Sunday 14th April 


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 13th April


2-5pm  - Helping Hands Garden Party. Everyone welcome to bring your own tools and come and help weed the borders, trim the shrubs and tidy up the church grounds etc. Families why not come and join us. Drinks and cake will be provided for the workers. Many hands make light work!


Sunday 14th April
 

9am - Morning Worship – Samuel Listens (1 Sam 3) – Julie Bradshaw

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

10.30am -  Holy Communion – as above

   *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 – Prayer and Prophecy – Tony Daniels
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 17th April
10am -  Holy Communion - followed by refreshments 
8pm - Annual Parochial Church Meeting - in church
 
Sunday 21st April
9am -   Morning Worship – Saul (1 Sam 8-10) – 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 – Praise and Prayer
 

Church Family News

 
Tools for Malawi: Thank you everyone for providing so many tools and other things that will make a huge difference to the education and life chances for the students at Home of Hope.  The items have begun their long journey to Malawi this week.





161 Dudley Street: the sale of 161 Dudley Street completed today (Friday 12th April). Thank you to all those involved in preparing the house for sale and sorting out the necessary arrangements.  This has meant that we have been able to repay the loan that we took out, from the Diocese, for the purchase of 18 Hartland Avenue.

The Electoral Roll for 2024 is now displayed in the church porch along with a copy of our annual report and financial statements.  We have also created a more detailed report booklet.  Copies are available on our website or a paper copy can be requested from the Christ Church office.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting:  This year our APCM will be held on Wednesday 17th April in Church at 8pm. 
 

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting


The APCM is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Actually, it comprises of two meetings: the meeting of parishioners which elects the Church Wardens for the coming year and the APCM itself, which is the business meeting of the Church, it’s a sort of Annual General Meeting for Christ Church.  At the meeting of parishioners anyone who lives in the parish, as well as those on the Electoral Roll can vote.  At the APCM only members of the church electoral roll, can vote.  At this meeting we will (re)elect wardens, some Deanery Synod Representative & some PCC members. The meeting is also an opportunity to catch up with the events of the last year and to explore the vision for the coming year together. Most of all it’s a CELEBRATION of all God has been doing in the life of the Church as we look forward to the coming year.

As a parish with an income over £100,000 per annum we are required to be registered with the Charity Commission.  Our Charity Commission number is 1134785. We have to submit an annual report and financial statements to the Charity Commission each year and this is why there are two parts to our report:  

1/ The formal Trustees Report and Financial Statements (download here)

2/ The Christ Church Annual Report. This latter document contains the agenda for the APCM (page ii); the minutes of last year's meeting (pages iii-vi); the official annual report and accounts for the Charity Commission (pages 1-26) and various reports of committees and activities connected with Christ Church (pages 28-47).  This latter section includes some photos. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this document.  (download here) If you would like a paper copy please ask at the office.

Elections to PCC (Parochial Church Council)
There are 4 PCC places available for 3 years, and 2 Deanery Synod places for 2 years. Please consider standing to serve our church in this key leadership capacity. Nomination forms are available by the pigeon holes, please return completed forms to the church office.

The PCC/Deanery Synod representatives’ role involves:

1) enabling the church to play its part in God’s mission to his world
2) co-operating with the Vicar in sharing leadership
3) ensuring legal compliance with charity law
4) caring for the buildings and church gardens
5) being a channel of consultation within the wider Church

We usually have 6 PCC meetings a year and Deanery Synod reps attend a further 4 or 5 meetings in the Deanery. They must be DBS checked and complete safeguarding training and are encouraged to pray for Christ Church, prepare for the meetings and contribute to the discussions.

If you would like more information, or want to talk about anything, please speak to David, Andrew or Kay.                        
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for The Third Sunday of Easter:

Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father.
 
Please pray for:
  • For our APCM next Wednesday. 
  • For those thinking of standing for PCC, for wisdom and clarity of thought.
  • For teachers, school staff and students as they return after the Easter holidays.
  • An end to the wars in our world.
  • Our Mission Partners, in their daily work.
 
A Prayer for Easter Season:

On this day that the Lord has made, let us pray for the people he has redeemed.
  • That we may live as those who believe in the triumph of the cross: 
  • That all people may receive the good news of his victory: 
  • That those born to new life in the waters of baptism may know the power of his resurrection: 
  • That those who suffer pain and anguish may find healing and peace in the wounds of Christ: 
  • That in the undying love of Christ we may be united with all who have died in the faith of Christ: 
Let us commend the world, in which Christ rose from the dead, to the mercy and protection of God. Amen
 
Children's Ministry and Events

THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (14th April):
 
 
 

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

 
CHILDREN'S TEAM

Please note that the children's team time which was planned for April 12th at 18:00 has now been postponed to Sunday 12th May at 12:30. Please respond to the invite on ChurchSuite if you are able to attend.

 
     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



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?


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

Go4Gold: Friday 19th April 2-3.15pm. David Currie and Collette Denley-Currie (pictured) will be the speakers with the title Sunshine Travels. Collette and David will share stories from their experience of life afloat on a canal boat. They would also love to hear your recollections of boating holidays or trips you may have enjoyed in the past. Refreshments provided (suggested donation £1) No booking needed, just turn up. All welcome.
 
Church Walk: Sunday 21st April meet at 2.30pm to car share for a bluebell walk in Clapham Park Wood. The walk might be muddy, especially if we have more rain this week. Therefore, suitable footwear is essential such as walking shoes/boots, or wellies, not trainers, or light footwear. After the walk we will enjoy refreshments together at the home of John and Fiona Betteley.
 
Bedford Young Persons Pilgrimage: If you are aged 15-35 then you might be interested in this trip to Taize organised by Father Paul of Elstow Abbey. (Click here for a clearer version of the poster).

 
 
2024 Church Coach Holiday Monday 8th-Friday 12th July: open to all, staying at the Angel Hotel, Leamington Spa (pictured above). The brochure is now available to download here or collect a paper copy from The Hub. There are a few places left.
 
2024 Ladies Weekend Away: Friday 11th-Sunday 13th October Staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Speakers: Mhairi Brown and Sue Marshall. More details and booking forms available here or collect a paper copy from The Hub or contact Rachel Bennett. 
 

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.
Visitors click here

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:

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