“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:1-3
The verse which accompanies the image of the Christ child for this newsletter is taken from the King James Version of the Bible. I have used it because it announces the Christ’s coming; It is also the opening stanza of Handel’s wonderful work, The Messiah. I was blessed to be in Lincoln Cathedral in November (alongside Alwyn Kirk) as the Lincoln Chamber Orchestra and the Lincoln Cathedral Choir performed this seminal work. The performance reminded me of the wonder of our God and the love that he has for us. From start to finish I was captivated by the music and singing, just as I am captivated by the love of our God.
Advent is a season in which the excitement, the anticipation, of getting ready for Jesus builds. We prepare week by week. Scripture is full of words of preparedness, I wonder where we all are in our own faith. Thinking about Isaiah’s words, how straight is the path on which we walk, who are we walking it with and who might we want to walk with. Perhaps that is something we can explore together, at worship, maybe you might wish to join our Benefice Advent Exploration beginning on the 2nd of December, more detail below. But, of course, we do not have to wait until then! You could start now, some of you might have already done so through the new Bible Studies which have started across the Benefice. They are being well attended. Knowing the Story, our Story is so important in our Christian lives and I will, rightly, not stop speaking about that in the weeks, months, and years to come.
So Advent is upon us. What are you anticipating? As with every church year, the Advent and Christmas seasons will offer so many opportunities to worship and praise and I pray that, in and through them, we can encourage people to join with us as we prepare to welcome Emmanuel “our God with us.” Seasons blessings to you all. Reverend Al

Jane Hansford led the service in church and the Act of Remembrance at St Andrew’s Leasingham this year. There were so many people present to say thank you to all of those who have given their lives in defence of our nation. Thank you to everyone who took part

If you have ever wondered which Bible Passages you could be reading throughout the week check out our 'Your Bible Is Not Just For Sunday' a weekly recommendation this week we are looking closer at the book of Proverbs. To find out what readings are recommended check out the attachment and be inspired by God's word.

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Monday 1st December 3-7pm Living Advent Calendar Leasingham Church fundraisers will be having a tombola stall and the chance to win a food hamper at the Duke of Wellington Pub's event the Duke Jingle which is the launch of the village's Living Advent Calendar when they turn on their outdoor garden Christmas decorations and lights. This makes the start of the community participation when other residents put on a special window display of their own for Advent. The event is on Monday December 1st between 3pm and 7 pm in the pub grounds with stalls from village organisations, the school choir singing, festive refreshments and Santa with his sleigh and the switch on at 6pm.
Friday 12th December 6pm At the Duke of Wellington Leasingham Church choir and congregation members will be singing carols at the Duke of Wellington pub from 6pm to 6.30pm and then a short interval for refreshment and singing again from 6.45pm to 7pm or longer depending on people there.
Christmas Coffee Morning 13th December in Leasingham Village Hall from 10am – 11.30am with a homemade cake stall, serving fairtrade beverages, various other stalls including the chance to win a food hamper.

We invite you to join us for Worship, we offer a service every Sunday except the 5th Sunday of the month.
7th December - 9.30am - Advent 2 - Morning Praise
14th December - 9.30am - Advent 3 - Morning Praise
19th December - 7pm - Traditional Carols and Readings
21st December - 9.30am - Advent 4 - Morning Praise
24th December - 3pm - Crib Service
24th December - 9.30pm - Christmas Eve Holy Communion
25th December 10am - Christmas morning service

Everyone welcome

If you have ever wondered which Bible Passages you could be reading throughout the week check out our 'Your Bible Is Not Just For Sunday' a weekly recommendation this week we are looking closer at the subject of worry. To find out what readings are recommended check out the attachment and be inspired by God's word.

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Advent Exploration 2025
Our Advent Exploration for 2025 will take place in Myers House Ruskington on Tuesdays at 1030am.
2nd December - Week 1: Hope
9th December - Week 2: Peace
16th December Week 3: Joy
23rd December - Week 4: Love
During these standalone sessions we will explore each of these themes as we seek to deepen our understanding of Advent and experience the season in a new way - together.

We invite you to join us our Advent Celebrations.
Friday 19th December at 7pm is a Service of Traditional Carols and Readings . You can join us in one of the following Churches
All Saints Church , Ruskington
St Andrew's Church Cranwell
St Andrew's Church Leasingham
St Edith's Church Anwick with St Mary's Church Evedon

Every one is welcome

Join us for our Christingle Service, a service for all the family, young and old, to enjoy. Modern songs and hymns, crafting and refreshments.
If you haven't been before why not give us a go. It is great fun.

Want to celebrate Holy Communion this Christmas Eve but don't feel you can attend Midnight Mass. Check out one of the other services of Holy Communion held around the Benefice.
12noon - All Saints Church Ruskington
9.30pm - St Andrew's Church Cranwell
9.30pm - St Andrew's Church Leasingham
11.30pm - All Saints Church Ruskington

Everyone is welcome

Join us for some family Advent fun at one of our Crib Services around the Benefice all starting at 3pm on Christmas Eve
All Saints Church Ruskington
St Andrew's Church Cranwell
St Andrew's Church Leasingham
Everyone is welcome

Merry Christmas to All.
You are invited to join us as one of our many Christmas Morning Services around the Benefice.
11am All Saints Church Ruskington
10am St Andrew's Church Cranwell
10am St Andrew's Church Leasingham
the whole family is welcome

Join us in our last Benefice Service of 2025. Help us to send out 2025 full of praise and thanksgiving as we prepare to welcome in 2026