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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." |
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Saturday 23rd August
Sunday 24th August
The Tenth Sunday after Trinity
9am - Morning Worship – Favourite Psalms (Psalm 73) – 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 – Favourite Bible Passages – Sarah Harris, Margaret Nurse and Chris Stevens.
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Services in the coming week
Wednesday 27th August
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
Sunday 31st August
9am - Holy Communion – Favourite Psalms (Psalm 23) – Ben Williams
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – As above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Prayer and Praise |
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Church Family News
Please Pray for: Chris Babbington and family following the recent death of her husband, Ian.
Baptism & Confirmation - we are planning on having Baptisms on 19 th October at our 10.30am service, 26 th October at our 7pm service (by full immersion), and Confirmation on Sunday 16 th November at 7pm with Bishop Richard. If anyone is interested, please speak to David Thomas or Ben Williams.
Summer Holidays: At different points, during August the staff and clergy will be taking annual leave. This coming week, the office will be shut most of the time therefore please contact us via the office email address ( office@ccbedford.org) and we will respond as quickly as we can.
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Thoughts from the Curate
Last week church was filled with nearly 50 children each day as we journeyed to North Castle in search of the armour of God. It was an amazing opportunity to share the gospel with so many children, and to see their joy and energy in singing songs, playing games and hearing the stories from the Bible brought to life. Amid this I was reminded of when people started bringing children to see Jesus, and where he declared that ‘anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ (Mark 10:15 NIV).
While we actively encourage children to come and have fun, during Jesus’ time, childhood was essentially seen as an inconvenience which was to be endured before children became adults. Yet in Mark’s gospel, Jesus says that not only are children important and deserving of his attention, but actually they can teach us something. Some think this is their innocence or humility, but perhaps it is that little children in Jesus’ day were totally reliant on their parents.
In first-century society, children were overlooked and totally powerless, dependent on their parents to care for them. Similarly, it is only by recognising our dependence on God that we share in God’s kingdom. We cannot bring or do anything to make us somehow earn the right to be part of God’s kingdom. Instead, Jesus tells us that we must come like little children, without any credit, claim or authority to be part of the kingdom, but coming with open hands and open hearts, trusting in God’s undeserving grace and love. How might this change your walk with God this week, knowing there is nothing you can do to earn your place in God’s kingdom, but this is only a gift of our loving heavenly Father?
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For your prayers this week
Prayer for The Tenth Sunday after Trinity: Lord of heaven and earth, as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer, give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please pray for:
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Those who have been getting exam results over the summer.
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An end to violence in places like Ukraine, Russia, Gaza and Israel.
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Those who cannot come to church at the moment due to ill health.
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Those who work in education who are preparing for the start of the new term
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Children's Ministry and Events
THIS SUNDAY 24th August during our 10.30am service
Back on Wednesday 27th August
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
Please Note: Youth @ 6 and Friday Night Youth are on a summer break.
For more information about our regular groups please look on our website here or contact Hannah using: youth@ccbedford.org or 07384 295757
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What is happening at Christ Church and beyond
Pet Blessing Service: Sunday 24 th August 2.30pm at St Mary’s Goldington (hall and paddock). All God’s creatures, furry, feathered, scaly, big or small, accompanied by their humans, are welcome to our short informal service, have a chat, and share refreshments and a treat.
Bishop’s Garden: The Bishop of St Albans Garden will be open over the last two weekends in August (23 th & 24 th August and 30 th & 31 st August) between 2pm and 4pm (regardless of the weather) for people to come and look at the beautiful gardens and the summer display. The garden will be open. The two acres of garden is an oasis in central St Albans and visitors frequently comment on the fact that they did not know the garden was here or how extensive it is. Entrance is £5 per person (children free) and dogs on leads are welcome. Proceeds to the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust: Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD.
Go4Gold: Film Club: Friday 29 th August @ 1.45pm. 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)
Bike ‘n Hike: Saturday 13 th September, an opportunity to get sponsored to visit churches on foot, by bike, or by car, and raise money for the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust and Christ Church. Sponsorship packs now available from the Hub.
Dates for Your Diary:
An evening with Graham Kendrick: hosted by Bromham Baptist on Friday 12 th September at 7:30pm, the very well-known worship leader, accompanied by Jason Carter on harp guitar, and Natasha Petrovic on violin. Graham brings together sung worship, using many of his ‘classic’ worship songs, plus a taste of some new ones PLUS ‘concert’ segments featuring several of his much-loved performance songs. Tickets cost £12 with all profits being donated to the Utange Orphans Charity and the Bethel Caring Academy Mombasa (Kenya). Go to www.bromham.org to purchase tickets.
Parenting course: The Teenage Years: Open to all parents with young people! Being run by Christ Church Bedford!
Come along to meet and chat with other parents. Starts Thursday 25 th September. For more details speak to Hannah Applegarth or book a space here
The Bereavement Journey: Grief is hard. The death of someone close to us can impact all of life. The Bereavement Journey provides a safe place to process loss with the support of others and will run this autumn starting on September 29 th between 7pm and 9pm. For more information about the Bereavement Journey, see our website or pick up a flyer in the Hub. Any questions or to book a place please contact the church office 01234 327150 / office@ccbedford.org or speak to Mary Davies.
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 26 th-Sunday 28 th September staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Ladies can come for the weekend or for the day on Saturday 27 th 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 17 th - Sunday19 th 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.
2026 Visit Egypt: After a very successful Tunisia tour last April, the Friends of the Anglican Province of Alexandria (FAPA) are in touch with Archbishop Samy & friends in the Diocese of Egypt about a group visit to Egypt in February 2026. We’ve identified 3 rd to 15 th February 2026 as a good time to get a glimpse of their life, witness & ministry. Our itinerary will include Cairo, Alexandria, Minya, Aswan & Luxor, returning to UK from Luxor. Participants will book their own flights. We’ll be able to advise on the outward flight to Cairo (Sphinx or Cairo International airports) & the return from Luxor. We estimate the cost for all internal travel, half board accommodation & visits will be £1400 per person. Please let Mike Parker (Chair of FAPA) canonmikep@gmail.com know of your interest in going, by 28 th August.
Local Job Vacancies: The King's Arms Project has a number of different job vacancies at the moment: Refugee Employability Specialist, Winter Nightshelter Daytime Operations Coordinator, Tenancy Support Officer and ESOL Creche Assistant (Fixed Term). For more details, job descriptions and application forms please see their website here
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 Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned fish/pasta/peas/sweetcorn, jars of coffee and of cooking sauces, bars of chocolate, milk (UHT) and long-life fruit juice. Many thanks for your generosity.
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