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.
The latest editions of the weekly news-sheet and music notes are in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are links to bell ringing and
choir and concert info. We have a strong connection with
St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School, and with our neighbouring parishes within The Benefice of the Three Saints—
St Mary's (Shincliffe),
St Mary's (Coxhoe) and
St Helen's (Kelloe).
Sunday, 26th April 2026 - Easter Season: The Fourth Sunday of Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday; Vocations Sunday
Alleluia, Alleluia!
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Alleluia!
Romans 6:9-11, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
‘He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.’
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:22-25, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Common Worship
A Prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday:
Good Shepherd of the sheep by whom we the lost are sought and guided into the fold; feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole. In this ongoing season of walking within the shadow of levels and bubbles, thank you that you walk with us giving strength and peace. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Northwest Anglican - Church of the Good Shepherd, Massey, Auckland, NZ (Part of the Diocese of Auckland in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia)
A Poem for Good Shepherd Sunday:
I am the Door of the Sheepfold
Not one that’s gently hinged or deftly hung,
Not like the ones you planed at Joseph’s place,
Not like the well-oiled openings that swung
So easily for Pilate’s practiced pace,
Not like the ones that closed in Mary’s face
From house to house in brimming Bethlehem,
Not like the one that no man may assail,
The dreadful curtain, The forbidding veil
That waits your breaking in Jerusalem.
Not one you made but one you have become:
Load-bearing, balancing, a weighted beam
To bridge the gap, to bring us within reach
Of your high pasture. Calling us by name,
You lay your body down across the breach,
Yourself the door that opens into home.
The Reverend Dr A Malcolm Guite
A Collect for Vocations:
Almighty God, who hast entrusted to thy Church a share in the ministry of thy Son our great High Priest: we pray that by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit the hearts of many may be moved to offer themselves for the ministry of thy Church, and that, strengthened by his power, they may work for the increase of thy kingdom and set forward the eternal praise of thy name; 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.
The Society of Archbishop Justus
A Prayer for Those in fear of Death, that They may find Faith through the Resurrection:Jesus, Lord, don't let the fear of death overpower us.
And don't let the loss of our loved ones
cause us to doubt your power to "Easter" everybody.
Remind us, Lord,
that you have the last words over death.
You are risen!
You are not "among the dead".
Neither are we.
We shall live forever in your triumphant love.
Amen.
The Missionary Society of St Columban, US
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
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
