Sunday 14th December 

 

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 13th December

 

 

shineyourlight.org.uk: There will be three opportunities to ‘come and shine your light’ and sing carols with other Bedford Christians in Bedford Town Centre on 13th December: 11am HOPE Gazebo in front of Peacocks, Allhallows; 12 Noon outside Primark, Midland Road or at 2pm at the Gazebo.

 

 

Sunday 14th December


The Third Sunday of Advent


9am -  Morning Worship – Advent 3 (Matthew 11.2-11) – Michael Bishop
 
          10.05am - Prayer Meeting – in Room 4 for approx. 20 minutes

10.30am - Holy Communion – As above

 

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

 

1.15pm - BBC Songs of Praise Shines Their Light! BBC One’s Songs of Praise on Sunday 14th December at 1.15pm is focused on Bedford this week, in a special Christmas episode entitled Christmas Joy.

 


7pm - Sundays@Seven – Contemporary Christmas Service – Hannah Applegarth

Services in the coming week


Wednesday 17th December

10am - Holy Communion – followed by refreshments
 

Sunday 21st December

9am -  Holy Communion – Advent 4 (Matthew 1:18-25) – Ben Williams

         

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

10.30am - Morning Worship – As above

7pm - Carols by Candlelight – David Thomas

Church Family News

 

Congratulations to Steve and Julia Lawrence on the arrival of their first grandchild, Isaiah Joseph Ellis, 8lb 7oz, born 11th December to Evie and Joe Ellis

Our Christmas Cards to those on the electoral roll are available to collect from the Hub.

Christmas Cards to church members: If you wish to send a Christmas card to our church family, please place in the office slot of the pigeonholes and we will display them.

For your prayers this week 

The Third Sunday of Advent: God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Please pray for:

  • The Shine Your Light Carol singing happening in the town centre on Saturday, and all the SYL events taking place all over the country.

  • All those suffering with flu and other seasonal bugs, for health, rest and the strength to do what needs doing.

  • Those who feel isolated and vulnerable at this time.

  • Peace where there is conflict, especially the places where no end seems in sight.

Children's Ministry and Events
 

THIS SUNDAY: 14th December

 

 

FOR ADVENT:

An advent story link

 

Red and green Christmas colouring sheet

 

 

COMING UP THIS WEEK


NEXT SUNDAY

 

 

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

 

Youth Blog

We have started a youth blog! Once a month we will give you an insight into our youth ministry. You will be able to read what we are getting up to and the fun we're having. So far we have blogged about our youth weekend away and what our youth alpha looks like in our Friday Nights Small Groups.

Find all our blogs on the church website in the 'youth ministry' section in 'connect' or follow this link: https://ccbedford.org/Groups/452353/Youth_Blog.aspx

Happy Reading! :)

 

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 standard ticket that they offer (price goes up on 27th February). For any more information about travel or prices, please feel free to contact the youth team: email either 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

 

 

Go4Gold Christmas Celebration:Friday 19th December @ 1.45pm in the Church Halls. Come and sing your favourite carols, accompanied by Ben Williams. No booking needed, just turn up, refreshments provided (suggested donation £1).

 

Men’s Breakfast: is on Saturday 20th December 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.

 

 

Are you looking for something to do with your children once the schools break for the Christmas holidays?

Something to keep them occupied in the days leading up to the big day?

Following the success of our 2024 competition, Christ Church is running another Gingerbread House Decorating Competition on the 22nd December 2025.

For families with children and young people

 

You can also book via this link https://ccbedford.churchsuite.com/-/forms/mogb4mfp


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.

The last Foodbank distribution at Christ Church in 2025 is on Tuesday 23rd December.

 
 
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.

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: