The Alpha Holy Spirit Afternoon on Saturday 9th March (4-8pm) is open to anyone to learn more about the Holy Spirit. Do register following the link on our Alpha page.
Cathy's Story
Cathy tells her story of finding faith in Jesus.
Woodlands Bible School : Session 2 on Hebrews with Tim Dobson
14th February: Strength Bible School - Hebrews – from a Good to a Better Way (2)
You may feel that you have a good life, but Jesus will always make it better! As we start our series looking at the book of Hebrews, we hope that each of you will take the chance to read through the whole book. Some of it may seem difficult to understand but it is well worth reading. Hebrews helps us to make the link between the Old Testament and Jesus, it reinterprets the Old Testament images of High Priest, Tabernacle and covenant in terms of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Here are some pointers to help you read it well. Download notes here
Baptism and Testimony - Rachel Riddall
February 24th 2019 Baptism and Testimony - Rachel Riddall. (Matthew 28)
Podcast 7pm: Baptism and Testimony - Rachel Riddall
February 24th 2019 Baptism and Testimony (Matthew 28)
False Friends: Escapism Speaker: David Mitchell
February 24th 2019 False Friends: Overcoming Escapism (Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11 and 24-26)
Escapism is ‘the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities,(especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.’ Is this the disease of our age? 21st century culture provides myriad opportunities to escape the sometimes difficult realities of our lives, and more than ever before we are becoming defined by those choices. The problem with escapism is that if we use to it avoid the pain of difficult moments, anxiety or loneliness we stop maturing as people and growing in faith. Escapists can become socially and spiritually stunted, or even addicted as they turn to their chosen method of distraction or ‘dutch courage’ to help them through difficult times. Download note here
Podcast 11am: False Friends: Escapism Speaker: David Mitchell
February 24th 2019 False Friends: Overcoming Escapism (Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11 and 24-26)
Escapism is ‘the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities,(especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.’ Is this the disease of our age? 21st century culture provides myriad opportunities to escape the sometimes difficult realities of our lives, and more than ever before we are becoming defined by those choices. The problem with escapism is that if we use to it avoid the pain of difficult moments, anxiety or loneliness we stop maturing as people and growing in faith. Escapists can become socially and spiritually stunted, or even addicted as they turn to their chosen method of distraction or ‘dutch courage’ to help them through difficult times. Download note here
False Friends: Overcoming Escapism - Clare Thompson
February 17/24th 2019 False Friends: Overcoming Escapism (Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11 and 24-26)
Escapism is ‘the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities,(especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.’ Is this the disease of our age? 21st century culture provides myriad opportunities to escape the sometimes difficult realities of our lives, and more than ever before we are becoming defined by those choices. The problem with escapism is that if we use to it avoid the pain of difficult moments, anxiety or loneliness we stop maturing as people and growing in faith. Escapists can become socially and spiritually stunted, or even addicted as they turn to their chosen method of distraction or ‘dutch courage’ to help them through difficult times. Download note here
False Friends: Overcoming Performance Orientation - Rob Scott-Cook
February 17th 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
Woodlands Bible School: Sabbath with Tim Dobson
February 17th 2019: Woodlands Bible School, “Sabbath” (Exodus 20:8)
Sabbath, Jesus seems to break the Sabbath
Sabbath in Old Testament, Is Sabbath for us or for God?
Sabbath, The forgotten pleasures of a day of rest
Podcast 11am: False Friends: Overcoming Performance Orientation - Rob Scott-Cook
February 17th 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
Job Vacancy at Woodlands - Site manager
Job Vacancy as Site Manager
Woodlands Church is a busy and vibrant church and currently has an exciting opportunity for someone to join their buildings team as a Site Manager.
This essential role will support and enable the mission of the Church. Candidates will be self-motivated being able to take initiative and work well in a team. Responsible for carrying out a range of duties to include preparation of the building for regular and one off events both internal and external. Applicants will need to be able to work flexible hours. Job share is possible.
You will find more details in the summary of role and job description
If you’re interested in the role and would like to speak to someone please contact Steve Wray steve.wray@woodlandschurch.net
The closing date for applications is Sunday 3rd March 2019.
Interviews will take place week commencing Monday 4th March 2019
Please complete and return an application form to
julia.shrimpton@woodlandschurch.net copying in steve.wray@woodlandschurch.net
Woodlands Bible School: Session 1 on Hebrews with Tim Dobson
7th February: Strength Bible School - Hebrews – from a Good to a Better Way (1)
You may feel that you have a good life, but Jesus will always make it better! As we start our series looking at the book of Hebrews, we hope that each of you will take the chance to read through the whole book. Some of it may seem difficult to understand but it is well worth reading. Hebrews helps us to make the link between the Old Testament and Jesus, it reinterprets the Old Testament images of High Priest, Tabernacle and covenant in terms of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Here are some pointers to help you read it well. Download notes here
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
International Justice Mission: End Slavery in Our Lifetime - Dave Westlake
February 10th 2019, International Justice Mission: End Slavery in Our Lifetime.
Podcast 11am: International Justice Mission: End Slavery in Our Lifetime - Dave Westlake
February 10th 2019, International Justice Mission: End Slavery in Our Lifetime.
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.