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Saturday, October 29 Farmers Branch Campus 6:30 - 8:30 pm You and your family are invited to attend a Trunk-or-Treat and hot dog cookout! On October 29, we will line up decorated cars and trucks in our parking lot, and families will go from trunk to trunk in the American tradition of trickor-treating.
This is an attempt to provide a safe, friendly, and fun way for families to dress up and enjoy this festive evening. We will have two costume contests: one for kids ages 0 - 5, and another for kids ages 6 - 12. We’re inviting the whole community to attend! If you’d like to provide candy, help with hot dogs, or host your trunk, contact Tim Ketchersid: tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/trunk-or-treat
TheBranch
ORIENTATION Interested in learning more about The Branch Church? Do you have questions about what we do and what we believe at The Branch Church? Are you ready to take the next step, become a member, and get more involved? We want everyone who attends The Branch Church to engage in the activities we do together, and also to commit and submit to this body of believers. This is how we CONNECT, GROW, SERVE, and GO together! Whether you have attended for a short time, or have been here for years, make it official! Join us for The Branch Orientation. Upcoming dates:
• November 13 1
(10:45 am Farmers Branch Campus, 12:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus)
RSVP at thebranchchurch.org/tbo and let us know you’re coming. We look forward to having you!
Chris Seidman
VISION U P D AT E If you’ve been at The Branch for a while, then you know that for two years we’ve been in the process of looking for the right location to launch a third campus of The Branch Church. What have we meant by the “right location?” This includes: • The variables of cost. • Proximity to our other campuses so we can appropriately support it. • Proximity to enough of our present members to form a sizeable launch team. This process has included significant seasons of prayer for us as a church, the involvement of real estate specialists among us who’ve volunteered their time and resources, and the use of outside consultants. After two years, we still have not found what we believe to be the right fit in terms of location, and we are reconsidering some of our criteria for launching a third campus. In the meantime, the volume of people at the Vista Ridge Campus has continued to grow beyond the capacity of the facility, and this is particularly true with our children’s and student ministry space. This has caused us, as a leadership, to re-evaluate some things in terms of what we think is the next step strategically as a church. When we launched the Vista Ridge Campus in 2007, our intent was to improve and expand the facility that was on it in order to make the most of the opportunity along the 121 corridor to reach people and help them grow as followers of Jesus. Our immediate focus was paying off the property and making the most of the present facility. We became debt-free at the end of 2013. Our intent over the last 2 1/2 years has been to launch a third campus before addressing the needs of the Vista Ridge Campus. Our delay in progress toward identifying a location
and a campus pastor has given way to much prayer, thought, and dialogue among our elders and leadership.
The result has been that we believe we need to change the order of our approach, putting in motion the development and improvement of the Vista Ridge Campus. We want to emphasize that we are not abandoning our intent on launching a third campus. In fact, just as soon as we announce that we are putting in motion the development and improvement of the Vista Ridge Campus, we wouldn’t put it past God to surprise us. What we are doing is announcing our intent to proceed with developing the Vista Ridge Campus.
What does development of the Vista Ridge Campus mean? While we cannot say for sure at this time, it’s likely this will mean building a worship center on campus with twice the seating capacity that we have now. The present space we have would be converted into additional children’s and student ministry space. Having said that, we are in the beginning stages of working with specialists to help us consider the most effective facility plan light of our mission and the Vista Ridge location along the 121 corridor. If you’ve given specifically toward the launch of a third campus and we have record of it, we are going to follow up with you over the course of the next several weeks. In the meantime, we are thankful for the partnership of all of you in the mission of Jesus, and continue to treasure your prayers. May our hearts be sensitive enough to discern the Lord’s will and brave enough to follow Him wherever He leads.
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SMALL GROUPS
A great way to get connected is to
START A GROUP!
It’s easy to host a group. We will provide you with video content from fantastic teachers, a short briefing, and easyto-read materials to equip you to host the meetings. All you have to do is decide which study you want to do and then invite family, friends, co-workers, or someone you just met to join you. No expertise or experience required! We’re encouraging new groups to start meeting the week of October 2.
Host a group with an easy-to-use video-based study:
All the Places To Go How Will You Know? from John Ortberg
Very rarely in the Bible does God command someone to “stay.” He opens a door, and then he invites us to walk through it—into the unknown. And how we choose to respond will ultimately determine the lives we will lead and the people we will become. In this six-session video curriculum, best-selling author John Ortberg opens our eyes to the countless open doors God places before us every day, teaches us how to recognize them, and gives us the encouragement to step out in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that await. So go ahead—walk through that door. You just might do something that lasts for eternity.
The Daniel Plan
Faith • Food • Fitness • Focus • Friends from Rick Warren
In six sessions, you will be introduced to a groundbreaking healthy lifestyle program founded on biblical principles and focused on The Essentials: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends. The Daniel Plan teaches a practical step-by-step approach to achieving a healthy lifestyle where people get better together by optimizing their health in each of these life areas. The program offers simple ways to incorporate healthy choices into your current lifestyle. The over-arching message is about abundance, not deprivation, and this is why the plan is both transformational and sustainable. Throughout the program, you are encouraged to rely on God’s power, and the application of dependable biblical principles.
Exodus
God’s Relentless Pursuit of Us from Ashley McNary
“I have always seen the Bible as a collection of cool stories of great men and women of our faith. I was wrong. The stories are wild. The men and women are not always great. I mean, not at all. They are honestly pretty messed up. A lot of them do horribly dumb things and don’t trust God and argue with Him, and whine and complain and disobey over and over and over again. But I have come to realize that the Bible isn’t about the characters. The Bible is about God. The narrative is telling the story of God bringing His creation back to Himself. And it starts with Exodus.” - Ashley McNary In eight sessions, Ashley will take you through the book of Exodus and help you discover what it tells us about God.
The Book of Ephesians
from J.D. Greear
Has it ever dawned on you that nothing has ever dawned on God? He knew before the world began that His people would face hardship, so He gave us His Word. The Book of Ephesians is a survival manual—it equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle writes to encourage believers to live well— we’ve been lifted from the graveyard of sin and called to shout the gospel into the darkened world. Pastor and author J.D. Greear walks through the powerful words of Paul. In nine sessions, J.D. digs into the text of Ephesians verseby-verse, and challenges believers to live out the gospel. If the people of your city, of your school, of your family are going to hear the gospel, it’s going to be from your mouth. Encounter Ephesians, and get swept up into the story of Jesus.
New Groups Launch the Week of
OCTOBER 2
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For tips on starting or finding a group, contact one of our Campus Ministers.
Tim Ketchersid
Ryan Rainey
FB Campus Minister
VR Campus Minister
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
rrainey@thebranchchurch.org
Together with these families, we make a commitment before the Lord to submit these children to God’s will, and to help raise them according to God’s Word and God’s ways.
Sarabeth Behrens
Emma Gudgel
Shayne Eyer
Daniel Fein
Leanna Fein
Henry Harris
Abigail Lankford
Holden Mandel
Kaden McKinney
Max Myers
Rory Myers
Major Ogilvie
Austyn Pattison
Grace Regier
Penny Rivas
Theodore Schweikhard
Caleb Sensing
Asher Smith
Micah Stone
Bryce Turner
Caleb Turner
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Student Body Campouts Middle School: October 14-16 High School: November 11-13 Eisenhower State Park Cost: $65 per person All middle school and high school students are invited to go camping with us! Both campouts will be at the beautiful Eisenhower State Park with hiking, s’mores, other outdoor activities, and powerful moments of teaching and worship. Students will receive an awesome hoodie! Don’t miss out! Students must register at:
thebranchchurch.org/student-campouts
Saturday, November 5 • 6:30 - 8:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus Cost: $10 per family Come join us for an outdoor mother-son movie night. We’re watching the instant-classic animated movie, Zootopia! Moms, spend an evening with your sons, and don’t forget your blankets and lawn chairs!
RSVP at: thebranchchurch.org/mother-son
Kids Branch is what we do to teach kids about Jesus every weekend at The Branch Church. Our committed volunteers reinforce the values and teachings you work so hard to instill in your kids. We worship, play, and dive directly into the Bible each and every week. Your kids will grow to love engaging with God, while making great friends!
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Tim Scott
Kristan Renshaw Brittany Moore
NextGen Minister
Farmers Branch Kids Minister Vista Ridge Kids Minister
tscott@thebranchchurch.org krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org bmoore@thebranchchurch.org
The Branch Student Body is our ministry to 6th - 12th grade students. This is an important time of transition into maturity in Christ, and we encourage all of our students to attend and serve in our weekend services with their families. We have several ways for students to connect including weekly gatherings, occasional activities, and special events like Branch Camp, retreats, and overnighters!
D/GROUPS DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
D/GROUPS THE BRANCH STUDENT BODY
MB MONDAY BLEND
THE BRANCH STUDENT BODY
Farmers Branch
Vista Ridge
High School • Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
High School • Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:30 am
The primary way The Branch Student Body meets is in weekly Discipleship Groups (D/Groups), where students grow closer to God, their peers, and their leaders. This is critical to their development as followers of Christ.
MONDAY BLEND 7:00 pm on Mondays at the Farmers Branch Campus
Come hang out with your friends and our Student Outreach Minister, Ketch Smith, in the NextGen Coffee shop at the Farmers Branch Campus. Monday Blend is a great time to do your homework, play games, and spend time with your friends. Monday Blend is open to students from both campuses!
BREAKFAST & BIBLE 7:45 am on Tuesdays at the Farmers Branch Campus
BREAKFAST & BIBLE THE BRANCH STUDENT BODY
Come with your friends to Breakfast & Bible! Enjoy breakfast and an encouraging word from our Student Outreach Minister, Ketch Smith. Plus everyone will ride together to Vivian Field just in time for class! Breakfast & Bible is open to students from both campuses!
Questions? Ask us! Kyle Poff
Josh Brake
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
Student Outreach Minister
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
ksmith@thebranchchurch.org
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Ketch Smith
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Last month, we launched our new online connection hub and church database that we’re calling Branch Connect! Using the powerful Church Community Builder platform, Branch Connect enables you to: • Connect with people • Interact within Branch groups you belong to • Set up a recurring gift, and see your giving statement • Control the way the church communicates with you • Easily view and register for events ...and much more!
Learn more about Branch Connect and sign up at:
thebranchchurch.org/connect
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Quick Facts
•
Branch Connect is NOT an app. You can log in to the Branch Connect site from any device with internet browsing capability. Mobile devices can access the site; however, the user interface is designed to work best on a computer. There is also a “mobile login” that is a stripped-down version of the Branch Connect site designed for mobile devices. From the login screen, select “mobile login” under the username and password fields.
•
Your login is secure. The information you enter is available only to others with a login, and logins are only granted to those who attend The Branch Church.
•
We use the site as our church directory, so make sure your contact information (phone, address, email) is always up to date. You can control what pieces of your profile other members see. Click your name on the top right of the screen and select the ‘Update Privacy’ link.
•
For security reasons, addresses and phone numbers for church members will not be given out by staff. Please use Branch Connect to look up someone’s information. If they haven’t made it available, you can send them an email and ask for it.
•
The more complete your My Fit selections, the more we can identify opportunities for you to serve in the church. Click your name on the top right, select ‘Edit profile’, and then click on the ‘My Fit’ tab to select your Spiritual Gifts, Passions, and Abilities.
•
If your child has food allergies or other special instructions, you can indicate so on his/her profile and that information will be included on their Kids Branch name tag.
•
Branch Connect customizes your calendar based on which groups you’re in. Your ‘My calendar’ shows events you’ve registered for, your groups’ events, and needs you’ve chosen to provide.
•
Log in regularly! Check the message boards for all your groups, and share burdens, praises, and prayer requests. You can post a comment using the link in the email you receive when a message or comment is posted.
•
See your giving record online. It is, of course, completely private, but you’ll be able to log in and print your own giving report.
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The Branch Connect site provides tools for surveys and event registration. If your group needs one of these tools, ask one of the church administrators how to create them.
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The Branch Connect site provides attendance tracking. We encourage our groups and classes to log attendance. If you need help setting up your group, contact Jaron Pitts: jpitts@thebranchchurch.org
Confused? Have a question or concern? Contact Jaron Pitts: jpitts@thebranchchurch.org
“Send me an email and I’d love to help you!”
Enter to win a FREE iPad mini! To encourage everyone to have a completely filled-out profile, we’re giving away a free iPad mini! In order to be eligible, you must complete these steps:
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Contact Information
Ensure that your name, email, contact phone, and address are correct. (You can edit these by clicking your name at the top right of the screen and selecting the ‘Edit Profile’ option.)
2
Profile Picture
If you haven’t already, upload a current photo of JUST YOU. See the Profile Photo Tips below. (You can add your photo by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, selecting ‘Edit Profile’ and clicking the ‘Choose File’ button in your personal information section.)
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‘My Fit’ Information
Indicate at least one Spiritual Gift, one Passion, and one Ability under the ‘My Fit’ tab. (You can edit these by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, selecting ‘Edit Profile’, and choosing the ‘My Fit’ tab on the top-center blue menu.)
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Service You Usually Attend
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Join the ‘Free iPad Drawing’ Group
Select which service(s) you usually attend under the ‘Plugged In’ tab.
(You can edit this by clicking your name at the top right of the screen, selecting ‘Edit Profile,’ and choosing the ‘Plugged In’ tab on the top-center blue menu.)
The winner will be randomly selected from this group on Tuesday, November 1. To join the group, select ‘Groups’ from the black menu on the left of the screen. Then search for ‘Free iPad Drawing.’
Profile Picture TIPS
It’s important for you to use a clear and current picture of yourself. Here are a few examples of what NOT to do:
Too out of date
Too far away
Too close
No couples
Not your pet
Not your car
No groups
Not your kids
Can’t see your face Yes! The real you.
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For the month of October, we are partnering with Compassion International to provide loving care for children living in poverty.
Every 6 check-ins provides 1 day of care for a child in need. Compassion International is a child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. The goal is for each child to become a responsible and fulfilled adult. When you check in on Facebook, make sure to add #compassion4kids to your posts. It’s a great way to remind your friends and family why you’re checking in! To learn more about Compassion International, check out their site: compassion.com
How it works: We make a donation to a Kingdom-building cause every time our community checks in on Facebook. It’s a great way to tell your friends about The Branch Church, and do some good in the process. If you need some help checking in on Facebook, just ask any of our staff members and we’ll show you how. The Branch Church Farmers Branch Campus
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The Branch Church Vista Ridge Campus
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
Men’s Bible Study: Mighty Men Saturdays beginning October 15 Vista Ridge Campus 7:30 - 8:45 am Mighty Men is a Bible study group for men at the Vista Ridge Campus. Learn to grow in the fundamentals of the faith alongside other men. This is a great opportunity for you to strengthen your walk with the Lord and become a mighty man of God. No need to register, just come join us!
Vista Ridge Campus:
Mondays through Nov. 21 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Farmers Branch Campus:
Men’s Life Prayer Breakfast Saturdays Beginning September 10 Farmers Branch Campus 7:30 am
Spend your Saturday morning with other men from The Branch! All men are welcome for breakfast and Women’s Bible Study is a weekly Bible study in the Branch Café at the gathering for women that includes Farmers Branch Campus. fellowship time, group discussion, This ministry has been meeting and large group lectures. together for years, and serves to Women of all ages are welcome to encourage men in their faith and join us! strengthen them in Christ. Learn more at: If you would like to know more thebranchchurch.org/wbs about Men’s Life, contact:
Wednesdays through Nov. 16 9:45 - 11:30 am
Bro. Eddy Ketchersid: eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org Phone: 972-345-1645
Single Branches
Young at Heart: BBQ Picnic Sunday, October 23 Gussie Field Watterworth Park 3:00 - 5:00 pm Everyone is welcome. Paul Barner will be handling the meat, so bring a side dish that will go well with BBQ! We’ll have lots of fellowship, fun, and games! Nobody holds a BBQ better than The Branch -- see you there -- it will be by the Farmers Branch City Hall!
Single Branches is our ministry for active widowed, divorced, and single adults who are 50+ years of age. The aim of the ministry is to provide a variety of monthly social events so that Branch singles may meet each other and build friendships. Join our group in Branch Connect for the latest news and updates, or contact Paulette Travis: ptravis0822@yahoo.com
Please RSVP to Eddy Ketchersid: eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org Phone: 972-345-1645
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Branch Cares is a ministry designed to look after, and take care of, people within our church body. It is rooted in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….” The vision for this ministry is to reach out, help, and connect with:
Widows • Widowers • Single parents • Homebound • Caregivers • Those who are grieving Ministry volunteers will also deliver communion to the homebound and any others who are unable to attend services.
How Do We Reach Out? One or more of our volunteer ministry members will call and/or visit the person. The ministry member will attempt to find out how the person is doing, if they have any needs (house repairs, help with transportation to the store, doctor visits, etc.), and also offer to pray for/with them if they so desire. If you are interested in becoming a Branch Cares ministry volunteer, or if you know of someone who is connected to The Branch Church and may be interested in having one of our ministry members contact them, you can fill out the Volunteer Application or Referral Form on our website listed below.
Questions? Farmers Branch Email: fbcares@thebranchchurch.org Vista Ridge Email: vrcares@thebranchchurch.org Church Office: (972) 247-2109
thebranchchurch.org/espanol The Branch Church en Español - Farmers Branch Campus The Branch en Español. Somos tu Familia en Cristo. 2016: Año de Crecimiento Espiritual Permite que el Espíritu Santo te guíe a alcanzar tus imposibles. Acompáñanos y adoremos a Dios y fortalezcamos nuestra fe en Cristo en el idioma español. Actividades durante la semana: • Dos Servicios de Adoración DOMINGOS 9:00 AM y 10:45 AM (clases bíblicas para niños de 3 meses hasta quinto grado en inglés)
• Martes de Oración – 7:00 pm (niños y jóvenes también participan)
• Miércoles de Estudio Bíblico – 7:00 pm (clases bíblicas para niños en español y reunión de jóvenes en inglés)
Esperamos verte pronto. ¡Nos encantará saludarte en persona!
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Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
Current Serving Opportunities
Interested in serving at The Branch? Below are some areas of need.
Kitchen Host
Keyboard/Piano Player
Where: Vista Ridge Campus When: Sundays 10:40 - 11:30 am Frequency: 1 month on, 1 month off, repeat Responsibilities: • Keep coffee service running. • Clean up coffee and donuts after service begins. Contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org
Where: Vista Ridge Campus or Farmers Branch Campus When: Tuesday (Celebrate Recovery), Thursday and Sunday (services) Frequency: 2-4 times per month Responsibilities: • Practice music for the week at home and come prepared. • Be on time and ready to enthusiastically help lead the congregation in worship! Contact James Asplund: jasplund@thebranchchurch.org
Greeter Where: Vista Ridge Campus or Farmers Branch Campus When: Any service time Frequency: 1 month on, 1 month off, repeat Responsibilities: • Arrive 15 minutes before service to greet people entering the building, or hand them a bulletin as they enter the Worship Center. You will finish at your post 15 minutes after service begins. For VR, contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org For FB, contact Tim Ketchersid: tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Parking Lot Greeter Where: Vista Ridge Campus When: Any service time Frequency: 1 month on, 1 month off, repeat Responsibilities: • Wave to people as they enter the parking lot and assist with any parking lot needs. (Example: Umbrella assistance on rainy days.) For VR, contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org For FB, contact Tim Ketchersid: tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Singer Where: Farmers Branch Campus When: Sundays 8:00 - 10:15 am (acappella) or 8:30 - 12:00 pm (contemporary) Frequency: 1-2 times per month Responsibilities: • Practice music for the week at home and come prepared. • Be on time and ready to enthusiastically help lead the congregation in worship! Contact James Asplund: jasplund@thebranchchurch.org
Kids Branch Check-In Greeter Sub Where: Farmers Branch Campus When: Before either Sunday service How Many Needed: 5 Frequency: Filling in as needed (< once a month) Responsibilities: • Greet families and assist them with the check-in process. • Enter new families into the system (no technical skills required). Contact Kristan Renshaw: krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
Serving is a great way to get plugged in at The Branch. Contact us today! Kids Branch Classroom/Group Leader Frequency: Every Sunday during the 2016-2017 school year (through June 4, 2017) Responsibilities: • Arrive at least 15 minutes before service begins. • Build relationships with the kids in your group. • Lead your small group in reading the Bible story, games, crafts, and activities. • Know and care about your small group, pray for them during the week, and send them notes of encouragement. Vista Ridge Campus Contact Brittany Moore: bmoore@thebranchchurch.org When & How Many Needed: • Sundays 9:30 am - 2 x Preschool Classroom Leader - 1 x Kindergarten Small Group Leader - 4 x Substitutes •
Sundays 11:15 am - 1 x Preschool Classroom Leader - 1 x Elementary Co-Leader
Farmers Branch Campus Contact Kristan Renshaw: krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org When & How Many Needed: • Sundays 9:00 am - 1 x Nursery Leader •
Sundays 10:45 am - 2 x Nursery Leader - 2 x Toddler Teacher - 2 x 2-Year-Old Teacher - 4 x Elementary MALE Small Group Leaders
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THE BRANCH FAMILY NEWS We Mourn With:
Welcome These New Members:
• Amy Hance and her family in the loss of her father,
Robert Walter Peterson Sr., on September 19.
We Celebrate These Births: 8/31/16
Stephen Caleb Garza (M) Grandmother: Debbie Garza
9/19/16
Sadie Nell Arthur (F) Parents: John and Angie Arthur
9/25/16
Jackson Quinn Morton (M) Parents: Trent and Robyn Morton
9/27/16
Connor Ray Badillo (M) Parents: Matt and Tabatha Badillo
We Celebrate These Baptisms: 9/4/16 9/11/16 9/11/16 9/11/16 9/18/16
Tyler Blair Luz Duque Almida Guevara Ada Guevara Ron Watts
Weekend Stats - September 2016: Attendance Average: 1760 Total Giving: $ 283,934
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Farmers Branch Campus
Steven and Mary Kasinger Beverly Morris Ian and India Morris Donna Peters Justin and Getsemani Smith Vista Ridge Campus
Alex Bagnall and Jennifer McCallum (engaged) Seth and Marissa Bell (Children: Zebedee and Zaiden) Dezi Davis Jim and Renee Davis (Children: Micaela, Pontius, and Will) Becca Hill Emmanuel and Tana Ifarinde (Child: Ethan) Jerry and DeDe Jackson Rosa Paniagua Shaun and Rene Schimmelman (Children: Parker and Piercen) Karen Tagalog James and Wendy Watkins (Children: Logan, Samantha, and Mackenzie)
NOW ON TUESDAYS Every week – even on holidays! Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program that meets EVERY week — rain or shine! We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups, and CR is a program designed to help you find freedom. Come hear testimonies, find encouragement, and step forward in faith THIS WEEK! More about Celebrate Recovery: Celebrate Recovery (or CR) is based on God’s Word, the Bible. When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, he began by stating “Eight Ways to Be Happy.” Today we call them the Beatitudes. From a conventional viewpoint, most of these statements didn’t make sense. They sounded like contradictions. But when we fully understand what Jesus is saying, we’ll realize that these eight principles are God’s road to recovery, wholeness, growth, and spiritual maturity. CR is forward-looking. Rather than wallowing in the past, or dredging up and rehearsing painful memories over and over, Celebrate Recovery focuses on the future. Regardless of what has already happened, the solution is to start making wise choices now and depend on Christ’s power to help us make those changes.
CR emphasizes personal responsibility. We cannot control all that happens to us. But we can control how we respond to everything. That is a secret of happiness. When we stop wasting time fixing the blame, we have more energy to fix the problem. When we stop hiding our own faults and stop hurling accusations at others, then the healing power of Christ can begin working in our minds, wills, and emotions.
Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth.
CR utilizes the biblical truth that we need each other in order to grow spiritually and emotionally. It is built around small group interaction and the fellowship of a caring community. There are many therapies, growth programs, and counselors today that are built around one-on-one interaction. But Celebrate Recovery is built on the New Testament principle that we don’t get well by ourselves. We need each other.
We are seeing hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful habits, hang-ups, and hurts as they allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of their lives. To God be the glory! We’ll be praying for you.
CR addresses all types of habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Some recovery programs deal only with alcohol or drugs or another single problem. But Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” program under which a limitless number of issues can be dealt with.
Learn more: thebranchchurch.org/cr
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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event (Location)
Times
Sun
10/2
Strong Marriages Class Begins (Farmers Branch Campus)
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Middle School Campout (Registration opens 9/19)
2 Nights
Fri-Sun
10/14-16
Sat
10/15
Men’s Bible Study: Mighty Men Begins (Vista Ridge Campus)
7:30 - 8:45 am
Sat
10/23
Young at Heart: BBQ Picnic
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Sat
10/29
Trunk-or-Treat (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sat
11/5
Mother-Son Movie Night (Vista Ridge Campus)
6:30 - 8:30 pm
High School Campout
2 Nights
Fri-Sun
11/11-13
Sun
11/13
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am Vista Ridge 12:30 pm
Sat
11/19
Sack Thanksgiving Hunger (*Both Campuses)
9:30 am
Fri
12/2
Christmas Movie Night (Vista Ridge Campus)
TBD
Sun
12/4
Young at Heart: Christmas Luncheon
TBD
Thurs
12/22
Christmas Candlelight Service (Vista Ridge Campus)
7:00 pm
Fri
12/23
Christmas Candlelight Services (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:00 pm
Sat
12/24
Christmas Candlelight Service (Vista Ridge Campus)
3:00 pm & 5:00 pm
Sat
12/24
Christmas Candlelight Service (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:00 pm
Weekly Events Calendar Day
Time
Event (Location)
Start/End Date
Sun
Early Service
Student Body: MS D/Groups
Mon
6:30 pm
Women’s Bible Study (Vista Ridge)
Mon
7:00 pm
Student Body: Monday Blend (Farmers Branch)
Tues
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery (Vista Ridge)
Tues
7:45 am
Student Body: Breakfast & Bible (Farmers Branch)
Wed
9:45 am
Women’s Bible Study (Farmers Branch)
Wed
6:30 pm
Student Body: D/Groups (Both Campuses)
Thurs
6:45 pm
Thursday Night Church (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Mighty Men Bible Study (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Men’s Life Bible Study (Farmers Branch Campus)
(Both Campuses)
Office: 972-247-2109
thebranchchurch.org
*Begins October 15
Email: info@thebranchchurch.org
Farmers Branch Campus
Vista Ridge Campus
3035 Valley View Lane Dallas, TX 75234
3601 Huffines Boulevard Carrollton, TX 75010
Sundays: 9:00 am & 10:45
Thursdays: 6:45 pm Sundays: 9:30 & 11:15 am