Sunday 27th 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."
 

Saturday 26th October

 


Sunday 27th October


Last Sunday after Trinity

Don't Forget: British Summertime ends and clocks go back one hour

9am - Morning Worship – Sin, The Cross & Repentance: The Cross (Romans 5) – David Thomas
           
           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 - Being Disciples 5: Faith in Society – Andrew Russell
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 30th October
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 3rd November
9am - Holy Communion – God Loves You (John 3: 16-17) – Dave Middlebrook
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - All Age Worship  as above – Ruth Hulme
            6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Being Disciples 5: Faith in Society Response – Andrew Russell
 

Church Family News


Kate Brandon: It is with great sadness that we share the news that Kate Brandon died on Monday 21st October. Please keep Phil, the family and friends in your prayers at this time. Details regarding the funeral will come out in due course.

Prayer Diary: The November Prayer Diary is now available from church.

Month of Gratitude: How are you getting on with the Month of Gratitude? Don't forget to bring your gratitude calendars back to the next all age service on Sunday 3rd  November.

“How to Make a Difference” #4 Trees for Streets in Bedford - why not sponsor the planting of a tree with your house group, friends or family? It helps combat climate change, celebrates nature and improves your neighbourhood. (Flyers also available in the Hub) https://sponsor.treesforstreets.org/provider/bedford-borough-council 


 
 

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
This week the Peruvian theologian and Dominican Priest Fr Gustavo Gutiérrez died. He was an inspiration within the world of modern theology. His work around the idea of liberation theology continues to be a challenge today. He wrote this:

“If I define my neighbour as the one I must go out to look for, on the highways and byways, in the factories and slums, on the farms and in the mines, then my world changes.”

Jesus calls us to love God and love neighbour, to love others as we love ourselves. Gutiérrez's work asks us the question 'who is our neighbour?' At a time when there is so much division in the world, his idea that we must go and look for our neighbour, not just expect them to come to us, is a powerful reminder of the need for all of us to play our part in this world. I wonder what it might look like for us as individuals as well as the body of Christ, to seek out our neighbours, and to show them the love of Christ.
 

For your prayers this week


Prayer for the Last Sunday after Trinity: Merciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty, that trusting in your word and obeying your will we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please pray for:
  • Those who are grieving at this time.
  • Those who are angry with their church leaders.
  • Those facing war, persecution and hardship.
  • Those who are struggling with life.
  • Those who will find half term a difficult time.
Prayer for All Saints’ Day (1st November): God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age: as we rejoice in the faith of your saints, inspire us to follow their example with boldness and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (27th October):

Please register your children before the 10.30am service at the welcome desk in the hub. 

Today's Groups: 


COMING UP THIS WEEK FOR HALF TERM:

 

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER:
 
 


 
VOLUNTEERS WANTED

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






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

 
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

 
 
Go4Gold Film Club: Friday 1st November 2-3.15pm. Refreshments (popcorn and ice cream) included.  Just turn up if you are free and come and watch a Christian film with others.
 

Ladies Elevenses with Bring and Buy sale raising money for the Home of Hope Malawi: Saturday 2nd November 10.30 for 11am. There will be refreshments (suggested donation £2) and Ruth Janes and Gillian Lindley will share the blessings of being involved with the Home of Hope, Malawi. There will also be a bring-and-buy- sale with proceeds going to the Home of Hope. Please bring items you would like to donate for sale and money to make purchases. Contact Rachel Bennett.
 
 
Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving: for All Soul’s Day, on Sunday 3rd 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 tea, coffee and cake. 




The Bereavement Course: beginning on 11th November, 7-9pm a course exploring grief and helping people who are bereaved. The Bereavement Journey® is a place to talk - 7 Sessions of films and discussion for anyone who has been bereaved, whether grieving a death now, or wanting to explore a previous bereavement that may be unresolved. To book a place, please download a form here or collect a form from the office; for more details speak to Mary Davies.

If anyone is able to help with welcome and serving refreshments, contact Mary as above.
 
Quiz Night: Start planning your team of 6 for The Big Quiz Night on Saturday 16th November, in Christ Church Halls at 7pm, raising funds for Tearfund. More details to follow.
 
Bedford Foodbank: The most needed food items at the moment are: Tin openers, pot noodles,  cup-a-soup, fruit juice (long-life), tinned meat (200g), tuna, sweetcorn and fruit, jelly, coffee and long-life milk.
If you wish to donate toiletries to Bedford Foodbank, our 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: