First Things First: Seeking Kingdom | Nigel Savage at 7pm | 26 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

26 September 2021 - 7pm Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Nigel is looking at what it means to seek first the Kingdom.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus teaching was all about the Kingdom of God. He told his disciples to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God’ as their priority. His language and ministry simply a conflict between the ‘kingdom of God’ and the human kingdoms and powers of this world, and the prayer he taught us to pray includes

‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’

• In a world with plenty to worry about, what does it mean to ‘seek first the kingdom’?

• What is your definition of ‘the kingdom of God’?

• What is the difference/link between Kingdom and Church?

• How did Jesus describe the coming of the Kingdom of God? (e.g. Matthew 13, 18 etc)

• What does the Kingdom look like in our experience?

• In what ways can we see more of the Kingdom? What does it look like in our 21st Century generation?

First Things First: Seeking Kingdom | Clare Thompson at 11am | 26 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

26 September 2021 - 11am Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Clare is looking at what it means to really seek first the Kingdom of God.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus teaching was all about the Kingdom of God. He told his disciples to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God’ as their priority. His language and ministry simply a conflict between the ‘kingdom of God’ and the human kingdoms and powers of this world, and the prayer he taught us to pray includes

‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’

• In a world with plenty to worry about, what does it mean to ‘seek first the kingdom’?

• What is your definition of ‘the kingdom of God’?

• What is the difference/link between Kingdom and Church?

• How did Jesus describe the coming of the Kingdom of God? (e.g. Matthew 13, 18 etc)

• What does the Kingdom look like in our experience?

• In what ways can we see more of the Kingdom? What does it look like in our 21st Century generation?

Katie's Story

We hope you enjoy this story from Katie who is part of our church family. She tells us what her experience of exploring faith was like and what she thought of doing an Alpha Course at Woodlands. Thanks for sharing with us Katie!

P+P Sustainable Fashion Online Event

Woodlands People & Planet would like to invite you to join us online for an introduction to sustainable fashion and how our faith plays a part in our response.

We'll be in conversation with Sam Mabley from sustainable, ethical T-shirt company, Yes Friends, and Flo Neave from Treasure boutique charity shop and community hub, as we explore our motivations and methods of dressing sustainably. 

Why do we need to think about what we wear? Here are just a few reasons:

• The fashion industry currently accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions, which is actually more than aviation and shipping industries combined. [1]

• It's responsible for nearly 20% of the world's wastewater, and accounts for 20-35% of microplastic flowing into the ocean. [2]

• The amount of clothes purchased has gone up, but the number of times items are worn has gone down, with three out of five fast fashion items ending up in landfill. [3, 4]

• 1 in 6 of the world's workers are employed in the fashion industry, but very few are paid living wage, and many work in extremely dangerous and exploitative conditions [5]

Our planet, and garment industry workers, pay a high price for our clothing consumption. Come along to this event to discuss this topic further and to get curious about what we can do about it. 

Simply sign up online to attend:

• Sustainable Fashion Event

We look forward to seeing you there!

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:

• Email lydia.klimecki@bristol.ac.uk 

• Find us on Facebook

NOTES:

[1] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200310-sustainable-fashion-how-to-buy-clothes-good-for-the-climate

[2] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/state-of-fashion

[3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20201208STO93327/the-impact-of-textile-production-and-waste-on-the-environment-infographic 

[4] https://cleanclothes.org/fashions-problems/waste-and-pollution

[5] https://goodonyou.eco/impact-fast-fashion-garment-workers/

First Things First: Building Community | Rob Scott-Cook at 7pm | 19 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

19 September 2021 - 11am Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Rob is looking at what we believe community means at Woodlands and what it looks like to join in and belong.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read 1 Corinthians 3, Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:42-47 and John 15:12-13.

• ‘You are God’s building, God’s field’ - 1 Corinthians 3:9.

• ‘I Will build my church and the gates of Hades will not stand against it’ - Matthew 16:18

• ‘Every human being has an irreducible need to be noticed and loved’ - Brene Brown

There are so many verses about community in the Bible! Israel is God’s community; community solidarity is a foundational world view. The twelve disciples Jesus calls reflect a new Israel, renewed community. Jesus clear priority was to build community. We often read the Bible individualistically when in fact community is being addressed. The hallmarks of following Jesus and his commands demand community expression; Baptism is initiation into new community as well as a personal expression of discipleship. Communion is the central rite of the Church, a gathering and sharing of a meal, with Jesus in the midst by His Spirit.

•  Why is being in community vital to being a Christian and following Jesus?

•  What are the attributes of a community that make it ‘Church’, a community of the

Kingdom of God? What distinguishes Church from any other human organisation? What were the hallmarks of the community that Jesus gathered and had in mind for the future?

• 21st Century Western society celebrates individualism. How does this affect our view of Church?

• Being noticed and loved, having a part to play in community is key to the experience of community. How can growing communities retain those values? How big can community be?

• How does Woodies express community? What’s expected of me in the community of the Church? What does it look like to belong?

First Things First: Building Community | Dave Mitchell at 11am | 19 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

19 September 2021 - 11am Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Dave is looking at what we believe community means at Woodlands and what it looks like to join in and belong.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read 1 Corinthians 3, Matthew 16:18, Acts 2:42-47 and John 15:12-13.

• ‘You are God’s building, God’s field’ - 1 Corinthians 3:9.

• ‘I Will build my church and the gates of Hades will not stand against it’ - Matthew 16:18

• ‘Every human being has an irreducible need to be noticed and loved’ - Brene Brown

There are so many verses about community in the Bible! Israel is God’s community; community solidarity is a foundational world view. The twelve disciples Jesus calls reflect a new Israel, renewed community. Jesus clear priority was to build community. We often read the Bible individualistically when in fact community is being addressed. The hallmarks of following Jesus and his commands demand community expression; Baptism is initiation into new community as well as a personal expression of discipleship. Communion is the central rite of the Church, a gathering and sharing of a meal, with Jesus in the midst by His Spirit.

•  Why is being in community vital to being a Christian and following Jesus?

•  What are the attributes of a community that make it ‘Church’, a community of the

Kingdom of God? What distinguishes Church from any other human organisation? What were the hallmarks of the community that Jesus gathered and had in mind for the future?

• 21st Century Western society celebrates individualism. How does this affect our view of Church?

• Being noticed and loved, having a part to play in community is key to the experience of community. How can growing communities retain those values? How big can community be?

• How does Woodies express community? What’s expected of me in the community of the Church? What does it look like to belong?

Prayer Ministry Training in October

Foundation Prayer Ministry Training
Saturday, 2nd October from 9am - 1pm
Main Hall and Foyer at Woodlands Central

You are invited to join us for an inspiring and encouraging day of teaching, testimony, discussion, and practice. Equip yourself with the tools needed to bring the power of the Spirit to bear in the lives of others and learn how to lead them towards the freedom that God promises.

Our Foundation Prayer Ministry course at Woodlands covers how to minister in the power of the spirit and looks at five key areas which regularly crop up in ministry situations:

• Salvation

• Confession

• Forgiveness

• Healing

• Freedom 

We will begin at 9am with coffee; complimentary drinks will be available during the day and we offer the option of a sandwich lunch at £3 (cash on the day).

• Sign up online for the course

Student Welcome: Free Pizza & Ice Cream

You may have been to a "Burger Week" before as we welcomed students to Bristol. Well we are back for 2021 after a COVID break and this time it's Pizza! If you’re a student, come along for some free food and the chance to meet new people.

During Freshers Week on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 21st and 22nd September, students can come along to Woodies for free pizza and ice cream! Just turn up between 12pm - 4pm…and bring friend!

Woodlands is right in the heart of University of Bristol, on the corner of Woodland Road and Belgrave Road. You can’t miss it!

Note: If you’re already part of church and want to volunteer to help out, simply sign up using the link below:

• Sign Up for Student Welcome Week

First Things First: Making Disciples | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 12 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

12 September 2021 - 11am Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Dave is looking at what it means to make disciples and spread the love of God to those around us.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Matthew 28:18-20

Famous last words reveal what is the heart priority for the speaker. Matthew records Jesus last words to his closest friends as a command to ‘make disciples’. In other words, a true disciple is a disciple making disciple!

1. What is your definition of a disciple?

2. In what ways do you express your discipleship as a follower of Jesus?

3. Has anyone consciously ‘discipled’ you do you think? Who was it and how did they go about it?

4. How much do you think growing in discipleship is about being in a context where you are stretched challenged and supported, or being in a relationship where you are stretched challenged and supported? What do those things look like in your life?

5. How did Jesus disciple people and what can we learn from Him about discipling others?

6. In what ways if any can being part of a small group help your discipleship and that of its members?

7. What is your experience of spiritual disciplines? Can you describe any that you use?

First Things First: Making Disciples | Rachel Riddall at 11am | 12 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

12 September 2021 - 11am Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Rachel is looking at what it means to make disciples and spread the love of God to those around us.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Matthew 28:18-20

Famous last words reveal what is the heart priority for the speaker. Matthew records Jesus last words to his closest friends as a command to ‘make disciples’. In other words, a true disciple is a disciple making disciple!

1. What is your definition of a disciple?

2. In what ways do you express your discipleship as a follower of Jesus?

3. Has anyone consciously ‘discipled’ you do you think? Who was it and how did they go about it?

4. How much do you think growing in discipleship is about being in a context where you are stretched challenged and supported, or being in a relationship where you are stretched challenged and supported? What do those things look like in your life?

5. How did Jesus disciple people and what can we learn from Him about discipling others?

6. In what ways if any can being part of a small group help your discipleship and that of its members?

7. What is your experience of spiritual disciplines? Can you describe any that you use?

First Things First: Loving God | Tim Dobson at 7pm | 5 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

5 September 2021 - 7pm Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Tim is looking at what it means to really love God.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read: Matthew 22:34-40 and Deuteronomy 6:1-7

Our preaching series was originally called ‘Big Rocks’ after the well-known visual aid about prioritising things. If you have some sand, pebbles and big stones to fit into a limited container, you need to get the big rocks in for everything to fit. (Why not try it out as an experiment?). What are the big rocks, the key priorities in our lives?

Jesus was asked that question, ‘What is the greatest commandment?’. He responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 6 , the Shema that Jewish people would recite every day. ‘Love God’ is an imperative not a noun!

1. What does it tell us about Christianity that the greatest command is to love God, not to obey God? What does that tell us about God’s priorities?

2. How do you love God who you haven’t seen? How do you know that you do? (John 14:23)

3. How do we express love to God collectively as a Church as well as individually? How do those two dynamics affect one another? What does it mean to love God concretely, with our whole being, not just abstractly- as a lovely thought?

4. If love is something we can to some degree choose to do, with an element of ‘will’ as well as ‘emotion’ how do we cultivate love for God in our lives?

5. What are God’s ‘love languages’ do you think?

While God’s love for us is describes as never failing our own Love for God can be more unstable? What do you think the role of the Holy Spirit is in helping us love God with our whole being?

First Things First: Loving God | Dave Mitchell at 11am | 5 September 2021

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

5 September 2021 - 11am Service

First Things First Series

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. This week, Dave is looking at what it means to really love God.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read: Matthew 22:34-40 and Deuteronomy 6:1-7

Our preaching series was originally called ‘Big Rocks’ after the well-known visual aid about prioritising things. If you have some sand, pebbles and big stones to fit into a limited container, you need to get the big rocks in for everything to fit. (Why not try it out as an experiment?). What are the big rocks, the key priorities in our lives?

Jesus was asked that question, ‘What is the greatest commandment?’. He responded by quoting from Deuteronomy 6 , the Shema that Jewish people would recite every day. ‘Love God’ is an imperative not a noun!

1. What does it tell us about Christianity that the greatest command is to love God, not to obey God? What does that tell us about God’s priorities?

2. How do you love God who you haven’t seen? How do you know that you do? (John 14:23)

3. How do we express love to God collectively as a Church as well as individually? How do those two dynamics affect one another? What does it mean to love God concretely, with our whole being, not just abstractly- as a lovely thought?

4. If love is something we can to some degree choose to do, with an element of ‘will’ as well as ‘emotion’ how do we cultivate love for God in our lives?

5. What are God’s ‘love languages’ do you think?

While God’s love for us is describes as never failing our own Love for God can be more unstable? What do you think the role of the Holy Spirit is in helping us love God with our whole being?

Life Messages: The Kingdom | Tim Dobson at 7pm | 29 August 2021

Our summer series is an open theme…

29 August 2021 - 7pm Service

Life Messages

On Sundays in August, a different person will be sharing a LIFE MESSAGE each week, we've asked the team to think of the thing they would most like to say to the Church. Tim is sharing with us today.

Life Messages: The Life You Live | Tim Dobson at 11am | 29 August 2021

Our summer series is an open theme…

29 August 2021 - 11am Service

Life Messages

On Sundays in August, a different person will be sharing a LIFE MESSAGE each week, we've asked the team to think of the thing they would most like to say to the Church. Tim Dobson is sharing with us today.

Prayer Week this September

Let’s get praying this month! It’s Prayer Week from 13th - 19th September 2021.

There are a few key ways you can get involved throughout Prayer Week at Woodlands. We’d love everyone to take part. It's an opportunity to start this new term with some focused prayer, to draw near to God and listen to Him. We’re also excited to be able to meet in person to pray and worship together at church.

There are lots of ways to join in and wouldn't it be great if everyone in our church community did at least one thing!

• Book a slot in the Prayer Room 
  24/7 from 13th - 19th September at Woodlands or online.
  Our creative team are making an inspiring space for us to pray in person at Woodlands. You can sign up to pray for an hour and use our Prayer Guide to support you to use the hour in a structured way if you wish. The guide has pointers and ideas to pray about and take you through the hour step by step.
  
  

• Come to the Evening Prayer & Worship Gathering
  Monday, 13th Sept from 8pm - 9.30pm in The Crypt
  Join us in person for a heartfelt prayer and worship sessions hosted and led by our team.
  
  

• Come to Morning Prayer Watch
  Monday to Thursday, 13th - 16th September on Zoom from 7.30am - 8.15am 
  Friday, 17th September in person at Woodlands from 7.30am - 8.15am
  Join us online and in person for daily sessions hosted and led by different members of our staff team and church community as we pray for ourselves, Church, our City and the World each morning. 
  
  

• Watch our Daily Devotionals on Facebook Live at 9.05 
  Monday to Friday, 13th - 17th September on Facebook Live at 9.05am
  Our daily devotions will have a prayer focus and also lead us in a way of praying each morning. So be sure to tune in! You don’t have to be a Facebook member, as they appear on our public page.
  

As a church, we love to pray. You can find out more about our weekly and monthly prayer meetings on our Prayer page.

September EcoChallenge: Switch to Green Energy

At Woodies, we are keen love God's creation and our People + Planet group is key in helping us to reduce our impact on the environment as a church. Our monthly EcoChallenges help everyone in church to take part from home. This month, David Parker shares the some helpful tips for how to get involved.

September 2021: EcoChallege - “Switch to Green Energy”

An easy but significant step you can make in the fight against climate change is to switch to a renewable electricity tariff. It means that for every kilowatt of electricity you use, your supplier will commit to buying the equivalent amount of energy from renewable sources. It’s a powerful way you can promote the development of green energy sources using the money you spend on your electricity bill.

A lot of renewable tariffs are now very competitively priced, so you might even find that switching can save you money! The electricity supply at the church buildings at the Woodlands group of churches has been on a renewable tariff for some years now.

• If you’re interested in finding out more it’s worth reading this article from Which explaining how some renewable tariffs are greener than others.

• You can also try using the Big Clean Switch price comparison website which vets the providers it lists for their green credentials.

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:

• Email lydia.klimecki@bristol.ac.uk 

• Find us on Facebook

Andrew's Story

We hope you enjoy hearing Andrew share his story - it's incredibly moving and amazing to see what God has done in his life. This was shared with our church family before his baptism at Woodlands Central in August.

First Things First Series

Our September series is looking at how we cultivate Kingdom priorities…

This month, we’re taking some time to reflect on the priorities in our lives and how they affect our walk with God. Do our priorities help or hinder us when it comes to discipleship and being active in Church? What is the Kingdom cause in our generation?

We hope you can join us in person or online throughout September as our leaders unpack these thought provoking topics. You can go deeper with each message by using our discussion notes on your own or in your small group, just look for them on each talk webpage below.

You no longer need to book to come to church in person. Children do need to be booked in to help things run smoothly. We hope to see you soon!

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TALKS FROM THIS SERIES

Life Messages: Who are we becoming? | Matt Dobson at 7pm | 22 August 2021

Our summer series is an open theme…

22 August 2021 - 7pm Service

Life Messages

On Sundays in August, a different person will be sharing a LIFE MESSAGE each week, we've asked the team to think of the thing they would most like to say to the Church. Matt is sharing with us about how character is important to him and asks us to think “Who are we becoming?”.

We are also very excited to be baptising Andrew in tonight’s service, who has a truly moving testimony and we are so glad to have him in our church family.

Life Messages: Reaching Out | Richard Pollard at 11am | 22 August 2021

Our summer series is an open theme…

22 August 2021 - 11am Service

Life Messages

On Sundays in August, a different person will be sharing a LIFE MESSAGE each week, we've asked the team to think of the thing they would most like to say to the Church. Richard Pollard is talking to us today his passion for reaching out to the unchurched, to those who don’t yet know God, to make disciples of all nations. It is the Great Commission!