28th May 2023: Morning Service
Pentecost Sunday
Today was also ther occasion of outr Partnership Birthday Service and all the churches joined together at Immanuel to celebrate. The worship was led by the leadership of Messy Church and true to form we met initially in thr church hall for a craft session, and the product of our efforts was used in the worship that followed.
Some tables were set aside to make suitable hats depicting tongues of flame that reminded us all of the events of that first Pentecost Sunday
Others were used to prepare paper airoplanes for use in the “Airoplane prayer” in the service – each plane bearing some of the themes for our prayers
Everyone got involved (well most of us!) including the clergy and leadership team!
During the service, a packed church welcomed the newest confirmands from the recent Anglican service – representatives form all constituent churches offered a warm handshake.
Below is the link to the recording of the service- do note that at times the recording levels are high, and you may need to ‘adjust the volume!!
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
21st May 2023: Morning Service
Today were were pleased to welcome to Immanuel for his first visit, Revd David Pattie, a URC minister from Bath. The service is introduced by Mike Gordon our duty elder, and other voices you will hear are those of Tom Hartshorn who reads both Bible lessons, and that of Wally Knight who leads the prayers of intercession.
Bible Readings:
Colossiand 1: 15 – 23
Matthew 11: 25 – 30
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
14th May 2023: Morning Worship
In something of a marathon session, our service today was led by John Cheek of the Lawn Community Church. The service is introduced by our duty elder for the day, Helen Marson, the readings are given by David Bevan and the music is led by Julie Dyer
Bible Readings:
Luke 2: 41 – 52
Matthew 27: 11- 26
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
7th May 2023: Morning Worship
(A special arrangement to mark the coronation weekend )
Geoff Gleed had the double role this morning in leading both the service and also the music from the organ! The service is introduced by our duty elder for the day, Maria Kawonga, and other voices you will hear are those of Jenny Powley, who reads the two lessons from the Gospel of Luke, Liz Gibney who leads the prayers of intercession and Don Macarthur who assists Geoff in leading parts of the worship.
Bible Readings: St Luke 13: 18 – 21 and St Luke 18: 15 – 17
Music by the choir
Introit : “Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us” words: James Edmeston, music: Filitz
Anthem: “I will Thank Thee” Music: Daniel Purcell
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
5th May 2023: Service at Christ Church
A special Act of worship took place at Christ Church on the eve of the Coronation to mark the occasion … some wonderful singing by the partnership choir and a stirring sermon from Simon that encouraged us all to continue in our ecumenism and work in and for the community we are here to serve.
A couple of photos of the choir in its regerasing prior to the service…it never ceases to amze what we can produce after only 45 minutes of practice!!!
Thanks of course to both Tim and Geoff for all theior work …we’d never do it without them!
30th April 2023: Morning Worship.
Unfortunately, due to a problem with the microphones, we are unable to bring you this service.
23rd April 2023: Morning Worship.
Our service this morning was led by Reverend Daphne Hardwick from Christ Church. The Elder introducing the service is Don Macarthur and the readers are Pam Western and Don.
Robert Jordan, our Minister, was leading worship at Highworth United Reformed Church.
Bible Readings: 1 Peter 1 verses 17 to 23 and Luke 24 verses 13 to 35.
16th April 2023: Morning Worship.
Our service this morning was conducted by our Minister Reverend Robert Jordan. Others taking part in the service are Mike Denton the Chaplain who introduces the service, with David Leadbeater reading the lesson and John Blakesley leading the prayers of Intercession.
The Anthem this morning was “Come ye faithful” with words by St. John Damascene, translated by J.M Neale. The composer: R.S. Thatcher.
Bible Readings: 1 Peter 1 verses 3 to 9
9th April 2023: Morning Worship – Easter Sunday
Our Easter Sunday service was led by the Minister. Paddy Hayes was the Elder who introduces the service and the lesson was read by Jean Batten.
During the service members of the congregation added their own flowers to the bare cross at the front of the church.
Bible Reading: Matthew 28 verses 1 to 10.
26th March 2023: Morning Worship
Today’s service was a service of music and readings for Passiontide.
All the items sung by the choir were from Handel’s Messiah.
The service was conducted by Bryan Elkington and was introduced by Elder Anne Farrow. The readers were Eddie Thomas, Helen Marson, Helen Thomas and Don Macarthur. Thank you to our organist Reverend Geoff Gleed and the Immanuel choir.
Bible Readings: Matthew 26 verses 20, 26 to 30, 36 to 46 and Matthew 27 verses 1 and 2, 11 to 26, 27 to 43 and 45 to 61.
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
19th March 2023: Morning Worship with Communion
This morning there was a Pulpit Exchange in the Swindon Old Town Partnership and whilst our minister was conducting the service at Bath Road Methodist Church Reverend Simon Stevenette from Christ Church conducted the service at Immanuel. Liz Gibney introduces the service and reads from John while Janet Leadbeater reads from Colossians. Wally Knight leads the congregation with his prayers of intercession.
Bible Reading: Colossians 3 verses 12 to 17 and John 19 verses 25 to 27
Music by the choir during the distribution of bread and wine.
God be in my head – Book of Hours – Sarum 1514. Music: Walford Davies
The Lord bless you and keep you – Book of Number: 6: 24-26. Music: arranged by Lowell Mason
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
As it was Mothering Sunday there was a bunch of flowers for everyone in the congregation.
12th March 2023: Morning Worship
This morning’s service was conducted by Reverend Norma McKemy of Christ Church, Swindon. The service is introduced by the Elder Mike Gordon and the reader today was Helen Marson.
Bible Reading: John 4 verses 5 to 42.
Music by the choir:
Introit: Christ is the image of the unseen God. Words: Colossians 1: 15-20. Music: Ian Forrester
Anthem: O Saviour of the world; Words: Antiphon of the Holy Cross Music: John Goss
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
12th March 2023: Tea Service
What could be better on a Sunday afternoon than the Immanuel tea service? This was the first one we have had since the pandemic and those present enjoyed the singing and the tea.
5th March 2023: Morning Worship
Our duty elder, Helen Marson introduces today’s service and also reads the Old Testament lesson. Our worship is led by the minister. Other voices you will hear are those of Tom Hartshorn, reading the New Testament lesson, and Liz Gibney who devised and reads the prayers of intercession.
Bible Readings:
John 3 : 1 – 17
Genesis 12 : 1 – 4a
Music by the choir:
Introit: verses from “Jesu, where’er thy people meet” Word: Wm Cowper Music: Freylinghausen
Anthem: ” Your Gentle Healing” Words and Music: Geoffrey Nobes
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
26th February 2023 Morning Worship
Sadly the gremlins got into our recording desk again and the resulting background buzz makes the recording of the service inaudible.. .apologies from us all! We’ll be working on trying to sort out the problem during the week and hope to sort it out in time for next Sunday!
19th February 2023
This morning’s service was conducted by the minister, Robert Jordan, and is introduced i nthe recrding below by Eddie Thomas, duty elder for the day. Other voices you will hear are those of David Bevan who reads the lessons from Leviticus and Matthew, and John Blakesley who devised and reads the prayer of intercession
Bible Readings:
Leviticus 19; 1-2, 9-18
Matthew 5: 38-48
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Thou O Lord hast made us for thyself” Music: George Thalben-Ball
Anthem: “Ave verum corpus” a mediaeval sequence Music: Robert Pearsall
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
14th February
Was it the fine weather or the fact it was Valentine’s Day? Who knows, but folk certainly turned out to enjoy an afternoon cuppa and a natter in the church Hall in our monthly ‘Tea and Chat’; there were forty in all and as you can see, there was much merriment and lots of friendly banter.
If you’ve not been to one, do feel free to come along on Tuesday 14th March 2.30pm – 4.00pm – you’d be made most welcome!
12th February 2023
Today’s service was led by the minister, Revd Robert Jordan and was introduced by the duty elder, Anne Farrow. The other voice you will hear is that of Tom Hartshorn who reads the lessons from the Bible.
Readings: Deuteronomy30: vv 13 – 20
1 Corinthians 3 : vv 1 – 9
Music by the choir:
Introit: “Send O God your Holy Spirit” words: Sylvia Dunstan Music: Laus Deo, Redhead
Anthem: “Jesu the very Thought of Thee” words: anon 12th century Music: Simon Lole
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
5th February 2023
Today’s worship is introduced by the duty elder, Paddy Hayes and other voices you will hear are those of the minister who leads the service, together with Edith Watson (readings) and David Leadbeater (prayers of intercession).
Readings: Isaiah 58: 1 -12
Matthew 5: 12 – 20
The prayers of intercession were devised by Revd Elizabeth Welsh
Music by the choir:
Introit: “A New Commandment” John: 13 34-35 music: Anon, arr. Lawrence Bartlett
Anthem: “Day by Day” words: Richard of Chichester music: Martin How
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036
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 rendition 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 the Bleak Midwinter soloists: Linda Tindall/ Vivienne Blakesley and John Blakesley
All words and music are reproduced under Immanuel’s copyright licence: CCLI 547036