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 25th October

 


Sunday 26th October


The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

9am - Morning Worship – Mission Month – What can you do? (Col 3:15-17) – David Thomas
 
          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 with Baptism – As above
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 29th October

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments


Sunday 2nd November

9am -  Holy Communion  All Saints Day – Ben Williams 

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

10.30am - All Age Worship – As above – Chris Somervell

3pm - Service of Prayer and  Thanksgiving - Michael Bishop - followed by refreshments

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Prayer and Praise 
 

Church Family News


Congratulations: to the Venerable Dr Fiona Gibson (curate at Christ Church 2011 – 2014) on her appointment as the Suffragan Bishop of Taunton, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. See the official announcement here and local BBC report here

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. If you are able to help with setting up and serving refreshments then please volunteer to Vikki Thomas – vicarspa@ccbedford.org

Prayer diary: Copies of the November prayer diary are now available to collect from church.

Word for Today: for November to January is now available from Christ Church.

Singers Wanted: As in previous years, we will be putting together a choir to sing at the Carols by Candlelight service on the evening of the 21st of December. We will be singing   along with the congregational carols as well as 2 choir items. Rehearsals will be on the evenings of Monday 24th November, Tuesday 2nd December and the afternoon of Sunday 14th December (don't worry if you can't attend all 3) as well as on the day itself (timings TBC). We would love anyone interested to come and join us, all are welcome, you don't need to be able to read music. Please speak to Ruth Rawes or email Vikki Thomas (vicarspa@ccbedford.org) if you would like to sing!

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
This week we have heard the wonderful news that Fiona Gibson, our former curate, will be the new Bishop of Taunton. It got me thinking about the nature of good news and how sometimes we are reticent to share. I had a conversation yesterday with someone who told me how they have found themselves drawn to reading Matthew's gospel at the moment, and can't put it down. My response was to thank them for sharing this good news. It was a small thing, but often we don't share small things because, well they are small. On a sliding scale from bishop to being encouraged by reading some scripture we instinctively weight one as more important than the other, and yet both are good news in their own unique way.

Sometimes we can shy away from sharing good news for fear that we might overshadow the good news someone has shared. Or perhaps because we know someone is going through a difficult time we don't want to upset them further. In my experience, good news has the potential to bless others. It can remind us that God is still at work, even if the answers I am waiting for seem distant or worse, completely absent. 

My good news this week is that I am the new Assistant Area Dean for Bedford. It's not quite a bishop, but it is special. My role will be to support Rev Helen Stewart our Area Dean. I am passionate about this deanery and working with other churches to build even better communities. So, I leave you with this question - What good news do you have that you might share with others? 
 

For your prayers this week 

 
Prayer for Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity: Faithful Lord, whose steadfast love never ceases and whose mercies never come to an end: grant us the grace to trust you and to receive the gifts of your love, new every morning in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:
  • Fiona Gibson as she prepares to take on her new role as Bishop of Taunton.
  • Peace in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.
  • Christian communities in Nigeria which face persecution.
  • Students, teachers, staff, parents and carers during the half term break.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY 26th October
 
 
THIS WEEK

Our regular groups are on a Half Term break
Book for the group light trail https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/events/ik9ovcm7
 
You can let us know you are coming here: https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/events/7xix4ufp or just turn up


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
 
 

 

Friday Night Youth on 7th November 

The Hamiltons have graciously offered to host our youth to watch the Bedford Blues Firework display from their back garden for our Young People. It will be on the 7th November, meeting at Christ Church at 7pm and aiming to have walked back to church for 9pm.

If you wish your young person to come along, please complete this booking form so that we have your permission to take your young person off site: https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/-/forms/vmo3hqa9


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

 
Go4Gold Film Club: Friday 31st October @ 1.45pm in Church. 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)

Ladies Elevenses: Saturday 1st November  to 12 Noon Nadine Mnatzaganian shares her thoughts on how we develop a relationship that praises the Lord. All ladies are very welcome to join us for a warm welcome, refreshments and fellowship.


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. Many thanks for your generosity.
 

Sunday 26th October 

 

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: