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.

Friday, 24th April 2026 - Easter Season: St Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at St Paul’s, 624 [Commemoration]; The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Solomon Islands, 2003 [Commemoration]

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 

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

Luke 2:8-14, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; 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.

Common Worship

A Collect for the Commemoration of St Mellitus:

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Saint Mellitus, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of England. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 

Amen. 

Adapted from Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints (2010), p. 716

A Collect for the Commemoration of the Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood:

Everloving God, by your grace the seven martyred Melanesian Brothers bore witness to the power of the cross of Christ in their lives; strengthen us to follow their example of obedience and show that the cross is liberation for all people; through Jesus Christ our risen and glorified Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

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)