Holy Communion – Live streamed – Sunday, 3 July 2022
A separate video feed of the choir is available here.
Minister: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga
Gathering Music
Welcome
Holy, holy, holy Lord, we rejoice in all that you have done.
We gather to praise you and to reflect on how we can play our part in your work.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, be with us now –
inspire us, enrich our worship and encourage our mission,
in Jesus’ name.
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: I, the Lord of sea and sky
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them,
they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
till their hearts be satisfied,
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Dan Schutte (b. 1947)
CCL31580
Prayer of Approach
We bring ourselves to this place, this moment in time;
we bring ourselves to worship you, O God.
We come knowing you and yet seeking to know you more,
to offer you our prayers and praises, and to receive your blessing.
Amen
Confession
God of blessing and abundance, God of peace and love,
you have offered and given us so much, you have revealed so much to us,
you have guided and guarded us on our life’s journey,
and yet…we are so often ungrateful.
So often we ignore what has been given.
So often we have failed to see all that you show us.
So often we have not sought peace with those around us.
So often we have not shared with others your words of love and peace.
Forgive us, O God, that your blessings have been squandered by us,
ignored by us, misused by us, abused by us.
Forgive us, O God, and in the silence of this moment, accept our confession.
Blessed be you, Lord God,
for your forgiveness.
Blessed be you, Lord God,
for your guidance.
Blessed be you, Lord God,
for your acceptance of us.
Blessed be you, Lord God,
that we can know our sins, our failings, are forgiven.
Amen
Prayer of the Week
Creator God, you are our all, you created and crafted us.
God of the journey, you are our journey, our aim, our purpose, our goal.
God of welcome, you receive each of us, no matter who and what we are.
God of peace, you give us peace, and you call us to be one in you and to share that peace.
Amen
Ministry of the Word
Galatians 6: 1–7
Read by Don Head
Doing Good to All
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
NIV®
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Luke 10: 1–11
Read by Catherine Brew
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 ‘When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 ‘When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 “Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.”’
NIV®
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ our light.
Meditation
Choral Response
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 Robin Kyd
Lord, we thank you for the spiritual refreshment and nourishment that you offer us so freely and abundantly. Help us to listen attentively whenever and wherever you speak to us. Enable us to see your face in the faces of both friends and strangers. Transform our lives, and turn us into the channels in an Oasis of Hope, through which your life-giving water is poured out for the spiritual well-being of all.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the nations of the world. We pray for peace in all parts of the world – peace within nations and peace between nations – peace based on justice for all. We pray for the people of Ukraine, as they fight to maintain their independence against the aggression of their powerful neighbour. We pray that the great nation of Russia may learn to live in peace with its neighbours, drawing on its rich history, overthrowing the old Tsarist regime in its own country and thwarting the expansionist ambitions of the Nazis. We pray for lasting peace and justice that is based on truth.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the public life of our own country. We pray that we all, and especially those in positions of power and influence, uphold your standards of truth, justice, integrity and respect.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for of our own community, here in the City of Milton Keynes. We ask for your blessing on all those in local government and services, in the professions and in the voluntary sector, who work to improve the well-being of the whole community.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the work of the Church of Christ the Cornerstone here in the heart of the community. We pray for the work of the Social Justice Committee and the work of the Pastoral Committee, both of which committees meet this week. May we all strive to make our church a place where people, throughout the week, may discover and grow in faith, experience God’s love and be challenged to live that love.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We ask for your blessing on Revd George as he embarks on his sabbatical studies. We pray that you will enrich him through his explorations of the work with young people of the churches in Kenya. We pray for his safe return to us at the end of his sabbatical, invigorated to continue your work with us and the wider church, in the furtherance of your Kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray thank you for the opportunity we have, under the leadership of Revd Hannah Akibo-Betts in our Wednesday evening Bible study, to learn and understand what it means live by the Spirit. We pray for the strength and insight to take what we are learning and apply it in our daily lives and our dealings with one another.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Finally, we pray for ourselves. Lord grant that we may be the fruitful soil in which the seed of your word is able to grow and produce abundant yield. We ask that you grant us all that we require to grow in your Spirit.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Merciful father accept these prayers for the sake of your son, our saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
The Peace
Peace to you from God, who is our Father.
Peace from Jesus Christ, who is our peace.
Peace from the Holy Spirit, who gives us life.
The peace of God be always with you.
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Hymn: El Shaddai
El shaddai, el Shaddai,
El-elyon na adonia.
Age to age You’re still the same
by the power of the name,
El shaddai, el Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai.
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.
Through Your love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham.
Through the power of Your hand
turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God who really sees,
and by Your might
You set Your children free.
El shaddai, el Shaddai, …
Through the years you’ve made it clear
that the time of Christ was near,
though the people couldn’t see
what messiah ought to be.
Though Your word contained the plan
they just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
through the frailty of Your son.
El shaddai, el Shaddai, …
El shaddai, el Shaddai,
El-elyon na Adonai.
Age to age You’re still the same
By the power of the name,
El shaddai, el Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai.
I will praise You till I die (praise You),
El Shaddai.
John W Thompson and Michael J. Card
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 forever 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
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
Margaret Horner
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death last Saturday (25 June 2022) of Margaret Horner. Margaret was a key member of Cornerstone for many years, and a well-known figure in the Milton Keynes Methodist Circuit. She was a Methodist local preacher, and the wife of Revd Alan Horner, Methodist minister and poet. Margaret was a loyal volunteer worker at Cornerstone, serving in the Cornerstone Café and elsewhere. Details of the funeral arrangements will be passed on as soon as they become available.
All Things Wild and Wonderful’ – Eco-workshop for young people
9.30 am – 12.00 pm Saturday, 9 July 2022 at Cornerstone
An action-packed morning of craft activities, games and gardening. Come dressed in suitable clothes: it could get messy!
Pyramid Rock!
9.00 am – 12.00 noon Monday–Friday, 1–5 August 2022
Christ the Sower School, 24 Singleton Drive, Grange Farm, MK8 0PZ
The Pyramid Rock Summer Holiday Club is being held by the Watling Valley Partnership at the Christ the Sower School 9.00 am – 12.00 noon Monday–Friday 1–5 August 2022. Cornerstone children are invited, as Cornerstone folk are helping with the holiday club. Booking is essential as spaces are limited: first come, first served.
Information and booking is available on the Watling Valley Partnership website at: https://watlingvalley.org.uk/blog/103936.
Nerys Steeds
‘God loves a cheerful giver’
Thanks to your generous giving we can be an OASIS OF HOPE to Milton Keynes.
Please keep supporting our mission!
If you are at our worship service in the church building and would like to make an offering, please place your offering in the basket at the door to the worship area. If you can’t find it, please ask the stewards.
There are many different ways to give: online, telephone banking or by cheque. For more information how to give please visit the Cornerstone website (www.cornerstonemk.co.uk) or contact: steward.cccmk@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support. It is much appreciated.
Final Prayer
Where there is conflict,
let there be peace.
Where there is fearfulness,
let there be peace.
Where there is anger,
let there be peace.
Where there is violence,
let there be peace.
May God’s peace rest on our homes
and all who live in them.
Amen
Hymn: The Spirit lives to set us free (Walk in the light)
The Spirit lives to set us free,
walk, walk in the light;
he binds us all in unity,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light,
walk in the light,
walk in the light,
walk in the light of the Lord.
Jesus promised life to all,
walk, walk in the light;
the dead were wakened by his call
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, …
He died in pain on Calvary,
walk, walk in the light;
to save the lost like you and me,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, …
We know his death was not the end,
walk, walk in the light;
he gave his Spirit to be our friend,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, …
By Jesus’ love our wounds are healed,
walk, walk in the light;
the Father’s kindness is revealed,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, …
The Spirit lives in you and me,
walk, walk in the light;
his light will shine for all to see,
walk, walk in the light.
Walk in the light, …
Damian Lundy (1944–1996)
CCL31580
Blessing
For each step that we might take,
be our guide, O Lord of life.
For each load that we might bear,
be our strength, O Lord of life.
For each mountain we might face,
be our power, O Lord of life.
For each river that might impede,
be our safety, O Lord of life.
For each place where we might rest,
be our peace, O Lord of life.
For each sunrise and sunset,
be our joy, O Lord of life.
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