United Covenant Service & Holy Communion

for 1 hour, 15 mins
St Oswald's, Durham
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

On the Second Sunday of Epiphany, we will be joined at St Oswald's by our friends from Durham City Methodists (Elvet Methodist Church and North Road Methodist Church) for a special United Covenant Service & Holy Communion, marking the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) 2026, followed by refreshments in the Institute across the road. All are very welcome to come and join us.

Preacher:
The Reverend John Squares, Methodist Superintendent Minister for Durham and Deerness Valley Circuit

Special readings will be used at this service. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is John 1:29-42.

Hymns:
508 (t. 507)
SP* 152
581 (t.i)
538 (t. Day of Rest)

Psalms:
40:1-12

And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

(John 1:32-34, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; 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, the Church of England)

The Post Communion:

God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Common Worship, the Church of England)

The Covenant Prayer:

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

(The Covenant Service, the Methodist Worship Book 2022, The Methodist Church in Great Britain)

Prayer Intentions for the Day from the Durham Diocesan (Church of England) Monthly Prayer Cycle:

Our Archdeacons -
Rick Simpson (Auckland), Katherine Bagnall (Sunderland), and Libby Wilkinson (Durham)

Anglican Communion -
Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo: The Most Reverend Georges Titre Ande

Durham Diocese (Church of England) Deanery Prayer Intention for January 2026 -
Easington Deanery

The theme for this year's WPCU is 'There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling', from Ephesians 4:4.

The Bible Verse for WPCU Day 1 - Our Calling:

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called

(Ephesians 4:1, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Prayer for WPCU Day 1 - Our Calling:

God of light,
you have called us out of darkness into your light.
May our response to your call lead us to actively seek reconciliation
and share your light in the world.

Amen.

Preserve me from my calling's snare,
and hide my simple heart above,
above the thorns of choking care,
the gilded baits of worldly love.

(Forth in Thy Name O Lord I Go, Charles Wesley * 1707–1788, Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, #430, Verse 3)

Today also marks the Commemoration of Amy Carmichael, Founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, Spiritual Writer, 1951.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern; *SP = Sing Praise - Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (the supplement to Common Praise). Further musical information for January 2026 can be found by clicking on the attachment below.***

***Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.***

View attachment

More info

St Oswald's, Durham

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). 

Tuesday, 24th March 2026 - Passiontide: The Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary

My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.

Galatians 4:1-5, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

We beseech you, O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts, that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; 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 Prayer for All who are Affected by War Throughout the World:

O Lord, God of our salvation, as we cry out before you today about the injustice, pain and sorrow in our world, we think of those impacted by war and terror. We know that each person and every child is precious to you, yet we see fear, suffering seemingly without end. You Lord are the great provider, you see the needs of those impacted by war and you love them and weep with them. Comfort them Lord as they struggle and nourish their souls with renewed hope each morning. Guide those who seek refuge to places where they can find help and rest, and move the hearts of nations to welcome them. Help your people Lord to find community and sustaining joy in places of refuge or exile. Lord you promise a time where there will be no more war, no fear, or pain, or sorrow, or suffering. Build your kingdom here, come Lord Jesus.

Amen.

The Anglican Diocese of Rockhampton - Part of the Anglican Church of Australia 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

Words from The Scale (or Ladder) of Perfection by Walter Hilton:

When the meditation of Christ’s Passion, or any part of His humanity is thus wrought in thy heart by such a spiritual sight, with devout affection answerable thereunto, know well that it is not of thy own working, nor the feigning or working of any evil spirit, but by the grace of the Holy Ghost. For it is an opening of the spiritual eye into the humanity of Christ, and may be called the fleshly love of God, as St Bernard saith, inasmuch as it is set upon the fleshly nature of Christ, and it is right good, and a great help for the destroying of great sins, and a good way to come to virtues, and so after to the Contemplation of the Godhead.

(The Commemoration of Walter Hilton takes place on 24th March)

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)


















gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image

Get in touch

Revd. Peter Kashouris

St. Oswald's Vicarage,
Church Street

DH1 3DG
Vicarage
0191 374 1681
Parish Office
0191 383 0830
What's on

United Covenant Service & Holy Communion

for 1 hour, 15 mins
St Oswald's, Durham
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

On the Second Sunday of Epiphany, we will be joined at St Oswald's by our friends from Durham City Methodists (Elvet Methodist Church and North Road Methodist Church) for a special United Covenant Service & Holy Communion, marking the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) 2026, followed by refreshments in the Institute across the road. All are very welcome to come and join us.

Preacher:
The Reverend John Squares, Methodist Superintendent Minister for Durham and Deerness Valley Circuit

Special readings will be used at this service. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is John 1:29-42.

Hymns:
508 (t. 507)
SP* 152
581 (t.i)
538 (t. Day of Rest)

Psalms:
40:1-12

And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

(John 1:32-34, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; 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, the Church of England)

The Post Communion:

God of glory, you nourish us with your Word who is the bread of life: fill us with your Holy Spirit that through us the light of your glory may shine in all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Common Worship, the Church of England)

The Covenant Prayer:

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.

Amen.

(The Covenant Service, the Methodist Worship Book 2022, The Methodist Church in Great Britain)

Prayer Intentions for the Day from the Durham Diocesan (Church of England) Monthly Prayer Cycle:

Our Archdeacons -
Rick Simpson (Auckland), Katherine Bagnall (Sunderland), and Libby Wilkinson (Durham)

Anglican Communion -
Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo: The Most Reverend Georges Titre Ande

Durham Diocese (Church of England) Deanery Prayer Intention for January 2026 -
Easington Deanery

The theme for this year's WPCU is 'There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling', from Ephesians 4:4.

The Bible Verse for WPCU Day 1 - Our Calling:

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called

(Ephesians 4:1, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Prayer for WPCU Day 1 - Our Calling:

God of light,
you have called us out of darkness into your light.
May our response to your call lead us to actively seek reconciliation
and share your light in the world.

Amen.

Preserve me from my calling's snare,
and hide my simple heart above,
above the thorns of choking care,
the gilded baits of worldly love.

(Forth in Thy Name O Lord I Go, Charles Wesley * 1707–1788, Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, #430, Verse 3)

Today also marks the Commemoration of Amy Carmichael, Founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, Spiritual Writer, 1951.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern; *SP = Sing Praise - Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (the supplement to Common Praise). Further musical information for January 2026 can be found by clicking on the attachment below.***

***Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.***

View attachment

More info

Safeguarding

The parish of St. Oswald's, Durham is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults.

Please click through to our safeguarding page for more information.

St. Oswald's safeguarding page

St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296