Sunday 22nd June 


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 21st June 


 
 

Sunday 22nd June 


The First Sunday after Trinity
 
9am - Morning Worship – Return to the Lord (Joel 2)- 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*

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Following Jesus - A World Reborn: Revelation –  David Thomas
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 25th June
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 29th June 
9am -  Holy Communion – The Nations Judged, God's People Blessed (Joel 3) – Alan Cottenden 
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – As Above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Images of Jesus - Shepherd (John 10:11-18)– David Thomas
 

Church Family News


Margaret Worsdell: A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Margaret Worsdell (Sue Platt's mother) is taking place on Tuesday 24th June at 12.45pm at St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton Road (Margaret's church!). Margaret also loved attending Christ Church, and the family would love our church family who knew Margaret to attend too. Dress code is smart, comfortable and colourful if possible!

Principal Feast Days - at present we do not follow the lectionary (set Bible readings) for the majority of the principal Feast days such as Epiphany, Pentecost, Trinity, at our morning services. I am interested to see if there is a desire at Christ Church for us to more fully embrace these feast days. I have created a poll to record the answers - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XB8PQVC Thank you, David Thomas.
 
Holy Communion at 10.30am Services: We have changed the way we do the distribution at Communion. Moving forward, people will be directed to come to the front, to line up on the front step from left to right. Clergy will distribute the wafers along the line, followed by the other server(s) with the wine. Gluten free wafers and non-alcoholic wine will continue to be available. Our hope is that this will give people a moment to be still as they partake in the Eucharist.

Thoughts from the Vicar


Two weeks ago, we changed the pattern of receiving Holy Communion at our 10.30am service. The plan is for the next two weeks to continue in the same way. The PCC meets in early July and will discuss any further changes which need to be made.

I realise that my general demeanour and chatty nature can sometimes give the impression that things are not thought through. Please be assured that this is not the case regarding Holy Communion. As a PCC we have been talking about this for over a year. In May 2024 this became an agenda item; between November and March we discussed specific changes which could be made. And in May 2025 as our act of worship, the PCC trialled the new way of distributing. We have not made this change lightly and we have not rushed this. I recognise that it is not going to be perfect, and that change can be hard but please bear with me and us. This is another opportunity for us to exercise grace towards one another.

Talking of exercising grace. For many, Holy Communion is the central moment of the church service and is quite literally a holy moment. Please can we be aware of those around us. It is not the time for having conversations with friends. That’s why we have refreshments after the service, so please do stay afterwards! There is always going to be a level of noise, I get that, but please don’t have full on conversations with your mates about how the footie was last night etc. Apologies if this sounds grumpy, it’s not meant to be!                              
 

For your prayers this week


Prayer for The First Sunday after Trinity: God of truth, help us to keep your law of love and to walk in ways of wisdom, that we may find true life in Jesus Christ your Son. Amen
 
Please pray for:
  • Rev Ben Williams being ordained priest on Saturday 28th June
  • AJ Hutchinson-Wade being ordained deacon on Sunday 29th June
  • That in the week leading up to this significant milestone in their journey of faith, that they would know more of God’s peace and a continued sense of calling.
  • In the last week there have been many dark moments both in our own country and abroad; pray that the light of Christ would illuminate in the darkness, that his peace would transcend, and that his will would be done, and his Kingdom would come.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (22nd June) : 
 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 
SUMMER 2025 HOLIDAY CLUB
 
 
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
 
Tonight (Friday 20th June) in place of Friday Night Youth




For more information about our regular groups please look on our website here or contact Hannah using: youth@ccbedford.org or 07384 295757

 

What is happening at Christ Church and beyond

 
Last call: please can you save any empty, clean, gravy/hot chocolate/custard powder etc. tubs with plastic lids that could be used for making money boxes at Morning Out. We need 25 by July, please bring them to the office.  







Go4Gold Soup and Social: Friday 27th June @ 12.45pm. There will be a choice of soups, bread rolls, cheese, yoghurts and fruit for a suggested donation of £2pp. This will be followed by a social in the Hub from 2-3.15pm (suggested donation £1pp). No booking is needed, you are welcome just turn up to one or both events.
 
Folk Concert: Leyla Burrows a member at Christ Church from 2014-2021 is performing at St Hugh’s Luton (where her husband is curate) on Friday 27th June at 7.30pm – click poster below for St Hugh's Calendar and then click on Folk Music Concert to book a ticket.
 
 
Men’s Breakfast: Saturday 28th June 9am-10.30am at Christ Church. Numerous breakfast options available: including egg and/or bacon and/or sausage bap, cereal, croissants, toast, jam, orange juice, tea/coffee etc. If you would prefer a veggie option instead please let us know (mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org).  Cost £3 (free on first visit). No need to sign up, just turn up on the day as we would love to see you. We will be looking at 1 Corinthians 3 v16.  What does this mean to us? This is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us.

Additional Needs Training: The Diocese of St Albans is running a training session on Wednesday 2nd July at Christ Church led by Mark Arnold from Urban Saints. The training is 6.45-9.15pm, with the  option of coming for a meal from 6pm prior to the training. Book online at https://diocese-of-st-albans.cademy.io/additional-needs-training 
 

 
Job Opportunities: The Stables Christian Centre at Bolnhurst are seeking an Office Administrator for 15 hours a week and a client supervisor for 6 hours on a Tuesday. For further information about the project visit www.stableschristiancentre.co.uk and to discuss either role or request an application form, contact Sean Watkiss on 01234 376237 or email manager@stableschristiancentre.co.uk  Informal enquiries and visits welcome.
 
 
2025 Ladies and Men’s Weekend Something to look forward to this autumn
HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SPACE? Don't miss your chance to attend.

2025 Ladies Weekend Away: Friday 26th-Sunday 28th September staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Ladies can come for the weekend or for the day on Saturday 27th for fun, food, fellowship, teaching and worship. Brochures with booking form now available in the hub, or download LWA or contact Rachel Bennett on 07981918263.  Early booking will secure your place.

2025 Men’s Weekend Away: Friday 17th - Sunday19th October staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Green brochures with booking form now available in the hub, or download here or from John Betteley.  Twin or single en-suite rooms available.  Book early.
 
Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned meat/rice pudding, jars of coffee, bars of chocolate, milk (UHT), long-life fruit juice, laundry tablets, deodorant and sun cream SPF50 (Particularly for children).
If you wish to donate toiletries to Bedford Foodbank, current needs are: toilet rolls, disposable razors, shaving foam/gel, sanitary wear, household cleaning sprays and washing up liquid. Many thanks for your generosity.
 

 

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)
Youth - Our weekly group for those in school years 7-13. They meet in Room 7 (upstairs). Please register at the desk in the hub


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: