Podcast 7pm: False Friends: Overcoming Performance Orientation - Clare Thompson

February 10th 2019, False Friends: Overcoming Performance Orientation (Luke 15:11–32)

Performance Orientation is ‘the tendency to need to prove your worth to yourself and to others through performing well.’ Most of us struggle with it until we begin to see it more clearly and it can be a real slave driver. Performance Orientation can spill over into our relationship with God, where we can feel convinced that we are only loved when we are good. Leads to striving, anxiety, discouragement burnout and sometimes to giving up altogether. Scripture tells us that we are loved by God before we love or perform for him. His unconditional love and acceptance forms the foundation of our lives in Him and freedom comes as we learn to believe it!

Group discussion notes available here

Love Running Registration Deadline

Registration for Love Running closes at the end of Sunday 10th Feb. To join in with the Bristol 10k on Sunday 5th May please register your place on the Love Running website here

False Friends: Self Pity - Clare Thompson

February 3rd 2019: False Friends: Overcoming Self Pity (Jonah 3:9 - 4:11)

Self pity is defined as‘ excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one's own troubles’ and no one likes to think of themselves as having it! Deceptive because it can feel comforting and familiar, it reminds us of all the hurts we’ve experienced from life and at hands of others and can keep us living in the past. Scripture tells us that whilst God has great compassion for those that suffer He also calls his people to move into freedom from the past and to forgive those who have hurt us. It can be uncomfortable journey!.

Group discussion notes available here

The Noise 2019

We are excited to announce the Noise weekend for 2019! Following on from the amazing time we had with hundreds of other Christians last year for Hope Bristol 2018, we are back again to the regular May Bank Holiday Noise weekend (4th-6th May). It will be the same kind of community action projects as last year in the more needy parts of Bristol alongside free family fun afternoons and activities for senior citizens.

We realise that the Bristol 10k has been moved to the same weekend, but we hope those taking part in Love Running, could find time to volunteer for the Noise too, as we see God’s love being shown to our city in practical ways. You can volunteer for one day or the whole weekend, you can book in as an individual, a group or a family. Visit the Noise website for more details, and let’s show the communities of Bristol that there is a God that loves them.

Podcast 7pm: False Friends: Self Pity - Clare Thompson

February 3rd 2019: False Friends: Overcoming Self Pity (Jonah 3:9 - 4:11)

Self pity is defined as‘ excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one's own troubles’ and no one likes to think of themselves as having it! Deceptive because it can feel comforting and familiar, it reminds us of all the hurts we’ve experienced from life and at hands of others and can keep us living in the past. Scripture tells us that whilst God has great compassion for those that suffer He also calls his people to move into freedom from the past and to forgive those who have hurt us. It can be uncomfortable journey!.

Group discussion notes available here

False Friends: Self Pity - Nigel Savage

February 3rd 2019: False Friends: Overcoming Self Pity (Jonah 3:9 - 4:11)

Self pity is defined as‘ excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one's own troubles’ and no one likes to think of themselves as having it! Deceptive because it can feel comforting and familiar, it reminds us of all the hurts we’ve experienced from life and at hands of others and can keep us living in the past. Scripture tells us that whilst God has great compassion for those that suffer He also calls his people to move into freedom from the past and to forgive those who have hurt us. It can be uncomfortable journey!.

Group discussion notes available here

Podcast 11am: False Friends: Self Pity - Nigel Savage

February 3rd 2019: False Friends: Overcoming Self Pity (Jonah 3:9 - 4:11)

Self pity is defined as‘ excessive, self-absorbed unhappiness over one's own troubles’ and no one likes to think of themselves as having it! Deceptive because it can feel comforting and familiar, it reminds us of all the hurts we’ve experienced from life and at hands of others and can keep us living in the past. Scripture tells us that whilst God has great compassion for those that suffer He also calls his people to move into freedom from the past and to forgive those who have hurt us. It can be uncomfortable journey!.

Group discussion notes available here

Podcast 7pm: Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah - David Mitchell

January 20th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 1:1-11).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray.Nehemiah opens with a wonderful prayer, but throughout the book there are constant references to short ‘arrow prayers’ he prays in the midst of his very active life. Download Discussion notes

Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah - Tim Dobson

January 20th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 1:1-11).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray.Nehemiah opens with a wonderful prayer, but throughout the book there are constant references to short ‘arrow prayers’ he prays in the midst of his very active life. Download Discussion notes

Podcast 11am: Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah - Tim Dobson

January 20th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 1:1-11).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray.Nehemiah opens with a wonderful prayer, but throughout the book there are constant references to short ‘arrow prayers’ he prays in the midst of his very active life. Download Discussion notes

Job vacancy as Safeguarding Co-ordinator

Across Woodlands group of Churches we have the amazing opportunity of caring for and reaching out to 100s of children and young people. We take our safeguarding very seriously and so we are advertising for a six month paid role as "Woodlands Group of Churches Safeguarding Co-ordinator"

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop safeguarding practice and policy across the group of churches. You will have experience in safeguarding, you will be organised, a good communicator and able to work closely with others within a team. You will be a member of the WGOC and will work across all sites and congregations. If you are interested please contact Julia.Shrimpton@woodlandschurch.net for the job description or speak to Louise Hughes (trustee with responsibility for safeguarding) for more information. Closing date for applications is Feb 9th.

Podcast: Love Running 2019 - Philip Jinadu

January 13th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Jesus. Luke 11.1-13 (c.f. Matthew 6:5-14) Love Running 2019.

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. Pre-eminent of course is Jesus himself. The one thing we read his disciples asking him to teach them is to pray. In Luke 11 Jesus does this, not just in the great and universal prayer of the Church, the Lord’s prayer, but on in the following verses about the spirit in which we petition God. Download Discussion notes

Praying with the Saints: Praying with David - David Mitchell

January 27th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with David. (2 Samuel 12:16-23. 2 Samuel:22. Psalm 51).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. David is described as a man after God’s own heart, and in his story, and in the many psalms that reflect his prayer and worship life we see an extraordinary intimacy with God. How is intimacy with God revealed in the different mood and practices of David’s prayer life? Download Discussion notes

Praying with the Saints: Praying with David - Hellie Brunt

January 27th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with David. (2 Samuel 12:16-23. 2 Samuel:22. Psalm 51).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. David is described as a man after God’s own heart, and in his story, and in the many psalms that reflect his prayer and worship life we see an extraordinary intimacy with God. How is intimacy with God revealed in the different mood and practices of David’s prayer life? Download Discussion notes

Podcast 11am: Praying with the Saints: Praying with David - David Mitchell

January 27th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with David. (2 Samuel 12:16-23. 2 Samuel:22. Psalm 51).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. David is described as a man after God’s own heart, and in his story, and in the many psalms that reflect his prayer and worship life we see an extraordinary intimacy with God. How is intimacy with God revealed in the different mood and practices of David’s prayer life? Download Discussion notes

Podcast 7pm: Praying with the Saints: Praying with David - Hellie Brunt

January 27th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with David. (2 Samuel 12:16-23. 2 Samuel:22. Psalm 51).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray. David is described as a man after God’s own heart, and in his story, and in the many psalms that reflect his prayer and worship life we see an extraordinary intimacy with God. How is intimacy with God revealed in the different mood and practices of David’s prayer life? Download Discussion notes

Strength Bible School is back!

Strength Bible School starts it’s four week course on Thursday 7th Feb 7.45pm for 8pm start in the crypt at Woodlands. We all need strength in our lives and God’s word is food for our souls, encouragement for our minds and inspiration for our spirits. This term we will be studying the book of Hebrews, seeing some of the fascinating links between the Old Testament and the New Testament understanding of who Jesus is. Click here to book in. All welcome, whatever your existing Bible knowledge.

Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah - David Mitchell

January 20th 2019. Praying with the Saints: Praying with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 1:1-11).

The Bible includes the prayers of many great men and women of God which are incredibly helpful in teaching us how to pray.Nehemiah opens with a wonderful prayer, but throughout the book there are constant references to short ‘arrow prayers’ he prays in the midst of his very active life. Download Discussion notes

Refresh Women's Conference 2nd Feb

Women's Refresh morning Sat 2nd Feb

An opportunity for women from all the Woodies congregations to get together to worship, hear from God and be refreshed when winter seems to be dragging on and before our women’s conference on June 22nd.

Hellie Brunt will be sharing about hearing from God and there will be lots of worship led by Carly Webster with time for prayer and listening to God for ourselves and others. Pastries and refreshments at 9.30 and tickets are £3 Book here

It's Prayer Week!

Let’s get praying! There are loads of events going on throughout Prayer Week across the Woodlands Group of Churches. To find out more on what’s happening at Woodies check out our Prayer page here