Sunday 21st 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."

Sunday 21st June

Third Sunday after Trinity

9am - Holy Communion – Generosity: New Testament (Mat 6:25-33 John 3:16)– Sue Marshall

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

10.30am - Morning Worship – As above

*This service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Colossians 3 – Ben Williams

8.15pm - Open Heaven

Services in the coming week

Wednesday 24th June

10am - Holy Communion - in church, followed by refreshments

Sunday 28th June

9am - Morning Worship – Generosity – Ben Williams

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

10.30am -Holy Communion– As above

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Colossians 4 – Andrew Russell

Church Family News

David Thomas: Our vicar, David Thomas, was transferred to the Royal Papworth Hospital earlier in the week following his illness. He has subsequently undergone surgery to replace two valves in his heart and is now on the slow journey to recovery. We encourage you to continue to hold the whole family in your prayers at this time. As David is likely to be away for an extended period of time, if there are any matters which you would normally speak to David about, please contact Ben (curate) or Pauline (church office) to enable David to rest and recover.

Cleaning: Are you able to help clean the halls on a voluntary basis? If you can offer an hour or two that would be amazing, either as a one-off, or on a more regular basis. This could include things like cleaning toilets, sweeping and mopping floors, emptying bins, vacuuming. Please contact Pauline (church office) with your availability.

Thoughts from the Curate

There is an anecdotal quote from the evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, which says ‘I never pray for more than 20 minutes, but I never go more than 20 minutes without praying.’ While this may seem impossible, it is a challenge for us to think how our whole lives can be grounded continuously in prayer. But also, how we are called to pray for our wider world, and especially our church family.

At the start of his letter to the Colossians, after hearing of their faith in Christ, Paul tells them ‘we have not stopped praying for you.’ (Colossians 1:9 NIVuk) This week, like so many people in our church, I have been praying continually for David, Vikki and the whole family. But I have also been challenged about the fact that we need to be praying more; that we need to be praying for our church, and those who serve in leadership. Not only for David, but for our staff team, PCC, and those who lead the different groups which happen week by week.

Last week it was announced that the service where the Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey would be installed as the next Bishop of St Albans would take place on the 19th September. Ahead of this, I urge you to be praying for him as he prepares; that God would equip him as he leads our Diocese into the future.

For your prayers this week

Prayer for the Third Sunday after Trinity: God our saviour, look on this wounded world in pity and in power; hold us fast to your promises of peace won for us by your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Points for prayer:

David, Vikki, Noah, Grace and the whole family.
Bishop Andrew Rumsey, Bishop Richard Atkinson and Bishop Jane Mainwaring, and the whole Diocese in this season of transition.
Our world leaders as they negotiate a peace deal in Western Asia.
Those who have been elected MPs in the recent byelections.

Peace and an end to division around our world, and that the FIFA World Cup may provide opportunities of greater unity.

Children's Ministry and Events

THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am: 21st June

COMING UP THIS WEEK:

COMING UP IN JULY - Book Now

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

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 Youth: Friday 26th June 7pm at Christ Church. Hope Youth Bedford is a Bedford-wide youth event designed for young people aged 11–18 to come together, have fun, and explore faith in a relaxed, welcoming environment: a time of worship, teaching and prayer, along with pizza and social time. It’s a great opportunity to meet other young people from across Bedford, build friendships, and grow in your faith as we worship God and explore hope in Jesus together. Please book via the Hope Youth website or use the QR code.

Youth Blog

Find all our blogs on the church website in the 'youth ministry' section in 'connect'

https://ccbedford.org/Groups/452353/Youth_Blog.aspx

Happy Reading! :)

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

Home Communion: If you, or anyone you know is unable to attend church and would like to receive Home Communion, please contact Vikki Thomas (vicarspa@ccbedford.org) to arrange for someone to visit.

St Albans Diocese Ministry Experience Scheme: This scheme is an opportunity for those aged 18-29 to spend a year growing in ministry and leadership skills through church placements, training and mentoring. Christ Church is hoping to offer placements this coming September (other churches are available!) There are information leaflets available in the Hub or see the link from our website here

Church Walk: Sunday 21st June Meet in the Hub at 2pm to car share to Bedford Park for a walk there.

Craft Group: Thursdays 10am-Noon in Room 7. Spend time together chilling, chatting and creating crafts.

Go4Gold Soup and Social: Friday 26th 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.

Men’s Breakfast: Saturday 27th June 9-10.30am at Christ Church. Numerous breakfast options available with perhaps the most popular being the egg and/or bacon and/or sausage bap plus tea/coffee etc. Also available are cereal, croissants, toast, jam, orange juice, etc. If you are vegetarian and would prefer a veggie option instead please let me know (mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org). All for the bargain price of £3 (free on first visit). No need to sign up, just turn up on the day as we would love to see you. We shall continue with looking at the book of James. This is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us.

Watoto Children’s Choir: Tuesday 7th July @ 7pm at Christ Church. You are invited to join this children’s choir, from Uganda, as they sing, dance and share their stories of restoration and hope. The concert is free but there will be a collection. You can book a free ticket here or just turn up. More details via https://www.watoto.com/choir/

Bloom Women’s Conference 2026: Friday 10th July 6.30-9pm & Saturday 11th July 9.30am-4.30pm at Bromham Baptist Church. Bloom is a gathering created to encourage, equip and empower women as we grow in our faith and draw closer to Jesus. Tickets are available at truelifechurch.churchsuite.com/events/xh6k3ri8

University Chaplain: The University of Bedfordshire Ecumenical Chaplaincy Trust in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire is looking to appoint a Lead Chaplain, based primarily in Bedford and Luton. Closing date for applications is 1st July 2026. More details available here

Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned meat/tuna/ vegetarian meals, jars of coffee/cooking sauces, savoury crackers, bottles of squash, bars of chocolate, long-life milk, jelly, sun cream SPF50 (Particularly for children) & size 6 nappies. Thank you for your donations.

21/06/2026

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?

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:

Men's Ministry
Women's Ministry
Students' Ministry
Seniors' Ministry
Foodbank (in partnership with Bedford Foodbank)