Sunday 18th May 


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 17th May

 
9.30am - Prayer Meeting by Zoom (link here
 

Sunday 18th May


The Fifth Sunday of Easter
 
9am - Holy Communion  Putting our trust in God (Phil 3) - David Thomas

          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 – Following Jesus - The Kingdom of the Son of Man: Matthew – Alan Cottenden
 

Services in the coming week

 
Wednesday 21st May
10am -  Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 25th May 
9am -  Morning Worship – Contentment in all circumstances (Phil 4) – Vikki Thomas
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – As Above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Following Jesus - The Glory of God: John – David Thomas
 

Church Family News


Congratulations to John and Fiona Betteley on becoming first-time grandparents to Sylvia Grace born on Monday 12th May.
 
June 2025 Ordination dates for your diary: Ben Williams will be ordained Priest on Saturday 28th June at 2pm and AJ Wade will be ordained Deacon on Sunday 29th June at 2:30pm, both at St Albans Cathedral.  They would appreciate support as they enter these next steps in their ministries and all will be welcome to come and join us at these services.

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
On Sunday Wil spoke on following Christ's example of humility from Philippians chapter 2. I have found it to be bothered, challenging and encouraging. The comparison of God the Son through whom all things were made with Jesus the son of God in human flesh, the humility to step down like that, to be one of us. And Paul telling us to have the same mindset as Christ. Wow!

Many of you will have noticed my croaky voice this week. I was touched by the care and concern shown towards me, especially by the Staff Team who sent me home on a couple of occasions. 

Humility cuts both ways, Paul writes that we should value others above ourselves. We are called to serve one another. Sometimes this means allowing others to serve us. Sometimes this means letting others take the lead. Sometimes this means stepping back. All of which can be quite hard. But the more we allow the Spirit of Christ to be at work within us, the more a spirit of humility will be displayed, because Christ is the definition of humility. So let us put on humility.                         
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for The Fifth Sunday of Easter: Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
 
Please pray for:
  • Bishop Alan and his farewell service at St Albans Cathedral this Sunday at 3pm.
  • The St Albans’ Diocesan representatives who have been elected to the Crown Nominations Committee to help appoint a new bishop of St Albans.
  • Peace talks surrounding Russia and Ukraine to be successful, and for places of conflict like Kashmir and Gaza.
  • Continuing opportunities to talk about our faith in Jesus.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (18th May) : 

 
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 

NOTICES FOR VOLUNTEERS
 
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
This Thursday:
 


 
 
For more information about our regular groups please look on our website here or contact Hannah using: youth@ccbedford.org or 07384 295757
 
 

What is happening at Christ Church and beyond

 

 
Items wanted: please can you save any empty, clean, gravy/hot chocolate/custard powder etc. tubs with plastic lids that could be used for making money boxes at Morning Out. We need 25 by July, please bring them to the office. Old Prescription glasses: Optometrists from Cardiff University are going to Malawi to do eye tests and give out suitable glasses. Students will identify prescriptions of donated glasses before the trip. If you have any old glasses or sunglasses, (not varifocals), there is box on top of the pigeonholes. 


Sunday Walk: Sunday 18th May. The walkers will meet in The Hub at 2pm, (not 2.30pm) and car share to Moggerhanger. Anyone who joins the walk will need to bring their own money for refreshments in the cafe which closes at 4pm - hence our earlier start time.

Go4Gold Soup and Social: Friday 23rd May @ 12.45pm. There will be a choice of soups, bread rolls, cheese, yoghurts and fruit for a suggested donation of £2pp. This will be followed by a social in the Hub from 2-3.15pm (suggested donation £1pp). No booking is needed, you are welcome just turn up to one or both events.

Men’s Breakfast: Saturday 24th May 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 is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us.

Plant sale:   Saturday 24th May @ 10.30 - 12 Noon. In church garden. (In church if wet!) 

1/ We need all your seedlings, cuttings and  plants to sell. 
Please bring your plants ðŸŒđ ðŸŠīðŸŒąon Saturday 24th May from 9.30 onwards. Or if this is impossible you can bring them on Friday 23rd and place them at the top of the Vicarage drive nearest the building under the overhang, ideally labelled, so that people know what they are.

 2/ We would also love donations of home baked cupcakes, flapjacks etc for the refreshments stall (labelled with ingredients/allergens). ðŸ°ðŸŽ‚ ðŸŠ 

3/ On the day we need you to come and buy some plants and enjoy refreshments.

4/ If you have other things you would like to sell, (Please note: All money raised is going towards the church roof repair) please bring them, but it would be good if you would man your own table please and you will need to take away any items that are not sold. 

 

Music Night: Saturday 7th June 7-10pm at Riverside Tennis Club. Be entertained by Riverside Talent (bar open; bring nibbles) and raise money for Bedford Foodbank (donations).

Quiet Day: Saturday 21st June in Hertfordshire. Leave Bedford at 9am and go to All Saints Little Munden for time to reflect, pray, walk. Contact Rachel Bennett for details/to book.
 
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 with booking form now available in the hub, or download LWA or contact Rachel Bennett on 07981918263.  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.
 
Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned meat/rice pudding, jars of coffee, bars of chocolate, milk (UHT), long-life fruit juice, laundry tablets, deodorant and sun cream SPF50 (Particularly for children).
If you wish to donate toiletries to Bedford Foodbank, 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: