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, 15th February 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Sunday next before Lent (Quinquagesima)

Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’

(Matthew 17:4-5, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Setting:
Higgins in D

Readings:
Exodus 24:12-end
2 Peter 1:16-end
Matthew 17:1-9

Hymns:
396
414
248
SP* 106

Psalms:
2

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean: The Most Reverend Doctor Gilbert Rateloson Rakotondravelo

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Prison Chaplains -
Stockton-on-Tees: HMP Holme House - the Reverend Kate Brooke and the Reverend Andrei Petrine; Durham: HMP Durham - Paula Barber, HMP Frankland (High Security) - the Reverend Rachael Farnham, HMP/YOI Low Newton (Women) - the Reverend Rebecca Feeney

United Society Partners in the Gospel

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention:

February 2026 - Hartlepool Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

Holy God, we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ: may we who are partakers at his table reflect his life in word and deed, that all the world may know his power to change and save. This we ask 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).***

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, 15th February 2026: The Sunday called Quinquagesima

Choral Evensong

Then stood up Elias the prophet as fire, and his word burned like a lamp.
He brought a sore famine upon them, and by his zeal he diminished their number.
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and also three times brought down fire.
O Elias, how wast thou honoured in thy wondrous deeds! and who may glory like unto thee!

(Ecclesiasticus 48:1-4, King James Version)

Hymns:
474
19

Psalms:
84

***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:

O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Ghost and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee; Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000).***

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, 18th February 2026 - Lenten Season: Ash Wednesday (The First Day of Lent)

View attachment

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, 18th February 2026 - Lententide: The First Day of Lent commonly called Ash Wednesday

Midweek Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

(Matthew 6:16-18, King James Version)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of West Tennessee (The Episcopal Church), the Right Reverend Phoebe Roaf

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Remember that thou art dust and unto dust shalt thou return

Diocesan Finance Group Meeting: Chair - Canon Mags Vaughan

The Society of St Wilfrid & St Hilda: The Bishop of Beverley - the Right Reverend Stephen Race SSC, the Bishop of Beverley's Representative - Father Paul Kennedy SSC

Mother's Union: President - Miss Kathleen Wilson JP, Chaplain - the Reverend Norma Clee

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention:

February 2026 - Hartlepool Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

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 thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

(Genesis 3:19, King James Version)

All are very welcome to join us as we observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season with a special service of the Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes. The Choir of St Oswald's will be joined by the Choir of St Mary's College, Durham University at this service.

‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

(Matthew 6:16-18, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Setting:
Mathias: Communion Service

Hymns:
95
532
110
598

Psalms:
51:1-18

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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:

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive these his inestimable gifts, and also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

'By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’

(Genesis 3:19, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Words from Forty Days and Forty Nights:

Shall not we thy sorrows share,
and from earthly joys abstain,
fasting with unceasing prayer,
glad with thee to suffer pain?

G. H. Smyttan 1822–1870 and Francis Pott 1832–1909, Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000) #95

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000).***

***Please note, Midweek Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer will still take place at 10:00am on this date; please see the Midweek Holy Communion / Matins page for further details, including prayer intentions for this day from the Anglican Communion Daily Prayer Cycle and the Durham Diocesan Daily Prayer Cycle. The Durham Diocesan Monthly Deanery prayer intention for February 2026 is Hartlepool Deanery. All are very welcome.***

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.

View attachment

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.

***Proceeds from February's Coffee Afternoon will go to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS); futher details about this charity can be found by clicking 'MORE INFO' below.***

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.

View attachment

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. All are very welcome.

Drinks in the Cathedral will follow the service, to which everyone is 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