Ben Cooley is the co-founder and CEO of Hope for Justice, an international anti-trafficking organisation working to bring an end to modern slavery by rescuing victims, restoring lives and reforming society. Its effective and proven model is replicable, scalable, and widely admired. Hope for Justice is actively working across three continents to change lives and end slavery.
Ben will be with us at the 9.15am, 11am & 7pm services on 11 February 2018.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Woodlands Church
1. Pray that our appetite for prayer and communing with our Father would deepen. That God would put a growing hunger for prayer in us this week that continues.
2. Pray that many people would come along to our Alpha course which starts on January 24th, especially guests who came along to our different Christmas services. For people to meet Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
3. Pray for a special increase in the presence of God this week at our services, gathered prayer times and activities as we serve the city. That his Holy Spirit would be at work in everything we do and we would look to him and follow.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Woodlands Metro.
1. Development of our mid-week groups and community life. We want to strengthen our existing Hubs and start up new ones.
2. Alpha and people coming to faith. Pray that we're able to have a good number of people engaging with Alpha this term, as well as leaders to run the group.
3. Development and delivery of the Metro mentoring system. Pray that God helps us with our initiative to disciple members and develop leaders.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Highgrove Church.
1. Pray for a fruitful and life transforming witness of Highgrove in Seamills, esp in local schools, community cafe on the square and among friends and neighbours.
2. Pray for our youth ministry which is growing, ask God to provide some great leaders who are passionate about serving in this crucial area of ministry in our church and community.
3. Deepening discipleship for those who are new and not so new to faith, that each person would find their place in the church community.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Community Church.
1. That as a congregation and as individuals we would make time to and learn how to 'keep in step with the Holy Spirit'.
2. Pray that in all our activities, food bank, chaplaincy at Southmead Hospital, childrens/youth groups, life recovery group etc we would respond to the Holy Spirit's leading as we encourage, prophesy over and minister to those we serve.
3. We long for people to come to know Jesus, please pray that those we mingle with in our families, neighbourhood, workplaces and church would meet Jesus personally and have their eyes opened to his love and grace.
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
Branch Church
1. Pray for Matt Smith and Miriam as they move to Branch and serve that church and community.
2. Pray for seeds that have been planted in the past in Brentry to grow and bear fruit this year.
3. Pray for the families and young people that Branch interact with through the children's centre and wider community. Pray for lots of opportunities for Branch for share Jesus love with them.
January 14th 2018. Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer and Worship. Luke 18. Prayer defines the life of Jesus. He is a man of prayer, a son who talks to his Father. Prayer was something he taught his disciples as a model, as a discipline that marks a disciple, (the sermon on the mount) and as something to persevere in. Download Discussion notes
January 14th 2018. Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer and Worship. Luke 18. Prayer defines the life of Jesus. He is a man of prayer, a son who talks to his Father. Prayer was something he taught his disciples as a model, as a discipline that marks a disciple, (the sermon on the mount) and as something to persevere in. Download Discussion notes
January 14th 2018. Up In Out: UP. Revelation 2:1-7. Mike Brean, formerly the vicar of St Thomas Crooks, Sheffield, uses ‘life shapes’, kingdom geometry to help visualise some dynamics of discipleship (c.f. the Passionate Church by Brean and Kallestad ISBN: 0-78144-227-3). The balanced life is symbolised by the triangle which point to three essential dynamics of Christianity, orientation upwards toward God, inwards in fellowship and discipleship and outwards into service and mission in the world. One of the scary research facts about Christian leaders is how little time they spend in prayer, and this can seem to be reflected in the life of Churches too. Download Discussion notes
January 14th 2018. Up In Out: UP. Revelation 2:1-7. Mike Brean, formerly the vicar of St Thomas Crooks, Sheffield, uses ‘life shapes’, kingdom geometry to help visualise some dynamics of discipleship (c.f. the Passionate Church by Brean and Kallestad ISBN: 0-78144-227-3). The balanced life is symbolised by the triangle which point to three essential dynamics of Christianity, orientation upwards toward God, inwards in fellowship and discipleship and outwards into service and mission in the world. One of the scary research facts about Christian leaders is how little time they spend in prayer, and this can seem to be reflected in the life of Churches too. Download Discussion notes
Every day during PrayerWeek we’re asking you to pray for one of our congregations. Watch the short video and then pray, its as simple as that! If you have any feedback, prophetic words or general encouragement's do send them in via our website.
All Saints.
1. Relationships with local families to deepen and bear fruit and an end to some anti-social behaviour directed at the church.
2. Pray for Little Saints toddler group, the girls group, Growing Saints kids group. For growth in these children's/teenagers faith and for those that lead the groups too.
3. Wisdom for the church leaders as they steward growth and raise up new leaders.
Come and join us for 'Space' 10pm-midnight in The Main Hall at Woodlands Church. It's an opportunity to join in with our PrayerWeek in 'our extension of the PrayerRoom' where we will be praying and listening to God all whilst being in an atmosphere of worship!
7th January 2018 Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting and Feasting (Mark 2:18) At Christmas fasting often follows feasting. After the indulgence of Christmas comes the dieting of the New Year! In the New testament it is the other way round. Fasting precedes Feasting. John the Baptist is the fasting prophet. Jesus is the Feasting Bridegroom. Download Discussion notes
7th January 2018 Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting and Feasting (Mark 2:18) At Christmas fasting often follows feasting. After the indulgence of Christmas comes the dieting of the New Year! In the New testament it is the other way round. Fasting precedes Feasting. John the Baptist is the fasting prophet. Jesus is the Feasting Bridegroom. Download Discussion notes
January 7th 2018. Up In Out: Re commitment to our call. Luke 6:12-19. Mike Brean, formerly the vicar of St Thomas Crooks, Sheffield, uses ‘life shapes’, kingdom geometry to help visualise some dynamics of discipleship (c.f. the Passionate Church by Brean and Kallestad ISBN: 0-78144-227-3). The balanced life is symbolised by the triangle which point to three essential dynamics of Christianity, orientation upwards toward God, inwards in fellowship and discipleship and outwards into service and mission in the world. Download Discussion notes
January 7th 2018. Up In Out: Re commitment to our call. Luke 6:12-19. Mike Brean, formerly the vicar of St Thomas Crooks, Sheffield, uses ‘life shapes’, kingdom geometry to help visualise some dynamics of discipleship (c.f. the Passionate Church by Brean and Kallestad ISBN: 0-78144-227-3). The balanced life is symbolised by the triangle which point to three essential dynamics of Christianity, orientation upwards toward God, inwards in fellowship and discipleship and outwards into service and mission in the world. Download Discussion notes
When the disciples saw Jesus pray they wanted to pray like him and they asked him to teach them how to do it. Whether you've been praying for years or are just starting out why not start PrayerWeek by saying to Jesus 'teach me how to pray.' Many of us want to start the year getting more healthy and increasing how much we exercise, how about we start 2018 by asking the Holy Spirit to increase our appetites for prayer.
As Rob Scott Cook often says, "Prayer is key for releasing God's purposes in our lives, church and city." I'm excited to think of so many of us praying this week for Gods plans and purposes to be revealed.
It's not just Woodies who will be having a focus on prayer this week, all of our congregations in Woodlands Group of Churches are spending this week praying. That's a lot of prayer. Exciting! To help us pray for our churches across the city, every day we will be posting on social media and emailing out a message from each church with some requests for prayer. We would love it if you could take some time each day to pray for each of our churches and bless them.
When the disciples asked for Jesus help with prayer he replied by teaching them what we now call the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 . It's a great framework for prayer, but it's also a great prayer to pray. We're suggesting that every day this week you take some time to pray the Lord's prayer at midday if your able, you could set an alarm to remind you. I'm so excited to think about hundreds of us scattered across the city wherever we might be pausing and praying the words that Jesus prayed 2000 years ago.
Our 24/7 Prayer room will open on Sunday evening, it's always an amazing space to help you draw near to God, quieten your soul, experience His peace and pray for our church, city and world. If you have never visited it before I'd especially love you book a slot, your hour will fly by! Book in for the Woodlands Church 24/7 Prayer Room here.
It's also a week for us to pray together as church family, there are 3 opportunities and everyone's welcome. Why not come with your small group/pastorate?
If you not sure where to start with prayer, check out these top tips to get you started!
Also we are using the PrayerMate app, so check out our PrayerMate prayer-list which you can download from your phones app store - it's a helpful way to keep track of what your praying for and Woodies will be posting some items for prayer on the app.
James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you...." As we pray lets expect God to speak, he is our loving Father who loves to communicate with his children. If you have any prophetic words, pictures, encouragements you wish to share with the Woodies team you can email them to prayerweek@woodlandschurch.net we'd love to hear them.
Look out for more details coming out soon, have a great prayer week!
Love Rachel
Dec 31st 2017, How to have a happy New Year, Matthew 6 v 19-34. At the start of a New Year as a nation we look backward and look forward. We wish one another a happy New Year. But what makes for true happiness? Download Discussion notes
Dec 31st 2017, How to have a happy New Year, Matthew 6 v 19-34. At the start of a New Year as a nation we look backward and look forward. We wish one another a happy New Year. But what makes for true happiness? Download Discussion notes
Special morning leadership conference for Woodlands group of Churches leaders
Date: Saturday 24th February 2018
Start Time: 9.30 for refreshments
Morning: Worship followed by two sessions from 10.15-11am and 11.30-12.30pm and a ministry opportunity/worship
Input from Mark will be as follows:
Mark Melluish lives in West London where He leads St Paul's Ealing, a vibrant and lively church. He is one of the New Wine London & South East Regional Directors.. He has a particular heart to make church relevant and accessible in today's culture. He is married to Lindsay and proud father to 5 wonderful children. Before entering full-time ministry, Mark was involved in marketing. Under Mark's leadership St Paul's has grown to become a multi-congregational church with one church plant.
Woodlands Church, Belgrave Road, Bristol BS8 2AA
