The worshipping heart of parish life; a Common Worship service including Holy Communion, with refreshments afterwards in the Institute across the road.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 15th November 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Second Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity)

Sung Parish Eucharist followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute

Officiant and Preacher:
The Reverend Canon Gavin Wort - Lead Chaplain at Durham University

Hymns:
Please see boards in church

Psalms:
Please see boards in church

Readings:
Zephaniah 1:7, 12–end
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Matthew 25:14–30

The Collect of the Day:

Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Gospel Reading:

The Parable of the Talents

Jesus told his disciples this parable: ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”

But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Matthew 25:14–30, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

The Dean and Chapter of Durham: Dean - The Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming; Reverend Canons - Professor
Simon Oliver, Charlie Allen, Michael Hampel and Jane Maycock; Lay Canons - Dr Maria Cockerill, Mr Jonathan Ward, Mr Paul Chandler, Dr Apollo Tutesigensi, Professor Stefanie
Sheen and Ms Alice Ambrose-Thurman; Chapter Clerk and Chief Operating Officer - Mr Guy Sampson; The College of Canons

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Iglesia Anglicana de Chile: Primate of the Anglican Church of Chile and Bishop of South of Chile - The Most Reverend Enrique Lago Zugadi

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

November 2026: Stockton Deanery

The Post Communion:

Gracious Lord, in this holy sacrament you give substance to our hope: bring us at the last to that fullness of life for which we long; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000); *SP = Sing Praise: Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (2010).***