We are a Church of England parish with a strong tradition of music in worship, where all are very welcome. As an ancient Church in the centre of Durham, St Oswald's is a reservoir of peace for all who enter it.

The Sunday Eucharist is at 11:00am, and we have a play and books corner by the font for any younger worshipper who feels a parent or carer would enjoy it there. Evensong is at 6:00pm on Sundays, either in the chancel, or roughly every other week during term time when the usual hymns expand to a full choral setting, in the body of the church. Midweek Holy Communion is at 10:00am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5:00pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

Sunday, 5th April 2026 - Easter Season: Easter Day - Alleluia! He Is Risen!

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:1-6, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of thy Son hast overcome the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to thee in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with thee and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Sonnet for Easter Day:

XV Easter Dawn

He blesses every love which weeps and grieves
And now he blesses hers who stood and wept
And would not be consoled, or leave her love’s
Last touching place, but watched as low light crept
Up from the east. A sound behind her stirs
A scatter of bright birdsong through the air.
She turns, but cannot focus through her tears,
Or recognise the Gardener standing there.
She hardly hears his gentle question ‘Why,
Why are you weeping?’, or sees the play of light
That brightens as she chokes out her reply
‘They took my love away, my day is night’
And then she hears her name, she hears Love say
The Word that turns her night, and ours, to Day.

Malcolm Guite

Sounding the Seasons: Seventy Sonnets for the Christian Year, Canterbury Press (2012)

A Prayer for All who are Experiencing Loneliness:

Dear God, we bring to you all who are lonely.

Comfort those who grieve. Reassure those who feel emptiness and loss from the death of a family member or friend. Remind them of your promise that you are with them always until the end of the world. 

We name those who have lost their life partner. Wrap your arms of love around the widowed and grant them knowledge of your loving presence. 

Console the isolated. May your Spirit prompt those who feel cut off from the support of others to turn to you in prayer and to meditate on your word.

Bless those who are poor in spirit and let them know that theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Help us be a friend to the lonely, a welcoming presence to the downhearted and a generous host to those looking for your love.

And as we feel lonely, help us learn more about ourselves and accept ourselves as you have made us. We bring these petitions to you, loving Trinity, three persons in a loving embrace.

Amen.

Tania Nelson 

The Lutheran Church of Australia 

A Hymn for Easter Day:

Jesus Christ is Risen To-day, Alleluia

1 Jesus Christ is risen to-day, Alleluia,
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia,
who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia,
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia.

2 Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia,
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia,
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia,
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia.

3 But the pains that he endured Alleluia,
our salvation have procured; Alleluia,
now above the sky he's King, Alleluia,
where the angels ever sing Alleluia.

Lyra Davidica 1708 and others 

Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, Canterbury Press Norwich, (2000) #147

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery

The Prayer of King Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.

Amen.

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)

Wishing you a blessed Easter filled with the joy of the Resurrection, the warmth of God’s love, and the hope of new beginnings, from all at St Oswald's.