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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." |
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Sunday 17th August
The Ninth Sunday after Trinity
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
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Services in the coming week
Wednesday 20th August
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
Sunday 24th August
9am - Morning Worship – Favourite Psalms (Psalm 73) – Alan Cottenden
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – As above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Favourite Bible Passages – Sarah Harris, Margaret Nurse and Chris Stevens. |
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Church Family News
Prayer for Malawi: There is a team from Christ Church visiting the Home of Hope, Mchinji Malawi at the moment. Two opportunities to pray. Firstly, if you haven’t done so already, please pick up (and use) a paper copy of the Prayer Diary for this trip. Secondly, one of the reasons for the visit is to listen, support and to discuss the vision and priorities for the months and years ahead with those at Home of Hope who have responsibility for leadership, management and oversight. To this end, Kathy Priddin will be hosting ~20 minutes of prayer for the Home of Hope and the Malawi Team in the prayer room (Room 4) after the 10.30am Service on Sunday, August 17 th, please grab a drink and join Kathy. To read the reports of what the group are doing in Malawi please read their daily blog: https://malawiorphanfund.blogspot.com/
Baptism & Confirmation - we are planning on having Baptisms on 19 th October at our 10.30am service, 26 th October at our 7pm service (by full immersion), and Confirmation on Sunday 16 th 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. From 18 th to 29 th August, the office will be shut most of the time therefore please contact us via the office email address ( office@ccbedford.org) and we will respond as quickly as we can.
Building Work: This coming week there is some work being carried out on the church which includes some remedial repair and repointing work on the flat aisle roofs and on the bell tower. Please take care when visiting the church, and, we suggest using the Dudley Street car park and halls main entrance, rather than entering via Denmark Street.
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Thoughts from the Vicar
I've been thinking about prayer a lot recently. Earlier this morning I walked into the garden to hang out some washing, and found myself praying. It was automatic. I didn't plan it, it just happened. I've realised that over the last few years I have created some habits. Habits which mean that without thinking I start praying. And I can't help but think that habits like this are good for me, we probably can't pray too much!
These habits have not been hugely difficult to create. They begin with just doing it. And then doing it again. For me, the key thing has been doing things which I can repeat easily. If you see me in the kitchen making the kids packed lunch for school, chances are I am praying. If you see me in the garden hanging up washing, chances are I am praying. One of the ways I pray is to take a mundane repeatable task, and to pray while I am doing it. The more I do the task, the more I pray. I probably should do some more washing. My prayer closet is the kitchen, the bathroom, the garden. Places I can go, and for a few moments, spend time alone with God. I'm going to go and make some lunch for the kids now.
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For your prayers this week
Prayer for The Ninth Sunday after Trinity: Gracious Father, revive your Church in our day, and make her holy, strong and faithful, for your glory’s sake in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please pray for:
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Those who are recovering in hospital, for health and strength.
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Those who are facing difficult decisions, for wisdom and clarity.
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Those who are struggling to put food on the table, for a way forward.
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Those who are facing difficulties at work, for grace to know how to respond.
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Children's Ministry and Events
THIS SUNDAY 17th 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: There is no Sunday Morning Youth, this Sunday 17th August at 10.30am. Back next Sunday.
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
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What is happening at Christ Church and beyond
Church Walk: Sunday 17 th august meet in the Hub at 2.30pm to walk to the Bandstand on the Embankment to enjoy Fynnius Fogg. If walkers wish to purchase ice creams bring money and/or bring drink and nibbles to enjoy while listening to the music and you might like to bring a fold up chair, in case the seats at the Bandstand run out.
Go4Gold: Soup and Social: Friday 22 nd August @ 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 23 rd August 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. We will be looking at key verses to help us with our walk with God and daily lives. This is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us.
Pet Blessing Service: Sunday 24 th 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 (23 th & 24 th August and 30 th & 31 st 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 13 th 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 12 th 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 25 th 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 29 th 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
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 26 th-Sunday 28 th September staying at The Garden House in Stamford. Ladies can come for the weekend or for the day on Saturday 27 th 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 17 th - Sunday19 th 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 3 rd to 15 th 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 28 th August.
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 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.
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