Sunday 28th 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."

Friday 26th June

Due to the high temperatures in our buildings today, both Forge and Hope Youth have been cancelled.

5pm: Act of Prayer and Reflection at Elstow Abbey (MK42 9XT)

The Bishop of Bedford and the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire invite you to a simple Act of Prayer and Reflection following the recent rail incident near Bedford station.

This will be a quiet opportunity for the community to come together to remember the train driver who died, to pray for those who were injured, and to hold in our thoughts all those affected. We will also give thanks for the emergency services, volunteers and all who responded with such care and professionalism.

During the service there will be a period of silence at 5.15pm, marking one week since the incident.

This is a simple, prayerful gathering, with space for reflection. All are welcome to attend and to take part in whatever way feels right for them.

Saturday 27th June

9-10.30am - Men’s Breakfast: 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.

Sunday 28th June

Fourth Sunday after Trinity

9am - Morning Worship – Generosity in the Early Church (2 Cor 8:1-15) – Ben Williams

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

10.30am - Holy Communion – As above

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

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

Services in the coming week

Wednesday 1st July

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

Sunday 5th July

9am - Holy Communion– Martin Harris

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

10.30am -All Age Worship with Baptism - The Baptism of Jesus – Ben Williams

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Jonah 1 – Sue Marshall

Church Family News

David Thomas: Our vicar, David Thomas, is currently in the Royal Papworth Hospital on a slow journey to recovery following heart surgery. We encourage you to continue to hold the whole family in your prayers at this time. As David will 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.

July Prayer Diary: Our prayer diary for July is now available; download here or collect a printed copy from church.

Word for Today: for August - October copies are now available to collect from Church.

Generosity: Thank you to everyone who has responded to our requests for help. As we come to the end of our morning sermon series on generosity, we encourage you to continue to consider how you can be generous with your time and resources. If you are interested in exploring giving financially, please speak to our treasurer, Chris Stevens, visit our website or pick up a Giving Leaflet from the Hub.

Thoughts from the Curate

In the words of the classic kids TV show Sesame Street, this week’s thought is brought to you by the letter H, for Hot. If you are anything like me, you have probably been praying for God to bring an end to the almost unbearable heat, for which no fan can bring comfort. But equally, only recently we were looking forward to some warmer weather after the cold snaps we experienced. In effect we are looking for the Goldilocks of weather; not too hot and not too cold.

But as I sit cooking in the heat I wonder whether our faith is ever sometimes a bit like the weather, in that we want enough of God, but not too much? I am reminded of the moment when the people of Israel reached Mount Sinai, after a long trek through the wilderness. Here the people experienced a sample of God’s power when he sent thunder and lightning, and trumpets sounding, but rather than rejoicing, the people cried to Moses “do not let God speak to us or we will die” (Ex 20:19 NIVuk). In a sense they had experienced too much of God, and wanted to reign him back a bit.

I wonder whether we ever do this, whether like the sunshine, we say we’ve had too much of God, and want a little less? What might it look like for us to wholeheartedly seek for more of God, even if like the Israelites, it may be a little scary when he moves in power?

For your prayers this week

Prayer for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity: Gracious Father, by the obedience of Jesus you brought salvation to our wayward world: draw us into your harmony with your will, that we may find all things restored in him, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Points for prayer:

People injured both physically and mentally in the train crash last Friday.
Everyone struggling with the results of the recent heatwave.
Those who have died, or seen their lives destroyed in the earthquakes in Venezuela.
Those who are ill in hospital, and for the staff who are treating them.

Children's Ministry and Events

THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am: 28th 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 – postponed until further notice: Please check the Hope Youth website: https://hopeyouth.co.uk or speak to Hannah.

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

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

Open Garden: The new Bishop of St Albans has graciously agreed to the Bishop’s Garden being open to the public for four Sundays prior to him and his family moving into Abbey Gate House (AL3 4HD) later in the year. This 2-acre hidden garden in St Albans is open on Sundays 28thJune 5, 12 & 19 July from 2-4pm in aid of the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust. Cost £5 per adult; dogs on leads; no toilet facilities.

Go4Gold Film Club: Friday 3rd July @ 1.45pm-3pm in the halls. Refreshments (popcorn & ice cream) included. Just turn up if you are free & come & watch a Christian film with others. (Suggested donation £1 to cover refreshment costs)

Come Together: Saturday 4th July at 10.30am. Joint event for all (combining Ladies Elevenses and Men’s Breakfast), including bacon butties and other refreshments: Speakers Darren and Kathryn Hughes (with Sophie and Samuel) walking with Jesus as a family.

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.

Castle Newnham School (south site) will be open for parking on this evening.

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

Job Vacancy: HopeWorks are excited to be offering a new opportunity to come and work with them. The vacancy is for a Pathways Learning & Engagement Co-Ordinator (part-time). All the details can be found on their website https://hopeworksuk.org/vacancies

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.

26/06/2026

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)