Sunday 23rd November 

 

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 22nd November

 

 

 

Sunday 23rd November


Christ the King/ Sunday last before Advent


9am -  Morning Worship – Christ The King (Luke 23.33-43) – Martin Sweet
 
        
  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 – Christ the King – David Thomas  

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 26th November

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
 

Sunday 30th November

9am -  Holy Communion – Advent 1 (Matthew 24.36-44) – Sue Marshall
         

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

10.30am - Morning Worship – As above

7pm - Sundays@Seven -Advent 1 - David Thomas 

Church Family News

 

Lock Up Volunteers Wanted: We have a wonderful and very reliable team of volunteers who faithfully lock the halls on a rota basis every evening during the year from Monday through to Saturday at around 10.00 pm. We have recently lost a couple of people who have served for several years in this way, we are in need of a few more volunteers. If you would like to help, even on an ad hoc basis and want to know more, please contact Dawn on centre@ccbedford.org Thank you.

Singers Wanted: As in previous years, we will be putting together a choir to sing at the Carols by Candlelight service at 7pm on 21st December. Rehearsals will be on the evenings of Monday 24th Nov, Tuesday 2ndDec and the afternoon of Sunday 14th Dec (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 

 

 

Last week I was thinking about grace, this week, following Safeguarding Sunday, I want to think about how grace informs our actions.

We could make a strong argument that faith, in particular Christian faith, is primarily about relationship. And the relationship between God and humanity is an outward looking one, which means that it is not exclusively between God and a single person. Rather, in receiving the love of God, we become aware of those around us. Grace opens our eyes to the world. We are a part of the body of Christ, we are a part of God's family, we come into relationship with others. We see all that God has made, and we engage with it.

Grace at work in us is transformative. We recognise the love and forgiveness we have received from God and share something of this with others. On Safeguarding Sunday we were reminded about those who felt excluded and unsafe, whether in church or the world. One of the ways we know God's grace is at work in our lives, is if we participate in helping others to belong. What does grace at work in your life look like at the moment?

For your prayers this week 

 

Christ the King: God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory. Amen

Please pray for:

  • Areas of the world in conflict,  Ukraine-Russia, Syria, Israel-Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Somalia, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Myanmar, and ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

  • Those impacted by the drop in temperature, making difficult decisions between the cost of heating or eating.

  • Our local NHS services.

  • St Peter-de-Merton and other local CofE churches in vacancy.

Children's Ministry and Events
 

THIS SUNDAY 23rd November

 

 

THIS WEEK

 

LAST WEEK: We had a great time at Forge

 

 

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

 

Satellites 2026: We have announced that, next summer in 2026, we are taking our young people to a youth festival, satellites, down at the Bath & West showground in Somerset. This is an amazing opportunity for them to experience faith alongside so many other young people their age. If you wish your young person to come along, please book as soon as possible to access the 'early bird' ticket that they offer. For any more information about travel or prices, please feel free to contact the youth team (Hannah Applegarth or Sorcha Brown).

 

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

 

Last chance to book:

Christmas Craft Day: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 16-year-olds is on Saturday 29th November from 10am-3pm. Please book TODAY. Crafts on offer include: marzipan fruits; cards; cake snowmen, felt brooches, paper decorations, paper flowers and doorsteps/draught excluders. As well as crafts there will be songs and more and refreshments including a simple soup and cake lunch. Cost £7, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place via ChurchSuite or collect a form from the office.

 

O magnum mysterium: Sunday 23rd November at St Mary’s Church, Goldington at 7.30, a fascinating exploration of the wonder and mystery of the incarnation accompanied by some beautiful choral music (sung by a semi-professional choir of 8 singers) with scripture readings and seasonal poetry. The concert is free with a retiring collection.

 

Go4Gold: Soup and Social: Friday 28th November @ 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.

 

Taizé Service: On the 7th December we will be having our next Taizé service at 7pm. All are welcome to come along as we find a moment of peace and reflection in this season of Advent.

 

Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned tuna/meat/rice pudding/sweetcorn, jars of coffee/cooking sauces, bars of chocolate, biscuits,  laundry tablets & long-life fruit juice. Thank you for your donations.

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: