As we move closer to Easter we want to take a look at the journey Jesus took as he teaches, acts, and responds to questions that all prepare us as well as his disciples for the meaning behind the journey.
April 17th
May EcoChallenge: No Mow May
For our May EcoChallenge, Woodlands People & Planet are challenging you to put away your lawn mower!
At Woodlands People and Planet we love to recycle and people who have been following this series carefully might recognise this challenge from this time last year – however we think it is a good one so please read on!
Making space for nature in our cities and towns is really important – and we can all do our bit. Those of us lucky enough to have gardens can think about how we can use them as good habitats for insects, birds and other animals too which are often coming under pressure as a lot of their habitats are removed. Gardens can often be much richer in wildlife than farmland!
This month’s challenge is simple – all you have to do is leave your mower in the shed for the month. This will give the flowers naturally present in the lawn a chance to bloom, acting as a valuable source of nectar for hard-pressed bees and other pollinating insects. Did you know lawns mown just once a month can be a source of 10 times as much nectar as lawns mown weekly? At the end of the month you have a chance to do a bit of citizen science by counting the number of flowers present in a random square metre of your lawn. What could be easier?
If you want to take this further, you can always try #LetItBloomJune or #KneeHighJuly!
Plantlife, the organisation behind the NoMowMay campaign, have found that the optimum way to manage your lawn for pollinators is a ‘Mohican’ approach. Mowing about every four weeks is the best way to promote the growth flowers that like shorter lengths of grass, such as daisies and white clover. At the same time leaving some areas unmown for longer can allow a richer variety of flowers to flourish in your lawn.
If you would like to sign up to the campaign and take part in the flower count at the end of the month visit Plantlife.
This Lifestyle article gives a great summary of the Mohican approach to cutting your lawn.
GET INVOLVED WITH PEOPLE + PLANET
If you’d be interested in finding out more about the Woodlands People + Planet group, or have some feedback about the challenges, connect with us:
Morning Meditations Holy Week 2022
Here are the poems from our Morning Meditations.
Seven words is a series of poems for Holy Week. In one week, everything changed. All that we thought we knew about God would be challenged.
TUESDAY: PROPHESY
Martha…
I see the House
brimming with sound that night
music, voices, laughter
Your words floating in the air
I watched you.
My brothers chatter broke through my reverie
Four days dead -
yet he reclines with you here.
I am still stunned.
You called him from his sleep
and I have no other means by which
to thank you.
so, I busy myself with serving
What more can I give but this food to eat
At Lazarus tomb
I saw you weep.
These men come to witness you,
and the man you raised
Jostling with each other for a better view
Yet where you sit, lamps glow and motion seems to still
Lazarus’ eyes shine brightly
In reverent praise
And at your feet Mary takes her place
her hair falling in waves
Against you.
In her hand a bottle
of pure nard is cradled
In her eyes, adoration.
upon your feet, a pound of palest yellow oil seeps
Breaking the seal and gathering up her hair
She Washes your feet
with loose tendrils
The room that had been filled with words
Is now heavy with earthy aroma
And Displeasure and outrage.
Judas cries, “Three hundred denarii”
But his mouth betrays avaricious desire.
Your word a trenchant blade replies.
This is ointment for the day
Of my burial
Words that I failed to understand.
What gesture is this from Mary hands
What did it reveal to us
Of what you were about to suffer?
written by Ash Chambers
WEDNESDAY: PAUSE
You press pause...
And Bethany-town calls you back
A chance to draw breath
A heart full of quiet. (To quieten a full heart?)
Dust dances in the sunlight
You find a cool spot in the shade
And shut your eyes.
Events of recent days
Crystallise,
In this quiet borderland...
The before.
Is it the way the grave clothes fall
Or how your voice catches
When you call your friend up
And out
Before?
Maybe in this moments pause
You draw deep breaths of a heady scent...
a memory of sounds
The breaking of a vessel and a life,
herald of a sacrifice
Before?
You press pause and
A myriad of moments
Place you here, in this borderland
On this threshold,
A place of orientation
A finely tuned call.
Turning your thoughts
And setting your face
Silently crafting
A beautiful grace (lovely)
That changes everything
That changes it all.
And so I press pause.
Dust catches in the sunlight
Tiny specks of a parched life...
And I’m witness to a sound,
I hear the grave clothes fall.
Hold a broken jar with a heady scent
And I’m surprised by the challenge
Of everything it meant.
In the pause in this place
Your fragrance lingers near
Mingled with memories of braver moments
Strong hope meshed with urgent prayers...
And in the pause
My hand in yours.
This terrain, this holy landscape
The borderland
threshold of sacrifice…
Before
For ... Here I am free
To pour out my life.
And Lord as I pause in this borderland place
Quietly, quietly
You fill it with grace…
written by Jane Reeves
THURSDAY | LOVE
The Feast
You sent us to that upper room to remember that ancient Feast
To prepare our hearts and homes to remember that great deliverance from our enemies
To remember that ancient promise of a strong deliverer because of a Lamb
Not any lamb but each of us is to take an unblemished male lamb
The blood of that lamb will be the sign that we are to be rescued from our oppressors
You say you are eager to eat this meal, with us before your suffering
You will eat again but on the other side of that hill
We all gather, and you take the towel and wash our feet
Washing what is on the outside, but soon to wash what is inside
This ancient meal is to remember a story. A meal that tells your unending story
Outstretched arm of our Lamb upon the seder plate, mixed with bitter herbs
An egg telling of new life, but we dip it into salty water
Closest to you are the three unleavened breads.
Bread of heaven!
They kept us in that wilderness
You gaze at them then pull them close and tear them into pieces and tell us to do this to remember you.
You take the cup of wine and say it is a New Covenant in your blood.
I hear in part. I see in part.
But the story is still to unfold.
This is no longer a ritual or history lesson.
You are that bread. You are that cup.
You are that male unblemished lamb, that bitter water that gives new life.
All twelve of us you kept, from the beginning till the end, except the one who departs with head bowed low, avoiding your gaze of sacrificial love.
He looks away from mercy too deep.
To that garden of tears you now depart.
A second Adam, that Lion with a lamb’s heart.
A love so amazing so divine, demands my soul, my life my all.
written by Brad Askew
FRIDAY | DIE
On that Cross
What was it like Lord?
How could you forgive them after what they did?
You were about to die.
Not fun.
Didn’t you want to run?
Yet you still made sure.
John looked after your mum.
Still offering Salvation.
To the men crucified.
Either side.
Forgive them they know not what they do?
That’s Powerful.
Who are you?
Are you really the Son of Man?
With a plan.
To save the world.
The brokenness of man.
Is that why you came?
To set us captives free.
For Eternity.
Lord I wanna follow Thee.
My Saviour who died in Calvary.
Thank you for saving me.
As I see you on that cross.
Both Mary’s
Numb and lost.
Painful cost.
You took on all our sins Lord.
Didn’t you.
So when you died.
Our Life became new.
You did this.
Didn’t you.
Thank you.
written by Andy Eisentrager
SUNDAY | THE BEST VICTORY
The best victory
The biggest trophy
Pulling it back from the brink of defeat
Against all the odds
When all hope was lost
The bad guys had won
The end in sight, no happy twist
Or sudden intervention
The crowds dispersed
Spectators heading home
To beat the rush and avoid
Yet further disappointment
You couldn’t hear hope
As a pin drop
Not even for a moment
And the pattern seemed set:
No further disruptions
From here to eternity…
How silently
HOW SILENTLY
The wondrous gift is given
Waking in the garden
Unseen, unknown, unbidden
The kind of casual glory
That steps out of bed one morning
The kind of sweet relief
That splits your soul wide open
And when he said
“It is finished…”
Well,
this time he meant it.
written by Robin Mitchell
Cross | Tim Dobson | 10th of April at 7pm
As we move closer to Easter we want to take a look at the journey Jesus took as he teaches, acts, and responds to questions that all prepare us as well as his disciples for the meaning behind the journey.
April 10th
Jerusalem | Philip Jinadu | 10th of April at 11am
As we move closer to Easter we want to take a look at the journey Jesus took as he teaches, acts, and responds to questions that all prepare us as well as his disciples for the meaning behind the journey.
NOTES
Luke 19:28-21:37 (Palm Sunday)
The Triumphal entry inaugurates Holy Week- a week that the gospel writers devote a significant part of their narrative too. What begins with an extravagant welcome appropriate to the Messiah turns into a series of confrontations by Jesus with the religious, nationalistic, financial and political powers located in Jerusalem, and behind them the unseen spiritual powers of darkness. Prophecy flows from Jesus as each of the 6 days of Holy week increase the crisis that propels Jesus to the fulfilment of his ministry until the last ‘it is finished’ of the 7th day.
How do we welcome Jesus into our hearts, and what does he confront and challenge there?
Jericho | Clare Thompson | 3rd of April at 11am
As we move closer to Easter we want to take a look at the journey Jesus took as he teaches, acts, and responds to questions that all prepare us as well as his disciples for the meaning behind the journey.
NOTES
April 3rd Jericho. Luke 18:31-19:27.
Just as the Israelites had to go through Jericho to take possession of the land of Canaan, Jesus goes through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem.
Jesus meets people at Jericho. The blind man- who will not be silenced- ‘sees’ Jesus as ‘The Son of David’ and gets his physical sight in healing (a messianic sign e.g. Isaiah 35:5). He meets Zacchaeus – who is ‘saved’ (v 9). The Messiah is turning things upside down and his kingdom is breaking out in mercy and healing.
The parable of the talents speaks of what Jesus is looking for in terms of Spiritual fruit. What will Jesus find in Jerusalem? And what will he find in us?
Baptism | Matt Dobson | 3rd of April at 7pm
Before Easter we take a short break to talk about Baptism at our 7pm Service.
April 3rd
If you’re interested in getting Baptised, get in touch with your small group or pastorate leader.
Culture | Dave Roderick | 27th March at 7pm
On Sunday evenings in March, we begin a short series called ‘Living in Babylon’.
March 27th
Journey | Rachel Riddall | 27th of March at 11am
As we move closer to Easter we want to take a look at the journey Jesus took as he teaches, acts, and responds to questions that all prepare us as well as his disciples for the meaning behind the journey.
NOTES
Luke 13:31-35. 14:25-34
Luke 13 has threatening overtones. Pilate and Herod are both referenced in this chapter as having murderous intent and capacity. Jesus response is definitely not meek and mild. He commits to demonstrating a different kingdom coming (healing and deliverance) as he prepares for the final showdown in Jerusalem.
That sense of going to Jerusalem to die informs his teaching in Luke 14 of the cost of discipleship. That cost is framed in the language of ‘carry their cross’ v 27 and ‘’give up everything’ v33.
Our own journey of discipleship isn’t just a one off experience, but a considered life choice and lifestyle where we count the cost of commitment. Jesus words about ‘hating’ family members (v 26) are metaphors to demonstrate the overwhelming priority of God (it’s a how much more saying- even those we love, compared to the love of God it’s as if they were hated so much higher is our devotion to Him) as well as a non-emotional choice reminiscent of God’s election of Jacob -‘Jacob I loved, Esau I hated’.
The Journey is a narrow road of putting God first in all things, being ‘salty’ people, not losing our savour or backing off from our initial commitments whatever the cost.
April EcoChallenge: Car Fasting
For our April EcoChallenge, Woodlands People & Planet are challenging you to take a ‘car fast’
We’re not talking about fast cars…! But rather, the challenge to take a break from using your car for a period of time or a particular journey.
This can have a positive impact on our environment, health and social cohesion as well as supporting public transport systems.
We have all probably seen the negative impact of the increasing number of cars on our roads; increased fuel costs; traffic jams; and limited parking. But for lots of us, driving is a part of our way of life, giving us spontaneous travel, a sense of security, and convenience.
But did you know… if 4 out of 5 of short journeys were made on foot, by public transport or bike, we could each save up to £279 a year. Not to mention, helping benefit our environment and our health as well as our wallets. (11% of short car journeys are under one mile, 29% are from one to under two miles).
Why we could all at least try car fasting?
Transportation typically is the second largest contributor to each persons carbon footprint (responsible for 27% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK).
Moving away from cars can promote better social networks, improve mental and physical wellbeing and try out alternative modes of travel.
Like all fasting, car fasting allows us to try alternatives, reflect on our dependencies and feel first hand the benefits of new habits that are better for our health, our neighbourhoods and our wallet.
Cities across the UK are experimenting with clean air zones in cities. Bristol has its own clean air zone plans, and a number of solutions to support a transition to more sustainable modes of transport as published by Bristol City Council.
As a former Green Capital city the people of Bristol hold an opportunity to lead by example. The small steps already being taken towards sustainable transport and away from cars all add up when we come together, no matter how small or insignificant our individual actions may feel. For more ideas on how you can improve the way you travel visit and alternative options visit: https://www.bristolclimatehub.org/climate_actions/live-car-free/
GET INVOLVED WITH PEOPLE + PLANET
If you’d be interested in finding out more about the Woodlands People + Planet group, or have some feedback about the challenges, connect with us:
The Road to Easter Series
On Sundays throughout April, we will be considering a series called ‘The Road to Easter’.
For Jesus, the journey towards Easter was that of a lifetime living with the vocation of being God’s chosen redeemer. This carried with it the implications of the Cross and suffering. Jesus joined with the Galilean Passover pilgrims as well as his own disciples to make the journey from the north, through Samaria, to Jerusalem and the final confrontation with the Powers.
On his way Jesus teaches, acts, and responds to questions that prepare us - as well as his disciples - for the meaning behind the journey.
Messages in this series will cover:
27th March: Journey (AM)
3rd April: Jericho (AM)
Palm Sunday: Jerusalem (AM) | Cross (PM)
Easter Sunday: Kingdom (AM) | Coronation (PM)
24th April: Commission (AM) | Comfort (PM)
MESSAGES FROM THIS SERIES
Featured
Working for the Man | Luke Addison | 20th March at 7pm
On Sunday evenings in March, we begin a short series called ‘Living in Babylon’.
March 22nd
Matthew 20: 1-16. Ephesians 6:5-9 Summary.
Useful and creative work predated the fall in the book of Genesis. Mankind was given the earth to steward. ‘Painful toil’ is a symptom of fallenness and a breaking of God’s original design for fruitfulness. Work is celebrated is scripture however both as a creative act, and a place for provision for human flourishing. In the New Testament the relationship of work, authority and the relationship between master and servant are important issues.
The ’protestant work ethic’ may be derived from Paul’s strong words about work (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ‘If a man will not work he shall not eat’ for example).
Questions for discussion
As Christians how do we bring our work into our discipleship? Do we celebrate the influence and fulfilment work brings? Do Churches over celebrate ‘Christian ministry vocations’ at the expense of the market work place?
When is work vocation or toil?
What work culture should we aspire to? What should make us as Christians distinctive in the workplace?
How do we relate to bosses, peers and those we employ or manage?
How much is work for our sake and fulfilment, how much simply to provide for
ourselves and others? Why are some people ‘workaholics’?
What does good work life balance look like for Christians? What are the tensions
between the demands of work and the demands of Church?
Belonging & Baptism | Dave Mitchell | 20th of March at 11am
As followers of Jesus we are called to be part of His Church, and to identify with it. Sometimes we are embarrassed about the association with a Church that is flawed, but we are part of a historic, universal and catholic Church that Jesus loves and is head of.
DISCUSSION NOTES
March 20th Belonging & Baptism.
Matthew 28:19 Ephesians 4:5 Romans 6:4 Mathew 3:13-17
Following Jesus includes a radical commitment to his Church- so much so that the picture of Church is of a body where if one part suffers we all suffer.
Baptism is a sign of identification-not just with Christ, but with ‘the body of Christ.’ There is an exclusivity about that commitment which has led to Christians being persecuted for taking that step. Yet Baptism kicks starts or expresses a whole life of obedience to Jesus- no sitting on the fence- and is normative for Christian initiation.
Questions for discussion.
1. What does baptism symbolise in the bible?
2. Why is it helpful to go through such a public and physical act?
3. What is the link between baptism and discipleship?
4. Why would someone not get baptised in the light of Jesus teaching?
Parenting for Faith
Our insightful, 5-week ‘Parenting for Faith’ Course offers an opportunity to learn key strategies and develop essential parenting tools to parent your children for a life of faith.
This course is designed to help you learn, develop and discuss key tools that will equip you as a parent/carer as you disciple your children for a life of faith: Encouraging and nurturing a vibrant two-way connection with God. Be encouraged, equipped and empowered in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
NEXT COURSE: 27th April 2022 | 8pm - 9pm | Online
COST: This is a FREE course and includes a course handbook.
WANT MORE INFO? Take a look at the Parenting for Faith website.
Got a question? Contact us here.
Want to join us? Book on the link here below.
Bible School with Jasper Knecht | Jesus in the Gospel of John
This Sunday is Woodlands Bible School during our 7pm service. We are joined by Jasper Knecht. All are welcome.
20th of March 2022
Listen to the session below:
Global Church | Tim Dobson | 13th of March at 11am
As followers of Jesus we are called to be part of His Church, and to identify with it. Sometimes we are embarrassed about the association with a Church that is flawed, but we are part of a historic, universal and catholic Church that Jesus loves and is head of.
DISCUSSION NOTES
March 13th Global Church.
Revelation 7:9 Mark 13:10 2 Cor 8:1-15
The New Testament Church moved from being a Jewish sect to a worldwide multi-cultural movement. Historically Christianity got bogged down in ‘Christendom’ in Western Europe but today’s Church is growing in Asia, Africa and South America.. what does it mean for us to be global Church?
Questions for discussion.
1. Global Church and inclusion.
In Acts 15 the early Church made statements and policies that allowed radical inclusion of non-Jews into the Church. What is the difference between ‘welcome’ and ‘inclusion’? What challenges face us in including people into Church in Bristol from different racial and cultural backgrounds? Why is there still segregation in practice in our city?
2. Global Church and equality.
In 2 Corinthians 8 we read of a Church in Macedonia supporting the Church in Jerusalem and Paul writes (v 13) ‘Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality’, How should our relationship with the global Church affect our finances? How does Woodlands handle this issue?
3. Global Church and diversity.
Revelation 7 speaks of a church made up of people of every tribe tongue and nation. What are the riches of being in a multicultural Church? What can we learn from the Church in the two thirds world? Why is the non western Church growing?
Sex & Relationships Part 2 | Nigel Savage | 13th of March at 7pm
On Sunday evenings in March, we begin a short series called ‘Living in Babylon’.
March 13th. Sex & Relationships .
Matthew 19:1-12 Ephesians 5:22-33. 1 Corinthians 6 & 7.
Summary
As Christians, we have a very high view of sex. We believe this good gift from God is both precious and powerful. We believe that sexual intercourse is ‘covenantal’ in expressing the unity of husband and wife and acting out an even greater covenant between Christ and his Church. We believe the boundaries scripture gives are ‘good news’, for protection and blessing. We also recognize this is as profoundly counter-cultural now as it was in the time of Christ. We are not seeking to judge anyone but to point to a way of life that offers still offers blessing and protection where there is so much pain around human sexuality.
Part 2. Further Questions on sexuality
1. Contemporary society has lots of questions about sex and gender. How much of human sexuality is to do with ‘biological hard wiring’ and how much ‘societal constructs? Is there an ‘original design’ that we have fallen away from, or an evolving understanding of human possibility in a post-industrial age?
2. How do we honor one another in our sexual differences? How do we balance ‘freedom’ and ‘not causing someone else to stumble? What do we understand by treating one another as brothers and sisters in Church?
3. What does sexual purity look like in C21 society? What answer would we give to the psalmist who says ‘how can a young person keep their way pure’?
4. Sex was a big part of pagan worship in the society around the people of God in Bible times. What is the relationship between sex and worship? Is there a sex god today, (not Tom Jones) – a fallen spiritual power around sexuality?
Naturally Supernatural with Mike Pilavachi
How do we live lives that are naturally supernatural?
You won't want to miss Mike Pilavachi coming to speak to us about being Naturally Supernatural on Saturday evening, 23rd April 2022.
Join others from across the Woodlands Church Family (Branch, Community Church, Highgrove, Metro, Southside and Woodlands Central) to hear Mike Pilavachi, worship together and be open to the Holy Spirit's action in our lives.
This special event is a great chance to celebrate our unity across the Woodlands Group of Churches.
Persecuted Church | Rob Scott Cook | 6th March at 11am
During this service we experienced a power outage, luckily Rob spoke on the same subject at our 8am Service. Listen to the recording bellow.
DISCUSSION NOTES
Read Acts 8:1-8, Matthew 5:10-12 and 2 Timothy 3:12.
The New Testament is written to a persecuted Church - today however the numbers of Christians persecuted is greater than any other time in history.
1. Persecution and Church Growth - Acts 8v1 & v4
What is the link between Church growth and persecution in this passage? Is there a principle that links Church growth and persecution? What contemporary examples are we aware of?
2. Persecution and prayer - Matthew 5v10-12 & v44
How much is prayer for persecuted believers part of our vocation as Christians? How can you find out about how to pray for the persecuted Church today? If you were persecuted what would you want prayer for from others, and how would you pray yourself? What is the link in your own life between ‘trouble’ and ‘prayer’?
3. Persecution and Godliness - 2Timothy 3 v12
Do you know any Christians who have experienced persecution for their faith? Often contemporary stories are very inspiring. What does Paul mean by this verse? Have you ever been persecuted? What does persecution look like if it exists in Britain today?
Action:
Check out Open Doors resources online and their monthly prayer guides. Consider praying regularly for the persecuted Church. Which global partners linked with Woodlands work in areas where Christians are persecuted? Can you write to them and find out their prayer needs?
Living in Babylon: Sex & Relationships - Part 1 | Nigel Savage | 6th March 2022 at 7pm
On Sunday evenings in March, we begin a short series called ‘Living in Babylon’.
6th of March
Sex & Relationships .
Matthew 19:1-12 Ephesians 5:22-33. 1 Corinthians 6 & 7.
Summary
As Christians we have a very high view of sex. We believe this good gift from God is both precious and powerful. We believe that sexual intercourse is ‘covenantal’ in expressing the unity of husband and wife and acting our an even greater covenant between Christ and his Church. We believe the boundaries scripture gives are ‘good news’, for protection and blessing.
We also recognise this is as profoundly counter cultural now as it was in the time of Christ. We are not seeking to judge anyone but to point to a way of life that offers still offers blessing and protection where there is so much pain around human sexuality.
Questions for discussion
What words or phrases would you use to describe our western culture and society’s view of the place of sex? (e.g. ‘ People should have freedom of choice, provided no one gets hurt’, ‘We live in a sexually liberated world’ ‘There is a lot of pain and exploitation around sex’)
Do you think sexual expression needs boundaries? If so what should they be?
Christianity has celebrated marriage as a life-long partnership between two people
where sex is exclusively reserved for that relationship. Where does this understanding derive from in the Bible? What issues does this understanding raise for Christians living in contemporary society?
The central founder of Christianity (Jesus) and its chief theologian and church shaper (Paul) were both single men. How does today’s Church celebrate singleness? Are single people disadvantaged in Church life? What does it mean to be single and sexual?
How do you relate to the ‘high bar’ of teaching on marriage Jesus gives in Matthew
19? What does Jesus mean by ‘those who can accept this teaching should accept it’?
Do you think the traditional Christian view of marriage is good news or bad news?
Why?