Sunday 5th May

 


All our latest events, information and prayer needs
Our Vision: "We are a people being transformed by the unconditional love of God; seeking to bless our community, and longing for all to experience the hope we have in Jesus."
 

Saturday 4th May


No Zoom Prayer Meeting today

10.30 for 11am Ladies Elevenses
                     
Ruth Janes will have a fundraising stall for the Home of Hope Malawi.

 

Sunday 5th May
 

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

9am - Holy Communion –  David and Goliath  (1 Samuel 17) – David Thomas

           10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am -  All Age Worship – as above – Ruth Hulme

   *The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*

            6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes

7pm - Sundays@Seven Holy Spirit: The Trinity and the Creeds – David Thomas
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 8th May
10am -  Holy Communion - followed by refreshments 

Sunday 12th May
9am - Morning Worship Soloman the Wise (1 Kings 3; 4:29-34) – David Thomas
           10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – as above
            6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm -Sundays@Seven Holy Spirit and Scripture – Alan Cottenden
 

Church Family News

 
Home Group Coordinator: We are very pleased to announce that Katherine Davies has taken on the role of Home Group Coordinator. Please bear with her as she picks up the reins from Pauline Barber. We are very grateful for all that Pauline has done. For Home Group matters please contact Katherine on homegroups@ccbedford.org
 
Ascension Day: Thursday 9th May is Ascension Day, when the church remembers the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection.  If you would like to attend an Ascension Day service, here are the details for two local ones. St Paul’s Bedford Thursday 9 May 7.30pm Ascension Day Service and St Andrew’s Bedford Thursday 9 May 7.45pm Holy Eucharist for Ascension Day

Prayer Diary: May’s Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church.

Word for Today: Copies of UCB Word for Today for May - July are now available in the Hub.
 

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
As I have been out and about this week I have seen lots of workers cutting grass, trimming the flora, and tidying up green spaces. With the change of weather from grey, wet and windy to blue skies and sunshine it feels like spring has sprung and that a literal spring cleaning is taking place all around us.
 
Which got me thinking about Spiritual spring cleaning. It can be very easy in the busyness or the monotony of life to slowly drift into things which are not the best. Weeds easily appear, grass gets long, hedges become wild etc. Similar things can happen in our Spiritual walks. And so spring is a good time, to take stock, to brush away the cobwebs, or to cut the grass to continue the spring metaphor.
 
How might we do this? Well there are all sorts of spiritual practices or disciplines which can help us. One for us to consider is from St Ignatius, known as the Examen. Here is a version of it which you could try at the end of the day:
  1. Become aware of God’s presence.
  2. Review the day with gratitude.
  3. Pay attention to your emotions.
  4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
  5. Look toward tomorrow.
 

For your prayers this week


Prayer for The Sixth Sunday of Easter: Risen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples: help your Church to obey your command and draw the nations to the fire of your love, to the glory of God the Father. Amen
 
Please pray for:
  • The family and friends of Daniel Anjorin, for comfort amidst the tragedy.
  • The new Police Commissioner, that they would act with wisdom and integrity.
  • Peace in Ukraine, Gaza, and other places of conflict in the world.
  • Those working with refugees, for strength, wisdom and compassion.
Prayer for Ascension Day: Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven: help us to seek and serve you, that we may join you at the Father’s side, where you reign with the Spirit in glory, now and for ever. Amen
 
Children's Ministry and Events

THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (5th May):

This week is an all age service at 10.30am, we encourage families to join us for the service. There are instruments and quiet toys available for children who join us.
 
 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 

 
CHILDREN'S TEAM WANTED
 
CHILDRENS NOTICES RECURRING FI
 
SUNDAY CHILDREN'S TEAM REMINDER

Children's team time and training: Sunday 12th May at 12.30pm. Meet in Room 7. Please bring your laptop or tablet and your ChurchSuite log in details with you. You may also wish to bring your lunch as we won't finish until 2pm
 
     For more information about our regular groups please look on our website here or contact Ruth
using: children@ccbedford.org or 07554 537757

Youth Ministry and Events


HOPE Bedfordshire Youth Event: Come meet the Answer at Christ Church on Friday 17th May at 7.30pm (pizza from 7pm) for 11-17 year olds.  There will be Live Worship; Games; Pizza (£2) and More. Collect a flyer from Christ Church to hand to teens you know.


18-30s Ministry and Events
  
For more information contact Laura Jewell our 18-30s Pioneer at 18-30s@ccbedford.org
 

 What is happening at Christ Church and beyond?

 
Church Walk: The next Church walk is today, Sunday 5th May.  It will be walk in the local area.  Meet at the Hub at 2.30pm to walk from there and return there for refreshments.

Go4Gold Social: Friday 10th May 2-3.15pm. Refreshments provided.  No booking needed, just turn up. All welcome.
.
 

Plant ?? Sale 11th May @ 11am -12.30 pm. 


In church grounds. (In church if wet!)
1/ We need all your ?? seedlings , cuttings and ??plants to sell. You can bring them during the week and place them at the top of the Vicarage drive nearest the building by the traffic cones and bike rack, ideally labelled, so that people know what they are.

2/ We would also love donations of home baked cupcakes, flapjacks etc for the refreshments stall (labelled with ingredients/allergens).

3/ On the day we need you to come and buy some plants and enjoy refreshments.
 
All proceeds will go towards the refurbishment of 18 Hartland Avenue, where our new curate, Ben and his family will be coming to live in the summer. We want to make the house safe and welcoming for them.  Shortly we will be asking for help with some of the jobs that need doing (as we did with the vicarage in 2022).
 
 

Vocations Roadshows

Starting to think God might be calling you? Wondering how you could grow your faith through service? Thinking about ministry? Or just wondering “what next”?
Save the date! Come along to one of our Vocations Roadshows and explore the variety of directions in which God might be calling you.
  • Sunday 19 May, 2pm – 5pm: Diocesan Office, St Albans
  • Saturday 8 June, 10am – 1pm: St John’s Hall, Hertford
  • Tuesday 9 July, 6.30pm – 9.30pm: St Andrew’s, Bedford

More information: https://www.stalbansdiocese.org/ministry/called-to-serve/
 

Bedford Foodbank: The most needed items at the moment are: Pot noodles, cup-a-soup, fruit juice (long-life), tinned meat (200g), tuna, sweetcorn and fruit, teabags (40), squash and long-life sponge puddings.

 

 

Hello
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Our 9:00am service is traditional in style and lasts about 45 minutes.

Our main Sunday family service starts at 10:30am and runs for about 75 minutes, everyone gathers together at the beginning of the service. After a short time of worship together, we divide into different teaching and worship groups as children up to school year 11 leave.

At our all-age services (60 minutes), everyone stays together for the whole service. Our weekly notice-sheet gives details of all important events happening in the near future and some guidance on topics for prayer.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service where there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions. We are proud to be a certified Fair Trade Church.

Our 7:00pm Sunday evening service runs for about 75 minutes and adopts a more contemporary style with a focus on deeper worship and teaching.   

 

What happens to the kids at church?

Children

We have a fantastic programme for the kids at the Church on Sunday mornings during our 10.30am service:

Imagine -  Our weekly group for babies to 3 year olds, parents are welcome to stay with their child, if they like.  They meet in the main hall 
Wonder - Our weekly group for those in school years R-3. They meet in Rooms 2-3
Marvel - Our weekly group for those in school years 4-6. They meet in Room 5 (upstairs)
JTeam - Our weekly group for those in school years 7-11. They meet in Room 6 (upstairs)

The children and youth stay with their parents at the start of the service as we worship together for the first part of the morning. Someone will announce when the children and youth should go to their groups. You will need to go with your children and register them, the first time they attend. 

For more information about what is currently happening in the children's work please visit the Children's Ministry page and for the youth work please visit the Youth Ministry page.

What about accessibility?

There are parking spaces next to the church halls but for the 10:30am service a larger car park is available at Castle Newman School (south site) just a few yards along Goldington Road. We have step free access from both Denmark street and Dudley street and there is space for buggies and wheelchairs in the Hub area of the new halls. There are baby changing and accessible toilet facilities and a lift to the first floor. Our sound system incorporates a hearing loop.

Getting Connected


Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries: