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). 

Wednesday, 8th July 2026 - Ordinary Time

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all thy faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve thee in holiness and truth, to the glory of thy name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

Verses from the First Reading Appointed for Today's Morning Prayer:

Prophecy Against Eli's Household

Now Eli was very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He said to them, ‘Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If one person sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the Lord; but if someone sins against the Lord, who can make intercession?’ But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the Lord to kill them.

1 Samuel 2:22-25, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

A Prayer for All Affected by the Recent Earthquakes in Venezuela:

Gracious God, our refuge and strength, we pray for the people of Venezuela following the recent earthquakes. Comfort those who mourn, heal the injured, protect those still awaiting rescue, and strengthen all who are working to bring relief and care. Give wisdom to those leading the response, generosity to those able to help, and hope to all who are facing loss and uncertainty. We pray especially for those who know and love you in Venezuela: strengthen their trust in you, fill them with compassion, and use them to point others to the hope that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. In his name we pray.

Amen.

The Anglican Diocese of Bathurst (The Anglican Church of Australia)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

July 2026 - Wearmouth Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us kneel together, and pray the true, the ever living and almighty God to protect us in his mercy from the arrogant savagery of our enemies, for he knows that we fight in a just cause for the preservation of our nation.

Amen. 

Saints of the North 

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)





















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