Led by: Revd George Mwaura
Preacher: Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga

Gathering Music

Welcome

We gather here, young, and old, wise, and questioning, fearful, and joyful, full of doubt and full of hope.
Let us put our trust in God, Christ-child, and heavenly king,
as we gather to worship, to learn and grow as God’s people.

[Silence]

God of the old and the new,
be with us.

God of the past and the way ahead,
be with us.

God of need and of plenty,
be with us.

As the year turns,
we look back with thanks,
we step out in hope,
we put our trust in you.

Amen

Hymn: All glory, laud, and honour

All glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s name comest,
the King and blessèd one:
All glory, laud, and honour …

The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and mortal folk/men and all things
created make reply:
All glory, laud, and honour …

The people of the Hebrews
with palms before thee went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before thee we present:/span>
All glory, laud, and honour …

To thee before thy passion
they sang their hymns of praise:
to thee now high exapted
our melody we raise:
All glory, laud, and honour …

Thou didst accept their praises,
accept the prayers we bring,
who in all good delightest,
thou good and gracious King:

All glory, laud, and honour
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

Theodulph of Orleans (d. 821)
tr. J.M. Neale (1819–1866)
CCL31580

Confession

Living God, we are sorry for times when we are stubborn and refuse to learn new lessons;
in your strength we will begin again.

We are sorry for being slow to learn from our mistakes;
in your strength we will begin again.

We are sorry when our successes make us complacent, not wise;
in your strength we will begin again.

We are sorry when we look for you in the wrong places and fail to grow in understanding;
in your strength we will begin again.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

[Silence]

Eternal God, as a new year beckons, may your truth and wisdom fill and equip us for all that lies ahead,
that we may grow stronger and wiser
and reflect the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ in all we say and do.

Amen

Prayer of the Week

God of all time, Christmas is over but our journey has just begun.
We have offered our carols but have songs yet to be sung.
We have wisdom to learn, and truths to discern so much learning and growing to do!
As we gather today to worship and pray, we rejoice that our teacher is you.

Amen

Ministry of the Word

Psalm 148

Read by Rosemary Kearsey

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
² Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
³ Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
⁶ and he established them for ever and ever –
he issued a decree that will never pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
⁹ you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
¹² young men and women,
old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendour is above the earth and the heavens.
¹⁴`And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

NIV®

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

Hymn: Take my life, and let it be

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let the move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet, and let the be
swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my voice, and let it sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine,
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.

Frances R. Havergal (1836–1879)
CCL31580

Luke 2: 41–52

Read by Bob Collard

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

⁴¹ Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. ⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. ⁴³ After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. ⁴⁴ Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’

⁴⁹ ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁵¹ Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

NIV®

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

Meditation

By Revd Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga

[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 Robin Kyd

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 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 the Lord be always with you.
and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Hymn: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
how can I love thee as I ought?
And how revere this wondrous gift
so far surpassing hope of thought?

Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore;
Oh, make us love thee more and more.

Had I but Mary’s sinless heart
To love thee with, my dearest King.
Oh, with what bursts of fervent praise
thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!

Sweet Sacrament, …

Ah, see! Within a creature’s hand
The vast Creator deigns to be,
reposing, infant-like, as though
on Joseph’s arm, or Mary’s knee.

Sweet Sacrament, …

Thy body, soul, and Godhead, all;
O mystery of love divine!
I cannot compass all I have,
for all thou hast and art are mine.

Sweet Sacrament, …

Come now ye angels to our aid,
sound, sound God’s praises higher still;
’tis God, whose power created us,
and in whose praise creation thrills.

Sweet Sacrament, …

Frederick William Faber (1814–1863)
CCL31580

Notices

Cornerstone Christmas Charity Appeal 2024

Last reminder!!

Our Christmas Charity Appeal closes at the end of December – so not long left now to make your donation! It has raised the amazing total of over £133,000 for local and international charities over the past twelve years. This year we are supporting Advantage Africa, MK:Act, Tools for Self Reliance and Milton Keynes Christian Foundation’s Urban Farm. Further details are available in Reception. As well as donating by cash or cheque using the envelopes provided, the bank details for paying on-line are:

Account name: Cornerstone Christmas Appeal,
Sort code: 23 05 80 (Metro Bank),
Account number: 54451911

Please write your name as payment reference.

Thank you so much for your generosity for these very worthwhile causes.

Cornerstone Appeal Committee

Lighting the Dome for a loved one

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to ‘Lighting the Dome’ this Christmas season. So far we have raised the wonderful total of £915, and not all the money is in yet! There are still a small number of dates left if you’d like to sign up on the list in Reception. This money is being raised for much needed church funds. Thank you again!

Offering Envelopes for 2025

If you would like a set of offering envelopes for next year, please let me know. If you are currently using envelopes, you are already on the list to receive a set for next year, but I need to know if there is anyone else who would like a set for 2025.

Janet Trimnell, steward.cccmk@gmail.com

A Concert for Peace

7.00 pm Sunday, 19 January 2025

As part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Churches Together in Milton Keynes is presenting this Concert for Peace, featuring two beautiful works: ‘Requiem’ by Sir John Rutter and the popular ‘Armed Man’ by Sir Karl Jenkins. The Cornerstone Chamber Choir, Orchestra and Soloists are directed by Adrian Boynton, with Guest Muezzin Arif Master.

Tickets at £22 and £15 (under 18years £5) are available from: boyntonmusic@btinternet.com; 07961 348697; https://tinyurl.com/2x8ymxv8 (fees apply); cornerstonemusicmk.co.uk. In aid of St Mark’s Meals and SieveMK Gateway.

Final Prayer

Word of Wisdom, as you have taught us,
may we share your Word with others.

Sparkling Light, as you have shone on us,
may we shine your light to others.

Precious Love, as you have grown in us,
may we show your love to others.

Amen

Hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
never more thy temples leave.
There we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above;
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation:
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
CCL31580

Blessing

God be in your head, and in your understanding;
God be in your eyes, and in your looking;
God be in your mouth, and in your speaking;
God be in your heart, and in your thinking;
God be at your end, and at your departing.
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