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Kingdom Community
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It begins at home...

At our vision evening this year we talked about mission trips and our aspiration that people would have a taste of going on mission.

Why not sign up as soon as you finish this letter. You don't have to be fit or fast to do the 10K- just able to keep going. In previous years we have had some of the fastest and slowest times of all race entries, and it's camaraderie wherever you finish.

The Noise bookings are also open for the May bank holiday weekend with even more of Bristol covered, http://www.thenoise.org.uk/  

 

On Earth As In Heaven (7PM Series)

In this series, we look at the tensions of being both people who live on Earth now and people who have a sense of Heaven and how that affects our viewpoints and interactions with a world that desperately needs God's love.

ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN: Kingdom Politics, Michael Wear 26/03/17

Michael Wear is the founder of Public Square Strategies LLC, and a leading expert and strategist at the intersection of faith, politics and American public life. As one of President Obama's "ambassadors to America's believers" (Buzzfeed), Michael directed faith outreach for President Obama’s historic 2012 re-election campaign.

ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN: Kingdom Calling, Dave Mitchell 19/03/17

How powerful is the act of sharing communion in our experience? Do you feel comfortable about sharing at small group and pastorate level in this? Is it OK to be informal in our practice?

ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN: King Jesus, Tim Dobson 26/03/17

This talk finishes our Kingdom series, but launches us into our next, which leads us up to Easter. In John 10: 22 onwards Jesus makes strong claims about who he is, and is almost killed; in John 11 he raises Lazarus from the dead in an outstanding miracle which speaks deeply about his authority but also precipitates the
chain of events leading to his crucifixion. 

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Holy Series (7PM Series)

“Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses.” - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Holiness isn’t an easy word for us. To be Holy can sometimes seem to be all about withdrawal from the world. Jesus, the Holy one shows us what Holiness is like as he went to parties and mixed with people that religious people found uncomfortable.

HOLY: Set Apart, Tim & Matt Dobson 05/02/17

Holiness isn’t an easy word for us. To be Holy can sometimes seem to be all about withdrawal from the world. Jesus, the Holy one shows us what Holiness is like as he went to parties and mixed with people that religious people found uncomfortable. How can we be holy and engage with what can seem a very hedonistic or godless world at times? Does it ‘defile us or do we sanctify it? Explore as a group how these tensions play out in your lives as individuals, but also as ‘Church’. 

HOLY: Relationships, Clare Thompson 12/02/17

Perhaps there is a particular link between Holy Communion shared together and keeping relationships in the Church family whole. Next week we will think about this but why not in small group consider how you can have holy relationships between each person in that community. Would you make any differences in your behaviour and practice?

HOLY: Communion, Dave Mitchell 19/02/17

How powerful is the act of sharing communion in our experience? Do you feel comfortable about sharing at small group and pastorate level in this? Is it OK to be informal in our practice?

HOLY: Temptation Dave Mitchell 26/02/17

Is it possible that Spiritual growth and Spiritual authority occur through facing and resisting temptation? It seems a risky strategy for God to allow us to be tested, but is there a link and a difference between testing and tempting? Can God use even the strategies of Satan to get His own will done? Jesus prayed for Peter in his time of trial (Luke 22:31). The good news is that if we fail God doesn’t give up on us. Have you asked people to pray for you in your own trials and temptations? Are you quick to come back to God after a real failure?

Father (7PM Series)

At the start of 2017, we want to relook at what it means to have God as our Father - understanding that in a deeper, more profound way will not only change the way we view our own lives but it will change the way we view and interact with the world.

FATHER: Identity Dave Mitchell 01/01/17

As we begin a new year in a rocky world, how secure is our identity as God’s children? 

Bible Ref: 1 John 3:1 Romans 8:15
Download Study notes

FATHER: Obedience Rob Scott-Cook 08/01/17

New Year is a time of resolutions. This New Year, evaluate your relationship with Father God. Do you trust him enough to obey him even when it is costly?

Bible Ref. Hosea 11, Hebrews 5:7
Download Study notes

FATHER: Asking / Prayerweek Clare Thompson, 15/01/17

What are the ‘earnest desires’, the deep things we need to pray about? Why not seek the Holy Spirit who ‘searches the deep things’ to help us to pray?

Bible Ref: Luke 11, James 1:5
Download Study notes

FATHER'S CARE & Love Running launch Philip Jinadu, 22/01/17

As we look at the Father's heart for us, we look at what the Father's heart is for others; we also launch Love Running 2017.

Bible Ref: Luke 11, James 1:5
Download Study notes

FATHER: Worship Special, Dave Mitchell, 29/01/17

As we finish this little series on ‘Father’ review how much of a positive reality for you it is to be able to call God ‘Father’. How does that affect your prayer and conversation with God? How much more of a revelation of His Father’s heart for you is there for you to press into?

Bible Ref: Ephesians 1
Download Study notes

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

7PM Christmas 2016

Christmas was full and crazy in 2016 with our fullest suite of events ever - with Carols by Laserlight, A Little Swing Christmas, Carols by Candleight, Crib Service, A Little Folky Christmas, Midnight Communion and of course Christmas Day. 

Watch the trailer for the 2016 Christmas season or watch some of the highlight talks below. 

CAROLS BY LASERLIGHT Joey Mitchell, 03/12/16

Yep the haze machine went a bit crazy in 2016, nevertheless here is Joey smashing it out of the park at Laserlight.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT, Bev Dobson, recorded 11/12/16. 

The delightful Bev Dobson takes gives us a few seasonal things to think about and ponder at Christmas time.

 

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Heroes of Faith (7PM Series)

The Old Testament is literally full of biblically sized heroes, yet despite being written many years ago - how were they like us, how did God speak to them and what can we learn from these heroes of faith?

HEROES OF FAITH: Elisha - Faith for Miracles, Rob Scott Cook 06/11/16

Faith for miracles. Deep in the history of Israel we read of a prophet who is used by God to heal the sick, raise the dead, multiply food, and bring extraordinary revelation. What was the secret of Elisha's anointing for miracles? Can faith release similar miracles today?Bible Ref: 2 Kings

HEROES OF FAITH: David - Faith for Warfare, Clare Thompson 13/11/16

Faith for Warfare. David's battle with Goliath is one of the best known stories in the bible. God seems to enjoy using apparently insignificant people to win great victories. Can the story of David help us find faith to face our Goliath's and see God's victories. Bible Ref: 1 Samuel 17:45-47

HEROES OF FAITH: Hannah - Faith to Pray, Tim Dobson 20/11/16

Faith to pray. Real faith has the capacity to persevere in prayer in the face of disappointment. Hannah took her disappointment to God and saw extraordinary fruit from her prayer. Bible Ref: 1 Samuel 1&2

HEROES OF FAITH: Abraham - Faith to Obey, Jon Wilcox 27/11/16

Faith to obey. Sometimes faith is a long obedience in the same direction. That was Abraham's life; he is fittingly called the father of faith. Bible Ref: Hebrews 11v8; Genesis

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

A Culture of Faith (7PM Series)

Faith isn't something that is like a book that we bring down off the shelf whenever we talk about Christianity. Faith is something that is interwoven into our being, perspectives and understanding - so how do we not only have a culture of faith, how do we have a life full of faith?

A CULTURE OF FAITH: The Goodness of God, Clare Thompson 02/10/16

Someone once said 'the opposite of faith is certainty'. How hard is it for us to trust in the invisible God? We want our community at Woodlands to have confidence in the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ so we can reveal the invisible God to the world he loves so much. Our sermon series begins this Sunday with Faith in the goodness of God'.

Bible Ref: Ephesians 2v4

 

A CULTURE OF FAITH: Saving Faith, Dave Mitchell 09/10/16

What's the difference between believing in God and having faith in God? And if you have faith in God does it mean you don't have to 'do' anything to be a Christian and go to heaven? Even at the time of the early Church there were tensions about ‘faith’ and ‘works’ and how discipleship and a holy life fitted into a doctrine of faith and grace. So, what does it mean to have a saving faith?

Bible Ref: Galatians 2v16-21

 

A CULTURE OF FAITH: Faith in spite of circumstances, Rob Scott Cook 16/10/16

The book of Job is part of the ‘wisdom literature’ of the bible. Using the medium of story it is a fascinating account of the challenge of holding on to faith in God when circumstances are at their worst. It provides a ‘case study’ that is timeless in exploring what it means to keep faith in God when there is suffering and he seems far away.

Bible Ref: Book of Job

 

A CULTURE OF FAITH: 'Both-And' Faith, Nigel Savage 23/10/16

A gift is something you usually get straight away. A fruit takes time to grow and we need to wait for it. Faith is described in the bible both as a gift and a fruit of the Spirit. What's the difference and do we need both aspects? And how do we find faith in the everydayness?

Bible Ref: 1 Corinthians 12v9

 

A CULTURE OF FAITH: Faith & Worship, Dave Mitchell and April Ballard 30/10/16

“For when we cease to worship God, we do not worship nothing, we worship anything.” ― G.K. Chesterton. Faith in God is best expressed in worship and it's a priority for us at Woodlands whenever we gather together.

Bible Ref: 1 Corinthians 14

 

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Great Expectations (7PM Series)

A 4 part series looking at some of the DNA of Woodlands Church.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Sunday, Tim Dobson 04/09/16 

It is remarkable how quickly the early Church, a community rooted in Judaism, with the Sabbath (the 7th day) as a sacred day, pivotal to their national identity, took on Sunday, the first day of the week as their defining gathering day. 

It’s also interesting how in our contemporary culture, the practice of keeping Sunday special is disappearing. Is Sunday still 'special'? Is there a blessing to discover in keeping that Sunday weekly rhythm of worship?

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Sunday, Dave Mitchell 11/09/16

Jesus equates ‘greatness in the kingdom of God’ with servant hood. The early church saw servant hood as a privilege and an 'imitation' of Christ, the servant king. To be called by God into his service is part of discipleship. 

To serve means to use the gifts God has graciously given us and to see those gifts grow. Serving God involves both serving in Church and serving in the world. How can service be a blessing for us as well as those we are serving?

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Giving, Ed Marsh 18/09/16

The Old Testament has a lot to say about giving in the context of worship based around the practice of tithes and offerings. These offerings were a way of responding with gratitude to God for his mercies and the New Testament builds on this foundation with practices that demonstrate radical generosity, ‘in view of God’s mercy.’ Something about the nature of the kingdom of God is expressed in generous giving; how do we make this a key part of our discipleship today?

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Belonging, Rob Scott-Cook 25/09/16

Church is the community of God’s people. So significant was this idea to Paul that one of his favourite metaphors for the Church was ‘the body’, with the implication that we are as vitally connected to one another as the organs in the human body are. If we are really to ‘belong’ we need to find our place in community. When Church becomes large it can become anonymous. 

Most of us thrive when we are known and know people. Being known is key to participation and discipleship. Jesus was at ease in crowds and attracted crowds but did his discipleship mainly amongst a group of twelve.

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Summer Open Themes (7PM Series)

During this summer season we revisited some previous topics and also gave our speakers some summer freedom...

MAKING SPACE FOR PRAYER, Rob Scott Cook 07/08/16

Please note, due to a technical error this message is just audio.

BE STILL AND KNOW, Tim Dobson 14/08/16
Be still and know: Your true self - Your enemy  - Your God. Bible Ref. Psalm 46

REST OF SOUL, Dave Mitchell 21/08/16
Bible Ref. Psalm 103

RESTORED SOUL, Nigel Savage 28/08/16
Bible Ref. Psalm 1

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Hello. We are the 'Burger Church' :)

Every year we put on a huge free BBQ to welcome students to Bristol. Freshers' Week is lots of fun, but it can also be a bit stressful and disorienting, especially if you're new...

With this in mind, we figure a tasty burger and a warm welcome might help Bristol feel a little friendlier for folk who are just settling in. So tell your friends, get involved - and don't buy lunch in freshers' week! #BurgerChurch.

Wider Witness (7PM Series)

We're called to share our lives and faith in our homes, workplaces and beyond but what does it mean to be a witness in a wider modern world today?

WIDER WITNESS: Following God's Initiative, Clare Thompson 03/07/16

The book of Acts describes some amazing conversions, not least the story of Cornelius in Acts 10. Very often these seem to be initiated by something miraculous happening to the convert prior to faith. How can we see more of that kind of 'divine appointment' happening today? Bible Ref: Acts 10-11

WIDER WITNESS: Kingdom Conflict, Dave Mitchell 10/07/16

Is the message of Jesus so powerful and challenging that it arouses opposition? Does the work of God's spirit provoke demonic opposition? C.S.Lewis once said 'Miracles and Martyrdom go together. What should we expect about conflict today? Bible Ref. Acts 12, 16, 19

WIDER WITNESS: Kingdom and Culture, Rachel Riddall 17/07/16

How can we bring a distinctive 'Kingdom ' culture in our witness without being weird? How does cultural sensitivity avoid cultural compromise? The early Church had to face these topical tensions too. Bible Ref. Acts 14, 15

WIDER WITNESS: Kingdom and Culture Out of Antioch, Dave Mitchell 24/07/16

The most powerful cross cultural mission of the Church came not out of Jerusalem, but Antioch. Bristol has 120 nationalities resident in the City. Can we be an 'Antioch' today? Bible Ref. Acts 13, 18

WIDER WITNESS: The Power of Testimony, Joey Mitchell 31/07/16

Worship Special; Testimony is amazing. It's not an argument, it's a witness. It can move us, teach and inspire us. Paul's testimony is recorded at least three times in the book of Acts. How often do we share ours? Bible Ref. Acts 20, 22

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Momentum For Mission (7PM Series)

At the end of his time on earth, before he ascended to the Father Jesus gave two instructions to his disciples, ‘Stay’ and ‘Go’.  The ‘go’ is the ‘great commission’ at the end of Matthew’s gospel and referenced in Acts 1:8 is a call to make disciples of ‘all nations’, to go to ‘the ends of the earth’. The ‘stay’ is ‘stay in Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49) referenced in Acts 1:4.

MOMENTUM FOR MISSION: Reaching your city, Tim Dobson 01/05/16

This weekend lots of volunteers are serving our City in 'The Noise' project. We are exploring on Sunday the tension in some of the last words of Jesus between 'staying' and 'going' in His great commission. Do we 'stay' until we are ready, or are we equipped by going? Bible Ref. Acts 1v1-8

MOMENTUM FOR MISSION: Momentum & Balance, Rob Scott-Cook  08/05/16

Do we want a well balanced Church or a Church that is on the move and has momentum? Well 'both-and' is the right answer. The book of Acts shows how the early Church found balance while keeping moving. It's just like a bicycle really! Bible Ref. (Acts Overview)

MOMENTUM FOR MISSION: Pentecost Power, Dave Mitchell 15/05/16

Happy Birthday Church! We celebrate the day the fire fell, the wind blew, and the Church was launched into its calling. Bible Ref. Acts

MOMENTUM FOR MISSION: Kingdom Generosity, Rachel Riddall 22/05/16

Money matters. A spirit of generosity typified the early Church and enabled great things to happen. What should our model be for giving financially to the work of God today? Bible Ref. Acts 4v32-37

Like what you've seen? Find more talks and videos on the Woodlands Church sermons & talks page.

Woodlands Church, Belgrave Road, Bristol BS8 2AA