Sunday 26th January 

 


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 25th January

 
 


Sunday 26th January


The Third Sunday of Epiphany

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

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

7pm - Sundays@Seven – As above – Alan Cottenden
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 29th January
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 2nd February
9am - Holy Communion –  David Thomas
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - All Age Worship – Body of Christ (What is Church?) – Ruth Hulme
7pm Sundays@Seven – Holy Communion – David Thomas
 

Church Family News


“How to Make a Difference” #6 Follow the Green Christian LOAF Principles. LOAF stands for food that is Locally produced, Organically grown, Animal friendly or Fairly traded. For more details see:
https://greenchristian.org.uk/gc-campaigns/loaf-2/why-use-your-loaf/ 
 
Prayer Diary: The February Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church.

Word for TodayCopies of UCB Word for Today for Feb - Apr are now available in the Hub.
 

Thoughts from the Vicar


On Thursday evening I had the privilege of being at the licensing of Simon Tibbs at All Saints, Queen's Park. It was an encouraging and uplifting affair, not least because the samosas were amazing. Seeing the community come together on a cold and damp winter's evening was a beautiful thing.

Bishop Richard spoke from Genesis 12 and the call of Abram. The reminder that through him all peoples would be blessed, and that we are to be communities of blessing.

It got me wondering what we think blessing others looks like. What does it mean for you and I to be a blessing to our neighbours? Our community here in Bedford and beyond? Maybe this week you can spend a moment with Jesus and ask him how you can be a blessing.
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for Epiphany 3: God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Please pray for:
  • Counsellors, as they listen and seek to help the vulnerable and hurting.
  • Safety, as Storm Eowyn causes disruptions around the country.
  • USA, as President Trump takes over, that the most vulnerable would not be forgotten.
  • Ecumenical relationships, following the week of Prayer for Christian Unity that relationships would deepen in Christ.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (26th January):
 

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SUNDAY:


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

 
Holocaust Memorial Day: On Monday 27th January at 12.30pm by the Anne Frank Tree, in Russell Park (near Bower Street), the Bedford Council of Faiths have organised a commemoration in Bedford. All are welcome to attend.

Go4Gold Extra: 2-3.15pm Friday 31st January in the Halls. Fitness Fun with Angharad Hughes. All are welcome - no booking needed, just turn up.

Church Garden Tidy: 11:30am Sunday 2nd February, straight after the All Age service. Weather permitting, we need to do a final clear up of leaves and rubbish and would like to trim back some bushes by the north lawn. Please  come ready to help and if possible bring your own gardening equipment. We hope to finish by 12.30pm.

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.

 
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: