Sunday 11th May 


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 10th May

 
7pm - Malawi Orphan Fund's 20th Anniversary Celebration
 

Sunday 11th May


The Fourth Sunday of Easter
 
9am - Morning Worship – Following Jesus' example of humility (Phil 2) – Wil Horwood

          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 – Following Jesus - The Battle Won: Colossians – Ben Williams
 

Services in the coming week

 
Wednesday 14th May
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 18th May 
9am -  Holy Communion  Putting our trust in God (Phil 3) - David Thomas
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – as above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – 
Following Jesus - The Kingdom of the Son of Man: Matthew – Alan Cottenden
 

Church Family News

 
Sundays@Seven: If you are coming to this service, please try and read through or listen to Colossians before you come.
 
June 2025 Ordination dates for your diary: Ben Williams will be ordained Priest on Saturday 28th June at 2pm and AJ Wade will be ordained Deacon on Sunday 29th June at 2:30pm, both at St Albans Cathedral.  They would appreciate support as they enter these next steps in their ministries and all will be welcome to come and join us at these services.

Thoughts from the Vicar


This week I have had the song Yes and Amen by Housefires running around my head. I've woken up most mornings with the words - "Faithful you are, all your promises are yes and amen." It got me thinking about the faithfulness of God but also about my trust in God as well. 

During a lower moment in the week, when I wasn't feeling well I asked myself the question - do I really trust God? Do I trust God enough that if I don't show up, things will still be okay? It sounds a tad melodramatic I know. But there is a dangerous space where we can begin to believe that we are so central to something that it cannot succeed without us. And the truth is, that's rarely true. Anyone who has worked in big business knows that we are very replaceable.

In the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 20, it talks about the promises of God finding their yes in Jesus Christ. And we speak the amen. The truth is that God is faithful, and he chooses to engage with us and involve us in his good plans for creation. How amazing is that?! But we shouldn't get so full of pride to think we are indispensable. But we also shouldn't be so melancholy that God isn't interested us and doesn't have good plans for us either.                        
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for The Fourth Sunday of Easter: Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
 
Please pray for:
  • Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the newly announced leader of the Roman Catholic Church - Pope Leo XIV. 
  • Places of conflict, especially Kashmir where tension between India and Pakistan continue to be high.
  • Following VE Day, that we would not forget those who sacrificed so much for the peace of others.
  • Home of Hope in Malawi, and the Malawi Orphan Fund who support them.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (11th May) : 



COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 

NOTICES FOR VOLUNTEERS
 
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
 
(Musical) Volunteers needed to support Impact (One of our mission partners)

Nearly a thousand children will be joining Impact over the three days of Lifepath John Bunyan at Elstow Abbey this year.  The children and staff love coming and they learn all about John Bunyan and Pilgrim's Progress through various interactive activities and workshops.

Impact are very grateful God has blessed them with very nearly enough volunteers for Lifepath on 20th-22nd May. They are still in need of a few more volunteers, in particular they need musicians (guitar, keyboard, drums, vocals). If you, family or your friends would like to get involved, even if just for one of the days please contact trish@impactbedford.org.uk or becky@impactbedford.org.uk
 

What is happening at Christ Church and beyond


 
Items wanted: please can you save any empty, clean, gravy/hot chocolate/custard powder etc. tubs with plastic lids that could be used for making money boxes at Morning Out. We need 25 by July, please bring them to the office. Old Prescription glasses: Optometrists from Cardiff University are going to Malawi to do eye tests and give out suitable glasses. Students will identify prescriptions of donated glasses before the trip. If you have any old glasses or sunglasses, (not varifocals), there is box on top of the pigeonholes. 
 
 
PLEASE NOTE NEW START TIME Go4Gold Speaker: 1.45-3pm Friday 16th May 2025 in the Halls, come along and hear “how it’s going so far” from the curate (Ben Williams). All are welcome for chat and refreshments - no booking needed, just turn up.

Saturday  May 24th PLANT SALE in the church grounds (inside if wet) 10.30am-noon Please continue to take cuttings, plant seeds and divide shrubs etc ready for the sale, then come and buy other wonderful plants to make your garden look great. We had a great time last year, let's make it even better this year.  The money raised will go towards some work that needs doing on the church roof.


Music Night: Saturday 7th June 7-10pm at Riverside Tennis Club. Be entertained by Riverside Talent (bar open; bring nibbles) and raise money for Bedford Foodbank (donations).

Quiet Day: Saturday 21st June in Hertfordshire. Leave Bedford at 9am and go to All Saints Little Munden for time to reflect, pray, walk. Contact Rachel Bennett for details/to book.
 
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 with booking form now available in the hub, or download LWA or contact Rachel Bennett on 07981918263.  Early booking will secure your place.

2025 Men’s Weekend Away: Friday 17th - Sunday19th October staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Green brochures with booking form now available in the hub, or download here or from John Betteley.  Twin or single en-suite rooms available.  Book early.
 
Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned meat/rice pudding, jars of coffee, bars of chocolate, milk (UHT), long-life fruit juice, laundry tablets, deodorant and sun cream SPF50 (Particularly for children).
If you wish to donate toiletries to Bedford Foodbank, 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: