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, 11th October 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sung Parish Eucharist followed by Refreshments in the Institute

Officiant and Preacher:
The Reverend Alan Middleton

Hymns:
Please see boards in Church

Psalms:
23

Readings:
Isaiah 25:1-9
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14

The Collect of the Day:

O God, forasmuch as without you we are not able to please you; mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; 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 Gospel Reading:

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

(Matthew 22:1-14, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

University Chaplains - Durham University: The Reverend Canon Gavin Wort (Lead Chaplain), the Reverend Dr Julia Candy (Hatfield College and St Cuthbert's Society), the Reverend Peter Kashouris (St Mary's College), the Reverend Dr Samuel Hole (University College), the Reverend Fiona Hill (Hill Colleges), the Reverend Marie Edwards (College of St Hild and St Bede), and the Reverend Dr Kate Eaton-Wells (St Chad's College); University of Sunderland: The Reverend Chris Howson

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

The Anglican Church of Burundi: The Most Reverend Eraste Bigirimana - Archbishop of Burundi and Bishop of Bujumbura

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

October 2026: Darlington Deanery

The Post Communion:

Holy and blessed God, you have fed us with the body and blood of your Son and filled us with your Holy Spirit: may we honour you, not only with our lips but in lives dedicated to the service of 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).***

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, 11th October 2026: The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Come & Sing Choral Evensong

Guest Officiant:
The Reverend Hannah Richardson - Priest in Charge of the Benefice of Dunston St Nicholas with Christ Church (Gateshead, Tyne and Wear)

Hymns:
Please see boards in Church

Psalms:
139:1-11 [12-18]

Lessons:
Proverbs 3:1-18
1 John 3:1-15

The First Lesson:

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

(Proverbs 3:1-18, King James Version)

The Collect of the Day:

O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant, that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

***Please see the 'Sung Parish Eucharist' page for today's Durham Diocesan and Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions, as well as the Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the month.***

***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).***

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

Books, bric-a-brac, jigsaws, raffle and tombola.

Free entry; all are very welcome.

***Next Tea & Talk: Tuesday, 13th October 2026. Proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, details of which can be found by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.***

A short time of candlelit 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, 7th October 2026 - Ordinary Time

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

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

All are very welcome.

Wednesday, 7th October 2026

Midweek Said Holy Communion followed by Tea, Coffee and Chat in the Vestry

Guest Officiant:
The Reverend John D'Silva - Priest in Charge of Sunderland St Chad (The Group Ministry of the Annunciation)

The Collect of the Day:

Lord, we beseech thee, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:

And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber;

Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel. Then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.

So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.

And when he came, behold, the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? And he said, To thee, O captain.

And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.

(2 Kings 9:1-6, King James Version)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Cockerton (Darlington): Mrs Wendy Aitken - Headteacher

Shepherds Dene Retreat in House (Riding Mill) - Retreat House for the Diocese of Durham and the Diocese of Newcastle: Staff and Visitors

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

The Diocese of Bungoma (Anglican Church of Kenya): The Reverend George Mechumo - Bishop of Bungoma

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

October 2026: Darlington Deanery

A service which celebrates our world-wide unity as humanity, followed by light refreshments.

2026 theme (for Global Education Week): 'From critical thinking to collective action.'

All are very welcome.

Durham University Orchestral Society’s Chamber Ensemble presents ‘Stravinsky to Prokofiev', an intricate and playful programme exploring different landscapes, cultures through musical traditions.

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

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The Palatinate Ensemble presents 'Dancing Across Europe', an intimate programme of chamber music, followed by Dvořák’s String Serenade, Vaughan Williams’ Suite for Viola and Orchestra, and Haydn’s Symphony No. 104.

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

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