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

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 1st March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Second Sunday of Lent; The Lesser Festival of St David, Bishop of Menevia and Patron of Wales, C601

No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

(John 3:13-17, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Psalms:
121

Readings:
Genesis 12:1-4a
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Nippon Sei Ko Kai (the Anglican Church in Japan): the Most Reverend David Eisho Uehara

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

University Chaplains - Durham University: the Reverend Julia Candy, the Reverend Peter Kashouris, the Reverend Canon Gavin Wort, the
Reverend Doctor Samuel Hole, the Reverend Fiona Hill, the Reverend Marie Edwards and the Reverend Kate Eaton-Wells; The University of Sunderland: the Reverend Chris Howson

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

Almighty God, you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; 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).***

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A prayerful and reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer. Roughly every other Sunday in term time, a full choral evensong is held.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 1st March 2026 - Lententide: The Second Sunday in Lent; The Lesser Festival of St David, Bishop of Menevia and Patron of Wales, C601

Choral Evensong

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

(Luke 14:27-33, King James Version)

Preacher:
Mr Andy Jones - Churchwarden of St Oswald's

Psalms:
135

Lessons:
Numbers 21:4-9
Luke 14:27-33

***Please see the 'Parish Eucharist' page for the Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle intentions for the day, along with the Deanery for the month, and the Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle intentions for the day.***

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through 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.

***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).***

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A short time of reflection, designed to be a benefit for parents dropping off children at the school, with a concluding prayer and coffee. All are very welcome.

Please click on the attachment below for further information.

Wednesday, 4th March 2026 - Lenten Season

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A prayerful, reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer, held in the chancel.

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

All are very welcome.

Wednesday, 4th March 2026 - Lententide

Midweek Holy Communion

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

(Hebrews 2:16-18, King James Version)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of Tokyo in the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (the Anglican Church in Japan) - the Right Reverend Francis Xavier Hiroyuki Takahashi

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Safeguarding Management Group

Diocesan Secretary - James Morgan; all who work at Cuthbert House

The Community of Hope hub in North Wearside

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through 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.

As part of Durham Vocal Festival 2026, Voices of Hope are collaborating with Northern Spirit Singers to perform Johannes Brahms: Schicksalslied and Liebeslieder and Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir.

Tickets are available by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.

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A monthly event which usually takes place on the second Tuesday of the month. Pop in for tea, coffee and a chat.

Free entry; all are very welcome.

Durham University Concert Band Presents To Infinity! (and a little bit further...).

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

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Durham University Palatinate Orchestra's Palatinate Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

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Durham University Classical Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fourth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

We join our friends at Durham Cathedral for a special celebratory Choral Evensong and Procession to the Feretory to mark the Feast of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, who is often regarded as the Patron Saint of Durham and the North of England.

This event is particularly significant for our Parish, as King Oswald of Northumbria's head is buried with Cuthbert in Cuthbert's tomb, which is located in the Shrine at the Cathedral.

This service begins in the half-light with candles and incense and the great replica of the Lindisfarne Gospels, and ends with a procession by the whole congregation to the Shrine of St Cuthbert in the Feretory. Everyone is very welcome.

Drinks in the Cathedral will follow the service, to which all are also warmly invited.

Choir:
Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers with the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars and Junior Consort

Guest Preacher:
Rhidian Brook – Novelist, Screenwriter and Broadcaster

A Pilgrimage Walk from Chester-le-Street to Durham via Finchale Priory, as part of Durham Cathedral's St Cuthbert celebrations.

Pilgrims are invited to gather at St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church Parish Centre, Chester-le-Street for refreshments from 9:00am, ahead of a short service of Morning Prayer at 9:30am, prior to departing at 10:00am.

Walking pilgrims are also welcome to join later at Finchale Priory, during the lunch break from 12:30pm, before the group departs for Durham at 1:00pm.

Arrival at the Cathedral will be in good time for a special celebration of the Eucharist at 4:00pm.

Travel: You can get to Chester-le-Street by train (a 15-minute journey from Durham) or by local bus; Arriva service X12 from St Mary's - Coxhoe, the Seven Stars Inn near St Mary's - Shincliffe, and St Oswald's - Durham or Go North East service 21, X21 or 50 from Durham Bus Station. A bus transporting people to Finchale Priory will leave Durham, County Hall at 12:15pm (with free car parking that day). The bus to Finchale costs £7.00 per person. You can book the bus to Finchale Priory or sign up for the walk from Chester-le-Street by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.

This is a very special experience where people from across the UK who come to Durham for this walk and service are welcomed. Come on your own or with friends and enjoy a very moving journey walking in the steps of the saints.

All are very welcome.

A Festal Eucharist will be held at Durham Cathedral in honour of St Cuthbert. The Bishop of Jarrow will preside and the preacher will be The Very Reverend Doctor Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham.

The service will also provide those in attendance with an opportunity to bid farewell to Bishop Sarah as she leaves Durham to become Bishop of Ely.

The service will be sung jointly by Durham and Newcastle Cathedral Choirs. The setting will be Kodaly Missa Brevis and the anthem will be Dupré Tantum ergo.

All congregational seating is unreserved and the service will last about one hour.

All are very welcome.

All are very welcome to join us at our Parish Eucharist on Palm Sunday, marking Christ's entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a service of Holy Communion at St Mary's to mark the Tuesday of Holy Week.

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

All are very welcome to join us for a special service of the Eucharist with the Stripping of the Altars and Watch, marking Maundy Thursday.

All are very welcome to join us on Good Friday for the Liturgy of the Day and Sung Passion, marking the Crucifixion and Death of Christ.