The worshipping heart of parish life, with refreshments afterwards in the Institute across the road.

Sunday, 14th December 2025 - The Third Sunday of Advent

Readings:
Isaiah 35:1-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

The Collect of the Day:

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

We give you thanks, O Lord, for these heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of your Spirit that when your Christ comes again we may shine as lights before his face; who is alive and reigns now and for ever.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern. Please click on the attachment for further information regarding music.***

All are very welcome.

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All are very welcome.

The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent from the Book of Common Prayer:

O Lord Jesu Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Words from It Came Upon the Midnight Clear:

Still through the cloven skies they come,
with peaceful wings unfurled;
and still their heavenly music floats
o'er all the weary world:
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing;
and ever o'er its Babel-sounds
the blessèd angels sing.

Edmund H. Sears 1810-1876; Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern.

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

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

Wednesday, 17th December 2025 - Advent

Midweek Holy Communion

The Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent:

O Lord Jesu Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion for the Third Sunday in Advent:

We give thee thanks, O Lord, for these thy heavenly gifts; kindle in us the fire of thy Spirit that when our Saviour Christ shall come again we may shine as lights before his face; who liveth and reigneth now and for ever.

Amen.

All are very welcome.

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

The Advent Collect:

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern. Please click on the attachment for further information regarding music.***

***Please note that the 6 pm service taking place on Sunday, 30th November 2025 will be our Advent Carol Service, and the 6 pm service taking place on Sunday, 14th December 2025 will be our Christmas Carol Service . There will not be an evening service at St Oswald's on Sunday, 28th December 2025.***

All are very welcome.

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A joyful service which retells the story of Jesus' birth.

Preacher:
The Reverend Alan Middleton

The Collect for Christmas Eve:

Almighty God, you make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

All are very welcome.

A special service of Holy Communion celebrating the birth of Christ.

Readings:
Isaiah 52:7-10
Hebrews 1: 1-18
John 1:1-14

The Collect for Christmas Night:

Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of thy one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of thy heavenly glory; 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 for Christmas Night:

God our Father, who in this night hast made known to us again the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him until the dawning of the day when Christ the Morning Star shall rise in our hearts; to whom be glory both now and for ever.

Amen.

All are very welcome.

A special service of Holy Communion celebrating Jesus' birth.

Celebrant and Preacher:
The Reverend Alan Middleton

Readings:
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14

The Collect for Christmas Day:

Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; 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 for Christmas Day:

God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem: may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord.

Amen.

All are very welcome.

Pop in for tea, coffee and a chat.

***Please note, the coffee afternoon taking place on Tuesday, 9th December 2025 will be a Christmas Tea***

All are very welcome.