Sunday 3rd November


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 2nd November


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. 


Sunday 3rd November


The Fourth Sunday before Advent

9am - Holy Communion – God Loves You (John 3: 16) – Dave Middlebrook

Thank you to Dave Middlebrook for presiding and preaching at our 9am Communion service this morning.
           
           10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - All Age Worship  as above – Ruth Hulme

Month of Gratitude: How are you getting on with the Month of Gratitude? Don't forget to bring your gratitude calendars back to the All Age service.

          *The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*


3pm - Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving: for All Soul’s Day, 

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. 
          
         
   6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes

7pm - Sundays@Seven - Being Disciples 5: Faith in Society Response – Andrew Russell
 

Services in the coming week

Wednesday 6th November
10am -  Morning Worship – followed by refreshments

Sunday 10th November
9am - Morning Worship – Remembrance Sunday – Ben Williams
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – as above  
            6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Holy Communion – David Thomas
 

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. Kate’s funeral will be at Christ Church on Thursday 14th November at 10am.

Lucy Chipeta: It is with sadness that we have heard from Malawi that Lucy Chipeta, died on 26th October. As the Executive Director of Home of Hope, she played a major role in running the home. Please pray for her family and all the Home of Hope community at this time.

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

Word for TodayCopies of UCB Word for Today for Nov - Jan are now available in the Hub.

Baptism, Confirmation, and Children’s Admission to Communion: In the new year, we are planning on running preparation classes for children (age 7+) and young people who want to be admitted to receive Holy Communion. We are also planning on running classes for anyone who is interested in baptism (any age) and/or confirmation (12+). Please drop an email to Vikki (vicarspa@ccbedford.org) expressing an interest. More details will follow.

Carols by Candlelight Choir (Sunday 15th December): Anyone interested in singing in the choir at the Carols by Candlelight Service, please drop an email to Vikki (as above) expressing your interest. Rehearsal dates: 25/11 – 8pm, 01/12 – 4pm, 09/12 8pm.

Bedford Winter Night Shelter: The King’s Arms Project will be running a night shelter for 100 days this winter. Once again they need volunteers and financial support to help them provide safe and warm bed spaces for the vulnerable in Bedford. To help: pick up a flyer or get in touch on volunteers@kingsarmsproject 01234 350900. The project also has some paid positions available see: https://kingsarmsproject.org/vacancies/

Thank you: for the donations of magazines for Forge; we now have plenty.
 
 

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
I am sat in my study and my children are making a joyful noise on their ukuleles. I am constantly challenged by their freedom. Last Sunday we were reminded that through Jesus’ death and resurrection we, in Christ, have been brought out of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light. We are saved, redeemed, loved and set free. So why don’t we feel very free?

And here is where our children and young people can teach us so much about freedom. So often it is the pressures of this world and adulthood which suck the life out of people. Looking at children and how they play, the way they enter in with joyful abandon. Looking at teenagers and how passionate they are about stuff, the way they embody presence. 

The Psalms are full of this joyful abandon, the embodiment of presence, expressions of truth, emotions, praise, lament, and thanksgiving. Perhaps we need to get in touch with that childlike faith again, learn from our youngers, allow the Holy Spirit to continue to refine us. Maybe grab your bible this week and find some Psalms to meditate on.
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for the Fourth Sunday before Advent: God of glory, touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit, that we with all creation may rejoice to sing your praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Please pray for:
  • Students, Teachers, and Staff starting back at school on Monday, including Christ Church Pre-school.
  • The bereaved, especially those who are attending the Service of Thanksgiving & Prayer.
  • Those who feel a lack of hope, especially in the light of the budget.
  • Our local Councillors and MP, as they serve the wider community.
  • God’s grace and blessing on Three Rivers Church, our neighbours on Denmark Street.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (3rd November):

This week is an all age service at 10.30am, we encourage families to join us for the service. There are instruments and quiet toys available for children who join us.
 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 


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 Social: Friday 8th November in the Hub; all welcome for chat and refreshments.

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.
 
Quiz Night: Register your team for The Big Quiz Night on Saturday 16th November, in Christ Church Halls at 7pm, raising funds for Tearfund (suggested donation £5 per person).  Click here to register and for more information.


 
Christmas Craft Event: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 18-year-olds is on Saturday 23rd November from 10am-3pm. In addition to making cards and Christmas ornaments, the team will be introducing a few new craft projects. Cost £10, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place ASAP by contacting Fiona Betteley. 

There will be a brief meeting of all helpers and Craft Day team members after the 10.30 All Age service (3rd November) in Room 6 upstairs.
 
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.
 

 

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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: