Sunday 2nd February 2025: Morning Worship
Our service today was conducted by the minister and the recording is introduced by the duty chaplain, Ceri Bevan. Our Bible reading from the Gospel of Luke was given by Wally Knight and the prayers of intercession were devised and read by David Leadbeater.
Bible Reading: Luke 4: 21 – 30
Music by the choir
Introit: “Send O God your Holy Spirit” words: Sylvia Dunstan music: Richard Redhead
Anthem: “Jubilate Deo” words from Psalm 100 music: George Thalben-Ball
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
26th January 2025: Morning Worship
The recording of our service today is introduced by Don Macarthur and our worship is led by Adrian German, a Methodist preacher based at Royal Wootton Bassett. The Bible reading from the Gospel of Luke is given by Jenny Powley.
Bible Reading Luke 14: 14 – 21
Music by the choir:
Introit: verses from Psalm 34 in a setting by John Goss
Anthem: “O Thou The Central Orb” words: H.R. Bramley music: Charles Wood
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
O Thou the central orb of righteous love,
Pure beam of the most high,
Eternal light of this our wintry world,
Thy radiance bright awakes new joy in faith,
Hope soars above, above.
Come, quickly come, and let thy glory shine,
Gilding our darksome heaven with rays divine.
Thy saints with holy lustre round Thee move,
As stars about thy throne, set in the height
of God’s ordaining counsel,
As thy sight gives measur’d grace to each,
Thy power to prove.
Let Thy bright beams disperse the gloom of sin,
Our nature all shall feel eternal day,
In fellowship with Thee,
Transforming clay to souls erewhile unclean,
now pure within, now pure within. Amen.
January 12th 2025: Morning Worship
This morning’s service was led by Revd Daphne Hardwick from the Christ Church team of clergy and the recording is introduced by the duty elder, Helen Marson. The two Bible readings are given by Shelley Morgan, and Geoff Gleed gives a brief introduction to the choir’s anthem.
Bible Readings:
Acts 8: 14 – 18
Luke 5: 15 – 127 , 21 – 22
Music by the choir:
Introit: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” English traditional arranged David Willcox.
Anthem: “The Work of Christmas” words: Howard Thurman, music: Dan Forrest
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Note:
The choir has performed this piece before but several of the congregation have asked for the very meaningful words to be printed….
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
Sunday 5th January 2025: Morning Worship
Today’s service for the first Sunday of the New Year was led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan and the recording is introduced by the duty elder, Maria Kawonga. The Bible reading is by Pam Western and the prayers of intercession were devised and read by Liz Gibney.
Bible Reading: John 1: 1 – 18
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Like a candle Flame” words and music by Graham Kendrick
Anthem: “Ding Dong Merrily on High!” words: G R Woodward
music: traditional French tune, arr. Charles Wood
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
December 29th 2024: Morning Worship
This morning’s service was led by a visiting preacher, retired URC minister, Revd Dr Andrew Francis. The recording is introduced by the duty elder, Don Macarthur who also reads the two Bible readings. The prayers of intercesion were devised and read by Janice Francis, the preacher’s wife.
Bible Readings:
1 Samuel 2: 18 – 20, 26
Luke 2: 31 – 52
Music by the choir:
Introit: ” A Great and Mighty Wonder!” words: Latin tr J M Neale music: Old German tune arr. M Pretorius
Anthem: “King Jesus hath a Garden” traditiona Dutch words tr by G R Woodward music arr Charles Wood
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
December 25th 2024: Christmas Day
Morning Worship
A gloriously chaotic but joyful act of worship on Christmas morning. The recording is introduced by the duty elder: Anne Farrow and Robert Jordan, as minister, leads our worship. It is a pity the service could not be filmed/ video’d, with toy cars hurtling up and down the aisle, funny masks distributed to the youngsters (and young in heart), and Robert himself…. in a Reindeer hat and in a move that was reminiscent of a Superman disclosure… revealed the truth that he is indeed “God’s favourite!
Enjoy the fun!
Just a pity that the sound engineer forgot to turn off the mic when Robert joined in the hymns and carols!
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Chloe, Robert and Lisa in their Christmas hats!
Sunday 22nd December 2024: Morning Worship
4th Sunday of Advent
With the minister preaching at Highworth this morning, our service today had been devised by Geoff Gleed who gave a short address by way of a “Pause for Thought”. The service was led by Don Macarthur and among the musical items it features a solo by Mario Sofrianou.
Readings
Bible Reading: Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7 read by Jenny Powley
Poem: “What the Donkey Saw” by U.A. Fanthorpe read by Wally Knight
Poem: “Just Another Christmas” by Andrew Feakin read by Helen Marson
Poem: “Behold I stand” by Gerard Kelly read by Eddie Thomas
Music by the Choir
“This is the Truth sent from above” English traditional arr. R. Vaughan Williams
“Lullaby” words and music: Martin Neil
“Nativity Carol” words and music: John Rutter
Solo
“Joy to the World” words: Isaac Watts music: GF Handel arr. W Llewellyn
Organist: Geoff Gleed
Piano: Shelley Morgan
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
16th December 2024
Carols on the Carpet
A good number of Immanuel members and friends with lots of folk from the local community thoroughly enjoyed the annual festive “singalong” in the church hall . This year we even had a surprise visit from Santa Claus who had heard what good fun it was and came to check it out!
It was good too, that so many stayed on afterwards to enjoy a hot drink and warm mince pies (organised by Liz Gleed).
Our thanks to Geoff and the musicians for making the evening go with a swing!
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
15th December 2024: Morning Worship
Christmas Readings and Carols
I’m delighted to say that our sound engineer managed to record some of today’s service of readings and carols : sadly the little gremlin was still there for the first part of the service so you will need to fast forward to the half way point but from there you will find three readings, three choir items and three congregational hymns to enjoy.
The service was led by the minister, with Geoff Gleed on the organ and Shelley Morgan on piano. Voices you will hear are those of Don Macarthur, Zena Howarth, Steve Brain and John Blakesley
Readings: Luke 2 : 8 – 16
“Creed for Christmas” by Cally Booker
“Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Music by the choir:
In Dulci Jubilo words: R L Pearsall music: John Rutter
Shepherds Loud Their Praises Bringing words : traditional music: Alec Rowley
Jesus Child words and music: John Rutter
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
8th December 2024: Morning Worship
Second Sunday of Advent
Today’s service was led by the minister with Helen Marson as the duty elder. Tom Hartshorn read the Bible lesson from the Gospel of Luke.
Bible Reading: Luke 3 : 1- 6
Music by the choir :
Introit: “An Advent Responsary” words: traditional liturgy, music : Adrian Self
Anthem: “The Angel Gabriel” words: S Baring- Gould,
music: Basque traditional melody arr. C E Pettman
Sadly, yet again the sound recording failed to materialise
Sunday 1st December 2024: Morning Worship
First Sunday in Advent
Today saw a packed church when, as you see below, the whole partnership came together to mark Advent Sunday. It was also the occasion when cheques were presented to the beneficiaries of our project this year: Street Pastors and Swindon Youth for Christ.
The recording is introduced by Church Secretary, Don Macathur. Other voices you will hear are those of the minister who led the service, Red Simon Stevenette who preached the sermon, and Linda Tindall who lit the first Advent candle. Margaret Essex from Bath Road read the beautiful poem “Advent Approach” by Alison Adam and the Bible readings were by Christ Church members, Simon Giles and Ali Stanton.
Bible Readings: Matthew 29: 16 – 20
Romans 8 : 12 – 25
Music by the Choir:
Introit: “Hark a Trumpet Call is Sounding” words: Latin 6th century (tr. E Caswell)
music: W H Monk
Anthem: “Song of Mary” words: Mary Holtby ( based on Luke 1)
music: Richard Shephard
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
(Note: our thanks to the Bath Road sound team who managed to extract a sound file for us from the live-stream of the service – yes, our gremlin is still in the system!)
Representatives of Street Pastors and Swindon Youth for Christ with their well deserved cheques!
24th November 2024: Morning Worship
The Feast of Christ the King
We were delighted to welcome Revd Norma McKemey to lead our worship this morning. The minister was preaching at Highworth and Norma, from the Christ Church clergy team, stepped in to his shoes so to speak. On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, in a joyful but at times reflective service, we celebrated ‘Christ the King’. Sadly, however, the gremlin that played havoc with last week’s recording was still up to his tricks and this week the recording failed altogether! – our apologies! It looks as if the sound engineers will have to invest a new piece of equipment before next Sunday.
17th November 2024: Morning Worship
Today was the occasion of a “pulpit exchange” within our Partnership of Churches, and we were delighted to welcome back to Immanuel Revd Rach Collins from Bath Road Methodist Church (Robert was at Christ Church and St Mary’s). The recording is introduced by Helen Marson, the duty elder, and other voices you will hear are those of Glenys Walker who reads the Bible lesson, and Wally Knight who devised and reads the prayers of intercession.
Bible Reading: James 1: 19 – 27
Music by the choir:
Introit: verses from Psalm 34 musical setting by John Goss
Anthem: “I will Sing with the Spirit” words: from 1 Corinthians Music: John Rutter
NOTE: unfortunately the second half of the service failed to record (profound apologies form the sound engineer, who is still bemused and trying to figure out what went wroing!)
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 10th November 2024: Morning Worship
Remembrance Sunday
Today’s service of Remembrance was led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan and the recording is introduced by Steve Brain , the duty elder for the day, who during the service also reads from St Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. The other voice you will hear in the poem by Leslie Coulson is that of Ceri Bevan.
Note: half way through the service we link up by radio to the BBC broadcast from the cenotaph in Whitehall to join in the national two minutes silence.
Bible Reading: Romans 8: 31 – 39
Poem: “Who made the Law” by Leslie Coulson, a soldier of WW1, killed at Gallipoli in 1915
Poem quoted during the sermon: “With God on our side” by Bob Dylon
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Beloved Let us Love” words: WH Bonar music: Orlando Gibbons
After the silence: “They shall grow not Old” words: Laurence Binyon music: Douglas Guest
Anthem: “Thou wilt keep Him in Perfect Peace” words: from Biblical texts music SS Wesley
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Morning Worship: 3rd November 2024
This morning’s worship, which was led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan, included Holy Communion. The recording is introduced by the duty elder, Liz Gibney and you will hear several other voices: the prayers of intercession were devised and read by Anne Farrow and the reading was given by David Bevan . The address was given by Patricia and Sue, representatives of the Swindon Street Pastors, one of the charities that will be a benficiary of our Partnership Project this autumn. It was good to hear in detail of the valuable work they are doing in the town.
Bible Reading: Mark 12: 28 -34
Music by the choir:
Introit: “What shall our Greeting be?” Music: trad. Welsh tune arr. John Barnard Words: Fred Pratt Green
Anthem: “The Peace of God be with You” Words and Music by Geoff Nobes based on a Celtic Blessing
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Morning Worship : 27th October 2024
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Our worship today was conducted by Stuart Benjamin and the recording is introduced by Don Macarthur. The other voice you will hear is that of Jenny Powley who reads from the Gospel of Matthew.
Bible Reading: Matthew 4: 12 – 23
Music by the Choir:
Introit: verses from Psalm 103 Musical setting: Walford Davis
Anthem: “Grant us Light” Words: May Sansum Music: Eric Thiman
Morning Worship : 20th October 2024
Today’s worship was centerd on “Remembering Loved Ones” when we recalled all those with links with Immanuel who have departed this life over the past year, and candles were lit in memory of them. The service is conducted by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan, and is introduced by the duty elder, Maria Kawonga. The Bible reading is given by Eddie Thomas and the prayers of intercession were devised and read by John Blakesley.
Note: There is an extended period of music when members of the congregation come forward to light candles
Bible Reading: Matthew 5: 1- 12
Music by the choir:
Introu: “The Souls of the Righteous” words: Wisdom III v 1-2 music: Stanley Marchant
Anthem: “The Lord is My Shepherd” words: Psalm 23 music: Howard Goodall
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Church Constitution
Our Church Meeting recently agreed that the church constitution and handbook needed to be revised and since then the Church secretary has been busy at work updating the document.
Below is a link that will lead to the revised document.
Constitution & Handbook 2024 draft
Morning Worship: 6th October 2024
HARVEST Sunday
Our harvest service was conducted today by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan, and the recording is introduced by the duty elder, Anne Farrow. Other voices you will hear are those of Helen Marson who reads from the Letter to the Hebrews and David Leadbeater who devised and reads the prayers of intercession. The “sermon slot” is a presentation by Kirsten and Naomi who explain the work of “Youth for Christ”, one of the two charities we are supporting in our annual Harvest Appeal.
With Geoff Gleed back at the organ console, Shelley on the piano and the choir in full voice it made for a stirring act of worship.
Bible Reading: Hebrews 2: 5 – 13
Music by the choir
Introit: “Thou visitest the Earth” Psalm 65 Music: Maurice Greene Solo: Tom Hartshorn
Anthem: “All things Bright and Beautiful words: Mrs Alexander Music: John Rutter
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
September 29th 2024: Morning Worship
We were grateful to Revd Tony Barnes for leading our worship today while the minister is on his “5th Sunday break”. The recording is introduced by the duty Elder, Mike Gordon who also reads the Old Testment Lesson (after a small hiccup at the start!) and the New Yestment Lesson is read by Glenys Walker. We are grateful to Shelley Morgan for playing the piano for us today.
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Bible Readings:
Exodus 24: 1 – 19
Matthew 9: 1 – 8
Note: The choir is still on its late summer holiday, but we return to normality next Sunday with our celebration of Harvest
September 28th 2024
Working party on the rear garden : Memorial Rose Bed
After installing the new Celtic Cross, our hard-working Buildings and Grounds Committee felt a need to replace the bark chippings in the rose bed…a working party was called for and as you see, a good response meant that the job was done in no time at all: thanks all those who turned up to help out!
September 22nd 2024: Morning Worship
Our service today was led by Revd Moira Slack from the Christ Church clergy team. We are extremely grateful to her for standing in at relatively short notice. The minister was leading worship at our sister church in Highworth.
The recording is introduced by the duty elder, Helen Marson who also reads the lesson from the letter of James, and the reading from the Gospel of Mark, is read by Eddie Thomas.
Bible readings:
James3: 13 – 4: 3
Mark 9: 30 – 37
Note: the choir is taking a late summer break but will be back with Geoff Gleed on the organ for Harvest Sunday on 6th October
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 15th September 2024: Morning Worship
We are extremely sorry to say that because of a technical hitch this morning, the service, that included the sacrament of baptism was not recorded.
Sunday 8th September 2024: Morning Worship
Theme: “What did you say…?”
The recording of today’s service is introduced by Church Secretary, Don Macarthur, and our worship that includes communion, is led by the minister. The reader of the New Testament lesson is Mike Gordon.
Bible Reading: Mark 7: 24 – 37
We are grateful to Shelley Morgan for leading the music during our service today.
Note: For the month of September our choir is taking a late summer break
Sunday 1st September 2024: Morning Worship
Theme: “To do or not to do, that is the question”
The recording of today’s service is introduced by the duty elder for the day, Steve Brain who also reads the New Testament lesson from the letter of James. The service is led by the minister Revd Robert Jordan, and other voices you will hear are those of Jean Batten who reads from the book of Psalms, and Liz Gibney who leads the prayers of intercession.
Note: the service includes a time of prayer for Health and Wholeness and towards the end there is an extended period of music and quietness before the final hymn.
Bible Readings:
Psalm 15
James 1: 17 -27
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Send O God, your Holy Spirit” words: Sylvia Dunstan Music: Richard Redhead
Anthem: “Nunc Dimittis” Setting by George Dyson
Soloist: Steve Brain
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 25th August: Morning Worship
The recording of our morning worship is introduced by the duty elder, Mike Gordon. The service is conducted by Geoff Rhodes, a Methodist lay preacher and member of the congregation at Bath Road and we are grateful to him. At the organ is Geoff Gleed and the voice you will hear in the reading is that of Janet Leadbeater.
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 6: 1- 8
Music by the choir:
Introit: verses from Psalm 146 Chant: Basil Harwood
Anthem: “Magnificat” Setting by George Dyson
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 18th August: Morning Worship
Today’s service was conducted by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan, with Geoff Gleed on the organ. The recording is introduced by the duty elder, Anne Farrow. You will also hear the voices of Wally Knight who reads from the letter of Paul to the Corinthians, and John Blakesley who wrote and delivered the prayers of intercession.
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 1: 1 – 9
Music by the choir:
Introit: Psalm 126 Chant: Eric Ware
Anthem: “Laudate Dominum” Music: W.A. Mozart from the Solem Vespers K 339
Soloist: Linda Tindall
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 11th August: Summer Singalong
This afternoon we were joined by friends from the Old Town Partnership of Churches in a “Summer Singalong” – favourite songs and hymns accompanied by organ pianos, flute, bass and drums! and followed by refreshments in the church hall.
In the recording you will hear the voices of Jenny Powley and Jean Batten in readings and of course the minister, Robert Jordan who leads the service. In addition we were delighted to have our old friend Maria Sofroniou who delighted us with two solos.
As a result of the collection during the service and other donations received, just under £375 will be added to the funds of the Partnership Project .
Readings:
“We need each other’s voice to sing” Thomas H Troeger
Psalm 150
Solos
“Gia il sole dal Gange…” Music: Alessandro Scarlatti
“Hugh’s Song of the Road” Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams Words: Harold Child
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 11th August 2024: Morning Worship
Our worship today that included communion, was led by the minister, Robert Jordan, and the recording is introduced by churc h scerteray, Don Macarthur. The other voice you will hear is that of Pam Western who read from the Gospel of John.
Note: these was no choir this morning as they would be leading the singing in the afternoon Singalong! (see above)
Bible Reading: John 6: 35, 41-51
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 4th August 2024: Morning Worship
Morning worship at Immanuel today was conducted by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan. The recording is introduced by the duty elder, June Smythe, and other voices you will hear are those of Edith Watson, who reads the lesson from the Letter to the Ephesians, and David Leadbeater who devised and read the prayers of intercession.
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4: 1 – 16
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Stand up and Bless the Lord” Words: J Montgomery Music: C Lockhart
Anthem: “Lead Me Lord” Words from Psalms 5 and 4 Music: S S Wesley
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 28th July 2024: Morning Worship
With our minister preaching elsewhere today, we were delighted to welcome once again to our pulpit, an old friend, Bryan Elkington, of our sister church in Highworth. The Recording is introduced by the duty elder, Maria Kawonga, and the other voice you will hear is that of David Bevan who reads both Bible lessons.
Bible Readings:
Ephesians 3: 14 – 22
Matthew 6 : 5- 13
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Let All the World in every Corner Sing” words: George Herbert music: Basil Harwood
Anthem: “Rejoice the Lord is King” words: Charles Wesley music: Malcolm Archer
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Sunday 21st July 2024: Morning Worship
Today’s service was conducted by the minister and included the sacrament of infant baptism when a fourth generation of the same family was brought to the font to be baptised: Maddison Ruggles: and it was with joy that great grandma Pam Western read a beautiful blessing. The recording is introduced by the duty elder, Anne Farrow and other voices you will hear are those of Jenny Powley who reads the Bible lesson from the letter to the Ephesians, and David Leadbeater who devised and reads the prayers of intercession.
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2: 11- 22
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Sanctus” setting by Basil Harwood
Anthem: “Jesu , Joy of Man’s Desiring” words: Martin Jahn music: J S Bach
Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Saturday 20th July 2024: Garden Party at Immanuel
As part of the Old Town Partnership of Churches, Immanuel is undertaking a project this year to raise funds for two charities based in Swindon.: “Youth for Christ” and ” Street Pastors”. Although most of the funds will be raised via our Harvest Appeal later this year, our hard-working Worship and Outreach committee organised a wonderful Garden Party on the church lawns….a great day ensued when much fun was had by all. And in the end, in excess of £1400 will be heading to the joint funds of the Partnership for the two charities!
