Sunday 20th July 


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 20th July 


The Fifth Sunday after Trinity
 
9am - Holy Communion – Spirit, Soul and Body (1 Thes 5:23 & Rom 12:1-2) -  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 – Images of Jesus – The Word  (John 1:1-18) – Tony Daniels
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 23rd July
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 27th July 
9am -  Morning Worship – Spirit Soul & Body (1 Thes 5:23 & Gal 5: 13-26) – David Thomas     
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – As above
7pm Sundays@Seven – Images of Jesus - Light of the World (John 8:12-20 + Matt 5:13-16) – David Thomas
 

Church Family News

 
Happening this Sunday (20th July)

Min-Min Peaker (former Christ Church member): is being licensed as Associate Minister of Clapham Parish Church by Archdeacon Dave on Sunday 20th July as part of the normal 10am service at Clapham Parish Church. 

Listening to those who are single: Sunday 20th July after the 10.30am and 7pm services – an opportunity for single people to share with clergy their experiences of church, what has gone wrong, what has helped, and what is needed. This is one part of our follow up to the 2025 Lent Course.



Church Walk: Meet at Christ Church at 2pm to car share for a visit to Clophill Nature Reserve and Cainhoe Castle. Please bring drinks/refreshments with you in case the cafe is closed. 
 

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
At our morning services we are thinking about Spirit, Soul & Body. Thinking about who we are, how we relate to the world around us, and how God is at work in our lives. One of the reasons for this is because we are the body of Christ, we are connected to one another – we are connected by the one Spirit, we are connected by our conversations which reveal what is going on in our minds and emotions, and we are connected by our physical proximity.
 
This connectedness comes with responsibility. We have a responsibility to one another. At morning prayer this week, we have been reading Romans. In chapter 15 verses 1-2 it says this:
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up.”
When we gather on Sunday, we are connected, and as Paul challenges us, we need to care for one another, building one another up. I wonder what it looks like for you to build up those around you?
 

For your prayers this week


The Prayer for The Fifth Sunday after Trinity: Almighty God, send down upon your Church the riches of your Spirit, and kindle in all who minister the gospel your countless gifts of grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

 Please pray for:
  • Teachers and Staff – that they would be able to have a good break over the summer holidays and get the rest they need to start again in September.
  • Thank God for the encouragements from the Youth Weekend Away.
  • Those who do not feel safe – that they would get the support and help they need, that perpetrators of injustice would be held to account.
  • Peace in our world - that leaders and those in positions of power would work for peace and justice.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY AT 10.30am:
 
 
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
 
Friday 18th July 7-9pm - Friday Night Youth End of Term Summer BBQ!!
for 11-18 year olds 

- Drop-off Location: The Vicarage (the back gate into the garden) 
- Pick-up Location: The Church Building (as normal)






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


The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: A spectacular theatre production is coming to:
Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, MK9 3NZ on Tuesday 22nd - Sat. 26th July
as part of a UK-wide tour throughout 2025.  To get an idea of what to expect see
youtube.com/watch?v=ihLwncHYq1U For details and to book go to: lionwitchonstage.com
 
Go4Gold Soup and Social: Friday 25th July 1.45pm 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.

First Aiders: We are updating our list of First Aiders. If you have a current First Aid certificate and are willing to be included in our list of First Aiders (displayed in the kitchen and the church porch) then please let Pauline Grimley know (office@ccbedford.org).

Volunteers needed:

This academic year (2024/5) Impact (supporting schools, exploring Christianity) piloted two RE workshops in local schools on the topics of Creation and Holy Trinity. They were a great success, and the schools are keen for us to go back in again. (Creation workshops will be in Sept/Oct 2025 and the Holy Trinity ones in Jan/Feb 2026.) For the Creation workshop, we require Christians, who have an interest or background in the sciences.  This is so that the children have the opportunity to have a Q&A session about science and its relevance to Christianity.

Job Opportunity: The University of Bedfordshire are looking to recruit 2 part-time chaplaincy assistants (10 hours a week): https://ubedsli.webitrent.com/ubedsli_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?VACANCY_ID=058761GMH8&WVID=264209000d If you need further information, please contact Luke Quinlan Luke.Quinlan@beds.ac.uk 

Dates for Your Diary:

An evening with Graham Kendrick: hosted by Bromham Baptist on Friday 12th September at 7:30pm, the very well-known worship leader, accompanied by Jason Carter on harp guitar, and Natasha Petrovic on violin. Graham brings together sung worship, using many of his ‘classic’ worship songs, plus a taste of some new ones PLUS ‘concert’ segments featuring several of his much-loved performance songs. Tickets cost £12 with all profits being donated to the Utange Orphans Charity and the Bethel Caring Academy Mombasa (Kenya). Go to www.bromham.org to purchase tickets.
 
Bike ‘n Hike: Saturday 13th September, an opportunity to get sponsored to visit churches on foot, by bike, or by car, and raise money for the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust and Christ Church. Sponsorship packs now available from the Hub. 
 
Parenting course: The Teenage Years: Open to all parents with young people! Being run by Christ Church Bedford!
Come along to meet and chat with other parents. Starts Thursday 25th September. For more details speak to Hannah Applegarth  or book a space here


 
2025 Ladies and Men’s Weekend Something to look forward to this autumn
HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SPACE? Don't miss your chance to attend.

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.  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: