Sunday 10th August 


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 10th August


The Eighth Sunday after Trinity
 
9am -  Morning Worship– Favourite Psalms (Psalm 19) – Martin Harris     
 
          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 – Favourite Bible Passages – Mhairi Brown and Andrew Russell
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 13th August
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments

Sunday 17th August 
9am - Holy Communion – Favourite Psalms (Psalm 46) – Ben Williams

          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - Morning Worship – As above

7pm Sundays@Seven – Favourite Bible Passages – Martin Hamilton and Richard Janes
 

Church Family News


Malawi Prayer Diary: A team from Christ Church is going to Home of Hope Malawi on Sunday 10th August Please pick up (and use) a paper copy of the Prayer Diary for this trip from church or you can download it here 

Baptism & Confirmation - we are planning on having Baptisms on 19th  October at our 10.30am service, 26th October at our 7pm service (by full immersion), and Confirmation on Sunday 16th  November at 7pm with Bishop Richard. If anyone is interested, please speak to David Thomas or Ben Williams.

Summer Holidays: At different points, during August the staff and clergy will be taking annual leave. This coming week is our summer Holiday Club in the halls each weekday morning and then from 18th to 29th August, whilst we will be contactable (preferably via email) and will respond as quickly as we can, the office will be shut most of the time.

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
On Wednesday this past week we remembered the Transfiguration. This story appears in three out of the four Gospels, and I find it a fascinating and hugely encouraging story. Throughout the Gospels Jesus goes up mountains to pray, to spend time with his Father, and this time he invites some of the disciples with him. And on this occasion the most amazing thing happens. 

I love that God includes humanity.

I don't know why on this particular occasion Jesus brought Peter, James and John with him. But the inclusion is so important. What I also find so encouraging about all this is that the disciples don't really understand what has just happened. At the end of Luke's telling it says that they did not tell anyone what they had seen and heard. Some years later, the Apostle Peter is writing to the persecuted church and he recalls the Transfiguration. He now has some understanding, he now knows something of its significance. And he encourages fellow believers. God includes us, we might not understand everything that is happening or why, and that is okay, often that comes later.
 

For your prayers this week


Prayer for The Eighth Sunday after Trinity: Lord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:
  • The team heading to Malawi (see separate prayer diary for more details).
  • Our Holiday Club - Knights of North Castle running from Monday to Friday.
  • Bedford Hospital, for all the staff, patients and visitors.
  • Peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Sahel, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Myanmar.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY 10th August during our 10.30am service




Back on Wednesday 27th August

 

 
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

Sunday Morning Youth: This Sunday (10th August) during the 10.30am service Sunday Morning Youth will be going on a Prayer Walk. Parents/guardians please make sure that the form (sent out by Hannah last week) has been signed, or go to the registration desk on Sunday morning in the Hub and complete a paper form.



Please Note: Youth @ 6 and Friday Night Youth are on a summer break.


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

 
What is happening at Christ Church and beyond?
Go4Gold: Film Club: Friday 15th August @ 1.45pm. Refreshments (popcorn & ice cream) included.  Just turn up if you are free & come & watch a Christian film with others. (Suggested donation £1 to cover refreshment costs)
 

Pet Blessing Service: Sunday 24th August 2.30pm at St Mary’s Goldington (hall and paddock). All God’s creatures, furry, feathered, scaly, big or small, accompanied by their humans, are welcome to our short informal service, have a chat, and share refreshments and a treat.

Two opportunities to raise money for the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust:


Bishop’s Garden: The Bishop of St Albans Garden will be open over the last two weekends in August (23th & 24th  August and 30th & 31st August) between 2pm and 4pm (regardless of the weather) for people to come and look at the beautiful gardens and the summer display.  The garden will be open. The two acres of garden is an oasis in central St Albans and visitors frequently comment on the fact that they did not know the garden was here or how extensive it is. Entrance is £5 per person (children free) and dogs on leads are welcome. Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans AL3 4HD.

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.
 

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.
 

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
 

The Bereavement Journey: Grief is hard.  The death of someone close to us can impact all of life. The Bereavement Journey provides a safe place to process loss with the support of others and will run this autumn starting on September 29th  between 7pm and 9pm. For more information about the Bereavement Journey, see our website or pick up a flyer in the Hub. Any questions or to book a place please contact the church office 01234 327150 / office@ccbedford.org or speak to Mary Davies 07811055099

 
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.


2026 Visit Egypt: After a very successful Tunisia tour last April, the Friends of the Anglican Province of Alexandria (FAPA) are in touch with Archbishop Samy & friends in the Diocese of Egypt about a group visit to Egypt in February 2026. We’ve identified 3rd to 15th February 2026 as a good time to get a glimpse of their life, witness & ministry. Our itinerary will include Cairo, Alexandria, Minya, Aswan & Luxor, returning to UK from Luxor. Participants will book their own flights. We’ll be able to advise on the outward flight to Cairo (Sphinx or Cairo International airports) & the return from Luxor. We estimate the cost for all internal travel, half board accommodation & visits will be £1400 per person. Please let Mike Parker (Chair of FAPA) canonmikep@gmail.com know of your interest in going, by 28th August.
 
Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned fish/pasta/peas/sweetcorn, jars of coffee and of cooking sauces, bars of chocolate, milk (UHT) and long-life fruit juice. 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: