Sunday 8th June 

 

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 7th June 


10.30 for 11am - Ladies Elevenses
 
 
7-10pm - Music Night: Fundraiser for Bedford Foodbank at Riverside Tennis Club (opposite Christ Church). Be entertained by Riverside Talent (bar open; bring nibbles) and raise money for Bedford Foodbank (donations). Open to all just turn up on the night.
 

Sunday 8th June 

 
Pentecost
9am - Morning Worship – Jonah Goes to Ninevah - God's Compassion  (Jonah 3 & 4) - 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 – Pentecost: Thy Kingdom Come – Vikki Thomas
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 11th June
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 15th June 
9am -  Holy Communion  Locusts and Lamenting (Joel 1) – Michael Bishop
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Morning Worship – As above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Eucharistic Service – Mike Stewart
 

Church Family News


Prayer Diary: June’s Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church.

Holy Communion at 10.30am Services: From this Sunday, 8th June, we will be changing the way we do the distribution at Communion. Moving forward, people will be directed to come to the front, to line up on the front step from left to right. Clergy will distribute the wafers along the line, followed by the other server(s) with the wine. Gluten free wafers and non-alcoholic wine will continue to be available. Our hope is that this will give people a moment to be still as they partake in the Eucharist.

Sundays@Seven: this week we have Pentecost@Seven, linking in with Thy Kingdom Come, thinking about the Holy Spirit with an opportunity to receive prayer. Then on Sunday 15th June we welcome Rev Mike Stewart from Elstow Team Ministry who will lead a traditional Eucharistic Service within our fresh expression style evening service.

Thank you Kay, on Thursday 5th June Gwyneth James was legally admitted into office as Churchwarden. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Kay for the way she has so generously served the church and community over the last 9 years. She has been warden during a vicar's study leave, a building project, a global pandemic and then a vacancy. All of this had been done graciously and with good humour. As vicar I have felt supported and encouraged; the way she has cared for my family and I has been quite wonderful. Kay being Kay, of course continues to love and support the church now as a member of the PCC! A huge thank you to Kay, and a warm welcome to Gwyneth.         David Thomas

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
What does Holy Communion mean to you? What might it mean to the collective body of Christ that meets together at Christ Church? And what might it mean to the wider church throughout the world? 

We are about to partake in a change to the way in which we do Holy Communion here at Christ Church. The hope, is that it gives people a moment where they can pause, be still, and receive. At times, the way we have shared in this Holy Sacrament over the last few years has felt like being on a conveyor belt. Our aim in making this change is to allow some stillness and reflection, some might call it a holy moment.

Which brings me back to thoughts about what the Lord's Supper is. For some it is a remembering, nothing more, nothing less. For some, it is a literal partaking in the body and blood of Christ. For some it is about spiritual renewal and strengthening. For some it is about being faithful to the teaching of Christ, and doing what he commanded us to do. What occurs to me here is the question of how I participate in relation to my neighbour. How can I help them? What does it mean for all of us to partake in the Eucharist?                            
 

For your prayers this week

 
Prayer for Pentecost: Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen
 
Please pray for:
  • The young people who attend(ed) the Hope Youth Event on Friday evening (6th June).
  • Provision of safe spaces for young people to spend time in.
  • Road safety, especially on Goldington Rd, following an accident outside Castle Newnham.
  • Peace in Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, Sudan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Yemen.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 

THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am (8th June) : 
 

COMING UP THIS WEEK:
 
 
SUMMER 2025 HOLIDAY CLUB
 
 
 
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
 
TONIGHT: Friday 6th June 7-9pm
The final Hope Youth event for this academic year takes place at Christ Church on Friday 6th June at 7pm. It is for those aged 11-18; entry £2. HOPE is an event where young people across Bedfordshire come together. There will be pizza, games, worship and a talk. Flyers are available from the Hub and you can book a space using the QR code on the flyer below
 
 



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.  
 
 Go4Gold: Go4Gold Soup and Social: Friday 13th June @ 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.


 
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.

Mission Partner News: The Malawi Orphan Fund and Home of Hope Malawi. In August 2025 Helen Ryan, Gillian Lindley,  Hannah Applegarth, Alex Mnatzaganian and Phil & Ruth Janes are visiting Home of Hope. Please pray for good preparations. 

If you would be interested in visiting Home of Hope in summer 2026 there will be an information session to find out more on Sunday 15th  June at 2.30pm, Christ Church Room 7. For more details contact Alex Mnatzaganian

Job Opportunities: The King’s Arms Project is currently advertising a few job vacancies. They are looking for a teacher of English for speakers of other languages and a refugee and migrant services caseworker. Vacancies are advertised on their website https://kingsarmsproject.org/vacancies/ or email hr@kingsarmsproject.org 
 
 
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: