Sunday 5th October 


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."
 

Saturday 4th October
 



Sunday 5th October


Harvest Sunday

9am - Holy Communion – Harvest – Martin Harris 
 
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - All Age Worship – As above - Ruth Hulme

          *The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*
 
7pm - Sundays@Seven – Mission Month: Calling / Mission Direct and Impact
 

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 8th October

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments


Sunday 12th October

9am - Morning Worship – 5 Marks of Mission – Tend: Acts of Loving Service – Ben Williams

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

10.30am - Holy Communion – As above

7pm - Sundays@Seven – Mission Month: Culture / Mission Direct and Impact
 
 
Harvest Sunday 2025: This year we are supporting the Bishops’ Harvest Appeal: Rewrite Their Future. This is being run in partnership with Mission Direct, which is led by Wil Horwood who worships with us at Christ Church. They are working towards increasing access to education for some of the world’s most under-resourced communities. In Uganda and Zambia alone, Mission Direct will help over 1,170 children this year to have access to a new classroom, and over the next 20 years these new facilities will be used by 23,400 children. Financial donations can be made in person: cash or card, or electronically (reference Harvest).


We will also be collecting donations of non-perishable food for Bedford Foodbank.
 

Church Family News

 

Rosemary Phillips: The funeral of Rosemary Phillips will be on Tuesday 21st October at 1pm at St Andrew's Church, Bedford and all are welcome at the church service. 

Prayer Diary: The Prayer diary for October is now available from church.

Thoughts from the Vicar

 
By the time you read this it is likely that the new Archbishop of Canterbury will have been announced. This is significant within the life of the wider church, both Anglican and beyond. Many people will have strong opinions about what is important for the person who takes up this role.

We have been thinking a lot about prayer recently and so I wanted to invite you, to join me, in praying and fasting. Jesus, while delivering the Sermon on the Mount says, "and when you fast..." (Matt 6:16) Which would seem to imply that fasting is a normal part of the life of his followers. I have felt challenged in reading God's word of late, that I need to spend some serious time praying and fasting.

Here are three things you might like to join with me in praying (and fasting):
  1. The new Archbishop of Canterbury.
  2. That Christ Church would grow in our love for God and neighbour.
  3. For us as individuals to grow in the fruit of the Spirit.
 

For your prayers this week 

 
Harvest Appeal Prayer
God of grace and mercy, whose Son, Jesus Christ, demonstrated his love through acts of compassion and offers freedom from the things that hold us back: we pray your blessing on the schools and families of Zambia and Uganda.

May we, your Church, overflow with compassion and generosity as we support efforts to help children to free themselves from poverty through education.

And may your good news of hope and salvation touch ever more people into a relationship with you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Please pray:
  • The Community and families of the victims of the synagogue attack in Manchester.
  • Peace, especially in London after recent protests turned violent.
  • Those on the Alban Way pilgrimage this weekend.
  • Charities and organisations working to care for the planet and fight the negative impacts of climate change.
Harvest Thanksgiving: Creator God, you made the goodness of the land, the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons; as we thank you for the harvest, may we cherish and respect this planet and its peoples, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
 
Children's Ministry and Events
 
THIS SUNDAY 5th October

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:
 
COMING UP LATER THIS MONTH
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
 
 

COMING UP

For those aged 11-18: an opportunity for young people in Bedford to gather together to worship God and explore hope in Jesus. Friday 17th October at Christ Church at 7pm, £2 entry (includes Pizza). Please register to book your place: https://ccbedford.org/Groups/429404/Hope_Youth_Bedford.aspx 

 

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

 
Church Walk: On Sunday 5th October meet at church at 2.30pm for a local walk. Then return to church for refreshments in The Hub. 

Go4Gold: Soup and Social: Friday 10th October @ 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.


Baby Loss Service: Saying Goodbye, (part of the Mariposa Trust) are coming to St Albans (our nearest service) with a very special Baby loss remembrance and support service (part of a UK and Ireland chain of events).  On the 13th October at 7pm, in St Albans Cathedral they will be hosting a Saying Goodbye Remembrance Service. 
The service is for anyone who has lost a baby in pregnancy, at birth, or in early years, whether the loss was recent or 80 years ago. This event is also for those grieving that they have never been able to have a child. Further information www.sayinggoodbye.org

Men’s Weekend Away: At the Garden House, Stamford for fun, food, fellowship, teaching and worship, Friday 17th – Sunday 19th October. For details please contact John Betteley on mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org  Please come along and join us. 

 
Friends for Life fundraising pamper evening: Thursday 6th November drop in to rooms 2 & 3 at Christ Church between 6.30-8.30pm for shopping, pampering (Tropic skincare) and refreshments. Please let them know you are coming on hello@friendsforlife.org.uk

Christmas Craft Day: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 18-year-olds is on Saturday 29th November from 10am-3pm. We are holding a day of crafts, songs and more, with refreshments including a simple soup and cake lunch. Cost £7, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place here or collect a form from the office.
 

Volunteers wanted: Fantastic news! The Impact Live Nativity performances with schools are sold out.  The Live Nativity is a re-enactment of the Christmas story by volunteers from various local churches. It is held at St John's Church in Bedford. This year it takes place from 1st-5th December, but you don't have to commit to helping every day.   If you would like to volunteer to act, steward or help with refreshments please get in touch with Becky.  Her contact details are:  becky@impactbedford.org.uk
 
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.
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.
Visitors click here

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:

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