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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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Saturday 6th September
Sunday 7th September
The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
9am - Holy Communion 5 Marks of Mission - Tell (Acts 16:16-34) – David Thomas
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - All Age Service – As above – Hannah Applegarth
*The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*
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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Services in the coming week
Wednesday 10th September
10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
Sunday 14th September
9am - Morning Worship – 5 Marks of Mission - Teach – Ben Williams
10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes
10.30am - Holy Communion – As above
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Spirit, Soul & Body: What does it mean to honour God with our inner selves? (Rom 12:1-2) - Alan Cottenden |
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Church Family News
New Teaching Series: Our teaching series in September will be looking at the Five Marks of Mission in the mornings, and a practical look at how we engage with God with our Spirit, Soul & Bodies in the evening. All of which will lead into October being Mission Month! More on that later.
Opportunities to Pray: Another opportunity for people to gather and pray, please join us in Room 4 at 8pm on Thursday 11th September.
Taizé: On the 21st September we will be having our next Taizé service at 7pm. All are welcome to come along. If anyone would like to help with the music or any other part of the service, please come and speak to Revd Ben Williams.
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 Vicar
One of the more random things I like to do, is to watch videos of woodworking. Seeing someone transform some dead wood into something remarkable, whether a table or an ornament, I find it quite mesmerising. I think it has something to do with the creativity, the way in which someone sees a possibility in something and then works to make that idea a reality.
Which reminds me of God as the potter and us as the clay. Have you paused to consider what God might be doing in your life to refine you, to mould and shape you?
I spent some time in prayer this week with a parishioner, and they said something really fascinating which was - do we ask God how? God speaks to us in all kinds of ways, and often this points us in a certain direction. The question is do we just dive headlong into it, or do we also ask God how to go that way? It reminds me that as it takes time for a potter or a wood worker to create that work of art, so our lives take time to unfold. A question to consider - have I returned to the Lord in prayer and asked for help with the direction he is calling me in? Pause, consider, pray. Amen.
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For your prayers this week
Prayer for Twelfth Sunday after Trinity: God of constant mercy, who sent your Son to save us: remind us of your goodness, increase your grace within us, that our thankfulness may grow, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please pray for:
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The families and friends impacted by the tragedies in Lisbon, and Canada.
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An end to knife violence.
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Comfort for those who are grieving.
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Peace where there is conflict.
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Children's Ministry and Events
THIS SUNDAY 7th September
This week is an all age service at 10.30am, we encourage families to join us for the service. There are instruments and quiet toys available for children who join us.
THIS WEEK:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
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
Church Walk: Sunday 7th September meet in the Hub at 2.30pm for a local walk and then return there for refreshments.
Go4Gold: Soup and Social: Friday 12th September @ 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.
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.
Welcoming new Students: The University of Bedford students are moving in on Saturday 13 th September. We are hoping to run a refreshment stall as well as supporting the chaplaincy. This is between 10am-3pm. If you can do the whole time or only part of the time, any support would be appreciated. Please contact Hannah Applegarth (Youth Minister) if you are interested.
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.
Community BBQ: Christ Church would like to invite all families of children and youth to our Community BBQ party, from 2-4pm on Saturday 20 th September. Entry is free and there will be games, activities and food for all the family. If you live in the Castle Road or Devon Park area, we'd love to see you!
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.
Christmas Craft Day: We are considering holding a Christmas Craft Day on Saturday 29 th November from 10am-3pm. Before we make detailed plans we are looking for expressions of interest to decide if this is something that people would be interested in. Exact details for 2025 to be confirmed, but, we will provide a day of crafts, games, and refreshments (bring your own packed lunch) here at Christ Church Bedford for over 18s at less than £10 per head. If you are interested please let us know here.
Have you ever wanted to know what it is like to play a church organ? The Beds and Herts organists’ association have a bursary scheme for lessons for those aged 10-25; visit the young organists page of their website to apply. Over 25s can fill in their general form for enquiries. Our Youth Minister, Hannah, has more information.
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 here.
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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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