Sunday 16th November 

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 16th November


The Second Sunday before Advent


9am -  Holy Communion – Safeguarding Sunday (Psalm 91 & 1 John 3:16-24 - David Thomas 
 
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am -  Morning Worship – As above


          *The 10.30am service will be livestreamed via the Christ Church Bedford YouTube channel*


7pm - Confirmation Service with Holy Communion - Malachi 4:1-2a & Luke 21: 5-19 - Bishop Richard

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 19th November

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
 

Sunday 23rd November

9am -  Morning Worship - Christ The King (Luke 23:33-43) - Martin Sweet
         

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

10.30am - Holy Communion - As above

7pm - Sundays@Seven - Christ the King - David Thomas 

Church Family News

 

Safeguarding Sunday: This morning, we are joining with the national church in reflecting about safeguarding and the role all of us play in this.

 

 

Confirmation: This evening at 7pm we welcome Bishop Richard to Christ Church to confirm Chloe, Daisy and Lewis. Please support them by praying for them this week.

Lock Up Volunteers Wanted: We have a wonderful and very reliable team of volunteers who faithfully lock the halls on a rota basis every evening during the year from Monday through to Saturday at around 10.00 pm. We have recently lost a couple of people who have served for several years in this way, we are in need of a few more volunteers. If you would like to help, even on an ad hoc basis and want to know more, please contact Dawn on centre@ccbedford.org Thank you.

Singers Wanted: As in previous years, we will be putting together a choir to sing at the Carols by Candlelight service at 7pm on 21st December. Rehearsals will be on the evenings of Monday 24th Nov, Tuesday 2ndDec and the afternoon of Sunday 14th Dec (don't worry if you can't attend all 3) as well as on the day itself (timings TBC). We would love anyone interested to come and join us, all are welcome, you don't need to be able to read music. Please speak to Ruth Rawes or email Vikki Thomas (vicarspa@ccbedford.org) if you would like to sing!

Thoughts from the Vicar 

 

I've been thinking about grace recently. The usual definition from a Christian perspective is something along the lines of; ‘The unmerited, divine favour and love of God given freely to humanity through Jesus Christ’.

At morning prayer this week we have been reading through the Sermon on the Mount. A fascinating and challenging piece of scripture. The bar which Jesus appears to set is so high as to be seemingly unattainable. Which from a Christological perspective leads us back to our need of a saviour and another reminder of our need for grace.

As I have pondered my need for grace, as I continually fall short of being perfect, I have been challenged in how I accept this love from above. Knowing I fall short can lead to feeling unworthy, but nothing I do or don't do, change the depths of God's love to me, his grace is his grace, no matter what I've done. The continued process of learning and relearning this goes on. I've not perfected it yet, but we keep going! Maybe next week I'll think about responses to grace. 

For your prayers this week 

 
Prayer for the Second Sunday before Advent: Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:

  • Those impacted by Storm Claudia.

  • Places in the world marred by war and violence.

  • People who are scared, vulnerable and find themselves in places where they are not safe.

  • Those getting confirmed on Sunday evening.

  • Thank God for the Songs of Praise recording for the Shine Your Light which took place on Wednesday.

The Collect for Confirmation: Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to your faithful people new life in the water of baptism. Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Children's Ministry and Events
 

THIS SUNDAY 16th November

 

 

THIS WEEK

 

LAST WEEK: We had a great time at Forge

 

VOLUNTEERS WANTED


 

 

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

 

Don’t Forget: There is no Friday Night Youth, this evening (Friday 14th November); back next week.
 

Satellites 2026: We have announced that, next summer in 2026, we are taking our young people to a youth festival, satellites, down at the Bath & West showground in Somerset. This is an amazing opportunity for them to experience faith alongside so many other young people their age. If you wish your young person to come along, please book as soon as possible to access the 'early bird' ticket that they offer. For any more information about travel or prices, please feel free to contact the youth team (Hannah Applegarth or Sorcha Brown).

 

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

 

Christmas Craft Day: The annual Christmas Craft event for over 16-year-olds is on Saturday 29th November from 10am-3pm. Please book by 22nd November. Crafts on offer include: marzipan fruits; cards; cake snowmen, felt brooches, paper decorations, paper flowers and doorsteps/draught excluders. As well as crafts there will be songs and more and refreshments including a simple soup and cake lunch. Cost £7, lunch included (pay on the day). Book a place via ChurchSuite or collect a form from the office.

 

Open Doors: Saturday 15th November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Throughout the day, Open Doors will journey through eight themes – including the World Watch List Top Ten countries, secret believers, courageous women, India, Africa, and more. Each theme will be woven together with times of reflection and creative ways to pray. You can find full details of both in-person and online events and book here: Serving Persecuted Christians Worldwide IDOP Prayer Vigil - Open Doors UK & Ireland

 

Church Walk: Sunday 16th November meet in the Hub to leave at 2.30pm to car share to Bedford Park for a walk and refreshments at The Pavilion at the Park.

 

Go4Gold:  Friday 21th November @ 1.45pm. Visiting speakers: Martin and Mandy Harris. ‘From Christ Church to Christ Church’. Now retired, former vicar Martin and his wife Mandy share their stories and tell of how God has led them over the years. No booking needed, just turn up, refreshments provided (suggested donation £1). 

 

Men’s Breakfast: is on Saturday 22nd November at 9am at Christ Church.  We should conclude at 10:30am. Numerous breakfast options available with perhaps the most popular being the egg and/or bacon and/or sausage bap plus tea/coffee etc.  Also available are cereal, croissants, toast, jam, orange juice etc. If you are vegetarian and would prefer a veggie option instead please let me know (mens.breakfast@ccbedford.org).  All for the bargain price of £3 (free on first visit). No need to sign up, just turn up on the day as we would love to see you. This is a valuable time to build up friendships and develop support networks. We hope you can join us.

 

O magnum mysterium: Sunday 23rd November at St Mary’s Church, Goldington at 7.30, a fascinating exploration of the wonder and mystery of the incarnation accompanied by some beautiful choral music (sung by a semi-professional choir of 8 singers) with scripture readings and seasonal poetry. The concert is free with a retiring collection.

Bedford Foodbank Shopping List: The most needed items at the moment are: tinned tuna/meat/rice pudding/sweetcorn, jars of coffee/cooking sauces, bars of chocolate, biscuits,  laundry tablets & long-life fruit juice. Thank you for your donations.
 

 

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:

Login