Sunday 19th October 

 

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 19th October


The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity / Anti-Slavery Sunday

9am - Holy Communion  Anti Slavery Sunday Freedom (Gal 5: 1) – David Thomas 
 
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - Morning Worship – As above

          *The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*
 
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Mission Month: Anti Slavery Sunday 
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 22nd October

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments


Sunday 26th October

9am -  Morning Worship Mission Month – What can you do? – David Thomas

          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - Holy Communion – As above

7pm - Sundays@Seven with Baptism – As above
 

Church Family News


Vehicle Access Restored: Dudley Street reopened to traffic on Wednesday afternoon. 

Rosemary Phillips: The funeral of Rosemary Phillips will be on Tuesday 21st October at 1pm at St Andrew's Church, Bedford and all are welcome at the church service. There will be an afternoon tea at The Park, 98 Kimbolton Road, from 3pm after the service. 

John Nutt: John died last week; please pray for Jane, his family and friends as they grieve. There will be a service of thanksgiving for his life at Christ Church at Noon on Friday 7th November, followed by refreshments in the church halls. 

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
We've been thinking a lot about prayer, mission and being the body of Christ. Often with lots of talk there can be little action. Sometimes this is because there are so many options, so much need, we get option paralysis. 

So here are some things you might like to do:
  • Participate - church doesn't just happen, relationships don't just happen. They take time and effort. What might you be able to bring to the party? How might you make someone else feel part of the church?
  • Pray - whatever our age, ability and availability we can pray. Perhaps join the online prayer zoom, or ask a couple of people to meet and pray together.
  • Give - to borrow that Tesco strapline, 'every little helps'. Our financial giving, our giving of time, resources and the like, makes a world of difference to the local church, our mission partners and more. What can you give?
  • Be Aware - raising awareness of important things can make a huge difference. That's why this Sunday we are joining in with Anti-Slavery Sunday. How can you help raise awareness of things which are important to you?
 

For your prayers this week 

 
Prayer for Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity: God, our judge and saviour, teach us to be open to your truth and to trust in your love, that we may live each day with confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:
  • For those caught up in modern day slavery, and the organisations who work tirelessly to bring freedom.
  • That the fragile ceasefire would turn to lasting peace and bring real change in Gaza.
  • For those preparing for confirmation.
  • For local GP Surgeries and Pharmacies.
  • For the Men’s Weekend Away, that they would all have a great time together.
 
A Prayer for Anti-Slavery Sunday: Loving Father, Who gathers the outcast, heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds; Bring liberty and freedom to all whose lives are entangled in slavery and trafficking in our world today. Lift up the downtrodden and tread wickedness into the dust: We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect freedom, One God, now and forever. Amen (Based on Psalm 147)
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY 19th October
 

THIS WEEK:

 

COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH (but where applicable, please book now)
Book for the group light trail https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/events/ik9ovcm7
 


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

 
Sunday Walk: Sunday 19th October meet in the Hub to leave at 2.30pm to car share to Harrold-Odell country park. Refreshments will be at the Dragonfly Café.

Go4Gold Soup and Social: Friday 24th October @ 12.45pm. There will be a choice of soups, bread rolls, cheese, yoghurts and fruit for a suggested donation of £2pp. This will be followed by a social in the Hub from 2-3.15pm (suggested donation £1pp). No booking is needed, you are welcome, just turn up to one or both events. 

Men’s Breakfast: is on Saturday 25th October at 9am at Christ Church.  We should conclude at 10:30am. Numerous breakfast options available with perhaps the most popular being the egg and/or bacon and/or sausage bap plus tea/coffee etc.  Also available are cereal, croissants, toast, jam, orange juice etc. If you are vegetarian and would prefer a veggie option instead please let me know (mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org).  All for the bargain price of £3 (free on first visit). No need to sign up, just turn up on the day as we would love to see you. This is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us.


Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving: for All Soul’s Day, on Sunday 2nd  November at 3pm. We will once again be holding a service of reflection and thanksgiving for all those who have lost a loved one, whether family member or friend.  The service will be in church, include an opportunity to light a candle in remembrance and will be followed by refreshments. Invitation cards are available from church.

 
Friends for Life fundraising pamper evening: Thursday 6th November drop in to rooms 2 & 3 at Christ Church between 6.30-8.30pm for shopping, pampering (Tropic skincare) and refreshments. Please let them know you are coming on hello@friendsforlife.org.uk

Christmas Craft Day: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 18-year-olds is on Saturday 29th November from 10am-3pm. We are holding a day of crafts, songs and more, with refreshments including a simple soup and cake lunch. Cost £7, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place here or collect a form from the office.

Opportunities to support the homeless in Bedford
SMART who run the Prebend Day Centre, are looking for people who might be interested in becoming trustees of the charity.  No experience necessary and training will be given.  They would be particularly keen to receive applications from anyone with a finance or HR background.  If you would like to explore this further, please contact Simon Danes, Chair of Trustees, on simondanes0@gmail.com, or go to smartcjs.org.uk for further details.

King’s Arms Project Bedford Winter Night Shelter will be opening at 56 Harpur Street on 1st December 2025 with a renewed focus on wrap-around support for the homeless in Bedford. This year the aim isn’t just a home for the night, it’s hope for tomorrow. Your support can turn this vision into reality. Help them create a place that’s more than a shelter; help them build a community that gives hope for tomorrow. To find out more and to volunteer visit their website https://kingsarmsproject.org/bedford-winter-night-shelter/
 
Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned fish/fruit/potatoes, jars of coffee/pasta sauces, bars of chocolate, cup a soup, pot noodles, long-life fruit juice & laundry tablets.

 

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: