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, 8th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: Remembrance Sunday; The Third Sunday before Advent (The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity)

Sung Parish Eucharist with Act of Remembrance, followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute

Officiant and Preacher:
The Reverend Alan Middleton

Hymns:
Please see boards in church

Psalms:
Please see boards in church

Readings:
Micah 4
1 Timothy 2:1-6
Matthew 25:1-13

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; 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 Ten Bridesmaids

Jesus said to his disciples, 'The kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

(Matthew 25:1-13, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

The King, Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and all in National Leadership

Members of the Forces, and all who have died in war

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo: The Most Reverend Georges Titre Ande - Archbishop of Congo and Bishop of Aru

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

November 2026: Stockton Deanery

The Post Communion:

God of peace, whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom and restored the broken to wholeness of life: look with compassion on the anguish of the world, and by your healing power make whole both people and nations; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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, 8th November 2026 - The Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity

Said Evensong with Hymns

Officiant:
The Rector

Hymns:
Please see boards in church

Psalms:
Please see boards in church

Lessons:
Judges 7:2-22
John 15:9-17

The Second Lesson Appointed for Today's Evening Prayer:

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.

(John 15:9-17, King James Version)

A Poem for Remembrance Sunday:

On Somme

Suddenly into the still air burst thudding

And thudding, and cold fear possessed me all,

On the gray slopes there, where Winter in sullen brooding

Hung between height and depth of the ugly fall

Of Heaven to earth; and the thudding was illness’ own.

But still a hope I kept that were we there going over,

I, in the line, I should not fail, but take recover

From others’ courage, and not as coward be known.

No flame we saw, the noise and the dread alone

Was battle to us; men were enduring there such

And such things, in wire tangled, to shatters blown.

Courage kept, but ready to vanish at first touch.

Fear, but just held. Poets were luckier once

In the hot fray swallowed and some magnificence.

(Ivor Gurney, 1890-1937)

The Collect of the Day:

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; 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).***

Photo Credit: Karen Jones

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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.

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

Free entry; all are very welcome.

***Next Tea & Talk: Tuesday, 10th November 2026***

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, 11th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide: The Feast of St Martin, Bishop of Tours, C397 [Lesser Festival]; Armistice Day

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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, 11th November 2026 - Martin, Bishop of Tours, C397; Armistice Day

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

Officiant and Preacher:
The Rector

The Collect of the Day:

O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Epistle Appointed for Today's Holy Communion:

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Titus 3:1-7, King James Version)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Norton St Mary the Virgin: The Reverend Martin Anderson - Priest in Charge, Mr Hadyn Beckwith - Reader, and Mrs Ruth Langford - Pastoral Minister

The Investment Committee

Communities of Hope (based out of Youll House - Thornley, and Clarence's Resource and Community Centre - Port Clarence)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Diocese of Chelmsford (The Church of England): The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani - Bishop of Chelmsford

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

November 2026: Stockton Deanery

The Prayer of Oblation:

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.

The Durham Singers present 'Sea Pictures', a performance which showcases the work of twentieth and twenty-first century British composers on the theme of the sea.

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

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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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Foot Notes A Cappella present 'A Festive Night with Foot Notes', a joyful evening of beautiful music and glorious harmonies to get you in the Christmas spirit!'

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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