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Fight Night Sunday, February 12 6:00 - 8:30pm *Doors open at 5:15 pm Vista Ridge Campus Cost: FREE Let’s face it, all couples fight. Learn how to fight a Good Fight. Join us for a fun event filled with humor, fresh insight, and new strategies for your relationship. Fight Night: How to Fight Fair is for everyone – newlyweds, “oldyweds,” seriously dating, engaged couples – anyone wanting to make a good relationship great. We are hosting this live simulcast at our Vista Ridge Campus, and it is open to anyone in the community who wants to attend. Heavy appetizers, chocolate, and coffee will be served starting at 5:15 pm and the simulcast will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. Childcare is available ONLY for those who register. Registration ends Friday, February 10.
Register at: thebranchchurch.org/fight-night
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:
• March 26 (10:45 am Farmers Branch Campus, 12:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus) 1
RSVP at thebranchchurch.org/tbo and let us know you’re coming. We look forward to having you!
The MANCARD Event Friday, February 24 Vista Ridge Campus
MANCARD
IS not:
MANCARD
IS:
6:30 pm
• overnight
• inspirational
Cost: $15 per person
• long
• live entertainment
• boring
• meat
• a lecture
• fire
• a guilt trip
• poker & games
• a bad way to spend a Friday night
• contests
Register at:
• hangout time
thebranchchurch.org/mancard
Women’s Bible Study Vista Ridge Campus: Mondays at 6:30 pm Farmers Branch Campus: Wednesdays at 9:45 am This term, the Women’s Bible Study is investigating the power of the Cross. Through the four vantage points of the gospels, we uncover the depth of the necessity of the Cross, and the power it can have in our lives. Join us in discovering how the end is just the beginning. Learn more:
thebranchchurch.org/wbs
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Sack Spring Break Hunger Saturday, March 11 Farmers Branch Campus 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Come help us Sack Spring Break Hunger! With no school during Spring Break, students in our community who usually receive free/reduced breakfast and lunch can use some help. Like we do with Sack Summer Hunger, we partner with Metrocrest Services to deliver food to these families the Saturday before Spring Break. Show up or donate if you want to help. A family can eat for a week for $10. Checks can be made out to The Branch Church with “Sack Spring Break Hunger� in the memo line. Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/sack-hunger
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Join Us On The Journey For the first several weeks of the year, we’re walking through this gospel in our weekend services, small groups, and individual Bible studies. In other words, we’re all in the gospel of John together! Please invite a friend to join us on the journey at The Branch! We’re giving away free copies of a book we’ve produced that contains the entire gospel of John. We will give one to every person who attends. This is an opportunity for us to gradually read through this gospel – a little bit each day. But this is about more than reading Scripture for a couple of minutes each day. It’s about reflecting on what it is we’re reading. For each daily reading, I’ve included a few questions to help you reflect on what you’ve read. The things within the gospel of John have been written “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) Note the word “believing.” It’s a continual thing. Don’t stop. There’s more life than we can possibly imagine in the Son.
To get the most out of this journey, you need to be on it with other people. We are encouraging all of our existing Small Groups to process the gospel of John together using the book. This will provide a place for you to share with your group what you are experiencing and hear how God is speaking to others. Jump in with us and make 2017 your year to grow in your capacity to listen and obey!
Don’t have a Small Group yet? We can help you get one started or get you connected with an existing group!
Tim Ketchersid
Ryan Rainey
FB Campus Minister
VR Campus Minister
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
rrainey@thebranchchurch.org
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This February, we’re asking you to check-in with love. We will be partnering with Compassion International to provide days of care for a child in need.
Every 6 Facebook check-ins will provide a 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. In the program, the children will receive: nutritious meals to combat hunger, health assessments to identify medical needs, lessons in reading, writing and math, training for proper hygiene practices, and the opportunity to hear about God’s love for them. Learn more about Compassion International: facebook.com/compassionintl/ or compassion.com The hashtag this month is #compassion4kids. Thanks for checking in for the children of Compassion!
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.
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The Branch Church Farmers Branch Campus
The Branch Church Vista Ridge Campus
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
Young at Heart Valentine Luncheon
Sunday, February 12 12:00 pm Farmers Branch Campus Cost: $10 per person
Lunch • Dave Tanner • Special Valentine Musical • Valentine Bingo • Door Prizes Make a reservation by putting your name and the number attending on your Communication Card, or by contacting Bro. Eddy Ketchersid at 972-345-1645. Bring a guest!
Single Branches 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! Questions? Contact Paulette Travis: ptravis0822@yahoo.com
More details at: thebranchchurch.org/yah-valentine
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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 connected to The Branch Church who 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)
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Esperamos verte pronto. ¡Nos encantará saludarte en persona!
Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
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!
Tim Scott NextGen Minister
Kristan Renshaw Brittany Moore 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
Farmers Branch
Vista Ridge
High School • Wednesdays at 7:15 pm
High School • Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
(in homes - Contact Josh Brake for details)
(at church building)
Middle School • Sundays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 6:45 pm (at church building)
Middle School • Sundays at 9:15 am (at church building)
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.
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 Josh Brake. Plus everyone will ride together to Vivian Field just in time for class! Breakfast & Bible is open to students from both campuses!
**Weekly schedules and locations are subject to change. Contact Josh or Kyle for the latest updates and details.**
Kyle Poff
Josh Brake
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
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THE BRANCH FAMILY NEWS We Mourn With:
We Celebrate These Baptisms:
• Brett Farr and his family in the loss of his brother,
11/8/16 1/4/17 1/15/17 1/19/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/22/17 1/24/17
Brett Faris
1/29/17 1/29/17 1/29/17 1/29/17 1/29/17
Alayna Weyandt Mike Atkins Drew Darby Joey Caprio Simon Martinez
Kent Farr, on January 2. • Laurie Evans and her family in the loss of her mother, Nancy Payne, on January 15. • Sue Fredrick and her family in the loss of her husband, John Fredrick, on January 16. • Cindy Messer and her family in the loss of her niece’s 6-month-old son, Ozzie Cooper, on January 17. • Pamla Brosh, Ashli Amos, and their family in the loss of their son/brother, Lance Moore, on January 22.
We Celebrate These Births: 1/5/17
Edward Draper Sanders (M) Parents: Stacey and Torey
Welcome These New Members: Vista Ridge Campus
Nicholas and Martha Carver (Child: Olivia) Reginald and Nicole Cole David and Amy Comerford (Children: Veronica, Victorya, Marshall, and Mychael)
Diana Craig (Children: Marcus and Marie Campos) Theresa Ferguson Xochitl Gallegos Stephen and Erin Parker Allison Pound (Children: Olivia and Caroline) Farmers Branch Campus
David Beardsley Jeff and KK Johnston Cody and Lindy Kiser (Children: Emma, Maggie, and Henry) Jodie Madera (Children: Matilda and Marzia) Tanner and Christina Phillips Jamie Rubeck Ben and Mallory Stevens Devin and Katie Wyatt Matthew Zaayer (Child: Alexis)
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Brittany Evaro Chloe Stevens Kelly Tiedemann Michele Ellenburg Sabrina Ellenburg Erin Smith Niki Wight Theresa Ferguson Samantha Anunson Emma Winiger Kari Barnes Carissa Shilling April Muller Philip Crawford Andy Muller Russell Moon Sean Jahanbin Ramses Escobar Jose Escobar Jr Jaime Sosa Jose Solorzano Melissa Mijares Maggie Escobar Teaira Ford Jayonna Edelen Angie Marlin Lucy Griggs
Weekend Stats - January 2017: Attendance Average: 1921 Giving Average: $53,398 Keep us in the loop! Send news and updates to:
kfox@thebranchchurch.org
EVERY TUESDAY 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. 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.
Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth. 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. 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.
Learn more: thebranchchurch.org/cr
Weekly Schedule:
This Month at CR:
6:15 pm – Dinner
Feb 7 - A testimony from Ruth Musgrave Feb 14 - Game Night
7:00 pm – Worship & Large Group 8:00 pm – Open Share Groups
Feb 21 - Ryan Rainey “Sanity” Feb 28 - Special guest testimony
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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event (Location)
Times
Sun
2/5
Elder Recommendation Forms Due
---
Sun
2/12
Young at Heart: Valentines
12:00 pm
Sun
2/12
Marriage Event: Fight
Sat
2/18
Middle School Only
Fri
2/24
Men’s Event:
Wed Fri-Sun
3/1 3/3-5
Luncheon (Farmers Branch Campus)
Night (Vista Ridge Campus)
5:15 - 8:30 pm
Whirlyball/Lasertag
TBD
MANCARD (Vista Ridge Campus)
6:30 pm
Night of Worship (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery Retreat
3 Days
Sat
3/11
Sack Spring Break Hunger (Farmers Branch Campus)
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sun
3/12
Daylight Saving Time Begins
2:00 am
Sat
3/25
Student Body Overnighter
TBD
Sun
3/26
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am Vista Ridge 12:30 pm
Sat
4/15
Easter Party (Both Campuses)
TBD
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)
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
*Ends February 18
Email: info@thebranchchurch.org
Farmers Branch Campus
Vista Ridge Campus
3035 Valley View Lane Farmers Branch, TX 75234
3601 Huffines Boulevard Carrollton, TX 75010
Sundays: 9:00 & 10:45 am
Thursdays: 6:45 pm Sundays: 9:15 & 11:00 am