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, 20th September 2026 - Ordinary Time (Creationtide): The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

Parish Eucharist followed by Refreshments 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:
Jonah 3:10 - end of 4
Philippians 1:21-end
Matthew 20:1-16

The Collect of the Day:

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Gospel Reading:

The Labourers in the Vineyard

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

(Matthew 20:1-16, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Hospital Chaplains: Ms Joanne Nicholson and the Reverend Kevin Tromans - County Durham and Darlington; the Reverend Canon Remi Omole - Sunderland; Vacant - Sherburn; the Reverend Gareth Rowlands and the Reverend Joan Urwin - Gateshead, and North Tees & Hartlepool; the Reverend Pat Bealing and the Reverend Gordon Tough - South Tyneside; the Reverend Canon Colin Jay, the Reverend Debbie Baker and the Reverend Christine Britcliffe - Tees, Esk and Wear Valley

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

The Anglican Church of Australia: The Right Reverend Dr Mark Short - Primate of Australia and Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

September 2026: Durham Dales Deanery

The Post Communion:

Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbours as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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).***