The worshipping heart of parish life; a service from Common Worship including Holy Communion with refreshments afterwards in the Institute across the road.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 22nd February 2026 - Lenten Season: The First Sunday of Lent

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

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

Setting:
Mathias: Communion Service

Readings:
Genesis 2:15-17
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Hymns:
101
324
97
533

Psalms:
32

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Church of Ireland: The Most Reverend John McDowell

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Hospital Chaplains: County Durham and Darlington - The Reverend Norma Clee and Joanne Nicholson; Sunderland - The Reverend Canon Remi Omole; Sherburn - Vacant; Gateshead and North Tees and Hartlepool - The Reverend Gareth Rowlands and The Reverend Joan Urwin; South Tyneside - The Reverend Pat Bealing and The Reverend Gordon Tough; Tees, Esk and Wear Valley - The Reverend Canon Colin Jay, The Reverend Debbie Baker and The Reverend Christine Britcliffe

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention:

February 2026: Hartlepool Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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.

The Post Communion:

Lord God, you have renewed us with the living bread from heaven; by it you nourish our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is the true and living bread, and enable us to live by every word that proceeds from out of your mouth; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000). SP = Sing Praise: Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (2010).***