Sunday 10th November 


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 10th November


The Third Sunday before Advent

9am - Morning Worship – Remembrance Sunday (Luke 18:9-14)– Ben Williams
           
           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 - Holy Communion – David Thomas
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 13th November
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 17th November
9am - Holy Communion – Sin, The Cross and Repentance: Repentance (Acts 2: 38-39 – David Thomas
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship  as above  
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Being Disciples 4: Holiness – Sue Marshall
 

Church Family News


Kate Brandon: Kate died on Monday 21st October. Kate’s funeral will be at Christ Church on Thursday 14th November at 10am.

If you can help serving refreshments after Kate Brandon's funeral on Thursday morning, please speak to Vikki or email her at vicarspa@ccbedford.org

Lucy Chipeta: Lucy died on Saturday 26th October in Malawi. As the Executive Director of our mission partner, Home of Hope, she played a major role in running the home.

Colin Burbidge: Colin, husband of Barbara, died on Tuesday 5th November in Bedford.

Please pray for all the families and friends of the above, and all who mourn at this time.

Sunday Prayer meetings: During the winter months we have decided that whilst room 4 will be available for anyone who would like to pray at 6pm, there will not be a formal prayer meeting at this time.  All are welcome to join the group praying at 10.05am for 20 minutes in room 4, prior to our 10.30am service.

Baptism, Confirmation, and Children’s Admission to Communion: In the new year, we are planning on running preparation classes for children (age 7+) and young people who want to be admitted to receive Holy Communion. We are also planning on running classes for anyone who is interested in baptism (any age) and/or confirmation (12+). Please drop an email to Vikki (vicarspa@ccbedford.org) expressing an interest. More details will follow.

Carols by Candlelight Choir (Sunday 15th December): Anyone interested in singing in the choir at the Carols by Candlelight Service, please drop an email to Vikki (as above) expressing your interest. Rehearsal dates: 25/11 – 8pm, 01/12 – 4pm, 09/12 8pm.

Bedford Winter Night Shelter: The King’s Arms Project will be running a night shelter for 100 days this winter. Once again they need volunteers and financial support to help them provide safe and warm bed spaces for the vulnerable in Bedford. To help: pick up a flyer or get in touch on volunteers@kingsarmsproject 01234 350900. The project also has some paid positions available see: https://kingsarmsproject.org/vacancies/

Thank you: for the donations of magazines for Forge; we now have plenty.
 
 

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
This week my family have been watching the new David Attenborough documentary 'Asia.' I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of God's creation, and the reminder of our interconnectedness. 

Psalms 19:1-2 says:
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

At a time where hope feels lost, and the descent into darkness inevitable, here is a reminder: The heavens declare the glory of God. We can join in their declaration, we can proclaim that Christ is king. We can lift our eyes and see the wonder of God in creation. To see there is good in the world, to actively remember that hope is not lost. As the sun rises we remember there is a light which cannot be overcome, that light is Jesus, the one through whom all things were created.
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for the Third Sunday before Advent: God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Please pray for:
  • World leaders to actively work towards peace and an end to wars and violence.
  • The family and friends of those who have died in conflicts.
  • Service men and women throughout the world.
  • Justice for those who have been failed by the ones in power.
  • All those who are mourning loved ones.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (10th November):

Please register your children before the 10.30am service at the welcome desk in the hub. 

Today's Groups:


 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 
 


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




For more information about our regular groups please look on our website here or contact Hannah using: youth@ccbedford.org or 07384 295757

 
18-30s Ministry and Events

For more information contact Laura Jewell our 18-30s Pioneer at 18-30s@ccbedford.org
 

What is happening at Christ Church and beyond

 
The Bereavement Course: beginning on 11th November, 7-9pm a course exploring grief and helping people who are bereaved. The Bereavement Journey® is a place to talk - 7 Sessions of films and discussion for anyone who has been bereaved, whether grieving a death now, or wanting to explore a previous bereavement that may be unresolved. To book a place, please download a form here or collect a form from the office; for more details speak to Mary Davies.
 
Go4Gold Film Club: Friday 15th November 2-3.15pm. Refreshments (popcorn and ice cream) included.  Just turn up if you are free and come and watch a Christian film with others. (This is an extra film club as there are 5 Fridays in November this year; the speakers will now speak on 22nd November)
 
Christmas Craft Fayre: Saturday 16th November from 10am-2pm at Woodside Church, Dover Crescent Bedford, MK41 8QH With a great range of local art and craft stalls (including Christ Church's own Clair Argent) ready to get you in the festive spirit. Free entry so, why not pop along and see what's on offer. There will be hot food available and refreshments too.

Quiz Night: Register your team for The Big Quiz Night on Saturday 16th November, in Christ Church Halls at 7pm, raising funds for Tearfund (suggested donation £5 per person).  Click here to register and for more information. If you are unable to join us but would like to donate to this cause you can do so here


 
Christmas Craft Event: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 18-year-olds is on Saturday 23rd November from 10am-3pm. In addition to making cards and Christmas ornaments, the team will be introducing a few new craft projects. Cost £10, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place ASAP by contacting Fiona Betteley.

Lunch Club Christmas Lunch: Friday 13th December at 1pm. If you, a relative, friend or neighbour, would like to come along to our Christmas Lunch for seniors, tickets (£10 per person) are now on sale from the Church Office.
 
Bedford Foodbank: The most needed food items at the moment are: Tin openers, pot noodles,  cup-a-soup, fruit juice (long-life), tinned meat (200g), tuna, sweetcorn and fruit, jelly, coffee and long-life milk.
If you wish to donate toiletries to Bedford Foodbank, our current needs are: toilet rolls, disposable razors, shaving foam/gel, sanitary wear, household cleaning sprays and washing up liquid. Many thanks for your generosity.
 
 

 

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: