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.

Thursday, 23rd April 2026 - Easter Season: The Feast of St George the Martyr, Patron of England, c.304

Alleluia, Alleluia!

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.

Alleluia!

1 Corinthians 15:20-22, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

John 15:18-21, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

O God of hosts, who didst so kindle the flame of love in the heart of thy servant George that he bore witness to the risen Lord by his life and by his death: grant us the same faith and power of love that we, who rejoice in his triumphs, may come to share with him the fullness of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Prayer for the Feast of St George the Martyr:

Heavenly Father, give us the bravery of St George to stand up for what we believe and what is just. Give us the wisdom to overcome the dragons in our own lives and in the world. When we see people in distress, give us the compassion to help them. When we see the vulnerable in danger, give us the strength to defend them. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Barlborough and Clowne Parish Churches, the Diocese of Derby

Words from a Hymn written for the Feast of St George the Martyr:

Thou breath of life since time began,
Breathing upon the lips of man,
Hast taught each kindred race to raise
United word to sound thy praise:
So, in this land, join, we beseech,
All hearts and lips in single speech.

From 'Lord God of Hosts, Within Whose Hand' by Laurence Housman 1865-1959, The New English Hymnal, Canterbury Press Norwich, #162

(Commonly sung to the tune 'Melita' by John  Bacchus Dykes 1823-1876, former Vicar of St Oswald's, Durham)

A Poem for the Third Sunday of Easter:

On the Walk to Emmaus

Plodding through
with him
on Emmaus road

You don’t know
you know him

He colours history you
nurture as fantasies
with pictures, with quotes
with facts, with truths
like he’d seen it on youtube

How he’s the word
fetched light from gloom
isolated oceans from crust
uncoupled day & night

How he embroidered
himself with flesh &
lulled in a virgin’s loins

How he’s the tree of life
Adam & Eve never had a bite of
how he’s the bread of life
cheer to taste of death

How Moses’ bronze snake
a sketch of his cross
how a gaze into him
trots you into his palace

How the passover lambs
in Egypt epitomise him

How the messiah must
hang & pick up his life

By death of one
life for all

You trot, you leap
check into his eyes

an aeon slide ‘fore him

From Parousia Magazine, Africa, written by Oluwafemi Babasola

A Prayer for Prisoners and Captives:

Lord Jesus you know what it is to be held captive. We pray for all those resident in prison and their families.

May they be aware of your presence with them and may your spirit bring them peace and the hope of new life in Jesus Christ.

May the walls of prison provide a secure place for them to discover both their need for you and that they are loved unconditionally by you.

We pray for all who work in prisons, keep them safe and help them to know and demonstrate your compassion and grace in their daily lives.

We pray for all victims of crime; may your spirit bring them healing and peace as they rebuild their lives.

Gracious God, whose love extends over all the Earth, across all time and for all people, hear our prayer.

Amen.

Written for Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) by the Venerable Peter Leonard, former Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight in the Diocese of Portsmouth

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery

The Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.

Amen.

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)