Recent Events

Sunday  22nd June 2025: Morning Worship  at  10.30 am

Today ,  with  the minister  preaching at  Highworth, we were delighted  to  welcome back  to  our  pulpit Revd Mark  Barrett. The recording is introduced  by the duty  elder, Don  Macarthur who  also  reads the second lesson. The first  Bible reading is given  by  Glenys Walker.

Bible Readings:   1 Kings 19: 1 – 8

1 Kings 19: 9 – 18

Music by the Choir:

Introit: “Lead  Us Heavenly  Father, Lead  Us”     words: James Edmeston     music: Friedrich Filitz

Anthem:” Dear  Lord and Father  of Mankind”    words: J.G Whittier              music: C.H.H. Parry

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

Saturday 21st  June: Sing Out for Brighter  Futures”

Today, for the third successive year, Immanuel  hosted the annual charity  event raising money  for the hospital’s “Brighter Futures”. From  9.00am  to  9.00pm a series of local  choirs made wonderful   music for   a geat  cause.  The range  of  musical styles was impressive : there was an  amazingly  enthusiastic 30 minutes of exhuberance from “Spotlight” (a choir  of young  poeople with  learning difficulties),  we heard   Gilbert  and Sullivan, sea shanties, madrigals,  pop songs, and  our  own  Partnership  Choir  gave a spirited performance of  church  music  intermixed  with  one or two  comic  pieces! A fabulous day  that  we hope will  have raised a large sum  for an  imporant charity. A few quick  snaps from the day…..

 

Sunday 15th  June 2025: Morning Worship 10.30 am

Trinity  Sunday

 

Today’s service was led by Revd Jonathan  Edwards from  Swindon’s Central  Church. The recording is introduced by the duty  elder,  Mike Gordon and the Bible reading is given  by  Edith  Watson. The other  voice you  will  hear is that of John  Blakesley who  leads us in the prayers of intercession

Bible Reading:  Isaiah 43: 14 – 21

Music by the choir:

Introit:  ” Holy Holy Holy one”                     words: Alan  Gaunt         music: Ralph  Vaughan  Williams

Anthem: “Look at the World”                     words and music: John  Rutter

 

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

 

Sunday  8th  June 2025: Morning Worship 10.30 am

Pentecost  Sunday

Today  was the occasion of a ‘pulpit exchange’ within our  Partnership of Churches:  our  minister, Robert  was leading worship at  Bath  Road,  Rach  Collins was at  Christ  Church and at  Immanuel, we were delighted   to  welcome Simon  Stevenette  (from  Christ  Church).

The recording is introduced  by  the duty  elder, Helen  Marson, who  also  reads the lesson  from  the Gospel of John. The other  reading  from  Acts is by Sam  Chandler-Benjamin.

Note: you  may  need  to  adjust the sound levels as at  times  the recording is  very  quiet

Bible Readings

Acts 2: 1-21

John 14:  8-17,   25-27

Music by the choir

Introit: “Send O God Your  Holy  Spirit”                   words:   Sylvia Dunstan   music:   Richard Redhead

Anthem: “Holy Spirit, Gift  Bestower”                     words: anon       music: Welsh traditional melody

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

 

 Sunday  1st  June 2025: Morning Worship

The recording of our  service this morning is introduced  by the duty  elder, Ceri  Bevan and our worship is led by the minister, Red Robert  Jordan.  The reader of the Bible Lesson is Shelley  Morgan  who also  leads  our music  today  from the piano.  The prayers of intercession  were devised  and read  by  David Leadbeater.

Bible Reading:  Acts 16: 16 – 34

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

Sunday 25th  May  2025: Morning Worship

This morning we were delighted to  welcome back  to  Immanuel  to  lead our  worship the  Revd Moira  Slack  from the Christ  Church  clergy  team. The recording is introduced by the duty  elder Don Macarthur who  also  reads one of the Bible lessons and the other  reading is by  Eddie Thomas.

With  Geoff and the choir taking a short  break  we are grateful  to  Michael  Dismore for leading the music of the service on the organ.

Bible Readings:

John14: 15 – 30

Acts 16: 9 – 14

Introit:                                  “Come People of the Risen King”            Stuart  Townend

Outgoing music:               “O Church  Arise”                                   Stuart  Townend

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

Sunday 17th  May  2025: Morning Worship at  10.30 am

The recording of today’s service is introduced by the duty  elder, June Smythe and our worship is led by the minister, Revd Robert  Jordan. Other voices you  will hear  are those of  Janet Leadbeater  who reads the Bible lesson,  and Wally  Knight who devised and leads us in the prayers  of intercession.

We are grateful to  Shelley Morgan  who is leading  the music  for our  service this morning while Geoff and the choir are taking a little break.

Bible Reading: John 13: 31 – 35

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

 

Sunday  11th  May  2025: Morning Worship  and 10.30 am

Today  was the occasion of the Partnership of Churches Joint  Confirmation  Service and held this year  at  Immanuel.

As our  chairman, Anne points out in her  introduction  to the service we are one of the few partnerships in the country  that  have the privilege of confirming people  to  all three churches,  Anglican,  Methodist  and United  Reformed.  Others taking part in the service are  Rt Revd Neil  Warwick, Bishop of Swindon, Rach  Collins (Minister of Bath  Road  Methodist  Church), and Revd Robert Jordan (minister at  Immanuel).

The Bible readings are given  by  readers from  our three churches: Wally,  Kwamy and Alli, and the prayers of intersession  were devised and read  by  John Blakesley

In  Geoff’s absence,  the music  for the service is led by  Michael  Dismore at the organ.

Bible Readings:

Psalm23

Acts 9: 36 -43

John 10: 22-30

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

Newly  confirmed members of the church  with their supporters

 

 

Sunday  4th  May  2025: Morning Worship

The minister  led our  worship  today  and the recording is introduced by  Ceri Bevan, the duty  elder. The other  voice you  will hear  is that of Jenny  Powley  who  reads the Bible lesson  from the Gospel  of John.

Bible Reading: John 21: 1- 19

Music by the choir:

Introit:  “Christ  is our  Cornerstone”       Words: from  Psalm 118                                Music: David Thorne

Anthem:  “Easter  Song of Praise”             Words and Music : Richard Shephard

 

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

 

Thursday 1st  May : meeting with Heidi  Alexander  M.P. Minister of State for Transport

This evening on  behalf of the Churches of the  Old Town  Partnership  Immanuel  hosted  a meeting in  which   Heidi  Alexander addressed those gathered  and then  in  an open  forum  answered  a wide variety of questions.  As the local  MP for South Swindon it  was unsurprising that  many of the questions  raised centred on local  issues connected  with redevelopment  of the town  centre and housing , and  it was particularly  good to  hear  that  there plans in  the offing for a much  improved  Railway  Station!

Heidi  herself suggested  an  interesting idea that  may  well  be taken up in the coming months –  a “Walk  of Faiths”  in  which  not  only  churches but  worshippers at  the Sikh Temple and local  Mosque might  feel  able to  join in

It  was a great  joy for us at  Immanuel  to  welcome Heidi  back  to  a church  where she spent much  time as a child in  Sunday  School and Youth  Club as well as the Young Immanuel  Choir!

 

Sunday  27th  April  2025:  Morning Worship  at  10.30  a.m.

It  being the fifth  Sunday of the month, our  minister  was leading worship at  our  sister  church  in Highworth.  Here at  Immanuel  we were delighted  to  welcome back  an old friend of many  years standing: Bryan  Elkington.   It  transpired that  today  would be the very  last  time that  Bryan  would be leading  worship  as he has decided to  retire as a lay  preacher in the local  area.  At the outset of the service,  he was presented  with  a card signed by the congregation in  appreciation of the many  years of service to our  church  and others in  North  Wilts.

The recording is introduced  by the duty  elder,  Liz Gibney  and the Bible reading is given  by  David Bevan.

Bible Reading: Acts 5: 17 – 33

Music by the choir:

Introit:  “He is Risen”                      words: Mrs Alexander                   music: Cecil  Cope

Anthem: “Gloria”                             from  Vilvaldi’s “Gloria”

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

Sunday  20th  April  2025: Morning Worship

EASTER DAY

 The recording of our  service is introduced  by  Mike Gordon  who  was the duty  elder  for the day and he also  reads the Bible lesson  from  the Gospel of John.  Our worship is led by the minister  Revd Robert  Jordan  and the prayers of intercession  were devised and read  by  Liz Gibney.

Bible Reading:   John 20: 1 – 18

Music by the choir:

Introit:                  “Alleluia, Jesus is Risen!”            words: Herbert F Brokering   music: David N Johnson

Anthem:              “Now the Green Blade Rises”      words:  J M C Crum                 music: French melody

Note: during the service the congregation was invited  to  decorate the empty  cross with  flowers and there is an  extensive musical  interlude

Sunday 13th  April 2025: Morning Worship

Palm  Sunday

The recording of today’s service is introduced by Don Macarthur, who was the duty  elder  for the day. Our worship, which  contains both a baptismal  service and Holy  Communion was conducted  by the minister, Revd Robert  Jordan. The Bible reading is given  by  Pam  Western.

Bible reading:  Luke 19 28 – 40

Music by the choir:

Introit:  “Hosanna  to the Son of David”                  words: Matt 21:9              music: David Halls

Anthem: “O Saviour of the World”           words: antiphon of the cross      music: John Goss

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

 

Sunday  6th  April 2025: Morning Worship

Our  service this morning was conducted by the Minister, Revd Robert  Jordan. The recording is introduced by  Steve Brain  who  was the duty  elder  for the day; other  voices you  will hear  are those of Helen  Marson  who  reads the lesson  from  St  John’s Gospel, and David Leadbeater  who devised and reads the prayers of intercession.

We shared in the joy of Janet  and David Leadbeater  who  celebrated their 60th  wedding anniversary  this weekend

Bible Reading: John 12: 1-8

Music by the choir

Introit: verses from  Psalm  46   setting by  Martin Luther

Anthem: “Nunc Dimittis”              setting by  C.V. Stanford

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

30th  March  2025: Morning Worship at  10.30 am

Mothering Sunday

Our  worship  today  was conducted by the minister and the recording is introduced by the duty  elder, Helen  Marson.  The Bible reading is given  by  Shelley  Morgan

Bible Reading    2 Corinthians 5: 16 – 21

Music by the choir:

Introit:                  “Love One Another”       John 5: 34/35     Music    arr.   Lawrence Bartlett

Anthem:              “Magnificat”                       musical  setting: Hubert  Brewer

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

23rd March  2025: Morning Worship  10.30am

As it  is the 4th  Sunday of the month the minister is leading the service at our Highworth  church  today. We are grateful yet  again to  Revd Mark  Barrett who  is taking the service here at  Immanuel. The recording is introduced by the duty  elder,  Liz Gibney.  Other  voices you  will hear  are those of Tom  Hartshorn  and Steve Brain who  read from the Old and New Testament.

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 55:  1 – 9   and    Luke13: 1 – 9

Music by the choir:

Introit:  “How Shall I sing that  Majesty”                 words: John Mason        Music: Ken  Naylor

Anthem:   “Wash  me Throughly”                              words: Psalm  51 :2-3      Music:  David Halls

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

16th  March  2025:   Morning Worship 10.30am

Once again we are extremely  grateful  to Revd Geoff Gleed  who at  quite late notice,  following  a family  incident in the Jordan family, stepped in  to lead  our worship  today.  The recording  of the service is introduced  by  the duty  elder, Maria Kawonga and other  voices that  you  will hear  are those of Liz Gibney,  Edith  Watson  and Wally Knight.

Bible Reading: Luke 13: 31 – 35

Music  by the choir:

Introit: 

verses from  Psalm  19                                   musical  setting by  Thomas Norris

Anthem:

“My Song Shall be  always of the Loving Kindness of the Lord”  Psalm  89   music: Godfrey  Sampson

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

 

Sunday 9th  March  2025: Morning Worship

The recording of today’s service is introduced  by the duty  elder, Don Macarthur and our  worship  is led by the minster,  Revd Robert  Jordan. The reading  from  St  Luke’s Gospel is read by  Mike Gordon

Today was the first  occasion  that  the Himalayan  Church  joined with  us: this group of Christians has been using our  premises for some time now on  a Sunday  lunchtime and we were delighted  to be able to  welcome them  to  join us in  this communion  service. During the service their leader, Prem,   not  only  read the Bible lesson in  Nepalese, but  also  explained something of their church and its history  in  Swindon. They  also  made their contribution  in a joyful  song of praise.

Bible Reading: Luke 4: 1- 13

Music by the choir:

introit: “From all that  dwell below the skies”      words: Isaac  Watts    music: old German  melody

Anthem: “God so  loved the World”                        words: John 3 :16/17     music:  John Stainer

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

Sunday  2nd March  2025: Morning Worship

The minister, Revd Robert  Jordan,  led our  worship  today  and the recording is introduced by the duty elder, Liz Gibney, who  also  devised  and reads the prayers of  intercession. The Bible reading is given  by  Eddie Thomas.

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55  1 – 13

Music by the choir:

Introit:  “Stand up  and Bless the Lord”   words:  James Montgomery      music: Charles Lockhart

Anthem: “Jesu, the very  thought of Thee”   words: 12 century  Latin  tr.  Edward Caswell

music: Simon  Lole

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

Sunday 23rd February  2025: Morning Worship

With  the minister  leading worship  this morning at  Highworth, it  was a delight  to welcome to  Immanuel on her  first visit, Michelle Pickering,  a preacher  on the local  Methodist  circuit.

Sadly  there were technical  problems at the sound desk;  despite repeated  attempts,  the recording  of the service failed.

Bible Reading:  John 4:  1 – 42

Music by the choir:

Introit: “Send O God,  your Holy Spirit”  words Sylvia Dunstan     music: Richard Redhead

Anthem: “Lead  me Lord”      words from  Psalm 5    music: Samuel  S Wesley   Soloist  John  Blakesley

 

 

Sunday  16 February  2025: Morning Worship at  10.30

The minister was leading today’s worship   and the recording is introduced by the duty  elder, Mike Gordon.  Other  voices you  will hear  are those of Janet  Leadbeater  who reads both of the Bible readings and John  Blakesley  who devised and reads the prayers of intercession.

Geoff Gleed was leading worship at  Central  Church  and we are indebted to  Shelley  Morgan  for leading the music in the service.

Bible Readings:    Psalm  1    and Luke 6: 17 – 26

Music by the choir:

Introit: “Jesus Stand Among  Us”              words: Wm Pennefather              music: Friedrich  Filitz

Anthem: “The Peace of Christ  be with You”  words: a Celtic Blessing       music: Geoff Nobes

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

9th  February  2025: Morning Worship

Our  worship  today, which  included the service of Holy  Communion,  was led by the Minister,  Revd Robert  Jordan,   and the recording is introduced by the duty  elder,  Liz Gibney. The Bible lesson  from the letter of Paul to  the Romans is read  by  Sam Chandler -Benjamin.

Bible Reading:  Romans 12: 1 – 21

Music by the choir:

Introit:  verses  from Psalm 16                   musical setting by  E.J. Hopkins

Anthem: “Ave Verum Corpus …”              a sequence hymn  for Corpus Christi by  Pope Innocent Vl

music: William  Byrd

Words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright  licence: CCLI 547036

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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