We are a Church of England parish with a strong tradition of music in worship, where all are very welcome. As an ancient Church in the centre of Durham, St Oswald's is a reservoir of peace for all who enter it.

The Sunday Eucharist is at 11:00am, and we have a play and books corner by the font for any younger worshipper who feels a parent or carer would enjoy it there. Evensong is at 6:00pm on Sundays, either in the chancel, or roughly every other week during term time when the usual hymns expand to a full choral setting, in the body of the church. Midweek Holy Communion is at 10:00am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5:00pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

Sunday, 30th August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who hast called thy Church to witness that thou wast in Christ reconciling the world to thyself: help us so to proclaim the good news of thy love that all who hear it may be drawn unto thee; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship

The First Reading Appointed for Today's Principal Service:

O Lord, you know;
remember me and visit me,
and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance do not take me away;
know that on your account I suffer insult.
Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart;
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,
nor did I rejoice;
under the weight of your hand I sat alone,
for you had filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain unceasing,
my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook,
like waters that fail.

Therefore, thus says the Lord:
If you turn back, I will take you back,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall serve as my mouth.
It is they who will turn to you,
not you who will turn to them.
And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
says the Lord.
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

Jeremiah 15:15-21, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Incident at Big Church Festival in West Sussex:

Heavenly Father,

We bring before you the heartbreak at Big Church Festival.

We pray for the loved ones who are grieving. Surround them with your comfort and peace.

We pray for those who were injured, asking for your physical and emotional healing.

We lift up the emergency responders, volunteers, and all who witnessed what happened.

When words fail, your presence remains.

Draw near to this community today and in the days ahead.

Amen. 

Tearfund

We pray in particular at this time for the repose of the soul of Pastor Robert Guanco of Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, who died in the recent incident at Big Church Festival, and for comfort and strength for his family, friends, loved ones and those in the congregations he served.

Rest eternal grant unto Robert, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Fatal Road Collision near Middlesbrough, and the Ongoing Violence in Teesside:

Loving God, in this time of sadness and uncertainty, we bring before you all those affected by the recent events in Teesside. Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who serve in these communities, and bring healing to all our communities. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is anger, we pray for understanding. Where there is division, we pray for a spirit of community.

We pray for wisdom for all those leading and investigating, hope to those who feel forgotten, and courage to all who seek the good of our communities. May your love be seen in acts of kindness, and your peace rest upon Teesside and Middlesbrough.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mrs Carolyn Godfrey (North East Regional Safeguarding Officer in the Methodist Church, and former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference)

We pray especially at this time for the repose of the souls of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, officers of Cleveland Police who died in the recent road collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough, and for comfort and strength for their families, friends, loved ones and colleagues.

Rest eternal grant unto Matthew and Tom, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

We pray too for Father Malcolm Lockey (SSC) and the team at the Church of St John the Evangelist, South Bank, East Middlesbrough (Diocese of York) who have been supporting those in the local community affected by the collision.

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

August 2026 - Auckland Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald:

Let us all kneel, and together beseech the true and living God Almighty in his mercy to defend us from the proud and cruel enemy; for he knows that we have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation.

Amen. 

The Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People 

(Prayed by King Oswald of Northumbria and his army on the battlefield on the eve of the Battle of Heavenfield)

The Post Communion:

O God our creator, who dost feed thy children with the true manna which is the living bread from heaven: grant that, by this holy food, we may be sustained through our earthly pilgrimage until we come to that place where hunger and thirst shall be no more; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

Common Worship