Sunday 2nd February 


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 1st February

 
 


Sunday 2nd February


The Presentation of Christ in the Temple / Candlemas

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

All Age Service: If you can, please bring a smart phone, or tablet, to the All Age Service 

          *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 5th February
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments


Sunday 9th February
9am - Morning Worship – Body of Christ: We each have a part to play (Gifts) – Alan Cottenden
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – as above
7pm Sundays@Seven – As above – Tony Daniels
 

Church Family News

 
Prayers for Jenny: On Sunday from 1-3pm the church will be open for anyone who would like to come and pray for Jenny.

Electoral Roll: This year we have to create a completely new electoral roll.  Look out for further details and the forms to complete coming soon.  The electoral roll is the formal list of our church members, those who delight to be at Christ Church and support our aims and values. Membership allows you to stand for PCC and vote at our 2025 Annual Meeting (Wednesday, 30th April, 8pm). Any questions to electoralroll@ccbedford.org

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.

Mission Partner Update: The Miller family thank you for your prayers. They had a surprise meeting on Thursday and have been able to submit new visa applications. They can now stay in South Africa whilst the visas are being processed.
 

Thoughts from the Vicar


Last week Sue asked us what fruit we are! Upon careful reflection I think I'm a banana. The thing that jumped out at me as I thought about fruits was that for various reasons it can sometimes be hard to identify what fruit we are, what gifts we have. This is where the fruit bowl is so important. 

Many years ago when I felt called to be a vicar, I spoke to a bunch of different people, who helped me and the wider church to identify whether or not this calling was something to be taken forward. 9 years on from that initial sense of calling I was installed as vicar of Christ Church. 

The fruit bowl, or the body of Christ, or the local churches that I was a part of have played a huge part in leading me to where I am today. What does it look like for us, in all our various fruityness, to help one another? Whether to find out calling, or to serve in practical ways, to provide true friendship or spiritual support.
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas): Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God. Amen
 
Please pray for:
  • Jenny, who is still missing.
  • All those affected by the plane crash in Washington, DC.
  • Peace in war torn parts of the world.
  • Open Doors who shine a light upon persecution of Christians throughout the world.
 
Children's Ministry and Events


THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (2nd February):
 
This week is an all age service at 10.30am, we encourage families to join us for the service. There are instruments and quiet toys available for children who join us.

COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 
 

 
COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH:

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

 
Church Garden Tidy: 11:30am Sunday 2nd February, straight after the All Age service. 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.

Church Walk: Meet at 2.30pm in the Hub on Sunday 2nd February for a walk along Bedford Embankment and then refreshments hosted by Mark Heslett.

Go4Gold Film Club: 2-3.15pm Friday 7th February in the Halls. Refreshments (popcorn & ice cream) included.  Just turn up if you are free & come & watch a Christian film with others.

Men’s Social: On Friday 7th February we will join together for a Chinese buffet at Harko in Lime Street, Bedford from 7:30pm.  Pre-booking required see John Betteley.
 
 
Supporting Impact: Impact (Christians supporting Bedfordshire schools) are looking for volunteers for the Easter Experience, which is held at St John’s Church, Bedford.

Impact require a cast of 28 members plus those helping with stewarding and refreshments for each performance. Bearing in mind not everyone can do every day, they need more than 28 cast members, so that each day is covered. Cast always needed: Jesus, the 12 disciples, temple soldiers, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, ladies serving at the last supper, ladies visiting the tomb, the angel, ladies at Peter's betrayal and so on. It’s great fun and you get to network with a lot of fantastic people from other churches.

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 on 07981918263. 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 and Bags for Life.

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: