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, 15th March 2026 - Lenten Season: Mothering Sunday; The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

(John 19:25b-27, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Setting:
Mathias - Communion Service

Hymns:
507
SP* 42
238
530

Psalms:
34:11-20

Readings:
Exodus 2:1-10
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
John 19:25b-27

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Anglican Church of Kenya - The Most Reverend Jackson Ole Sapit

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

School Chaplains: Durham Cathedral Schools - The Reverend Simon McMurtary and St Aidan's C of E Academy, Darlington - The Reverend Rachel Wilson

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; 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 Post Communion:

Loving God, as a mother feeds her children at the breast you feed us in this sacrament with the food and drink of eternal life: help us who have tasted your goodness to grow in grace within the household of faith; 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).***

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A prayerful and reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer. Roughly every other Sunday in term time, a full choral evensong is held.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 15th March 2026 - Lententide: The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Choral Evensong

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

(James 5:7-9, King James Version)

Hymns:
416 (t.i)
21 (t.i)

Psalms:
31:1-16

Lessons:
Micah 7
James 5

***Please see the 'Parish Eucharist' page for the Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle intentions for the day, along with the Deanery for the month, and the Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle intentions for the day.***

The Collect of the Day:

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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).***

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A short time of reflection, designed to be a benefit for parents dropping off children at the school, with a concluding prayer and coffee. All are very welcome.

Please click on the attachment below for further information.

Wednesday, 18th March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Commemoration of St Cyril of Jerusalem - Bishop of Jerusalem and Teacher of the Faith, 386

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A prayerful, reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer, held in the chancel.

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

All are very welcome.

Wednesday, 18th March 2026 - Lententide: The Commemoration of St Edward the Martyr - King of the West Saxons, 978

Midweek Holy Communion

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

(Hebrews 10:12-18, King James Version)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of Ughelli (The Church of Nigeria) - The Right Reverend Cyril O Odutemu

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Christ Church, Hamsterley Colliery; St Ebba, Ebchester and St Mary Magdalene, Medomsley: Minister - Vacant

Ebchester C of E Primary School: Head Teacher - Mrs Rachel Clasper and Bishop Ian Ramsey C of E Primary School, Medomsley: Head Teacher - Mrs Sarah Howes

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

Amen.

All are very welcome to join us at our Parish Eucharist on Palm Sunday, marking Christ's entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a service of Holy Communion at St Mary's to mark the Tuesday of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a service of Holy Communion to mark the Wednesday of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a special service of the Eucharist with the Stripping of the Altars and Watch, marking Maundy Thursday.

All are very welcome to join us on Good Friday for the Liturgy of the Day and Sung Passion, marking the Crucifixion and Death of Christ.

A special late evening service of light on the Holy Saturday celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.

All are very welcome.

A joyful service on Easter Day celebrating the Resurrection of God's only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All are very welcome.