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 now fortunate to be 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 her role as Vicar for the Market Rasen Group, Revd Claire Burnett is Priest in Charge for the parishes of Brookenby, Claxby, Croxby, Kirmond le Mire, Normanby le Wold, North Willingham, Stainton le Vale, Thoresway and Walesby. Revd Bryan Dixon, Rector for the Middle Rasen Group, is Priest in Charge for the parish of Tealby and the Barkwith Group of parishes.
(For specific parish enquiries, please see the contact details on the website A Church Near You)
Tuesday 4th March: 3pm - Reflective Service of Holy Communion (Iona)
at Claxby Village Hall (refreshments from 2:30pm)
Wednesday 5th March: Ash Wednesday Holy Communion services at
Kirmond le Mire (6pm) and Sixhills (6:30pm)
Tuesday 11th March: 7pm (for 7:30) - Deanery Synod meeting at
Middle Rasen Church Hall
Thursday 13th March: 11am - Funeral of Janet Warmoth at Walesby
Wednesday 26th March: 12 noon - Ministry Team Chapter meeting at
Market Rasen Church Room
There are a wide range of theological opinions within the church, this article reflects the views of the author
'Introducing Lent'
Ash Wednesday marked the start of the church season of Lent, which may originally have followed Epiphany, just as Jesus’ time in the wilderness followed immediately after his baptism. Lent soon became firmly attached to Easter, as the principal occasion for baptism and for the reconciliation of those who had been excluded from the Church’s fellowship for serious faults. This history explains the characteristic notes of Lent: penitence, self-examination, study, self-denial, and preparation for Easter, to which almsgiving has traditionally been added.
As candidates for baptism were instructed in Christian faith, and as penitents prepared themselves, through fasting and penance, to be readmitted to communion, the whole Christian community was invited to join them in the process of study and repentance. The extension of this over forty days would remind them of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, being tested by Satan.
Ashes are an ancient sign of penitence and from the middle ages it became the custom to begin Lent by being marked in ash with the sign of the cross. The calculation of the forty days has varied considerably in Christian history but it is now usual in the West to count continuously to the end of Holy Week, excluding Sundays - thus Lent begins on the sixth Wednesday before Easter, Ash Wednesday. Liturgical dress is the simplest possible, churches are usually kept bare of flowers and decoration and the Gloria in excelsis is not used. The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare or Refreshment Sunday) was allowed as a day of relief from the rigour of Lent, and the Feast of the Annunciation (the 25th of March) almost always falls in Lent. These breaks from austerity are the background to the modern observance of Mothering Sunday on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, which is the 30th March this year.
(based on material taken from the Church of England website)
A Prayer for this Week
Almighty God,
you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves:
keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls;
that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body,
and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
