh in our minds.
We still have our questions.
We wonder how we can join the dots, learn the best way to live the life we are called to.
Open our eyes, Lord, so that we might see the stranger in our midst.
Give us openness to listen to their stories.
Remind us that we just never know when we might come across Jesus, our friend, our Lord and master.

Open our eyes and our hearts, Lord.

Amen

[Silence]

Confession

Lord, for the times we hear the Scriptures and our hearts don’t burn within us:
be with us, stay with us, forgive us.

When we don’t recognise Jesus in our midst because we’re just not looking:
be with us, stay with us, forgive us.

When we are too blind to see you in the simple things:
be with us, stay with us, forgive us.

When we are too wrapped up in ourselves to break bread together:
be with us, stay with us, forgive us.

When we don’t treat strangers with the respect they are due, or look the other way:
be with us, stay with us, forgive us, Lord.

[Silence]

Jesus was with the two on the road to Emmaus; working in their lives, even though they didn’t know it.
Jesus is with us on our road; working in our lives, even when we don’t feel it.
Lord Jesus, you spoke on that road through the simple action of breaking the bread.
Speak to us now through your divine forgiveness.
Keep a moment of silence.
We hear you, Lord.

Amen

Prayer of the Week

Living God; as we travel the journey of life,
sometimes we are sad and discouraged, and don’t recognise your presence.
Forgive us and help us.

As we travel through new experiences, sometimes we are confused and afraid,
and forget to look for you among the unfamiliar.
Forgive us and help us.

As we meet new people, some who have different ideas and views from our own,
some who challenge and make us feel uncomfortable, we fail to see you at work in them.
Forgive us and help us.

As we listen to old familiar Bible stories,
sometimes we neglect to look for new opportunities among the well-known words.
Forgive us and help us.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

1 Peter 1: 17–23

Read by Stuart Kean

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

²² Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. ²³ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

NIV®

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

Hymn: Thine be the glory

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

 Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

 No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.

French, 19th century, Edmond Budry (1854–1932}
tr. Richard Hoyle (1875–1939)
CCL31580

Luke 24: 13–35

Read by Chibby Chima-Okoro

On the Road to Emmaus

¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognising him.

¹⁷ He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’

¹⁹‘What things?’ he asked.

‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’

²⁵He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.

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.

Creator Father, beloved Son and living Spirit.

Amen

Prayers and Intercessions

Led by Grace Hunting

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: Let us break bread together

Let us break bread together on our knees.
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees.
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees.
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.

Traditional
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.

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 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.
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

Come to this table, not because you must, but because you may,
not because you are strong, but because you are weak.
Come, not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come,
but because you need mercy and help.
Come, because you love the Lord a little and would like to love him more.
Come, because he loved you and gave himself for you.
Come and meet the risen Christ, for we are his Body.

Post Communion Prayer

Eternal Father, we thank you for nourishing us with these heavenly gifts:
may our communion strengthen us in faith, build us up in hope, and make us grow in love;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Notices

Eco Church Activities

The Cloister Gardens

It’s Spring and time to look after our Cloister Gardens. We would like them to be as beautiful and wildlife-friendly as possible. After church at coffee on 16 & 23 April 2023 we shall be seeking ideas and volunteers to help. After 30 years the plants are looking tired and in need of refreshment! Please join in.

Climate change

How are you doing with your lifestyle changes in response to climate change? No action is too small to make a difference! We will be adding pledges to our Coat of Responsibility – you could add yours and we’ll all help with encouragement. The Coat will be on display from the week after Easter.

Cheryl Montgomery

Ecumenical Council

10.30 am – 3.30 pm Saturday, 29 April 2023 in the Small Hall

The first meeting of the Ecumenical Council after the Annual Congregational Meeting will be in the Small Hall on Saturday week (29 April 2023).

The meeting will be preceded at 9.30 am by the inaugural meeting of the Trustees of the new CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) of Christ the Cornerstone Ecumenical Partnership.

Menopause Café

Once a month in the Cornerstone Café 2.30–4.30 pm, starting on Wednesday, 10 May 2023. Tea or coffee and cake will be available, courtesy of Milton Keynes City Council.

Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III

Prayer booklets of Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III from the Church of England (published by Church House Publishing) are available from the Cornerstone Shop at £1.50 a copy.

Don Head

Offering

Final Prayer

Lord, as we go from here, walk with us.
Inspire us to join the dots of our faith to see more clearly the wonder of the Easter story.
Motivate us to share that story with others, and encourage us to live and work with you and in you.

Amen

Hymn: Abide with me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour;
what but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy Cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee:
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)
CCL31580

Blessing

God grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the nation, peace and concord;
to us all your servants the promise of everlasting life,
light to guide us on our way,
courage to support us,
and your blessing to unite us in service to you our God
and this our country.
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

Dismissal

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

Amen