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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." |
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Sunday 19th January
The Second Sunday of Epiphany 2
9am - Holy Communion - Body of Christ (Worship) Col 1:18-22 & Rom 12:1-5 – Michael Bishop
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – as above
*The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*
7pm - Sundays@Seven – As above – Mhairi Brown
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Services in the coming week
Monday 20th January
1.30pm - Funeral of George Moseley
Wednesday 22nd January
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
Sunday 26th January
9am - Morning Worship - Body of Christ: God demonstrates unity? (Trinity & Wisdom) – Sue Marshall
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – as above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – as above - Alan Cottenden |
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Church Family News
Malawi Lunch: on Sunday 19 th January after the morning services, everyone is invited to a free simple lunch to hear more about the Home of Hope in Malawi.
Funeral: Sadly George Moseley died recently, his funeral will take place at Christ Church on Monday 20 th January at 1.30pm.
Friday Night Youth: To ensure the safety and smooth running of our Friday Night Youth, we kindly request that adults refrain from entering the church premises during youth activities (6:30 PM – 9:15 PM). During these hours, the youth have exclusive use of the entire building as part of their booked activities. These guidelines have been reviewed and agreed upon by the Safeguarding and Leadership Team to ensure a secure and dedicated environment for our young people. If access is required, prior permission must be granted by the Youth & Student Minister. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Coffee Rota at 10.30am wanted: Volunteers to help this Sunday to serve tea and coffee after the 10.30am service. No prep needed. We have struggled a fair amount the last few months with the Coffee Rota, if we are to continue to have refreshments after this service, we need volunteers. Please can you email Vikki ( vicarspa@ccbedford.org) if you are willing. Depending on the number of volunteers, depends on the frequency of service. We need a minimum of 25 people to be able to continue to have refreshments at the 10.30am.
 Please consider GIVING to Christ Church in 2025: to donate to Christ Church if possible, please, use bank transfer, via standing order or one-off gift: Account name: Christ Church PCC Bedford; Sort code: 40-52-40; Account No: 00020562 Reference [your surname].
However, we now have a Payaz ® giving station. It is located at the back of church, and it can accept all major debit & credit cards and digital payments. For donations of £30 or less we can claim Gift Aid on small cash donations*, where no Gift Aid Declaration had been given. *A Small Donation is a cash, contactless or card donation of £30 or less. A church can claim up to £8,000 in Small Donations of donated income per tax year per church.
Bishop Alan to Retire: our Diocesan Bishop, The Right Revd Dr Alan Smith, has announced that he will be retiring on the 31 st May. Please pray for him in his final few months.
Word for Today: Copies of UCB Word for Today for Feb - Apr are now available in the Hub.
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Thoughts from the Vicar
2025 marks 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea, leading to the creation of the Nicene Creed. Churches around the world still use it, and it continues to be an amazing reminder of the core doctrines of our faith.
Saturday marks the beginning of the global Week of Prayers for Christian Unity in 2025. Churches throughout the world will be reflecting on the passage in John 11:17-27, culminating in Martha's astonishing words:
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Gathering together, week by week, worshipping Jesus, listening to the word, being fed by sacraments and declaring those things which unite us. It can be ever so easy to take life and church and hope for granted. This week, let us reflect upon the words of Martha, and pray for unity within the body of Christ, and each play our part in God's mission.
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For your prayers this week
Prayer for Epiphany 2: Eternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please pray for:
On Saturday 18th January begins the Week of Prayers for Christian Unity. As you pray this week, please consider the following:
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Personal - pray for wisdom for how we as individuals can play our part in working with others to share God's love.
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Local - pray for our sisters and brothers in Bedford, for deepening relationships as churches representing the wider body of Christ.
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Global - pray for churches in parts of the world who face persecution and difficult circumstances due to climate issues and inequalities.
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Children's Ministry and Events
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (19th January):
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
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What is happening at Christ Church and beyond
Church Walk: Sunday 19th January, meet at 2pm in the Hub to car share (lifts available) to Moggerhanger Park to see the snowdrops. Bring money to buy refreshments in the café.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 18th-25th January
Churches Together in Bedford have organised the following times of prayer during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025:
Saturday 18 January - 2.30pm St Joseph's Church, Midland Road
Sunday 19 January - 6pm St Andrew's Church, Kimbolton Road
Monday 20 January - 6.30pm Polish Church, Mill Street
Tuesday 21 January - 12 noon St Martin's Church, Clapham Road
Wednesday 22 January - 1.30pm Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street
Thursday 23 January - 12.45-1.15pm Bedford Quakers, Lansdowne Road. (You are welcome to bring your lunch and share time together afterwards)
Friday 24 January - 1pm Christ Church, Goldington Road
Go4Gold Social: 2-3.15pm Friday 24th January 2025 in the Hub. All are welcome for chat and refreshments - no booking needed, just turn up.
Men’s Breakfast: Saturday 25th January 9am-10.30am at Christ Church. Numerous breakfast options available: including egg and/or bacon and/or sausage bap, cereal, croissants, toast, jam, orange juice tea/coffee etc If you would prefer a veggie option instead please let us know (mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org). Cost £3 (free on first visit). No need to sign up, just turn up on the day as we would love to see you. This month we will start our studies from the book entitled – God is closer than you think by John Ortberg. This is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us,
Men’s Social: On Friday 7th February we will join together for a Chinese buffet at Harko in Lime Street, Bedford from 7:30pm. Cost is £18.10 plus drinks. You choose the dishes you want and eat as much or as little as you like. Please let us know by 1st February if you will be coming so that we can finalise numbers with the venue. Mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org
Hope to see you there, John Betteley.
Coming up later in 2025 – Bookings now open
2025 Church coach holiday Monday 2nd -Friday 6th June: open to all, staying at the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth (with a complimentary swimming pool, Jacuzzi and gym).
2025 Ladies Weekend Away: Friday 26th-Sunday 28th September staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Ladies can come for the weekend or for the day on Saturday 27th for fun, food, fellowship, teaching and worship.
Brochures and booking forms for both these events are now available from The Hub, or download (CCH / LWA) or contact Rachel Bennett. Early booking will secure your place.
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 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.
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