|
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." |
|
|
Saturday 14th January
10am - Come Together: joint men and women's breakfast in the hub. Therefore there is no prayer meeting at 9.30am.
Sunday 15th January
The Second Sunday of Epiphany
9am - Holy Communion – New Series: Why Church? We Serve Together (John 13:1-17) – Alan Cottenden
10.30am - Morning Worship - as above
* The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel *
4.30pm - Wild Church at Leslie Sell Activity Centre, Bromham
6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm - Sundays@Seven – as above – David Thomas
Why Church? We are continuing our new sermon series titled Why Church? Over the coming weeks we will be exploring something of what it means to be church, asking questions about why we do some of the things we do? From thinking about gathering together and Holy Communion, to worshipping and reading the bible together, to serving and mission. |
|
|
Services in the coming week
Wednesday 18th January
10am - Holy Communion
Sunday 22nd January
9am - Morning Worship – Why Church? We Worship Together (Colossians 3:15-17) – Jonathan Templeman
10.30am - Holy Communion - as above
6pm - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 40 minutes
7pm - Sundays@Seven - as above – |
|
|
|
A Word from the Vicar
I have had something of an epiphany of late, which given we are in the season of Epiphany has made me smile. Last Sunday I shared a few thoughts about why we gather together, and one of them was because we are both needy and needed. The realisation or revelation that occurred to me (please don’t laugh!) is that I need to ask for more help! I am both needy and needed.
And so I have been pondering why I don’t like asking for help more; is it something to do with pride (eek), is it because I don’t trust others to do it as well as me (yikes), is it because I am not sure what they will say (maybe), is it because I don’t want to overburden people I care about (probably)? So many questions. But here’s the thing, in the gospel of Matthew, the story of the baptism of Jesus records that Jesus asks John to baptise him, and John says, no no, you should be baptising me, and Jesus (son of God, saviour of the world, the perfect human etc) asks John for his help. If it’s good enough for Jesus, then it’s probably good enough for the rest of us who fall slightly short of perfection upon occasion.
So on the subject of asking for help, we need help at our 7pm service, specifically with the AV (the song words on the big screen) – so if you have a vague notion as to how a computer works and you are able to read, then you have the skills to help!
(Please note: you are allowed to say no when the vicar asks you to do something.)
|
|
|
For your prayers this week
Prayer for 2nd Sunday of Epiphany
Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Please Pray:
-
B & J – as they share God’s love in their community.
-
For the Eye Clinic in Yemen.
-
For Little Fishes, that the parents and babies would know refreshment and peace.
-
For the families of those who are struggling with paying bills, that they would know the way forward.
-
For volunteers to join in serving on the AV team.
Prayer for our Church
Lord Jesus Christ who said to your Apostles: peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
|
|
|
Children's Ministry and Events
THIS SUNDAY 15th January:
Please register your children at the welcome desk in the hub before the service - this will be available from 10:15am. Visitors are most welcome to join in with the children's work and can also register at the welcome desk.
Church Weekend Away Children's Team:
If you are coming to the CWA and would like to have an exciting time with the children, join us for our next team meeting! SUNDAY 22nd JANUARY at 3PM in Room 7.
For more information about our regular groups please look on our website here.
Youth Ministry and Events
Friday Night Youth for 11-18 year olds with fun, games, chat - join us from 7.30pm to 9pm, meeting at Christ Church.
J-Team for school years 7-9+ during the 10.30am service in Room 7 on Sundays .
For more information on the above, please contact Ellie.
|
|
|
Church Family News
Winter Fuel Help: If you would like to give towards this short-term scheme you can do so by bank transfer to Christ Church with the reference FUEL or speak to Chris Stevens.
If you would like to receive a one off payment (between £50-100) then please email vicar@ccbedford.org with your request. This will be on a first come first served basis, until the fund is exhausted.
|
|
|
Church Weekend Away 2023 UPDATE
At King’s Park Conference Centre, Northampton. 10th – 12th March 2023.
Church Weekend Away: This is just EIGHT weeks away (10—12 March) at King’s Park Conference Centre, Northampton. We are all really excited and looking forward to it. Have you read the information in our latest magazine?
The balance for the weekend will be due by 8th February. This is £135 per Adult and £65 for per child, assuming the deposit of £50 per adult and £20 per child was paid.
We hope you have booked to join us, there is still some space available for the whole weekend and it is possible to join us as a day visitor. If you would like to come, including if you would like to book as a non-residential guest, please let us know by speaking to the Vicar or to one of the wardens, as we need to confirm numbers shortly.
The link https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/events/aflhcdl2 (It's a new link, apologies the one we last week didn't work) or please let us know by speaking to the Vicar or to one of the wardens, as we need to confirm numbers with the centre.
 |
|
|
|
What is happening at Christ Church and beyond?
New Grow Group is starting - Grow is for anybody who wants to make progress in their faith - to think a bit more, learn, discuss, share together. Time undecided as yet but we will meet at church. Interested? Have a chat with Michael Bishop (07712 563642).
Warm Space: Our warm space is open again now on Fridays from Noon-2pm, as a free, non-judgemental space where people can go to stay warm and maybe enjoy some company and a hot drink, or simply spend time reading a magazine or book.
Go4Gold Social: Friday 20th January 2-3.15pm with speakers Will Rawes and Gilbert Williams sharing connected memories! Refreshments included. Just turn up!
Winter Fun in the church halls Saturday 21st January 3-5pm, come and spend time together: bouncy castle, table tennis, winter ski fun, refreshments and much more.
Malawi Meal Enjoy a simple meal together and find out more about (and donate to) the work of the Home of Hope on Sunday 29th January after the 10.30am service. Children very welcome and dietary requirements can be catered for. To help us know the options required, and to have an idea of numbers, please see Phil or Ruth Janes in the Hub after the 10.30am service. Offers of puddings for this lunch will be gratefully received – contact Ruth Janes as above.
Organ Recital in aid of Pilgrims’ Friend Society at Christ Church on Saturday 4th February at 3.30pm. Organist: Justin Waters (Lucy’s son).
|
|
|
Bedford Foodbank: The most needed food items at the moment are: UHT milk, cup-a-soup, fruit juice (longlife), tinned spaghetti, vegetables, tuna, tomatoes, fruit, coffee (100g), tinned meat in sauce (e.g. chilli, curry), jars of curry sauce and pasta sauce, and non-food items: washing up liquid, anti-bac spray. Collection in the Hub.
|
|
|
|
|