Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) 2026 - Midweek Holy Communion

for 45 mins
St Oswald's, Durham
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

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

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

(John 13:21-26, King James Version)

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

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.

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Chester-le-Street and Houghton Synod: Area Dean - The Reverend John Lintern; Lay Chair - Dr Simon Wilkinson; Secretary - Vacant; Treasurer - Malcolm Adamson

Safeguarding Management Group

St Anthony’s Priory: The Reverend
Dr Nicholas Buxton, Ruth Grant, The Reverend Canon Paul Tyler, Laurence Pinkney, Scholastica Jacob, Sheila Shearer and Gavin Harper

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of Victoria Nyanza (The Anglican Church of Tanzania) - Vacant

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

Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) 2026 - Midweek Holy Communion

for 45 mins
St Oswald's, Durham
Church Street Durham, DH1 3DQ, United Kingdom

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

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

(John 13:21-26, King James Version)

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

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.

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Chester-le-Street and Houghton Synod: Area Dean - The Reverend John Lintern; Lay Chair - Dr Simon Wilkinson; Secretary - Vacant; Treasurer - Malcolm Adamson

Safeguarding Management Group

St Anthony’s Priory: The Reverend
Dr Nicholas Buxton, Ruth Grant, The Reverend Canon Paul Tyler, Laurence Pinkney, Scholastica Jacob, Sheila Shearer and Gavin Harper

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of Victoria Nyanza (The Anglican Church of Tanzania) - Vacant

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