29th January 2023
Being a fifth Sunday and Robert taking some time off, we were delighted to welcome back to Immanuel, Revd Tony Barnes, a retired methodist preacher and former miniuster at Bath Road. For some strange reason the early part of the service failed to record and as a result we pick up the service in the middle of the second hymn. The readings are by Liz Gibney and Jean Batten.
Micah 6: 1-8
1 Corinthians 1: 18-31
The anthem by the choir using words from John’s Gospel “I give you a New Commandment” music by Peter Aston.
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
28th January 2023
Aldbourne Band Concert
The Aldbourne Band have been coming to Immanuel on the last Saturday of January for the past 55 years: this year they promised us a “Night at the Movies” and true to their word, took us through a dozen or more pieces from film soundtracks from the 1940s to some more recent blockbuster films. Undoubtedly they proved that they fully deserve the accolades heaped upon them: it really was band music at its best – no wonder they are ranked at number 11 in the world!!!
A packed church was reluctant to let them go but after an exciting encore we ended the evening with a rousing rendtion of “The Day Thou Gavest”
15th January 2023
Today’s worship was a special service devised by Geoff Gleed: readings and music to mark the start of the New Year. It is led by Don Macarthur. Other voices you will hear are those of Jean Batten, David Leadbeater, Steve Brain, Wally Knight and Irene Chesterman.
Pianist: Shelley Morgan
Organist: Geoff Gleed
Music by the choir:
“Torches” words: J.B. Trend music: John Joubert
“A Great and Mighty Wonder” words: trad music: Michael Pretorius
“The Sans Day Carol” words: Cornish trad music: John Rutter
“Midwinter” words: Christina Rosetti music: Bob Chilcott
“The Work of Christmas” words: Howard Thurman music: Dan Forrest
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
8th January 2023
“The fourth Gift”
The service today is introduced by duty elder, Helen Marson and is led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan. Other voices you will hear giving readings are those of Steve Brain and Pam Western. It is a communion service, so there are moments when these is no speech – music only as the elements are distributed.
Readings:
The Journey of the Magi TS Elliott
Matthew 2 1-12
Music by the choir:
Introit: Of the father’s Love Begotten Words: Prudentius Music: plainsong melody
Anthem: Song for the New Year Words: traditional Music: Benjamin Britten
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
New Year’s Day 2023
Our service today is introduced by Mike Gordon, the duty elder for the day, who also reads the lesson from John’s gospel. The theme of the service is “Peace?…. Really?”
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Christmas Day 2022
Unfortunately we have no recording of the service but 40 or so members and friends attended a very joyful time together when we shared the wonder of the Good News as well as various gifts that we had received. Below a photo of Geoff and Robert in their Christmas splendour (Robert was advertising the forthcoming church pantomime and felt he would make a good Prince Charming!)
He also wanted to show once of his Christmas presents….not the six pack…. just a fancy apron!!!
Christmas 2022
Our thanks to June Smythe and her band of helpers (I can’t call them little elves as one is over 6ft tall!) who erected and so beautifully decorated the Christmas trees in the church and atrium — they offer a lovely warm welcome on the coldest of winter days!
December 18th: Lessons and Carols
4th Sunday in Advent
Today’s special service is introduced by duty elder, Don Macarthur. Other voices you will hear in the recording include those of the minister, Revd Robert Jordan, David Leadbeater, Helen Thomas, Anne Farrow, Mike Gordon, Steve Brain, Liz Gibney, and Helen Marson.
Music by the choir:
Introit: Infant Holy
Anthems: I sing of a maiden soloist: Tom Hartshorn
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Carol of the Bells
In thr Bleak Midwinter soloists: Linda Tindall/ Vivienne Blakesley and John Blakesley
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
December 11th: Morning Worship
On this, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the service is introduced by our duty Elder, Maria Kawonga and the service led by the minister. The readings from Isaiah and Matthew are read by Helen Marson.
Note: It is a communion service, so towards the end there are moments of silence as the elements are distributed to the congregation
Music by the Choir
Introit: Hark a trumpet call is sounding
Anthem|: Lo how a Rose is growing
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
November 6th 2022: Morning Worship
Today’s service with an unusual theme “stew”, was led by the minister and is introduced in the recording by the duty elder, Don Macarthur, who also reads the Old Testament lesson from Genesis. The New Testament reading from Acts is read by Pam Western and the other voice you will hear is that of Anne Farrow who leads our prayers of intercession.
Readings: Genesis 25 vv 9 – 33
Acts 9 vv 14 – 24
Music by the choir:
Introit: Verses from Psalm 19 chant: Thomas Norris
Anthem: “Grant us Light” words: May Sarson music: Eric Thiman
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
October 23rd 2022: Morning worship
Being the fourth Sunday of the month, the minister was preaching at our sister church in Highworth and we were delighted that Stuart Benjamin (one of our own members) volunteered to lead the service. In the recording, our worship is introduced by Mike Gordon, the duty elder, and the other voice you will hear is that of Jean Batten, who reads the lesson from 2 Corinthians.
Introit: “When my love to God grows weak” Words: J R Wreford Music: Orlando Gibbons
Anthem: ” Lord give me Faith” Words: John Oxenham Music: Kathleen Robson
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
October 16th 2022: Morning Worship
This morning’s worship is led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan, and includes the sacrament of Holy Communion. Other voices you will hear in the recording are those of Anne Farrow, duty chaplain, who introduces the service, Irene Chesterman who reads both Bible lessons and Wally Knight who leads the prayers of intercession.
Readings:
Jeremiah 31 vv 34 – 37
Luke 18 vv 1 – 8
Theme: “Remember no more”
Music by the choir:
Introit: “The Peace of Christ” words: a Celtic Blessing Music: Geoff Nobes
Anthem: ” My Eyes for Beauty Pine” words: Robert Bridges Music: Herbert Howells
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
October 9th 2022: Morning Worship
Our service today was led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan and is introduced by the duty chaplain Helen Marson. She also reads the new testament lesson from St Paul’s letter to Timothy, and the old testament reading from Jeremiah is read by Eddie Thomas.
Readings:
Jeremiah 29; vs 1 and 4-9
2 Timothy 2; 8-13
Theme: Not what they hope for
Music by the Choir:
Introit: Psalm 16 chant: E J Hopkins
Anthem: “Jubilate Deo” music by George Thalben-Ball
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
October 2nd 2022: Morning Worship
Today’s harvest service was led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan and is introduced on the recording by Maria Kawonga, the duty chaplain for the day. Other voices you will hear are those of Janet Leadbeater who reads the day’s lessons from Habbakuk and the gospel of St Luke, and Liz Gibney wh0 devised and read the prayers of intercession.
In a very unfortunate circumstance, towards the end of the service we suffered a power cut and most of final hymn was not recorded… you may hear some delightful unaccompanied singing!. We hope it does not spoil your enjoyment of the service.
Readings: Habbakuk 2 vv 1 – 5
St Luke 17 vv 5 – 6
Music by the choiur:
Introit: verses from Colossians 1 vv15-20 in a chant by Ian Forester
Anthem: “Pleasure it is…” Words: old English W Cornish Music: Cecil Cope
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
September 25th: Morning Worship
With the minister preaching at Highworth today, our organist and choirmaster, Revd Geoff Gleed led both the music 
and the morning service, moving between organ and pulpit in his inimitable style. Other voices you will hear in the recording are those of the duty elder, Eddie Thomas who introduced the service, Helen Marson who read from Mark’s Gospel, and Don Macarthur who gave both offertory dedication and the final blessing.
Reading: Mark 1 14 – 20
Music by the choir:
Introit: Psalm 23 Music: T.A. Walmisley
Anthem: “Ye Servants of God” Words: Charles Wesley Music: Thomas Coleman
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
September 24th: A service to celebrate 50 years since the founding of the United Reformed Church
Whilst, sadly, the national celebrations for our 50th anniversary had to be postponed, the URC churches of the Swindon area did manage to meet up to mark the occasion….albeit a week earlier…. and 24th September saw a well-attended gathering at Immanuel. During the special service we used material for local churches prepared for the Jubilee by the URC that included the prize-winning hymn by Stephen Newell and Naomi Sharp. With contributions from several local churches, including our local partnership, some rousing singing led by an excellent choir and a thought-provoking sermon by SW Synod Moderator, Ruth Whitehead, the jubilee was duly celebrated. In good URC tradition, tea and cake in the church hall afterwards, rounded off a very festive occasion.
The service is introduced by Stephen Brain, Church Secretary at Immanuel. Others taking part are the minister Revd Robert Jordan, Daniel Pitt, Revd Gerald England, Revd Rachel Collins, Bryan Elkington, Revd Ruth Whitehead (the Moderator of S.W. Synod) and Joy Mattis.
Hymns during the service:
All Creatures of our God and King words: W H Draper Tune: Lasst uns Erfreuen
Together through the Father’s Love words: Stephen Newell Tune: Naomi Sharp
There’s a Spirit in the Air words: Brian Wren Tune: Lauds John Wilson
God is our strength and Refuge words: Richard Bewes Tune: Dambuster’s March
Music by the choir:
Introit: Christ is our Cornerstone: David Thorne
Anthem: Rejoice the Lord is King : Malc0lm Archer
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
Just a small section of the large number that turned out from across our URC area to celebrate the golden jubilee and afterwards enjoy each others’ company in time-honoured fashion with tea and cake!
At the end there were lots of comments along the lines of “We must do this again” “How good to meet up like this”
Who knows…perhaps next year…??
September 18th 2022: Morning Worship
Today’s service saw the launch of Immanuel’s annual Harvest Appeal, our worship was led by the minister, Robert Jordan and was introduced by duty elder, Mike Denton. The reading was given by Wally Knight and the prayers of intercession were devised and read by John Blakesley. The address was given by David Moynagh, a representative of “Tools for Self Reliance”.
For further details of our project this year, see the “Beyond Immanuel” page.
Reading: Mark 6 vv 30 – 44
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Holy Spirit Truth Divine” words: Margaret Cropper Music: French Traditional
Anthem: “Jesus’ Hands were Kind Hands” words: Samuel Longfellow Music L.G. Hayne
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036