Sunday 12th October 


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."
 

Sunday 12th October


The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity

9am - Morning Worship – 5 Marks of Mission – Tend: Acts of Loving Service (Luke 14: 14-21 & John 13: 1-20) – Ben Williams
 
          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 – Mission Month: Culture/ Mission Direct and Impact
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 15th October

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments


Sunday 19th October

9am -  Holy Communion  Anti Slavery Sunday – David Thomas 

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

10.30am - Morning Worship – As above

7pm Sundays@Seven – Mission Month: Anti Slavery Sunday 
 

Church Family News


Water Update: Anglian Water fixed the water leak late on Wednesday and have been making Dudley Street good since then. At the time of writing Dudley Street is still closed alongside the church, but you can access the Dudley Street Car Park from Rosamond Road
 
Rosemary Phillips: The funeral of Rosemary Phillips will be on Tuesday 21st October at 1pm at St Andrew's Church, Bedford and all are welcome at the church service. 

Harvest Sunday 2025: Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our Harvest services and donated to the Bishops’ Harvest Appeal: Rewrite Their Future. It is not too late to donate.  Financial donations can be made in person or electronically Account name: Christ Church PCC Bedford; Sort code: 40-52-40; Account No: 00020562 Reference Harvest.

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
I write this from a hotel room, which is probably a first for me. Usually, I'm sat on the sofa supervising my kids, instead I am away. Oftentimes we need some space from something to recognise its value. As I sit here I reflect upon the things which are important. And as we reflect upon the nature of church and the life of Jesus, it throws up some interesting thoughts.

How did an itinerant rabbi change the world? For each of us, different aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry will resonate. I have been struck by his continual escaping to pray! Especially when you combine that with some of his teaching on prayer - our Father, your kingdom, daily bread, prayer closets, keep it short, God knows, to name a few. 

What things are you bringing to the Lord in prayer? Have you prayed for your neighbour? Have you prayed for revival? Have you prayed for the person who you struggle with? Have you asked for God's kingdom to come and his will to be done? I think I am going to go hide away and say the Lord's Prayer now. 
 

For your prayers this week 

 
Prayer for Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity:
Gracious God, you call us to fullness of life: deliver us from unbelief and banish our anxieties with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:
  • Christ Church Pre-School.
  • Holy Cross Catholic Church.
  • Peace where there is conflict.
  • Those who are struggling with ill health.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY 12th October

THIS WEEK:

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
 
Volunteer Wanted I'm looking for a set-up helper for the baby group which meets on Wednesdays at 13:30. You wouldn't need safeguarding training and you don't have to have a DBS check to do this, you would just need to be willing to give 45 minutes to come into church before Little Fishes most Wednesdays. If you think you can help, get in touch, Ruth Hulme (children@ccbedford.org)
 
COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH
 
Book for the group light trail https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/events/ik9ovcm7
Book for the Light Party https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/events/zv5grfit

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
 
 

 

COMING UP

Hope Youth: For those aged 11-18: an opportunity for young people in Bedford to gather together to worship God and explore hope in Jesus. Friday 17th October at Christ Church at 7pm, £2 entry (includes Pizza). Please register to book your place: https://ccbedford.org/Groups/429404/Hope_Youth_Bedford.aspx 

 

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



Baby Loss Service: Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are coming to St Albans (our nearest service) with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service (part of a UK and Ireland chain of events).  On the 13th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral they will be hosting a Saying Goodbye Remembrance Service. 
The service is for anyone who has lost a baby in pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago. This event is also for those grieving that they have never been able to have a child. Further information www.sayinggoodbye.org
 
Go4Gold: Speaker - Canine Partners: Friday 17th October @ 1.45pm. Visiting Speaker, ‘Dog Ambassador’ Penny Campbell from Canine Partners will be accompanied by her dog, Pyke, to demonstrate the kinds of things these wonderful assistance dogs do for their partners. No booking needed, just turn up, refreshments provided (suggested donation £1). 
 Men’s Weekend Away: At the Garden House, Stamford for fun, food, fellowship, teaching and worship, Friday 17th – Sunday 19th October. For details please contact John Betteley on mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org  Please come along and join us. 


Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving: for All Soul’s Day, on Sunday 2nd  November at 3pm. We will once again be holding a service of reflection and thanksgiving for all those who have lost a loved one, whether family member or friend.  The service will be in church, include an opportunity to light a candle in remembrance and will be followed by refreshments.

 
Friends for Life fundraising pamper evening: Thursday 6th November drop in to rooms 2 & 3 at Christ Church between 6.30-8.30pm for shopping, pampering (Tropic skincare) and refreshments. Please let them know you are coming on hello@friendsforlife.org.uk

Christmas Craft Day: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 18-year-olds is on Saturday 29th November from 10am-3pm. We are holding a day of crafts, songs and more, with refreshments including a simple soup and cake lunch. Cost £7, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place here or collect a form from the office.
 

Volunteers wanted: Fantastic news! The Impact Live Nativity performances with schools are sold out.  The Live Nativity is a re-enactment of the Christmas story by volunteers from various local churches. It is held at St John's Church in Bedford. This year it takes place from 1st-5th December, but you don't have to commit to helping every day.   If you would like to volunteer to act, steward or help with refreshments please get in touch with Becky.  Her contact details are:  becky@impactbedford.org.uk
 
Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned fish/fruit/potatoes, jars of coffee/pasta sauces, bars of chocolate, cup a soup, pot noodles, long-life fruit juice & laundry tablets. 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: