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Our Mission Statement: "To enable everyone to be maturing followers of Christ, who experience and live out God’s love in every part of their lives." |
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Sunday 7th August 2022
Eighth Sunday after Trinity
9am Holy Communion – Proverbs: Wisdom for the Whole of Life – A Way to Speak (Prov 10:18-21; 11:11-13; 25:11-15; 26:17-22) - Ian Smith
10.30am Morning Worship – A Way to Speak (as above) Ross Moughtin
** The 10.30am All-Age service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel **
6pm Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm Sundays@Seven – led by the Purple Home Group |
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Services in the coming week
Wednesday 10th August
10am - Holy Communion
Saturday 13th August
10am - Prayer Meeting by Zoom (link here)
Sunday 14th August
9am - Morning Worship –A Model to Follow (Prov 31:10-31) - John Bell
10.30am - Holy Communion – as above
6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Speaker Ben Broughton |
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Church Family News
Welcome and thank you to Ian Smith, Vicar of All Saints Renhold, for leading and preaching at 9am and Ross Moughtin (retired Vicar and father of Jen McAdam) who led our 2020 Lent Course, for 10.30am.
Prayer Diary: August’s Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church.
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A Word from David
On my first Sunday here at Christ Church, I got this picture of an old tap that hadn't been used for a long time. And for me there seemed to be a sense of God saying it was time to open the tap, to let the water flow through it again. It might be a bit slow to begin with, it might be a bit messy as the water slowly pushes through the gunk but eventually it pours through clean and fresh.
I share this for us to consider what God might be saying to us. Are there areas of our lives which are a bit like a closed tap? Do we need to allow the Holy Spirit to gently nudge us? What might it look like for us both as individuals, as well as the body of Christ here in Christ Church to allow the water to flow through once again?
Last week we thought about still waters, perhaps this week there is something of the rushing waters. Rushing waters got me thinking about these words from Proverbs 18:4 –
"The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream."
And these ones from Revelation 19:6 - "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns."
May God give us wisdom to hear the things he would say to us, and the strength to act upon it.
God bless
DT
Revd David Thomas.
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For your prayers this week
Prayer for Eighth Sunday after Trinity: Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Give thanks:
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For God’s grace in our church and our community.
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For our Ukrainian guests, and those who have welcomed them into their homes.
Pray for:
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Moses and Silvia on their wedding day this Friday and for God’s richest blessing to rest upon them both.
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The conflict in Ukraine and elsewhere, and for peace to prevail throughout the world.
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Refugees, asylum seekers, and Ukrainian families living in the UK, those supporting them, and our own response.
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Our Government, for wisdom and integrity in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.
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Our new vicar, David Thomas, and his family as they settle into life in Bedford.
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John (our curate), along with Rebecca, Sophie and Daniel, as he continues to seek God's will for the next steps in his ministry.
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Our seniors’ Holiday @ Home (8, 10 & 11 August) for safety, fun and fellowship.
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The children, young people and staff who are on their summer holidays, for fun and safety, rest and refreshment.
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Anyone feeling the impact of rising energy bills, fuel costs and food prices.
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All who are ill or struggling in any way at this time and for all those who are grieving.
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Each other, as we consider our own roles in the next steps for our church and how we are being called to give of our time, talents, and finances during this time.
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For God’s kingdom to come, His will to be done, in Bedford as in Heaven.
Prayer for our Church
Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Children's Ministry and Events
MEALS WITH JESUS FAMILY SESSIONS
These have started on Christ Church Facebook and YouTube!
If you missed last week's find it below.
Today (Friday 5th August at 6pm, on the main Christ Church Facebook page) the theme session is all about Mary and Martha.
The next sessions are coming up on 12th and 19th August, at 6pm on and available after that on YouTube.
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SUNDAY 7th AUGUST
At our 10.30am service:
Please register your children at the desk in the hub before the service. This will be available from 10:15am.
This week is SPLASH! The big summer theme is 'Heroes and Champions'
Children 3 and under will be in Room 7, children 4 and over will be in the main hall. Both groups are exploring the story of Apollos : The great speaker.
REGULAR MIDWEEK GROUPS
Little Fishes, Forge and Morning Out will be back on in September 2022. If you know someone who would like to come along in September please get in touch with Ruth Hulme. Rise n Shine is seasonal and will be back again in May 2023.
COMING UP THIS SUMMER
Pyramid rocks Holiday Club is getting ready to rock!!
Book your children using this link and collect a flyer to hand to another family from the hub.
For more details about any of our Children's events please contact the Children's Minister Ruth Hulme
Youth Ministry and Events
Our Youth events are on a summer break, but watch out for meet up sessions over the summer. Friday Night Youth restarts 9th September.
For more information on the above, please look for the parents' email or to the WhatsApp group or contact the Church Office.
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What is happening at Christ Church and beyond?
SAVE THE DATE: Church Weekend Away at King’s Park Conference Centre, Northampton. 10th – 12th March 2023. For more information collect a brochure today or download one here and then return your completed booking form to the red post box in the Hub.
Church Walk: Sunday 7th August meet at 2.30pm in the Dudley Street car park, for our Sunday walk. Wendy is leading and refreshments will be back at church. All are welcome.
Men’s Breakfast Please note that in a change to the published programme, the next Men’s Breakfast will now be on Saturday 20th August.
Bedford Community Gospel Choir Concert Bedford Community Gospel Choir invites you to an evening of inspirational singing on Saturday 3rd September 2022 at Christ Church, Tickets £5.00 available on the door from 6:30pm. Time: 7-8pm. Refreshments on sale after the concert courtesy of Sacha’s Kitchen.
Do you enjoy cooking? If so you can bless people who are in need by doing something you love to do? We would love to increase the number of willing and able cooks who provide food for our Rapid Response Freezer (situated in the church kitchen). We are currently restocking the freezer with meals provided by willing church members. Meals are then available for anyone we learn of, who would value a prepared meal at short notice.
If you would like to be part of the team who provides these meals, please contact Fiona Betteley (who will provide you with the recipes and the necessary food hygiene and labelling information etc.
New Photocopier: We have a new printer/photocopier in the church office. All user codes remain the same, but please ask for help if you need using it.
Wanted for Holiday Club, cardboard tubes from kitchen roll (20cm x 5cm) – leave in office.
Safeguarding Training : Thank you for those of you who have completed safeguarding training and let us know.
The latest regulations for Safeguarding (2022) state that anyone who works or volunteers at Christ Church in any capacity, needs to complete a module of online basic awareness training. If you appear on any of our rotas or are an impact group member or similar (men's or ladies’ events team, evening service team, prayer ministry etc.) then we are asking you to complete this online course as soon as possible so we can be sure everyone has completed the course before the next set of rotas are issued.
To take the course go to https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org/ and log in, if you have registered before, or click on create new account. Then follow the instructions to register. [We are Christ Church Bedford in the Diocese of St Albans]. Select online courses and then Basic Awareness (the left-hand course). If you need any help accessing the course or aren't sure whether you need to do it or not then please contact the office.
When you have completed the course please forward the certification of completion email to Dawn (centre@ccbedford.org).
What is God calling you to do at Christ Church this autumn?
Please pray for all of us as we consider our own roles in the next steps for our church and how we are being called to give of our time, talents, and finances. Do let us know what you think God is saying to you at this time.
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The most needed food items at the moment are: UHT milk, breakfast cereal (not porridge), cup-a-soup, fruit juice (longlife), tinned spaghetti, tomatoes, fruit and vegetables, coffee (100g), teabags (40/80), tinned meat in sauce (e.g. chilli, curry), jars of curry sauce, and non-food items: washing up liquid, anti-bac spray. Collection in the Hub.
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