This Same Jesus: Living with Mystery | Nigel Savage | 8th October 2023 at 11am

This October, we’re looking at the book of Acts which begins with Jesus ascending to heaven and a promise from angels that this same Jesus will return. The rest of the book depicts the Church carrying on the ministry of 'this same Jesus' in the same way that He had demonstrated the nature of God's Kingdom in his incarnate life.

We are in that great tradition of following and demonstrating that same Jesus, and our series in Acts is something of a blueprint for His Church to follow in our own time as we point to the one who is the same 'yesterday, today and forever.'

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

This Same Jesus: Acts | Matt Dobson | 1st October 2023 at 6.30pm

This October, we’re looking at the book of Acts which begins with Jesus ascending to heaven and a promise from angels that this same Jesus will return. The rest of the book depicts the Church carrying on the ministry of 'this same Jesus' in the same way that He had demonstrated the nature of God's Kingdom in his incarnate life.

We are in that great tradition of following and demonstrating that same Jesus, and our series in Acts is something of a blueprint for His Church to follow in our own time as we point to the one who is the same 'yesterday, today and forever.'

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

This Same Jesus: Acts | Rachel Riddall | 1st October 2023 at 11am

This October, we’re looking at the book of Acts which begins with Jesus ascending to heaven and a promise from angels that this same Jesus will return. The rest of the book depicts the Church carrying on the ministry of 'this same Jesus' in the same way that He had demonstrated the nature of God's Kingdom in his incarnate life.

We are in that great tradition of following and demonstrating that same Jesus, and our series in Acts is something of a blueprint for His Church to follow in our own time as we point to the one who is the same 'yesterday, today and forever.'

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

This Same Jesus Series for October

This Same Jesus Series

This October, we’re looking at the book of Acts which begins with Jesus ascending to heaven and a promise from angels that this same Jesus will return. The rest of the book depicts the Church carrying on the ministry of 'this same Jesus' in the same way that He had demonstrated the nature of God's Kingdom in his incarnate life.

We are in that great tradition of following and demonstrating that same Jesus, and our series in Acts is something of a blueprint for His Church to follow in our own time as we point to the one who is the same 'yesterday, today and forever.'

Here’s what our messages will be looking at each week:

• 1st October: Jesus in Acts

• 8th October: Living with Mystery

• 15th October: Everyone Gets to Play

• 22nd October: Listening to God

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MESSAGES FROM THIS SERIES

MentorMe: October's Mission Partner

Each month at Woodlands Central, we have a monthly offering where we raise funds to support a mission partner.

This October, we want to highlight and support MentorMe, a project which enables church members to mentor people with criminal convictions, helping them achieve their goals by providing personal support, friendship and guidance.

www.sixty-one.org

 You can give financially at our offering or you are also welcome to give online.

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Could you offer hope to someone who’s been in prison?
An hour of your time a week could change someone’s life!

If you are prepared to listen, be patient and have your faith put to work, there are people who have a conviction who need someone like you!

 Your support would empower someone to reach their goals, give them hope and help them to become all that they were meant to be.

The charity SixtyOne will give you all the training you need, their dedicated MentorMe team will support you throughout your mentoring relationship and will be on hand for advice and support.

You’ll also be invited to join in for celebration events and meals throughout the year! 

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Upcoming MentorMe training course dates:

Saturday, 14th October from 9.30am-3.30pm
Wednesday, 18th October from 7pm-9pm
Saturday, 28th October from 9.30am-3.30pm
Wednesday, 1st November from 7pm- 9pm
Wednesday, 8th November from 7pm-9pm

To book a place, please email info@sixty-one.org or call 0117 403 7905.

If you can’t make these training dates, please still get in touch so that we can look at alternative dates …

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Here’s what some of MentorMe trainees have said:

“Friendly, believed in all of us. You were very skilled in what you do and could see you were passionate and it's not just a job.” 

“Engaging trainers…the activities were well designed, appropriate and engaging… the trainers did an excellent job in teaching.”

October Prayer Calendar

Pray each day

Each month, you’re invited to pray for church and all that is happening with our monthly Prayer Calendar. You can view and download the October calendar below.

Bible School with Dan Viner & Tim Dobson: Dragons, Chaos & Storm Gods

Once a month, we run Woodlands Bible School during our 6.30pm service. We are joined by Tim Dobson speaking on Dragons, Chaos & Storm Gods: The Cultural Context for Genesis 1. All are welcome.

17th September 2023

Listen to the session below:

Vision Evening on 10th October

Our annual Vision Evening is a chance for the whole Woodlands Church Family to gather together and get fired up about God's Vision for our families, friends and communities.

Tuesday, 10 October 2023
7.45pm - 9.30pm
Woodlands Central

Let’s all come together to imagine something bigger, to keep up with God's heart for more, to keep up with God's heart for our city. A vision like that needs all of us, so please book it in your diaries and make sure that you, your home group or pastorate can make the evening. 

There will be worship, prayer and thoughts shared from our senior leaders and wider team, including some time to hear about how we’re implementing some of the key recommendations made in our strategic review and how you can be part of it all!

We're excited and hope you are too!
See you there.

Both/And: Now and Not Yet | Dave Mitchell | 24th September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Alpha starts 4th October

Autumn Alpha 2023

Curious about faith? Try Alpha! This free course offers a chance to ask questions and explore the Christian faith in a fun, no-pressure environment. Each session includes a talk and a discussion where you can chat through your thoughts and questions with a small group of people just like you.

The course is totally free, it will be running on Wednesday nights from the 4th October for 10 weeks. To find out more, including how to register, click the button below.

It is not too late to sign up! Whether it is the first week or the last week, you are welcome to join at any point in the course.

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Autumn Alpha 2022

Both/And: Now and Not Yet | Nigel Savage | 24th September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Prayer Ministry Training in October

Prayer Ministry is an opportunity to encounter the power, truth and love of God as someone prays with you, discerning and passing on what they sense God has for you. We want to equip you for prayer ministry and prayer for others.

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Further Prayer Ministry Training

Tuesday evening on the 31st October 2023 from 7.45pm - 9.30pm
This is open to those with some experience who want to refresh and develop the skills needed in more extended ministry times. It covers how to:

• Minister with confidence

• Share prophetic words

• Bring release and freedom from ongoing negative influences

• How to minister in the Wholeness Course context and lead a ministry session

Both/And Spirituality | Dave Mitchell | 17th September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Both/And Spirituality | Clare Thompson | 17th September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

BISC: September's Mission Partner

Each month at Woodlands Central, we have a monthly offering where we raise funds to support a mission partner, either locally or globally.

For September, we want to support the work of BISC, a local organisation offering welcome, hospitality and community for international students - a home away from home in Bristol. BISC is a Christian charity supported by local churches, welcoming international students of all faiths and none.

www.bisc.org.uk

 You can give financially at our offering or you are also welcome to give online.

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VOLUNTEER AT BISC WELCOME MEALS
If you’re able to give your time, BISC need volunteers for their Welcome Meals for international students. For two weeks in September, BISC will be running evening meals for international students at their centre (45 Woodland Rd, BS8 1UT).

Every year, students say how these meals help them connect with others, integrate into the local community and discover that they are not alone in Bristol. 

BISC welcome meals will be on 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26, 27, 28, 29 September. Meals will be led by a kitchen-trained chef and BISC are seeking volunteers to support them with baking, food preparation, setting up and hosting meal times, as they welcome new students each evening. 

Sign up online!
www.bisc.org.uk/welcomevolunteers2023 

 WHAT WILL VOLUNTEERS DO?

Baking team (12.30-3pm):
We need a couple of volunteers each lunchtime to help us prepare desserts for the evening meals.

Food prep and set up team (3-6pm):
We need a small group of volunteers to help with food preparation, set up and some cleaning.

Hosting team (6-10pm approx.):  
Hosting volunteers will be responsible for greeting guests, taking meal orders, serving, enjoying a meal with a table of students, clearing and washing up. This is the ideal slot for church small groups to join us as a ready-made team of up to 12. 

A Both/And Church | Dave Mitchell | 10th September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Monthly Prophecy Clinics

We believe that God speaks to us every day, if we only take the time to listen.

On the second Sunday of each month, we run a prophetic clinic in the afternoon at Woodlands. Prophecy Clinics are bookable slots where our team will pray, listen and ask God to speak prophetically into your life. Teams will not necessarily know you or your previous experience. So if you are seeking God’s wisdom or a bit of encouragement, a prophecy clinic slot might be a really helpful and timely thing.

The purpose of these clinics is two-fold, to give an opportunity for people to hear what their heavenly Father has on his heart for them, who he has made them to be, and what he is calling them to do and also for those who are part of the team running the clinic to grow in the gift of prophecy by spending time listening to God for others.

What happens on the day at the clinic:  

Prophecy Clinics are in person at Woodlands. You will be introduced to a team of three or four people who will briefly pray for you and then spend some time, in quiet, listening to God for you.  The team members will then share what they feel God is saying and one of the team will write down a summary of what is shared, so that you can take it away with you (or you can bring a recording device or phone that can be used to record your session).  Each appointment will last around 20 mins.

You can book a 25 minute session between 5pm - 6.30pm on the second Sunday of the month.

Visit the Diary to book.

A Both/And Church | Rachel Riddall | 10th September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Both/And: Creative Tension | Tim Dobson | 3rd September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Both/And: Creative Tension | Dave Mitchell | 3rd September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.