Sunday 16th 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 16th March


The Second Sunday of Lent

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

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

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Lord's Prayer 2: Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven – Tony Daniels
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 19th March 
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
8pm - Lent Course: The Bible – In church

Sunday 23rd March
9am - Morning Worship - Unanswered prayer: the call to persistence in prayer (Psalms 13 & 88) – David Thomas
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – As above
7pm - Sundays@Seven –  Lord's Prayer 3: Give us today our daily bread – Sue Marshall
 

Church Family News


Our Lent Sermons are on Prayer : -
Prayer booklet: To accompany our Lent series looking at prayer,  our curate Ben Williams has put together a booklet with different suggestions of ways of praying. This includes both traditional structured methods of prayer (such as services of Morning Prayer), as well as more reflective practices such as examen. For those feeling more creative, the booklet also contains a selection of different ways of bringing creativity into your prayer life, including using bubbles, maps, and pipe cleaners.

To download the booklet please click here

Prayer walk Sunday@Seven: As a part of our evening service today, there will be an opportunity to Prayer Walk. Please wear suitable clothing if you wish to participate.
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Clarry Bristow: It is with great sadness that we share the news that Clarry Bristow died on Tuesday 4th March.. We mourn his passing but rejoice that he is at peace with his saviour.
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Lent: Our 6-week Lent course “Relationships Matter” continues 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.

For those who were unable to attend the introductory session, we are hoping to have it available to view early next week.
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Electoral Roll: Thank you for the 160 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
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Safety on Sundays: For the next few weeks we are 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

 
I've had a number of conversations recently about words, especially within the context of church and the language that we use. One such word is sacrament. Often used in association to Holy Communion. Simply put, a sacrament is an outward sign of a spiritual truth. We share in bread and wine, an outward sign, which reminds us of the death of Jesus, and speaks of a deep spiritual truth at work within us.

As most people will be aware, I have given up chocolate for Lent. The point of a Lenten fast is not to give stuff up, but rather it is a mechanism to aid drawing closer to God. The giving up of chocolate for me has been an outward sign, to help my inner spiritual life. I have been greatly encouraged that I have prayed more these last ten days. 

I have often found making small adjustments has long lasting impacts. And Lent is a great opportunity to make some small adjustments, to make an outward change that reflects something spiritual going on inside of us. The great thing is it's not too late to do something. So if you haven't, why not join in a Lenten fast (it doesn't have to be chocolate!)
 

For your prayers this week


Prayer for The Second Sunday of Lent: Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way, come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please pray for:
  • The family and friends of Christine, Jenny and Clarry.
  • Wisdom for leaders, especially those involved with the ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia.
  • Victims of abuse, that they might receive justice, healing and peace.
  • Hope Bedfordshire, who draw different churches together to encourage and share the good news of Jesus.
 
Children's Ministry and Events

 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (16th March):
 


 
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
 

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. 
 
Go4Gold Speaker Ray Evans: Friday 21st March 2pm-3.15pm. Our speaker this month is Ray Evans. Ray was a leader in Grace Church, now retired he has plenty to share; come and hear his story.  All welcome, refreshments provided, suggested donation £1pp

Men’s Breakfast: Saturday 22nd March 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 continue following our study book – 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: 29th March 2025 at Bedford Blues. A great chance to meet up together and have fun.  Join us at Bedford Blues on Goldington Road on 29th March (ko 3pm).  Purchase your own ticket online at https://bedfordrugby.co.uk/tickets (cheaper) and congregate at the area between the stand and the main gate.  Meet up beforehand at The Three Cups 45 Newnham St for a pre match drink and chat from 1pm. The game is against Cornish Pirates.  Hope to see you there.  Please invite a friend to come along too.  

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.
 


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.
Visitors click here

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:

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