Hymns are normally sung at all our Common Worship (CW) services and services of Evening Prayer but not at Book of Common Prayer (BCP) services of Holy Communion, unless stated.
The homilies project was developed so that a congregation can engage in study and discussion of the lectionary when a Priest or Reader are not available to lead the service. The files include the gospel reading, details of the other readings for the week, the homily itself which can be read out loud, discussion points and the collect for the week. They are written by a variety of people, including our bishops and archdeacons, and they are intended to be used by lay leaders who are not authorised to preach.
The Walesby Group is able to call upon the resources of three clergy licensed to their churches, supported by a wide team of lay and retired ministers. In addition to his role as Rector for the Middle Rasen Group, Revd Bryan Dixon is now Priest in Charge for the parishes of the Walesby Group and the Barkwith Group of parishes.
(For specific parish enquiries, please see the contact details on the website A Church Near You)
Tuesday 2nd December: 3pm - Iona Reflective Holy Communion
at Claxby Village Hall (refreshments from 2:30pm)
Wednesday 3rd December: 12:15pm - Companions and Knitters Lunch
at Market Rasen Golf Club
Thursday 11th December: 2:30pm - Quiet Christmas Service
at All Saints, Tealby
Saturday 13th December: 7pm - Annual Candlelit Carol Service
at Walesby 'Old Church' (the Ramblers Church)
Monday 15th December: 6:30pm - Evening Holy Communion
at North Willingham (in the Tower)
Wednesday 17th December: 6:30pm - Combined Carol Service and Concert
at St Mary's, Claxby
Thursday 18th December: 7pm - Carol Service
at St Mary's, Thoresway
Sunday 21st December: 7pm - Carol Service
at Ash Farm, North Willingham
Wednesday 24th December: 5:30pm - Carols around the Yew Tree
at St Mary's, Walesby
Wednesday 24th December: 6pm - Carol Service
at All Saints, Croxby
Wednesday 24th December: 8pm - Holy Communion with Carols
at All Saints, Tealby
Thursday 25th December: 9am - Holy Communion with Carols
at St Peter's, Normanby le Wold
Thursday 25th December: 9:30am - Service of Lessons and Carols
at St Andrew's, Stainton le Vale
Thursday 25th December: 10:30am - Carol Service
at St Mary's, Walesby
There are a wide range of theological opinions within the church, this article reflects the views of the author
'Advent'
Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement:
Every eye shall now behold him
robed in dreadful majesty.
(Charles Wesley)
The Four Last Things – Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell – have been traditional themes for Advent meditation. The characteristic note of Advent is therefore expectation, rather than penitence, although the character of the season is easily coloured by an analogy with Lent. The anticipation of Christmas under commercial pressure has also made it harder to sustain the appropriate sense of alert watchfulness, but the fundamental Advent prayer remains – ‘Our Lord, come’ (1 Corinthians 16.22).
Church decorations are simple and spare, and purple is the traditional liturgical colour. In the northern hemisphere, the Advent season falls at the darkest time of the year, and the natural symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout Advent and Christmas.
The lighting of candles on an Advent wreath was imported into Britain from northern Europe in the nineteenth century, and is now a common practice. The Moravian custom of the Christingle has similarly enjoyed great success in Britain since the latter part of the twentieth century, with the encouragement of the Children’s Society; Christingle services may take place before or after Christmas. The Third Sunday of Advent was observed in medieval times as a splash of colour in the restrained atmosphere of Advent (Gaudete or ‘Rose Sunday’), and the last days of Advent were marked by the sequence of Great ‘O’ Antiphons, which continue to inspire modern Advent hymns and meditations.
(Material taken from the Church of England website)
A Prayer for this Week
Father in heaven,
who sent your Son to redeem the world
and will send him again to be our judge:
give us grace so to imitate him in the humility and purity
of his first coming that,
when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him with joyful love and firm faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
