Sunday 9th February 


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 9th February


The Fourth Sunday before Lent

9am - Morning Worship – Body of Christ: We each have a part to play (Gifts) – Alan Cottenden
        
          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*

7pm - Sundays@Seven – As above – Tony Daniels
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 12th February
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 16th February
9am - Holy Communion  – Body of Christ: How do we do this? (Humility) Phil 1:27-2:13 – Jonathan Templeman  
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – as above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – As above – Andrew Russell
 

Church Family News

 
Prayers for Jenny and her family: It is with great sadness that we share that a body has been found in the search for Jenny Codd. Details of the police statement can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/188H5SUs1T/ 

Today (Friday 7th February) and Sunday 9th February from 1-3pm the church will be open for anyone who would like to come and light a candle and pray for Jenny and her family.

Electoral Roll: This year we have to create a completely new electoral roll.  Look out for further details and the forms to complete coming soon.  The electoral roll is the formal list of our church members, those who delight to be at Christ Church and support our aims and values. Membership allows you to stand for PCC and vote at our 2025 Annual Meeting (Wednesday, 30th April, 8pm). Any questions to electoralroll@ccbedford.org

Prayer Diary: The February Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church or download a copy here.

Word for Today: Copies of UCB Word for Today for Feb - Apr are now available in the Hub.
 

Thoughts from the Curate


I wonder how good you are at waiting, whether it is for the arrival of a package in the post or the coming of a celebration? Over the last week, at our different services, we have been celebrating Candlemas as we recall Jesus' presentation at the temple when he was a child (a story recorded in Luke 2:22-40). In the story we meet two, otherwise unknown, characters called Simeon and Anna, both of whom were waiting for the promised Messiah to come.

Life for Jews living in the time before Jesus was tough, and yet they had not lost hope. They still trusted that God was going to do something. That they are not without hope. They continued to pray constantly for God's kingdom to come, even after many years of waiting. 

In our world, there is still so much pain and suffering, and it can sometimes feel like there is no hope. But reading again the story of Simeon and Anna, I am reminded that we are called to not lose hope. That we are called to be people who are praying for God's kingdom to come; trusting that God is at work. Even if it feels like a very long wait.
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for The Fourth Sunday before Lent: Lord of the hosts of heaven, our salvation and our strength, without you we are lost: guard us from all that harms or hurts and raise us when we fall; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

 
Please pray for:
  • The victims and families of those killed and injured in the school shooting in Sweden, and the fatal stabbing in Sheffield.
  • NHS staff who are under tremendous pressure, as they care for those most in need in our community
  • Hannah and the Treehouse Chaplaincy team as they seek to support students at the University of Bedfordshire  
 
Children's Ministry and Events

 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (9th February):

 

COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 
 

 
COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH:

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: Soup and Social: 12.45pm Friday 14th February There will be a choice of soups, bread rolls, cheese, yoghurts and fruit for a suggested donation of £2.50. This will be followed by a social in the Hub from 2-3.15pm. No booking is needed, just turn up on the day. 
 
 
Supporting Impact: Impact (Christians supporting Bedfordshire schools) are looking for volunteers for the Easter Experience, which is held at St John’s Church, Bedford.

Impact require a cast of 28 members plus those helping with stewarding and refreshments for each performance. Bearing in mind not everyone can do every day, they need more than 28 cast members, so that each day is covered. Cast always needed: Jesus, the 12 disciples, temple soldiers, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, ladies serving at the last supper, ladies visiting the tomb, the angel, ladies at Peter's betrayal and so on. It’s great fun and you get to network with a lot of fantastic people from other churches.

 

Coming up later in 2025 – Bookings now open

2025 Church coach holiday Monday 2nd -Friday 6th June: open to all, staying at the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth (with a complimentary swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gym).

2025 Ladies Weekend Away: Friday 26th-Sunday 28th September staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Ladies can come for the weekend or for the day on Saturday 27th for fun, food, fellowship, teaching and worship.

Brochures and booking forms for both these events are now available from The Hub, or download (CCH / LWA) or contact Rachel Bennett. Early booking will secure your place.
 
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 and Bags for Life.

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.
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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