Free admission.The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it shall not go out. Every morning the priest shall add wood to it, lay out the burnt-offering on it, and turn into smoke the fat pieces of the offerings of well-being. A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar; it shall not go out.A Reading for Bonfire Night: Leviticus 6:12-13, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized EditionGod of truth and love, on this night as sparks ignite a flame and the sky is lit up by flashes and sparkling, so may the example of the saints burn and explode within us that our hearts may delight in your love and glory. Forgive the divisions that would breed hatred and violence. Strengthen all who build bridges to unity and peace and give us grace to trust in your promises, rejoice in your love and work for your Kingdom alone, now and for ever.Amen.A Prayer for Bonfire Night: Prayers for All Occasions, SPCK Publishing, 2011, The Very Reverend Ian Black - Dean of Newport Cathedral (Diocese of Monmouth, Church in Wales), and at the time of writing, former Vicar of St Mary's, Whitkirk (Diocese of Leeds, Church of England
11:00am - Sung Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) on the Feast of Christ the King, followed by Refreshments in the InstituteOfficiant and Preacher: The Rector6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (Book of Common Prayer) on the Sunday next before AdventOfficiant: The RectorGod put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.A Reading for the Feast of Christ the King: Ephesians 1:20-23, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized EditionEternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Amen.The Collect for the Feast of Christ the King
10:50am - Parish Eucharist with Act of Remembrance (Common Worship), followed by Refreshments in the Institute Officiant and Preacher: The Reverend Alan Middleton ***Please note the earlier start time of 10:50am; this will ensure that everyone is seated in church in readiness for the two-minute silence at 11:00am. The final part of this service will take place at the war memorial in the churchyard.***6:00pm - Said Evening Prayer with Hymns (Book of Common Prayer)Officiant: The Rector'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them.'From 'For the Fallen', Laurence Binyon, 1869-1943The Lord shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.A Reading for Remembrance Sunday: Micah 4:3, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized EditionO Almighty God, grant, we beseech thee, that we who here do honour to the memory of those who have died in the service of their country and of the Crown, may be so inspired by the spirit of their love and fortitude that, forgetting all selfish and unworthy motives, we may live only to thy glory and to the service of mankind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for Remembrance SundayIn Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row, That mark our place: and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.A Poem for Remembrance Sunday: 'In Flanders Fields', John McCrae, 1872-1918
***Please note that we are currently experiencing an issue with our heating system in church, so please wrap up warmly when visiting us. Hot water bottles are available for use by those attending any of our services, or if you'd like to bring your own, we can fill them for you, either in the Institute before Parish Eucharist or in the vestry prior to Evensong, Oasis and Midweek Holy Communion. Blankets are also available. We apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may cause.*** Thursday - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: Guy Fawkes Day (Bonfire Night)6:00pm - Annual Community Bonfire in the Churchyard (free admission)Sunday, 8th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: Remembrance Sunday; The Third Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity)10:50am - Parish Eucharist with Act of Remembrance (CW), followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)***Please note the earlier start time of 10:50am for our Morning Service on Remembrance Sunday; this will ensure that everyone is seated in church in readiness for the two-minute silence at 11:00am. The final part of this service will take place at the war memorial in the churchyard.***Tuesday - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: The Feast of St Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461 [Lesser Festival]2:00pm - Tea & Talk in the Institute Wednesday - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: The Feast of St Martin, Bishop of Tours, C397 [Lesser Festival]; Armistice Day9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 15th November 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Second Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Trinity)11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Choral Evensong (BCP)Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231 [Lesser Festival] 9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 22nd November 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of Christ the King; The Sunday next before Advent (Stir-up Sunday)11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century [Commemoration]; The Feast of Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748 [Commemoration]9:00am - Oasis 10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)7:00pm - PCC Meeting Sunday, 29th November 2026 - Advent: The First Sunday of Advent (The First Sunday in Advent); The Eve of St Andrew***Lectionary Year B begins.***11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Choral Evensong (BCP)Wednesday - Advent9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Friday - Advent: The Feast of St John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, C749; The Feast of Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637 [Commemoration]7:30pm - Durham University Orchestral Society Chamber Ensemble Michaelmas ConcertSunday, 6th December 2026 - Advent: The Second Sunday of Advent (The Second Sunday in Advent)11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)Tuesday - Advent: The Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Lesser Festival]2:00pm - Tea & Talk in the Institute 7:30pm - DUPO Palatinate Ensemble Michaelmas Concert Wednesday - Advent: Ember Day9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 13th December 2026 - Advent: The Third Sunday of Advent (The Third Sunday in Advent)11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)Wednesday - Advent (O Sapientia)9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP) ***Please see the Calendar of Services attached.*** Food Bank: Weekly Message from Lynda Delf - On Sunday 25th October, 5kg of food was donated in church - this will provide 6 meals, many thanks.In September and October, £447.40 and 300kg of food was donated by parishioners and the school - thank you so much for your generous support, it is greatly appreciated. Our current shortages include rice, jam, sugar, biscuits, coffee, tinned potatoes, tomatoes, meat, and kettle food such as instant soup and noodles. We always need long-life milk and fruit juice, toilet rolls and household cleaning materials.Thank you.Advent Outreach Appeal 2026: Which charity would you like our next Outreach Appeal to support? Suggestions are needed by the Outreach Sub-Committee no later than Monday 9th November. The appeal will run over the Christmas and New Year period and should be in aid of an international/national charity.Please think hard about this and give or send suggestions, with back-up information about the charity, to any member of the Outreach Sub-Committee (convener Beth Rainey [email bethrainey43@gmail.com], Peter Shambrook, Alan Middleton and Bob Layton), so that the choice can be made and approved by the PCC in time for it to be well publicised in the next parish magazine (copy deadline Sunday 22nd November).Parish Magazine: The Autumn issue is now available and is being delivered to regular subscribers. As usual, extra copies are available (£2.00 each) from the back of church.St Oswald's Parish OfficeTel: 0191 383 0830Email: stoswaldschurchoffice@gmail.com
