St Paul's stands at the very heart of the County Town of Bedford and serves both as a Parish Church and as the Civic and County Church of Bedfordshire. With its busy programme of daily services, the church seeks to be open for pilgrims and visitors alike, and to offer a haven of tranquillity at the centre of this busy borough.

 

 

 

 

In addition to services, visitors are welcome each day between

10 am and 4 pm, unless specifically indicated in the Diary.

 

On Saturdays, tea, coffee and light refreshments are available in the Anderson Room at the West End of the Church from 10 am   -  4.30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

For details of our services on Sundays and throughout the week, please click here

This Week's Notices

 

The Summer series of Tuesday Lunchtime Concerts continues this week at 1.10 pm., with a recital by Ffinian Jones - piano. Light lunches are available from 12 noon in the Narthex area.

 

Lent boxes should be returned to church or to Cliff Harris c/o Parish Office for offering at the altar as soon as possible please.

 

May Market - Next Saturday 12 May!  Do come along enjoy refreshments of varied kinds and listen to the music, while supporting our fundraising efforts.  Contributions, especially attractive raffle prizes, large or small, cakes, plants, gifts and books all very welcome.  Contact David or Rita (217406) to offer help or for more information.

 

There is a Food Bank running in Bedford, which provides emergency stocks of food for those in need.  Donations of tinned goods and packets can be left in the box by the Welcomers corner, and will be taken regularly to the distribution centre at Brickhill Baptist.  A list of suitable items is also available by the box.

 

Christian Aid Week is coming May 13 - 19.  Please be ready to distribute to local streets.  Packs are available in the South Aisle.  See Wendy Jones or Cliff Harris for more details.

 

Additional urgent help is needed on Saturday and Sunday mornings by the Coffee rota team who provide refreshments.  Anyone who can help with this valuable piece of hospitality should speak to the Vicar or Rita Brereton asap.

 

The Service of Welcome for the new Bishop of Bedford takes place on Saturday 19 May at 4 pm.  This follows his consecration in St Paul’s Cathedral on Ascension Day, Thursday 17 May at 11 am.  Anyone who would like to join the congregation here for the Service of Welcome should sign the list at the back of the church as soon as possible.

 

The Special Service to mark HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Lord Lieutenant’s Service for Voluntary Organisations is on Sunday 27 May at 3 pm.  The preacher will be the new Bishop of Bedford.  This is the  last opportunity for anyone wishing to attend that service  to sign the list at the back of the church.

 

The Spire for May is available at the back of the church.

 

Deanery Synod elections for 2012-2015   There are 7 spaces for the laity of the Deanery of Bedford.  Any regular communicant member of the electoral roll is eligible to stand for election for one of these vacancies.  Nomination forms are available from the Vicar and have to be returned to the Rural Dean (Revd Richard Hibbert) by noon on Tuesday 22 May 2012.  Do prayerfully consider if you would like to be involved in the Diocese in this positive way.  

 

Congratulations and good wishes to Emma Pridden who has been recommended for training for the Ordained Ministry following a Churches Selection Conference which she attended after Easter.

THE OUTLINE HISTORY AND WALK-ROUND GUIDE TO ST PAUL’S CHURCH is available - price £4.99 from the Church Office

(Tuesday to Friday: 10.00am - 12.45pm & 1.00 - 3.00pm)

or telephone 01234 340163

email office@stpaulsbedford.efhmail.com

 

 

'St Paul's...

Community welcomes you as you read this guidebook

and walk around this

Beautiful church.'

 

RICHARD INWOOD

Former Bishop of Bedford