Sunday 8th December 


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 7th December


  

Sunday 8th December


The Second Sunday of Advent

9am - Holy Communion – Advent 2 (Luke 3.1-6) – Ben Williams *
           
           10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - All Age Nativity – Julie Bradshaw   

          *The 9am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Being Disciples 6: Life in the Spirit pt2 - Tony Daniels
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 11th December
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 15th December
9am - Holy Communion – Advent 3 (Luke 3.7-18) – Michael Bishop
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – as above
7pm - Carols by Candlelight! 
 

Church Family News

  
Prayer Diary: The December Prayer Diary is now available; collect a paper copy from church.

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 Final Rehearsal: Monday 9th December @ 8pm.

Christmas Cards to church members: if you wish to send a Christmas card to our church family, please place in the office slot of the pigeon holes and we will display them.
 

Thoughts from the Vicar


At PCC just over a week ago we looked at the accounts for 2024 and next year's budget. Two key factors; our regular giving has not increased in line with inflation, and we have a full staff team for the first time in a number of years, mean that we are likely to end the year with a £20,000 deficit. And if our income does not increase, 2025 is expected to see a £30,000 deficit.

We are in a privileged position of having a full-time Children's Minister and Youth & Student Minister. The impact upon the life of the church of Ruth and Hannah cannot be underestimated. We are seeing God at work in so many ways in these areas of ministry. The truth is the last few years we have not had a year end deficit because we did not have a full staff team and therefore our operating costs were lower. 

If you do not already give to the life of the church, please would you consider it? If you are a regular giver, please consider raising your giving?
Here is the link to details on our website 

To give some context to this: if everyone gave £7.50 extra per month, this would cover the current predicted budget deficit for 2025.

As ever, we continue to look to God to provide for all our needs. In my experience, more often than not, he appears to meet them through people, people like us. 
 

For your prayers this week

 
The Second Sunday of Advent: Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God. Amen

Please pray for:
  • Teachers, lecturers and schools staff as the end of term approaches, for strength in the final days and a good end to the year.
  • Hospitals, that people would get access to the help they need, and that staff would have the strength and grace to keep going in difficult times.
  • Three Rivers Church, that they would know more of God at work during advent.
  • Those impacted by natural disasters, especially in California following the earthquake.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 


COMING UP IN DECEMBER:


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

 
Lunch Club Christmas Lunch: Friday 13th December at 1pm. If you, a relative, friend or neighbour, would like to come along to our Christmas Lunch for seniors, tickets (£10 per person) are now on sale from the Church Office and will be until Sunday 1st December.
 


 
At this time of year we receive details of many different activities. Rachel Bennett has put together a list of some of these events which you can view here.
 
 
Reverse Advent Calendar

Bedford Foodbank are encouraging people to collect an item a day for them in Advent. See below or collect a printout of their suggestions of the most needed items, from church, and then bring the items to church in the New Year.  

The final foodbank date at Christ Church is Tuesday 17th December. 
 


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.

At this time of year we can also give out any Christmas decorations that are surplus to your requirements 
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.
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?

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:

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