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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 31st August
The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
9am - Holy Communion – Favourite Psalms (Psalm 23) – 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 3rd September
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
Sunday 7th September
9am - Holy Communion 5 Marks of Mission - Tell – David Thomas
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - All Age Service – As above – Hannah Applegarth
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Spirit, Soul & Body: What does it mean to worship in Spirit & Truth? (John 4:1-26) Tony Daniels |
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Church Family News
Prayer for Malawi: The Malawi team are home after an amazing visit to Home of Hope. Kathy Priddin will be hosting ~20 minutes of praise for the many blessings and answered prayers in the prayer room (room 4) after the 10.30am service on Sunday, August 31. Please grab a drink and join Kathy.
Please pray for: Ruth & Phil Janes and family after the death this week of Ruth's Dad, Tom Caldwell. Ruth left Malawi as planned on Sunday, landing at Gatwick on Monday morning. She got off the train at Luton and flew to Belfast Monday lunchtime, so was able to spend time with her dad and her sister before he died.
September Prayer Diary: September’s Prayer Diary is now available to collect from church.
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.
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Thoughts from the Curate
Last week I was reflecting how little children teach us that there is nothing we can do to earn our place in God’s kingdom. However, I think that Mark 10:13-16 is also a reminder that like little children, while we may marvel at the universe and how it is made, some bits may absolutely baffle us, and ultimately there are some bits which we will just never understand; particularly when it comes to understanding God and scripture.
Over the last couple of weeks, in David’s absence, people have been coming to me to ask their deep theological questions. On more than one occasion, I just found myself saying that unfortunately I just don’t know the answer. However, I have drawn comfort from these words from Isaiah “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways… As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9 NIV). It is as if God is saying, that his plans, including what is written in scripture, are ultimately far beyond our understanding. That we will never fully understand every verse of scripture, in the same way we many never understand his plan, but in the words of Douglas Adams, don’t panic. Instead, we are encouraged to trust in God, and rest in the hope which he promises.
The good news is that David is back this weekend, so instead of saying I don’t know, I can confidently say, perhaps this may be something which you may need to ask the vicar about.
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For your prayers this week
Prayer for The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity: God of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond all price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Please pray for:
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The family and friends of those killed and injured in the attack in Minneapolis.
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Children and young people and teachers starting new schools this week.
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Those who are ill, and those whose loved ones have died in recent weeks.
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Those whose homes have been destroyed in violence, and those who have fled their communities to seek refuge elsewhere.
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Children's Ministry and Events
THIS SUNDAY: 31st August during our 10.30am service
THIS WEEK: Wednesday 3rd September
COMING SOON:
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
Please Note: Youth @ 6 restarts 7th September and Friday Night Youth restarts 12th September.
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
Go4Gold: Film Club: Friday 5th September @ 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)
Ladies Elevenses: Saturday 6th September 10.30am to 12 Noon. Dancing with Jesus & Friends – Diane Field shares her faith and line dancing stories with a time for the rest of us to get moving as we have a go. All ladies are very welcome to join us for a warm welcome, refreshments, fellowship and a very helpful encouraging talk.
Two opportunities to raise money for the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Trust:
Bishop’s Garden: The Bishop of St Albans Garden is open on the 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 two acres of garden is an oasis in central St Albans. 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.
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 or speak to Mary Davies.
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.
Local Job Vacancies: The King's Arms Project has a number of different job vacancies at the moment: Refugee Employability Specialist, Winter Nightshelter Daytime Operations Coordinator, Tenancy Support Officer and ESOL Creche Assistant (Fixed Term). For more details, job descriptions and application forms please see their website here
Diocesan Job Vacancies: The St Albans Diocese have several vacancies within the property team based at Holywell Lodge in St Albans. These include: Building Surveyor and Facilities Manager, and Asset and Development Manager. For more details, job descriptions and application forms, please see their website.
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 Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned fish/fruit/potatoes, jars of coffee/pasta sauces, bars of chocolate, cup a soup, pot noodles, long-life fruit juice & laundry tablets. Many thanks for your generosity.
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