March 10th 2019. City of Hope: Church planting - (Acts 19 v 1-22)
This month we are looking at the topic of building Bristol as a City of Hope. Last week we saw how we are called to rebuild a broken city through our love and action. This week we are looking at how we rebuild a city through sharing the Good News by establishing vibrant groups of Jesus followers in each neighbourhood of the city and surrounding towns. Download Discussion notes
March 10th 2019 11am City of Hope: Tearfund Action (John 20)
March 10th 2019 11am City of Hope: Tearfund Action (John 20)
This month we are looking how we as church can work to see Bristol become a City of Hope.
If you would like to volunteer for a project that is trying to make a positive impact on our city, here are a few projects that you might have heard about
Foodbanks - Providing emergency food for those in crisis. Contact Andy Irwin at East Bristol Foodbank https://eastbristol.foodbank.org.uk/ or Matt Dobson at North Bristol Foodbank https://northbristol.foodbank.org.uk/
Beloved - they offer support to women working in massage parlours in Bristol and surrounding areas. Contact Hannah Hughes or Rachel Riddall https://beloved.org.uk
Crisis Centre - Providing hot meals and advice for the homeless https://www.crisis-centre.org.uk/
CAP money - Money management advice and help for those struggling with debt and money issues. https://www.woodlandschurch.net/cap
TLG (Transforming Lives for Good) - one to one coaching for children on the edge of education. One child, one hour each week. https://www.tlg.org.uk/
The Noise – An annual opportunity for serve some of the most needy communities of Bristol with community action projects, free family fun afternoons and senior citizen’s events. www.thenoise.org.uk
Bristol Soup Run – Provides sandwiches and hot soup to those living on the streets. Once a fortnight on Sunday evenings Contact Dave Cussans
Home for Good – support group for families who are fostering or adopting children https://www.homeforgood.org.uk/ There are around 300 children in Bristol that require fostering at the moment.
Life Recovery Group – A support group for those struggling with addictions or in recovery contact Dave@thecommunitychurch.net
Flo tells her story of Following Jesus
Allan tells his story of following Jesus
The People and Planet group would like to promote a lent calendar and have decided to use the one created by Christian Aid - a Lent calendar of reflections, gifts and actions, focusing on the impact of climate change on people in developing countries around the world.
The calendar can be downloaded here: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/count-your-blessings-2019-english-pdf
There is also a children's edition: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/childrens-count-your-blessings-2019
Tilly tells her story of faith in Jesus.
March 3rd 2019. City of Hope: Rebuilding broken walls - Isaiah 58, Nehemiah 1-3
Last month our preaching series was on the topic of False Friends when we looked at issues of personal wholeness. This month we are looking at the purpose of being whole people, we are to bring God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven! We live in a city that has a great reputation as one of the top cities to live in. But for many, beneath the surface, it is a broken city. Not only are there social and political injustices across some of the poorer parts of Bristol, but there are hundreds of thousands of people who do not have a meaningful relationship with God and are unaware that Jesus died so that they could be forgiven and enjoy eternal life. As a group of Churches, we want to see the city of Bristol transformed with the love and power of God. Are you willing to play your part in this great vision? Download Discussion notes
March 3rd 2019. City of Hope: Rebuilding broken walls - Isaiah 58, Nehemiah 1-3
Last month our preaching series was on the topic of False Friends when we looked at issues of personal wholeness. This month we are looking at the purpose of being whole people, we are to bring God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven! We live in a city that has a great reputation as one of the top cities to live in. But for many, beneath the surface, it is a broken city. Not only are there social and political injustices across some of the poorer parts of Bristol, but there are hundreds of thousands of people who do not have a meaningful relationship with God and are unaware that Jesus died so that they could be forgiven and enjoy eternal life. As a group of Churches, we want to see the city of Bristol transformed with the love and power of God. Are you willing to play your part in this great vision? Download Discussion notes
This is a brilliant training course open to everyone to be equipped to pray for others. To register please click here.
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 tells her story of finding faith in Jesus.
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
February 24th 2019 Baptism and Testimony - Rachel Riddall. (Matthew 28)
February 24th 2019 Baptism and Testimony (Matthew 28)
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
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
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
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 Church Belgrave Road, Bristol BS8 2AA
