Led by: Grace Hunting LLM

Preacher: Revd Hannah Akibo-Betts

Gathering Music

Call to Worship

Come, let’s gather our hearts and minds before God. The psalmist tells us,
‘Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.’

Today, we stand among a cloud of witnesses,
cheered on by those who ran this race before us.

Let’s lay aside our distractions and burdens –
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Let’s worship the God who makes the righteous shine like light,
who steadies us through every trial,
and who loves us enough to discipline us as his own children.

Greetings and Welcome

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, we come to you with grateful hearts, longing to know you more.
As we gather, give us courage to throw off everything that weighs us down
and to run the race you’ve set before us.
Remind us of your faithfulness, your justice, and your unfailing love.
Open our ears to hear your word, and our hearts to trust your ways.
Meet us here, Lord, and let your Spirit shape us into people who reflect your light and your grace.

Amen

Hymn: Praise, my soul, the King of heaven!

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven!
To his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Praise the everlasting king!

Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Glorious in his faithfulness!

Father-like he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Widely as his mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him! [×2] Praise with us the God of grace!

Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)
CCL31580

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

Generous and holy God, we thank you for your promises that never fail
and for your faithfulness that carries us through each day.
Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the example of endurance and the source of our hope.
Thank you for your discipline that shapes us as true children, even when it’s hard to understand.

Yet we confess that we often forget your goodness.
We hold tight to our worries and let fear crowd out faith.
We turn from your commands and stumble into selfishness.

Forgive us, Lord, for the ways we resist your loving correction.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation.
Make us people whose hearts are steady, whose trust is deep, and whose lives shine with your light.
We receive your mercy, and we ask for the courage to keep running,
trusting you every step of the way in Jesus’ name;

Amen

[Silence]

Prayer of the Week

God of steadfast love, you call us to walk in faith and to trust your guiding hand.
As we enter this new week, give us courage to lay aside every burden
and fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer of our faith.
Shape us by your wisdom; make our hearts steady and generous, shining with your light in all we do.
Teach us to welcome your loving discipline and to find joy in following your ways.
Strengthen us to run with perseverance, that our lives may reflect your justice, mercy, and hope
for we ask in Jesus Mighty name.

Amen

Bible Readings

Psalm 112

Read by Kudakwashe Matare

¹ Praise the Lord.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.

² Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
³ Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures for ever.
⁴ Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
⁵ Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

⁶ Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered for ever.
⁷ They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
⁸ Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
⁹ They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures for ever;
their horn will be lifted high in honour.

¹⁰ The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

NIV®

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

Hymn: For I’m building a people of power

For I’m building a people of power
and I’m making a people of praise,
that will move through this land by My Spirit,
and will glorify My precious Name.
Build Your Church, Lord,
make us strong, Lord,
join our hearts, Lord, through Your Son.
Make us one, Lord,
in Your Body,
in the Kingdom of Your Son.

Dave Richards
CCL31580

Hebrews 13: 1–8

Read by Peter Mutuku Kioklo

¹ Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ³ Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.

⁴ Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

‘Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.’

⁶ So we say with confidence,

‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?’

⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.

NIV®

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

Sermon

By Grace Hunting LLM

Musical Meditation

Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God., whose steadfast love lights our path and whose promises never fail.

We trust in Jesus Christ: the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who endured the cross for our sake and calls us to run our race with perseverance.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who shapes us as children of God:
guiding, correcting, and strengthening us each day.
We trust that, even in hardship, God’s discipline is love and God’s justice is sure.

We seek to live as people whose hearts are firm, whose generosity overflows, and whose hope endures.

With all the saints who have gone before us, we fix our eyes on Christ and commit to follow in his way.

Amen

Hymn: When we walk with the Lord

When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey,
for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief nor a loss,
not a frown nor a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, …

But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favour he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, …

Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, …

John Henry Sammis (1846–1919)
CCL31580

Prayers of Intercession

Led by Cheryl Montgomery

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

Sharing Peace

As people who have received God’s mercy and walk in his light,
let us share the peace that comes from Christ alone.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.

Let us offer to one another a sign of peace.

Offertory

Notices

Revd George Mwaura: Annual Leave

Sunday, 24 August – Tuesday, 16 September 2025

While George is on leave if any urgent pastoral needs arise, please get in touch with Revd Dr Margaret Goodall, whose email address is margaretgoodall24@gmail.com and her phone number is 07957 203736. For any administrative matters, please contact Cheryl Montergomery, Chair of our Church Council.

Please hold George and Christine in your thoughts and prayers while they are away.

New Wednesday Bible Study:
‘Weakness Made Strong. the Stories of Moses and Rahab’

Ever wondered if God can really use people with messy pasts and nagging doubts? Join us for a new six-week study as we follow the journeys of Moses and Rahab. Two Old Testament legends who had every reason to be counted out, yet were chosen by God for something extraordinary. We’ll see how God works through failure, fear, and the parts of our stories we’d rather forget. This isn’t just history; it’s hope for every one of us who’s ever felt unqualified or overlooked.

Come expecting honest conversation, fresh perspective, and a reminder that God still uses ordinary people for his greatest work. Whether you’re new to faith or looking for a deeper dive, this is a series you won’t want to miss! Our first study is on Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 7.00 pm on Zoom.

Revd George

Welcoming and Empowering Palestinian Students and Graduates in Milton Keynes

A powerful new initiative, MK ANSARS, has been launched to support Palestinian students and recent graduates from Gaza and the West Bank as they resettle and thrive in Milton Keynes.

Spearheaded by Kurshida Mirza, former High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and British Empire Medal honouree, and Dr Nela Smolović Jones of The Open University, MK ANSARS unites Truby’s Garden, the Church of Christ the Cornerstone, and academics from The Open University and Durham University, with more partners joining soon.

Following Milton Keynes’ successful track record welcoming Syrian, Afghan, and Ukrainian communities, MK ANSARS will offer mentorship, friendship, and essential financial support, for housing, childcare, transport, and utility bills, empowering students to rebuild their futures in the heart of the UK.

Kurshida Mirza said: ‘We have a proud tradition in Milton Keynes of welcoming people fleeing persecution… ANSARS symbolises the helpers in Medina who supported the Prophet’s migration – this is about community and compassion.’

Dr Nela Smolović Jones added: ‘These students are exceptionally capable people who, under different circumstances, would be leading their homelands. Milton Keynes will be enriched by their talent.’

The first cohort arrives this month: one PhD student exploring grassroots leadership in war-shattered communities, and four Master’s graduates in economics and education.

You can help by donating via: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/SupportingPalestinianFamiliesinMiltonKeynes.

Contact for more information: nela.smolovic-jones@open.ac.uk or kurshidabmirza@gmail.com.

Social Justice Group

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.
May these gifts serve your purpose and bring light to all corners of your world.

Amen

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 Ridley Havergal (1836–1879)
CCL31580

Blessings

Go into this week with hearts made steady by God’s love.
Run your race with perseverance,
knowing that you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and held in the care of a faithful God.
May you reflect the light of Christ in all you do, walking in generosity, courage, and hope.

And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always

Amen

Dismissal

Church, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ, we will.

Amen