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 four 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 3rd December: 3pm - Reflective Service of Holy Communion (Iona)
at Claxby Village Hall (refreshments from 2:30pm)
Wednesday 4th December: Companions and Knitters Christmas Lunch
in Louth (pre-booking essential)
Monday 9th December: Ministry Team Christmas Lunch in Market Rasen
(pre-booking essential)
Thursday 12th December: Christmas Wreath Making at Thoresway
(pre-booking essentail)
Sunday 15th December: 'Crimble Bimble' at Brookenby
Friday 20th December: 6:30pm - 'Seasonal Songs and Carols' at Normanby
church courtesy of Claxby Community Choir (no booking necessary)
There are a wide range of theological opinions within the church, this article reflects the views of the author
'Advent and Christmas'
Advent marks the beginning of the church year. It is a time for reflection in darkness, for renewal of hope and for a movement towards a beginning. The season of Advent, as it first emerged in the Church in the fourth and fifth centuries, lasted, like Lent, for 40 days. Later tradition developed the Advent we know today, of four Sundays before Christmas Day. It is a season of expectation and preparation as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ. Church decorations are simple and sparse, and purple is the traditional colour used. Advent 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 Advent wreath is usually a circle of greenery with five candles rising from it. There are four candles on the outside that are purple (sometimes one is pink) and the candle in the middle is white. The candles are lit in the same order each week so that by the fourth week, the candles have burnt down by different amounts. (The pink candle can be lit on the third Sunday, known as Gaudete or 'Rose Sunday'.)
Christmas is one of the highlights of the Christian year and a time of great celebration. We celebrate the mystery of God coming to live among humanity as one of us in the person of Jesus, son of Mary, the saviour promised by the prophets of the Old Testament. This great feast that marks the anniversary of Jesus' birth has inspired the many joyful customs and traditions that we use to mark Christmas. Many of these - carols, cribs, decorations, and special foods - are shared with and enjoyed by millions of people across the world. But there is more than tinsel, trees and reindeer. There is amazement, wonder and joy here. The gospel accounts of the first Christmas provide so many ways for us to enter into the mystery of God becoming human. There are hosts of angels filling the night sky with singing; a group of astounded shepherds on a hillside who find their lives and expectations turn upside down; there is a shining star and the birth of a child, which, like many other births before and since, bring hope and possibility. And the readings for Christmas day - including the prologue to John's gospel - invite us to look beyond the joy of Jesus' birth to the significance of his life, and the saving power of his future death and resurrection. The season of Christmas lasts for twelve days, culminating in another feast - that of the Epiphany on 6th January, when we recall how Jesus was first revealed to the wider world in the visit of the Magi (or Wise Men).
(Material taken from the Church of England website: https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-life/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas)
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.
