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At Emmanuel, our heartbeat is to be “a light for the city”—reflecting the hope, love, and life of Jesus into our local community. Whether you have been part of our family for decades or are just looking in from the outside, you will know that a healthy community is one that constantly pauses to listen, dream, and align its heart with God's direction. Right now, Emmanuel is entering an exciting new season filled with fresh potential, significant new horizons, and key moments of transition. To welcome everything the future holds, our leadership team is inviting the whole Emmanuel community to a special Day of Prayer and Fasting on Monday, 8th June. Looking Ahead: Key Areas of Focus We are dedicating this day to focusing our vision on four specific areas, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we plan for the future: The Future of St Mary’s Laira: We are in a vital season of looking ahead at the long-term mission and structural direction for St Mary’s. We want to ensure our presence in Laira continues to be a vibrant, relevant light for that neighbourhood. Navigating Transition with St Paul’s: Revd Darryl, the vicar of St Paul’s, is approaching his retirement. We are immensely grateful for his years of faithful service to our community. While the future steps for St Paul's are not yet fully known, we want to pray for their church family during this time of transition, asking for wisdom as we look at how to best support one another in the wider community moving forward. An Update on the Child Contact Centre: It is with a mix of sadness and deep gratitude that we share the news regarding the closure of our Child Contact Centre. As the only free supported centre in Plymouth, it has been a literal lifeline for separated families. While this specific chapter is closing, our heart as a compassionate, trauma-informed church remains completely unchanged. We are praying for the families affected, honouring the incredible volunteers who poured their lives into this work, and asking how we can best serve local families in new ways moving forward. Investing in the Next Generation: Our big vision is to significantly expand our work with children, youth, and young adults across Plymouth. Over the last three and a half years, our teams have worked incredibly hard to maintain our momentum during a prolonged vacancy in our Associate leadership position. With local transitions ahead, we know our resources will be stretched. We are actively praying for fresh provisions, financial support, and new team members to help us strengthen our foundation and accelerate these vital ministries. Great Possibilities and Fresh Horizons There is no denying that seasons of change require energy and focus. Saying goodbye to a beloved ministry, navigating local leadership transitions, and carrying gaps in our team asks a lot of our staff and amazing volunteers. Yet, as we look at the landscape of Emmanuel, the overwhelming story of this moment isn't the stretch—it is the unbelievable, God-given potential right in front of us. We are a church sitting on the cusp of an incredible harvest. The opportunities within walking distance of our building are immense. We aren’t gathering out of scarcity; we are gathering because we are full of expectation! We believe God is using this season to prepare our canvas for something beautiful and new. How to Join Us on Monday, 8th June Whether you regularly practice prayer or are simply curious to see how our community discerns the future, you are incredibly welcome to participate: 1. Prayer and Fasting Throughout the Day Many in our community will be choosing to fast during the day on Monday, skipping meals as a tangible expression of our hunger for God's presence, using that time instead to focus on reflection and prayer. (If medical reasons prevent you from fasting from food, many choose to fast from media, technology, or simply dedicate specific moments of the day to quiet reflection). 2. Gathering Together in the Evening The culmination of our day will be a united gathering in the church building at 7:30pm. This will be a focused time of corporate worship, prayer, and listening for what the Holy Spirit is saying to us as a community as we step into these new opportunities. Please clear your diaries for Monday, 8th June. Let’s come together with open hearts, seek His face, and watch how He leads Emmanuel to be an even brighter light for Plymouth. "The LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

If you joined us at Emmanuel this past Sunday, you would have felt a definitive theme blowing through our church family. In the morning, Robin opened up the Scriptures to explore the beautiful, sometimes daunting topic of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the evening, we took a deep dive into the gift of prophecy—demystifying it, stripping away the sensationalism, and spending some holy, high-grace time simply practising listening to God for one another. One of the great highlights of the day was confronting a quiet epidemic in the Western church: practical cessationism. While many of us intellectually believe that God can speak, we often live our day-to-day lives as functional cessationists, making decisions entirely on our own steam without ever stopping to ask, "Holy Spirit, what are you saying?" But as we saw through personal stories, church history, and the explicit commands of Scripture, our God is a living Father who actively pursues His children. Our primary calling isn't just to do things for Him, but to simply enjoy Him and hear His heart of love for us. The Tools for the Journey To help us step out of practical skepticism and into a lifestyle of conversational prayer, Robin highly recommended a fantastic book in the morning service: "How to Hear God: A Guide to Prophetic Prayer" by Pete Greig. Pete Greig (founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement) is a trusted friend to the global church, and his writing perfectly aligns with our values at Emmanuel. He approaches the supernatural with a profound sense of humility, a deep hunger for more of God, and a thoroughly biblical grounding. The book acts as a brilliant companion to the discernment frameworks we looked at on Sunday. If you are wondering how to distinguish between your own random thoughts and a genuine impression from the Holy Spirit, Greig offers a warm, down-to-earth, and practical guide to filtering what you hear. It perfectly complements our church’s ABC model (ensuring what we receive is Affirming, Biblical, and Christ-like) and helps us lean into our three-legged stool of discernment: Scripture, Circumstances, and Holy Spirit Impressions. Moving Forward Together We don't want Sunday to just be a nice memory; we want it to shape our culture as a Light for the City. In a world filled with trauma, loneliness, and noise, Plymouth desperately needs a church that knows how to listen to the whisper of God and carry His words of comfort and strength into our communities. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned pray-er or a complete beginner who is naturally skeptical, we want to encourage you to grab a copy of How to Hear God. Let’s read it together, chat about it in our home groups, and continue to grow as disciples who know the voice of our Shepherd. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27 Copies of "How to Hear God" can be ordered online, or speak to one of the leadership team on Sunday if you’d like help sourcing a copy!

The Bells of Emmanuel Church and the Joy of Bell Sunday The bells of Emmanuel Church have been part of the soundscape of the area for more than a century, calling people to worship, marking moments of celebration, and reminding our community of God’s enduring presence. As we mark Bell Sunday, it feels especially fitting to reflect on the story, beauty, and ministry of our much‑loved bells. A Gift of Craftsmanship and History Our tower, completed in 1897, was designed to house a full ring of bells—and in 1904, that vision came to life. All eight bells were cast in 1904 by John Warner & Co., a respected London foundry known for its bold, resonant tone. Originally intended for St Matthias, North Hill, the bells found their permanent home at Emmanuel, where they have been faithfully rung ever since. The ring is often described by visiting bellringers as a “grand and gutsy old 8”, with a warm, distinctive voice that carries across Mannamead, Hartley, Compton, and beyond. The tenor bell, weighing nearly 20 cwt, anchors the ring with a deep and generous E♭. A Living Tradition Whether ringing for Sunday worship, weddings, civic occasions, or quiet weekday practice, the team offers their time and skill as an act of service. Visitors often comment on the clarity and beauty of the sound. One listener recently shared that they sat in a nearby park for half an hour simply to enjoy the ringing, describing it as “flawless” and “as fine as anything heard in London’s great churches.” Bell Sunday: A Time to Give Thanks Bell Sunday - 17th May 2026 - is a national celebration that invites churches to honour the ministry of bells and bellringers. It reminds us that bells are not merely historical artefacts—they are instruments of worship. They proclaim joy, hope, and the presence of God in our midst. At Emmanuel, Bell Sunday gives us the chance to: Give thanks for our ringers and their dedication Celebrate the heritage of our 1904 Warner bells Pray for those who hear the bells, that they may be drawn closer to God Invite new ringers to join this unique and rewarding ministry A Call That Still Matters In an age of digital noise, the sound of church bells remains wonderfully human. They are rung by real hands, in real time, for real people. They remind us that the church is alive, active, and rooted in its community. As we mark Bell Sunday, may the bells of Emmanuel continue to ring out God’s praise—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Thinking About Trying Bellringing? Join Us! Bellringing is one of Emmanuel’s most joyful and welcoming ministries—and we’d love to have you involved. You don’t need musical experience, great strength, or any special background. If you can climb the tower stairs and enjoy learning something new, you’ll fit right in. What you’ll find: A friendly, supportive team A skill that’s both relaxing and mentally stimulating A chance to serve the church in a unique and meaningful way Plenty of laughter during practice nights When we meet: Practice is on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, with ringing for Sunday services and special occasions. If you’d like to come along, watch a practice, or have a go, simply speak to one of the ringers, contact the parish office or contact the tower captain at cawardle@aol.com. We’d be delighted to welcome you up the tower.

Emmanuel Church, Plymouth. A light for the city. Join us for worship and community. SUMMER LIGHT FACTORY book on! Gatherings Visit Us What's on Vacancies A light for the City We are committed to being a visible and transformative presence in Plymouth, shining the hope of Christ into our community. Through worship, transformed lives, and compassionate outreach, we share His love and bring renewal to our city. vision The gifts of the holy spirit This series will explore, who is the Holy Spirit, Discernment, The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Waiting on the Spirit sermon series our gatherings Join us on Sundays and Throughout the Week for various gatherings. We would love to meet you. Click below for more information about when and where we gather. more info Hearing the Shepherd's Voice: Why We Are Reading "How to Hear God" If you joined us at Emmanuel this past Sunday, you would have felt a definitive theme blowing through our church family. In the morning, Robin opened up the Scriptures to explore the beautiful, sometimes daunting topic of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the evening, we took a deep dive into the gift of prophecy—demystifying it, stripping away the sensationalism, and spending some holy, high-grace time simply practising listening to God for one another. One of the great highl Peter Shaw 1 day ago 2 min read Ringing Out God’s Praise: The Bells of Emmanuel Church and the Joy of Bell Sunday The bells of Emmanuel Church have been part of the soundscape of the area for more than a century, calling people to worship, marking moments of celebration, and reminding our community of God’s enduring presence. As we mark Bell Sunday, it feels especially fitting to reflect on the story, beauty, and ministry of our much‑loved bells. A Gift of Craftsmanship and History Our tower, completed in 1897, was designed to house Alena Wardle - Tower Captain May 8 3 min read Who is the Holy Spirit? A summary of the sermon - 26th April 2026 Bp Tim reflects on powerful experiences of the Holy Spirit, beginning with visits to a Pentecostal church in Birmingham led by two women with striking ministries—one a street preacher, the other focused on deliverance and the Spirit’s power. A vivid moment is recalled where a drug addict was transformed within minutes—delivered, converted, speaking in tongues, and preparing for baptism—raising the central question: is the Holy Spirit Tim Dakin Apr 27 2 min read more posts Scan the QR code to download the Church App, for more info on events, what's happening and how to get involved

Emmanuel Church, Plymouth. A light for the city. Join us for worship and community. 👋 HELLO new here? Gatherings Visit Us What's on Vacancies A light for the City We are committed to being a visible and transformative presence in Plymouth, shining the hope of Christ into our community. Through worship, transformed lives, and compassionate outreach, we share His love and bring renewal to our city. vision sermon series We are exploring the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Looking at Discernment, Waiting & Gifts learn more Our gatherings Find when we gather, where we are based and more below learn more our gatherings Join us on Sundays and Throughout the Week for various gatherings. We would love to meet you. Click below for more information about when and where we gather. more info Hearing the Shepherd's Voice: Why We Are Reading "How to Hear God" If you joined us at Emmanuel this past Sunday, you would have felt a definitive theme blowing through our church family. In the morning, Robin opened up the Scriptures to explore the beautiful, sometimes daunting topic of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the evening, we took a deep dive into the gift of prophecy—demystifying it, stripping away the sensationalism, and spending some holy, high-grace time simply practising listening to God for one another. One of the great highl Peter Shaw 1 day ago 2 min read Ringing Out God’s Praise: The Bells of Emmanuel Church and the Joy of Bell Sunday The bells of Emmanuel Church have been part of the soundscape of the area for more than a century, calling people to worship, marking moments of celebration, and reminding our community of God’s enduring presence. As we mark Bell Sunday, it feels especially fitting to reflect on the story, beauty, and ministry of our much‑loved bells. A Gift of Craftsmanship and History Our tower, completed in 1897, was designed to house Alena Wardle - Tower Captain May 8 3 min read Who is the Holy Spirit? A summary of the sermon - 26th April 2026 Bp Tim reflects on powerful experiences of the Holy Spirit, beginning with visits to a Pentecostal church in Birmingham led by two women with striking ministries—one a street preacher, the other focused on deliverance and the Spirit’s power. A vivid moment is recalled where a drug addict was transformed within minutes—delivered, converted, speaking in tongues, and preparing for baptism—raising the central question: is the Holy Spirit Tim Dakin Apr 27 2 min read more posts Scan the QR code to download the Church App, for more info on events, what's happening and how to get involved

NICE to meet you We know it can be daunting starting something new, but we are here to make sure you feel welcomed into your church community Hi, welcome to Emmanuel Church Plymouth We’re so glad you’re checking us out, and we’d love to get to know you and help you feel at home here. A great first step is signing up on our church portal – it’s the best way to stay in the loop with everything going on at Emmanuel. You can sign up for events, update your contact details and receive our weekly emails that keep you up-to-date with all that’s happening. We also run newcomers events, which are a great opportunity to meet some of the team and others who are new to Emmanuel. You can also join a Connect Group or one of our serving teams – both brilliant ways to build friendships and get involved in church life. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to drop us an email – we’d love to hear from you and help you get connected. SIGN UP FIRST STEPS Some simple steps to help you start your journey with us Sign up Visit Connect Attend Register on our portal Come to a service Lets get social Join an event Welcome Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7