Sunday 29th June 

 

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 28th June 


9am - Men's Breakfast

 

Sunday 29th June 


The Second Sunday after Trinity
 
9am - Holy Communion  The Nations Judged, God's People Blessed (Joel 3) – 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*

2.30pm - Livestream of the ordination of Deacons (including AJ Hutchinson-Wade)

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Images of Jesus - Shepherd (John 10:11-18)– David Thomas
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 2nd July
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 6th July 
9am -  Holy Communion  – David Thomas
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - All Age Worship – Dreams and Visions (Joel 2:28) - Chris Somervell
7pm Sundays@Seven – Images of Jesus - Vine (John 15)– Vikki Thomas
 

Church Family News

 
Prayer Diary: July’s Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church.

Holy Communion at 10.30am Services: We have changed the way we do the distribution at Communion. Moving forward, people will be directed to come to the front, to line up on the front step from left to right. Clergy will distribute the wafers along the line, followed by the other server(s) with the wine. Gluten free wafers and non-alcoholic wine will continue to be available. Our hope is that this will give people a moment to be still as they partake in the Eucharist.

Thoughts from the Vicar

 

This weekend Ben is ordained priest, and AJ is ordained deacon. What a joy it is to have travelled with them as they respond to God's calling on their life. One thing I have noticed is that it is not just a one time yes, rather it is a journey with millions of opportunities to say yes.

Yes, when the Holy Spirit nudges. Yes, when someone we trust says "I think I see this in you." Yes, when a door appears to open. Yes, to stepping through it. Yes, when everything seems to be falling apart. A journey of a million yes'. 

Which is very much like the journey of faith which all of us are on. A new day, a new opportunity to respond to God and his love for us. As we walk out the door a new opportunity to love our neighbour. As we walk down the road a new opportunity to care for God's creation. As we read our Bibles, a new opportunity to grow deeper in our faith. As we pray, a new opportunity for growing closer to God. Wherever you are today, let's say yes to the opportunities in front of us.
 

For your prayers this week


Prayer for The Second Sunday after Trinity: Faithful Creator, whose mercy never fails: deepen our faithfulness to you and to your living Word, life in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen
 
Please pray for:
  • AJ and Ben, and all those being ordained deacon and priest this weekend.
  • That peace would come out of the fragile situation between Iran, Israel and the USA.
  • Those living with the uncertainty surrounding Universal Credit and PIP changes.
  • People who are unable to attend church, that they might know God's presence with them.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (29th June) : 
 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 
SUMMER 2025 HOLIDAY CLUB
 
 
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

 

What is happening at Christ Church and beyond

 
Vision Evening: Home for Good and Safe Families are hosting a free Vision Evening at St Andrew's Kimbolton Road Bedford on Tuesday 1st July from 7-8.30pm. Did you know there are currently over 200 children looked after away from home in Bedfordshire? Home for Good and Safe Families have a bold vision: we hope for a society where no family feels alone, and every child has a home where they can flourish. We believe the Church is central to this vision. Come along and find out more about the work we do and to find out more about fostering, adoption and supported lodgings.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/home-for-good-vision-evening-tickets-1399884545359

Additional Needs Training: The Diocese of St Albans is running a training session on Wednesday 2nd July at Christ Church led by Mark Arnold from Urban Saints. The training is 6.45-9.15pm, with the  option of coming for a meal from 6pm prior to the training. Book online at https://diocese-of-st-albans.cademy.io/additional-needs-training 
 

 
Go4Gold Film Club: Friday 4th July @ 1.45pm-3pm in the halls. Refreshments (popcorn & ice cream) included.  Just turn up if you are free & come & watch a Christian film with others. (Suggested donation £1 to cover refreshment costs)
Listening to those who are single: Sunday 6th and 20th July after the 10.30am and 7pm services – an opportunity for single people to share with clergy their experiences of church, what has gone wrong, what has helped, and what is needed. This is one part of our follow up to the 2025 Lent Course.

Job Opportunities: The Stables Christian Centre at Bolnhurst are seeking an Office Administrator for 15 hours a week and a client supervisor for 6 hours on a Tuesday. For further information about the project visit www.stableschristiancentre.co.uk and to discuss either role or request an application form, contact Sean Watkiss on 01234 376237 or email manager@stableschristiancentre.co.uk  Informal enquiries and visits welcome.
 
 
2025 Ladies and Men’s Weekend Something to look forward to this autumn
HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SPACE? Don't miss your chance to attend.

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.  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: