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.

Saturday, 29th August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist [Lesser Festival]

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who didst call thy servant John the Baptist to be in birth and death the forerunner of thy blessed Son: strengthen us by thy grace that, as he suffered for the truth, so may we boldly withstand corruption and vice and receive with him the unfading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship

The Gospel Reading:

At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus; and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been telling him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ Though Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus. 

(Matthew 14:1-12, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition) 

Readings appointed for the Feast of the Beheading of St John the Baptist in Exciting Holiness: Collects & Readings for the Festivals & Lesser Festivals of the Calendar of the Church of England authorised for use from Advent Sunday, 1997, Canterbury Press Norwich 

A Prayer of St John the Baptist:

Holy Father, guard your strength and show us your glory and make your son known to us and fill us, my Lord, with your spirit which gives light through your knowledge.

Amen.

The First Prayer of St John the Baptist to his Disciples 

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Incident at Big Church Festival in West Sussex:

God of comfort,

We hold before you all those affected by the incident at Big Church Festival.

We pray for the family and loved ones directly affected.

Bring your peace to all who are carrying the weight of this weekend.

May your presence be close in the days ahead.

May your hope hold every heavy heart today.

Amen.

Christian Aid

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Fatal Road Collision near Middlesbrough, and the Ongoing Violence in Teesside:

Loving God, in this time of sadness and uncertainty, we bring before you all those affected by the recent events in Teesside. Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who serve in these communities, and bring healing to all our communities. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is anger, we pray for understanding. Where there is division, we pray for a spirit of community.

We pray for wisdom for all those leading and investigating, hope to those who feel forgotten, and courage to all who seek the good of our communities. May your love be seen in acts of kindness, and your peace rest upon Teesside and Middlesbrough.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mrs Carolyn Godfrey (North East Regional Safeguarding Officer in the Methodist Church, and former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference)

We pray especially at this time for the repose of the souls of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, officers of Cleveland Police who died in the recent road collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough, and for comfort and strength for their families, friends, loved ones and colleagues.

Rest eternal grant unto Matthew and Tom, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

We pray too for Father Malcolm Lockey (SSC) and the team at the Church of St John the Evangelist, South Bank, East Middlesbrough (Diocese of York) who have been supporting those in the local community affected by the collision.

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

August 2026 - Auckland Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald:

Let us all kneel, and together beseech the true and living God Almighty in his mercy to defend us from the proud and cruel enemy; for he knows that we have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation.

Amen. 

The Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People 

(Prayed by King Oswald of Northumbria and his army on the battlefield on the eve of the Battle of Heavenfield)

The Post Communion:

O merciful Lord, whose prophet John the Baptist proclaimed thy Son to be the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world: grant that we who in this sacrament have known thy pardon and thy life-giving love, may ever tell of thy mercy and thy peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

Common Worship