Sunday 9th March 


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 9th March


The First Sunday of Lent

9am - Morning Worship - Faithfulness in prayer (Gen 18:16-33, Mat 26:36-45) – 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 – Lord's Prayer 1: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name – Ben Williams
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 13th March 
11am -  Funeral of Jenny Codd
(There will be no 10am service today)
8pm - Lent Course: Introduction – In church

Friday 14th March
3.30pm - Funeral of Christine Harrison

Sunday 16th March
9am - Holy Communion – Silence: Learning to listen (1 Samuel 3:1-14) – Michael Bishop
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – As above
7pm - Sundays@Seven –  Lord's Prayer 2: Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven – Tony Daniels
 

Church Family News


Clarry Bristow: It is with great sadness that we share the news that Clarry Bristow died on Tuesday 4th March. Funeral details to follow.

Jenny Codd: Jenny’s funeral will be at Christ Church on Wednesday 12th March at 11am.

Christine Harrison: Christine’s funeral will be at Christ Church on Friday 14th March at 3.30pm. The family are encouraging people attending to dress smartly, colours welcome.

If you are attending either funeral, please allow plenty of time as parking may be limited.

Please continue to pray for the families and friends of Clarry, Jenny and Christine.

Electoral Roll: Thank you for the 145 of you who already completed an Electoral Roll form, whether the paper or electronic version. Please consider joining the Electoral Roll, a list of those who consider themselves committed members of Christ Church and as such it gives them the opportunity to have their say and also vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) on Wednesday, 30th April, 8pm.

If you wish to be entered on the new Roll, you need to apply for enrolment not later than 5th April 2025, even if you are entered on the present Roll. Paper versions of the form are available by the pigeon holes and there is a box to return completed forms, there too. Any questions? - please email on electoralroll@ccbedford.org

Lent: Our 6-week Lent course “Relationships Matter” starts on Wednesday in church at 8pm. Our purpose is to start a conversation about what the Bible says about marriage, singleness and same sex attraction: to listen to the Bible and to how different people have interpreted it. To make sure we hear different experiences and perspectives, there will be a variety of speakers with opportunity for feedback and discussion.

Safety on Sundays: For the next few weeks we will be trialling making the large hall available after the 10.30am service for our children (Year 6 and under) to use. We request that no children (Year 6 and under) play upstairs. This is in response to the concern that a number of children are often playing in rooms upstairs unsupervised after the 10.30am service and we want to keep them all safe. 
 

Thoughts from the Vicar


This week we kick off our new teaching series across all our services on a Sunday looking at prayer. I am excited for all sorts of reasons, one because I have felt this itch in my spirit that I (we?) need to pray more, and two because it wasn't my idea! I love it when these coincidences happen, mainly because really I believe it's an example of God's Spirit being at work and not happenstance.

So, prayer. A big yes! 

And here is my first thought. Let's be excited. Let's raise our expectations that God is going to be at work in our lives, both as individuals and as the Body of Christ this Lenten season. That as we gather week by week, whether on Sunday or on Wednesday, that we would be expectant. Holding on to the truth that as we draw near to God, he draws near to us. As we listen to one another, we might see something more of the God who created each one of us. As we discern what God is saying to us, whether individually or corporately, we would have the courage to respond to Christ's call. 

So, prayer. Please join in.
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for The First Sunday of Lent: Heavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Please pray for:
  • The Youth Alpha series taking place on the first Friday of the month at Friday Night Youth.
  • Our Lent Course which begins on Wednesday evening.
  • The family and friends of all those who are bereaved.
  • Peace talks taking place next week in Saudi Arabia between USA and Ukraine.
 
Children's Ministry and Events

 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (9th March):
 


 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:

 
 
 
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


Don't Forget: The Youth are helping serve refreshments after the All Age service at 10.30am on Sunday 2nd March.

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
 

Newcomers’ Meal: We love to welcome new people into our church, and so we are inviting all those new to Christ Church in the past year to come along to one of our forthcoming newcomers’ meals. The first one is at 12.30pm today, Sunday 9th March and newcomers are welcome to join us today or come to supper on Sunday 13th April.
 

 
Go4Gold: Soup and Social: 12.45pm Friday 14th March.  There will be a choice of soups, bread rolls, cheese, yoghurts and fruit for a suggested donation of £2.50. This will be followed by a social in the Hub from 2-3pm. No booking is needed, just turn up on the day.

Church Walk: Sunday 16th February. Meet in the Hub at 2pm, to give enough time to car share to Putnoe Woods, walk, and get back to Mowsbury Park Café before it shuts at 4pm. 


Impact (Christians supporting Bedfordshire schools) are looking for volunteers for the Easter Experience, which is held at St John’s Church, Bedford. They are particularly in need of some more disciples, but other roles are available. It’s great fun. Contact trish@impactbedford.org.uk
 
Save the date: Plant sale ðŸŒ»ðŸŒ±ðŸŒ·ðŸª´  24th  May 2025. Please start taking your cuttings and planting your seeds ready to sell them in May. We had a wonderful time last year so let’s make it even better this year. Thanks in advance for all your contributions.
 
Accommodation wanted: Does anyone know of or have a place to rent short term: 6 months for professional and 2 children 11+ years, in Bedford – Please let the church office know.  
 
Coming up later in 2025 – Bookings now open
 
2025 Church coach holiday Monday 2nd - Friday 6th June and 2025 Ladies Weekend Away: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th September. White brochures and booking forms for these events are now available from The Hub, or download (CCH / LWA) or contact Rachel Bennett. Early booking will secure your place.


2025 Men’s Weekend Away: Friday 17th - Sunday19th October staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Green brochures with booking form now available in the hub, or download here or from John Betteley.  Twin or single en-suite rooms available.  Book early.
 
 

 

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: