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, 21st December 2025 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent

'"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel' which means, ‘God is with us."'

Matthew 1:23, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

Readings:
Isaiah 7:10-16
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

The Collect of the Day:

God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

Heavenly Father, who chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of the promised saviour: fill us your servants with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your holy will and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Fifth O Antiphon - O Oriens (O Morning Star):

O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

***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.***

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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, 21st December 2025 - The Fourth Sunday in Advent; Saint Thomas, Apostle

The Collect of the Day:

O Lord, raise up (we pray thee) thy power, and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through the satisfaction of thy Son our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour and glory, 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 Fifth O Antiphon - O Oriens:

O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ veni et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

Translation - O Dayspring:

O Dayspring, brightest of light everlasting and Son of Righteousness, come and enlighten him that sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

***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, there will not be an evening service at St Oswald's on Sunday, 28th December 2025.***

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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, 24th December 2025 - Christmas Eve

Midweek Holy Communion

The Collect for Christmas Eve:

Almighty God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only 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 liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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 Christmas Eve:

Eternal God, for whom we wait, who hast fed us with the bread of eternal life: we pray that thou wilt keep us ever watchful so that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A fun and joyful family service which retells the story of Jesus' birth. All are very welcome.

'"This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."'

Luke 2:12, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition.

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.

A special late night service of Holy Communion celebrating the birth of Christ. All are very welcome.

'There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.'

John 1:6-9, King James Version

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.

A special, joyful service of Holy Communion celebrating the birth of Jesus. All are very welcome.

'"Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord."'

Luke 2:10-11, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

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.

We join our friends from across the Benefice for a service of Holy Communion celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany.

All are very welcome.

Pop in for tea, coffee and a chat. All are very welcome.

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