Sunday 15th December 


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 14th December
 

  

 

Sunday 15th December


The Third Sunday of Advent

9am - Holy Communion – Advent 3 (Luke 3.7-18) – Michael Bishop
           
           10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am  - Morning Worship* – as above


          *The 10.30am service and the 7pm service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*

7pm - Carols by Candlelight!* - David Thomas
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 18th December
10am -  Holy Communion & Carols– followed by refreshments

Sunday 22nd December
9am - Morning Worship – Advent 4 (Luke 1: 39-55) – Ben Williams
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – as above
7pm - Contemporary Christmas Service 
 

Church Family News

 
  
Our giving at Christmas this year is going to be split between:

1: Bedford Foodbank: Read more about their work here
2: Prebend Street Day Centre: Read more about their work here All the money we send will pay for the costs of keeping Prebend Street open.
 
Our Christmas Cards to you: please collect from the Hub ASAP and check your pigeon hole.

Christmas Cards to church members: if you wish to send a Christmas card to our church family, please place in the office slot of the pigeon holes and we will display them.

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.
 

Thoughts from the Vicar

Thoughts from the Vicar
 
At our evening service over the last few months we have been thinking about being disciples, using Rowan Williams’ book. Tony led our last topic looking at life in the Spirit. He reminded us that God is generous and gives good gifts. 

If you think about that for a moment, what does it mean that God is generous? And that he gives good gifts to us, his children who he loves. Perhaps that feels a step too far, so why not imagine for a moment someone that you love. And now imagine that resources are no issue, and you can be as generous as your heart wishes to be. How generous would you be? 

I have been struck recently about how ungenerous we can be, especially with our words. An antidote to this is speaking words of encouragement to one another, pointing out each other’s strengths or gifts. Now don't get me wrong, there is a place for strong words, correction, rebuke, but they are not the majority of our words. And if those words of correction are going to land properly, people need to trust us, and they're not going to listen if we've never said anything remotely positive. 

Back to the being disciples and God's generosity, sometimes we need the help of others in identifying the good gifts which God has given us. Who can you encourage this week? 
 

For your prayers this week

 
The Third Sunday of Advent: God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:
  • Peace where there is conflict.
  • Hope for those who are struggling.
  • Healing for those in need.
  • Strength to keep going.
  • All to know the joy that comes to the world at Christmas.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (15th December):

Please register your children before the 10.30am service at the sign in desk

Today's Groups:

 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 


COMING UP SOON - BOOK NOW:


HELP 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


Julia Smith retiring: Lead Administrator/Receptionist at Castle Newnham South Site is retiring after 28 years. The PTA are organising a collection for her, if anyone would like to contribute: https://app.collectionpot.com/pot/3304161

Church Walk: On Sunday 15th December meet at church at 2.30pm for a local walk. Then return to church for refreshments in The Hub and to plan the next few walks.

Go4Gold: Christmas Joy Friday 20th December 2-3.15pm All welcome to enjoy songs, a quiz, games, refreshments etc. together.

 

 
At this time of year we receive details of many different activities. Rachel Bennett has put together a list of some of these events which you can view here.
 
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.

The final foodbank date at Christ Church in 2024 is Tuesday 17th December.
 
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: