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Branch Equip Saturday, October 28 Farmers Branch Campus 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Cost: Free In this one-day event, leaders Tim Ketchersid, Janice Ingram, Tim Scott, and Ryan Rainey will guide you through a curriculum developed specifically to help Branch members to grow and develop as disciples. Our goal is for everyone who calls The Branch their church home to experience this course. Lunch is provided. No childcare will be available. Please consider joining us! NURTURING THE DNA OF A DISCIPLE Understanding and embracing the four core values of discipleship – Connect, Grow, Serve, and Go. HELPING THINGS GO WELL Becoming a person of peace and influence by identifying and breaking free from attitudes and behaviors that stem from self-deception. LEADING LIKE JESUS An inspirational look at how Jesus modeled for us equipping and empowering others in the four basic stages of leadership development. ENCOUNTERING GOD’S LOVE Everything in the Kingdom of God, especially servant-hearted leadership, begins and ends with encountering God’s love and responding to it. Register at thebranchchurch.org/equip
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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:
• October 15 (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!
Trunk or Treat Sunday, October 29 Farmers Branch Campus 6:30 - 8:00 pm
is an attempt to provide a safe, friendly, and fun way for families to dress up and enjoy the American tradition of trick-or-treating.
Dress up and host your trunk at this year’s Trunk or Treat!
Kids love playing games at the trunks and seeing all of the creative ways they’re decorated.
We will line up decorated cars and trucks in our rear parking lot at the Farmers Branch Campus, and host the neighborhood in this exciting event for all ages! Trunk or Treat
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
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Women’s Fall Retreat Fri-Sat, November 10-11 Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center Cost: $50 Get out of town with friends! Rest in the outdoors of the beautiful Hoblitzelle camp and conference center just south of Midlothian. Restore your peace of mind with a relaxed pace and good food. Buses will leave the Farmers Branch Campus at 6:00 pm on Friday. We will return to Farmers Branch Campus on Saturday evening between 8:00 - 9:00 pm. You are going to thank yourself for signing up for this year’s Women’s Fall Retreat! Bring your pillow, a sleeping bag, Bible, journal, pen, and a sweater. The REST is up to you! Register in The Branch Church app or at:
thebranchchurch.org/women
All-Church Night of Worship Wednesday, November 15 Farmers Branch Campus 7:00 - 8:30 pm Please join us for an extended time of worship and prayer. These special nights are designed to help you encounter God in a meaningful way. Jaron Pitts and Sarah Asplund will lead us in worship. Learn more at:
thebranchchurch.org/night-of-worship 3
Young at Heart Group
Bar-B-Q Picnic at the Park Sunday, October 15 3:00 - 5:00 pm Gussie Field Watterworth Park Pavillion •
Everyone is welcome!
•
Paul Barner will be taking care of the meat.
•
You bring side dishes that go well with Bar-B-Q!
•
We will have lots of fellowship, fun, and games!
• •
TO ENCOURAGE YOU •
In Dallas County alone by 2025 the “60 and Older Population Projection” will be 464,450. This does not include Denton, Tarrant, and Collin counties. This suggests great outreach opportunities for the Lord’s church among those who are 60+ years of age.
•
Paul Cedar, who heads up Mission America Coalition, shares these “Fast Facts.” •
81% of U.S. adults believe the Bible is the actual or inspired Word of God. (Only 19% don’t!)
Invite others!
•
RSVP to Bro. Eddy - (972-345-1645) or email eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
About a third of Americans have read through all or almost all the entire Bible. (About 70% have not!)
•
Only 16 % of millennials (age 30 or under) believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally, word for word.
•
According to a Center for Missional Research study, 32% of church plants do not survive past four years. (68% do! Thank God The Branch at Vista Ridge is now 10 years old!)
•
50% of millennial evangelicals say, “Government aid to the poor does more harm than good.” (50% believe it still does good!)
•
43% of U.S. adults believe Jesus was God living among humans. (How can we believe the Bible and not believe who Jesus is?)
•
8% of U.S. adults believe Jesus was a great man and great teacher, but not divine. (92% do believe Jesus was divine! I know, this does not really add up and is inconsistent with some of the above numbers, but when Jesus comes back ALL will believe!)
•
70% of American adults say being a father is the most important role for a man to fill in today’s world. (Amen!)
•
Millennials are now America’s largest generation, outnumbering Baby Boomers – 83 million to 75 million.
JOIN A
SMALL GROUP The START UP GROUP meets on Wednesday nights at 6:30 in the Family Life Center of the Farmers Branch Campus. A potluck supper is followed by Bible study, and we usually end about 8:00 pm. We have plenty of room for you!
Brother Eddy Ketchersid Office: 972-284-7813 Cell: 972-345-1645 eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
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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 (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!
Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
Women’s Bible Study Vista Ridge Campus: Mondays, September 11 - December 11 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Farmers Branch Campus: Wednesdays, September 6 - December 6 9:45 - 11:30 am Join us this fall as we study ACTS and LETTERS. Register in The Branch Church app or at:
thebranchchurch.org/women
Men’s Bible Study Saturdays at 7:30 am Both Campuses Breakfast, Bible study, prayer, and friendship on Saturday mornings. If you’d like to learn more, contact the leaders below. Farmers Branch - Eddy Ketchersid:
eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org Vista Ridge - Ryan Rainey:
rrainey@thebranchchurch.org 5
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
For the month of October, we are excited to partner with Compassion International to malnourished children grow strong through supplemental food and vitamins.
Every 6 check-ins will provide a nutrient rich meal to a child in need. Malnutrition is not just a lack of food, it is a lack of the right food. Compassion helps children gain access to the food, vitamins, and supplements that will help them be healthy, active children. Last year, Compassion International provided nutritional food to over 85,000 severely malnourished children. If you want to learn more about Compassion, you can check them out at: compassion.com The hashtag this month is #compassion4kids. Thanks for checking in to give health to these children!
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
The Branch Church Vista Ridge Campus
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Kids Branch Sunday mornings at both services Ages 3 months - 5th Grade
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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Kristan Renshaw
Brittany Moore
Farmers Branch Kids Minister
Vista Ridge Kids Minister
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!
SMALL GROUPS Farmers Branch
Vista Ridge
High School • Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
High School • Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:15 am
The primary way The Branch Student Body meets is in weekly Small Groups, where students grow closer to God, their peers, and their leaders. This is critical to their development as followers of Christ.
**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
Student Body Campouts Middle school: Fri-Sun, October 13-15 High school: Fri-Sun, November 10-12 All students are invited to go camping with us at the beautiful Eisenhower State Park! There will be hiking, s’mores, other outdoor activities, and powerful moments of teaching and worship! Students will spend time connecting with each other and connecting with God as we get away from the normal routine! Each person will receive a hoodie. The cost for the event is $65. Register in The Branch Church app or at thebranchchurch.org/campout
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Following Jesus will always lead us beyond ourselves. We’re called to pray, give, serve, and live beyond ourselves so that others might come to know and follow Jesus. This is our purpose – our “why” – behind what we do and how we do it.
We currently have more than 50 middle school students meeting in a room designed for 25-30 people.
We believe we are entering a new season in which God is calling us to something beyond ourselves. We have a plan, but it’s not yet in motion. We are asking for your help to confirm that this plan is of the Lord by entering into a season of prayer. What you have to share after this season of prayer will be a critical part of our journey! When we launched the Vista Ridge Campus in 2007, we knew we would have to eventually expand the facility on that campus if we were to help more people in the immediate vicinity come to know and follow Jesus. Presently, more than a thousand people meet at the Vista Ridge Campus in a facility of approximately 25,000 square feet. (Just as a point of reference, our Farmers Branch Campus is approximately 45,000 square feet.) For some time now, we’ve been running at maximum capacity in the present children’s wing on Sunday mornings. At the most, we can appropriately handle 120-130 kids per service at the Vista Ridge Campus.
Our leadership believes the time has come for us to address the limitations of our facility on the Vista Ridge Campus. We’ve discerned two pressing needs which are a part of our strategy for reaching others. These are for significantly more space for our children’s ministry and student ministry, and for more space in regard to showing hospitality and helping people to connect with others. An early 3D render of the proposed addition.
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A southeast view of the existing facility on the left and proposed new addition on the right.
Southeast Our desire is toBirdseye build aView 22,000 square-foot, twostory building for children’s ministry, which would attach to the present building.
THE COST •
The children’s wing is estimated at $6 million.
It would be attached through our present lobby. This would necessitate the expansion of the lobby. We have needed additional space in our lobby to make it possible for people to meet, connect, and converse with one another.
•
The remodeling of the lobby and present children’s wing into student ministry and hospitality space is estimated at $2 million.
•
Architecture, engineering, fees, permits, FF&E, etc. is estimated to be at $1 million.
•
This brings the estimated total cost of the expansion and remodel project to $9 million.
SOME GREAT NEWS Main Entry, Alternate No. 1 Copyright 2017 |8/3/2017 11:49:29 AM
What would happen with our present children’s wing? A significant portion of it would be remodeled to serve as space for our student ministry. The remaining portion would be remodeled to serve as multi-purpose space which could be used for hosting meals, connection events, and overflow crowds during certain times of the year, such as Easter and Christmas.
We have two pieces of very good news! We already have $1.25 million set aside to get started. Earlier this year, two donors, wishing to remain anonymous, have come together and committed to match, dollar-fordollar, the first $2.5 million given to this project. Can you imagine? $2.5 million becomes $5.0 million! This is an extraordinary opportunity we have as a church.
THE PLAN When we consider what we already have set aside and the matching gift opportunity, we need to raise ~$6 million for this project to come to pass.
Our leadership does not think it’s wise to borrow the money for this project, unless we have commitments to cover the cost. We’re debt-free as a church, and don’t want to incur long-term debt. Instead, the leadership is asking us to envision paying for the project over the course of three years, from 2018 - 2020.
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68 SF
503 SF
Children / Multipurpose Nurs 1
Nurs Recp. 235 SF
71 SF
Pres. 2
Circulation
506 SF
Pres. 3
403 SF
68 SF
Nurs 2 451 SF
Circulation - Secure
539 SF
Pres. 1 451 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Pres. Recp.
Kitchen / Hospitality
Toilet
Men
235 SF
70 SF
199 SF
Circulation 682 SF
Pres. 4 403 SF
Nursery / Preschool
oilet
Women
SF
241 SF
Jan.
Restroom 34 SF
2790 SF
Elect.
Nurs 1
77 SF
Stage
403 SF
Stair
Play
287 SF
642 SF
Nursery Recp. 168 SF
Resource
Storage 263 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Support Admin 457 SF
Todd 1
Elev.
539 SF
48 SF
Storage 26 SF
Worship 21 SF
edundant Room
Toilet
Vestibule
Changing
Circulation
112 SF
Changing
503 SF
101 SF
Changing
68 SF
Todd 2 Lobby
Baptistry
21 SF
4799 SF
Youth / Multipurpose
412 SF
Changing 26 SF2 Pres.
Changing
Nurs 1 403 SF
Nurs Recp. 235 SF
71 SF
506 SF
49 SF
68 SF
451 SF
Todd 2
Pres. 3 539 SF
503 SF
Coffee
Pres. 1
140 SF
451 SF
Circulation
Men
235 SF
70 SF
682 SF
AV Sound
71 SF
Pres. 2
109 SF
403 SF
Nurs Recp. 235 SF
Women 296 SF
506 SF
68 SF
Vestibule Women 51 SF
Nurs 2
Secure. Cir.
284 SF
1879 SF
Support
Class
438 SF
489 SF
Support
Class
364 SF
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
Support
1879 SF Class
379 SF
489 SF
Jan. 34 SF
1443 SF
Elect.
Class
65 SF
489 SF
Stair
287 SF
Boys 223 SF
Class Secure Cir. 409 SF
Class
471 SF
510 SF
Upper Commons 1156 SF
Girls
Secure. Cir.
284 SF
Class
1879 SF
Elev.
390 SF
Support
48 SF
Class 615 SF
438 SF
Open to Lobby Below
Class 489 SF
Support
Storage 186 SF
Class
364 SF
Support
Class
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
379 SF
489 SF
1879 SF
Class 489 SF
Boys
Jan.
223 SF
Secure Cir.
Class
34 SF
471 SF
510 SF
Girls
Secure. Cir.
1443 284 SF SF
Elect.
Storage
Storage
15 SF
41 SF
Support
Class
364 SF
Secure. Cir.
Jan.
409 SF
34 SF
62 SF
403 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
Kitchen
75 SF
601 SF
1443 SF
Upper Commons
Elect.
Class
513 SF
510 SF
LEVEL 2
Pantry
Nurs 1
Class
438 SF
1879 SF
Class
23 SF
489 SF
438 SF
Support
Fire Rm
Class
1879 SF
65 SF
Stair
287 SF
1156 SF
65 SF
526 SF
Stair
287 SF
Serving
Jan.
214 SF
46 SF
409 SF Elev.
390 SF
451 SF
Support
Class
Class
09/19/17
241 SF
Jan.
615 SF
Girls
68 SF
297 SF
37 SF
Class
223 SF
471 SF
Toilet
Storage
199 SF
Circulation Pres. 4
Boys Secure Cir.
510 SF
539 SF
Men
Redundant Room
Pres. Recp.
Toilet F
489 SF
Class
Todd 1
146 SF
379 SF
489 SF
Vestibule
Nurs 2
Phase 1 Renovation
Toilet Todd 2
Support
Class
Class
364 SF
48 SF
Upper Commons 1156 SF
of House
Pres. 3
Play
1257 SF Nursery Recp.
Elect.
539 SF
642 SF
Platform
19 SF
Worship
451 SF
44 SF
287 SF
Pres. Recp. 51 SF
Toilet 122 SF
Pres. 4
457 SF
522 SF
Admin
Admin
151 SF
145 SF
41 SF
101 SF
412 SF
Admin
24 SF
Admin
115 SF
110 SF
Admin
241 SF
49 SF
53 SF
Kitchen / Hospitality
Vestibule 146 SF
77 SF
154 SF
Circulation - Secure
Storage
2790 SF
Elect.
4799 SF
221 SF
4799 SF
26 SF
Changing
Circulation
Class
217 SF
211 SF
34Changing SF
195 SF
96 SF
Class
Class
Lobby
412 SF
Jan.
Admin Admin
Class
1023 SF
Baptistry
21157 SF SF
40 SF
Lobby
aptistry Fire Rm.
Women
Changing
Changing Admin
Toilet
289 SF
632 SF
112 SF
Storage
Storage
15 SF
Coffee
Stair 287 SF Vestibule
140 SF
F
Men
LEVEL 1
146 SF
Nursery Recp.
Storage
168 SFKitchen
37 SF
Resource
Women
Storage
109 SF
15 SF
Vestibule Circulation
Coffee
51 SF
Storage 41 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
Stage
Class
513 SF
75 SF
Fire Rm Serving 214 SF
296 SF
LEVEL 2
Restroom
642 SF
62 SF
601 SF
AV Sound 263 SF
Nursery / Preschool
23 SF
Play
Pantry
297 SF
41 SF
Fire Rm
526 SF
Storage
Support LEVEL 2
Jan.
46 SF
23 SF
Redundant Room
Worship
140 SF
Men
Back of House
297 SF
Platform
519 SF
Admin
45 SF
108 SF
Kitchen Storage 601 SF
Worship 4848 SF
Serving 51 SF
21 SF
Vestibule
214 SF
78 SF
Elec. Rm
Vestibule
45 SF
Admin
Admin 151 SF
222 SF
Toilet Storage 41 SF
Admin 145 SF
28 SF
Admin
Toilet
289 SF
613 SF Changing
Vestibule
621 SF
522 SF
157 SF
40 SF
Admin 115 SF
44 SF
Fire Rm.
Admin
Admin
110 SF
632 SF
195 SF
211 SF
Class 217 SF
Class 221 SF
146 SF
4031 SF
15 SF
Men
Elec. Rm F
Main Entry 386 SF
Toilet
AV Sound
37 SF
Corridor
Kitchen 601 SF
Storage
Toilet
109 SF
62 SF
Storage
64 SF
152 SF
65 SF
Women
513 SF
75 SF
Serving
296 SF
46 SF
632 SF
222 SF
Class
1023 SF
Class
Class
217 SF
211 SF
Back of House
Storage
Platform
519 SF
45 SF
AV Booth
Storage
1257 SF
108 SF
53 SF
23 SF
Nursery / Preschool Stage
Circulation
Class
Corridor
221 SF
Circulation - Secure 325 SF
2576 SF
Platform Multipurpose Venue
277 SF
Kitchen / Hospitality
4031 SF
Family RR
Vestibule
Nursery / Preschool
78 SF
51 SF
Elec. Rm
Toilet
Restroom
78 SF
386 SF
Vestibule Vestibule
Admin
Admin 151 SF
Admin 145 SF
613 SF
222 SF
41 SF
28 SF
Toilet
115 SF
Admin 110 SF
632 SF
Class
1023 SF
Admin
Class 211 SF
Admin 157 SF
40 SF
Admin
Youth Lobby
Toilet Storage
Storage
Admin
24 SF
Stage
337 SF
289 SF
Fire Rm.
Toilet
Corridor
621 SF
522 SF
64 SF
Main Entry
122 SF
Corridor
526 SF
Children / Multipurpo
Commons
44 SF
LEVEL 1
Class
Storage
4848 SF
Cry Room
09/19/17
Youth / Multipurpose
Storage
Worship
53 SF
195 SF
Class 217 SF
65 SF
Storage 152 SF
Storage Support Class 221 SF
Worship
Youth / Multipurpose
96 SF
Admin 154 SF
*Proposed plans as of 9/20/17.
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409
Worship
51 SF
Youth Lobby
613 SF
Cla
Admin Support
Jan.
214 SF
337 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
Vestibule
Vestibule
65 SF
Restroom
Pantry
297 SF
LEVEL 1
78 SF
estibule
41 SF
140 SF
78 SF
Elec
Circulation - Secure
Coffee
51 SF
34 SF
/ Hospitality StorageKitchen Fire Rm
Storage
154 SF
Jan.
Circulation
Vestibule
53 SF
277 SF
Multipurpose Venue
Family RR
Vestibule
Class
325 SF
1879 SF
Children / Multipurpose
Storage
Admin
24 SF
Class
Corridor 1023 SF Platform
96 SF
Admin
152 SF
65 SF
337 SF
49 SF
Admin
Storage
Corridor
Youth Lobby
26 SF
Changing
Storage
Toilet
4799 SF
412 SF
Corridor
2576 SF
64 SF
Lobby
Baptistry
21 SF
Commons
Toilet
78 SF
386 SF
122 SF
51 SF
277 SF
Family RR
Main Entry
101 SF
Cry Room Changing
526 SF4031 SF
46 SF
Changing
Platform
Class
Multipurpose Venue
513 SF
Vestibule 112 SF Jan.
Vestibule
Changing
296 SF
Table Storage
48 SF
75 SF
26 SF
Women
325 SF
Storage Laundry 44 SF
Youth / Multipurpose
Corridor
Storage62 SF
AV Booth
Storage
1257 SF
37 SF
Storage
Pantry Commons 2576 SF Elev.
457 SF
S
287 SF
Children / Multipurpose
Youth Lobby
613 SF
Vestibule
222 SF
48
Stair
Admin
152 SF
337 SF
Vestibule
Vestibule
21 SF
Storage
65 SF
Corridor
Storage
Changing
28 SF
64 SF
Toilet
682 SF
Elev.
26 SF
621 SF
Toilet Storage
Toilet
Circulation
48 SF
403 SF
Corridor
Admin
Main Entry 386 SF
Admin
Lobby Below
Storage 186 SF
199 SF
78 SF
Redundant Room
Cry Room
186 SF
Men
Elec. Rm
48 SF
Storage
Redundant Room
78 SF
235 SF Circulation
70 SF
4031 SF
Circulation
642 SF
Nursery Recp. 168 SF Family RR
Vestibule
263 SF
Open to Lobby Open to Below
Elev.
390 SF
277 SF
Multipurpose Venue
Play
4848 SF
Resource
Class
Platform
Pres. 1
Storage
Stair
325 SF
2576 SF
45 SF
108 SF
168 SF
Commons
Storage
77 SF
AV Booth
Corridor
C
Secure. Ci
34 SF
2790 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
Admin
615 SF
489 SF
THIS DRAWING IS RELEASED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF BRUCE E WOODY, REGISTRATION NUMBER 14419, WHO MAINTAINS THE ORIGINAL DRAWING. THIS DRAWING IS INCOMPLETE AND MAY NOT BE USED FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL, PERMIT, OR CONSTRUCTION.
539 SF
THIS DRAWING IS RELEASED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF BRUCE E WOODY, REGISTRATION NUMBER 14419, REGULATORY APPROVAL, PERMIT, OR CONSTRUCTION.
The Branch Church - Vi
Todd 1
Class
Class
LEVEL 1
WHAT’S THE ASK? First things first.
We are asking every household to pray specifically over the next several weeks concerning this plan. What do we pray?
“Lord, what do you desire for me to financially give to this effort?”
From now until November 12, will you and all within your household seek the Lord in regard to this? This could be a financial commitment that could be fulfilled over the course of three years. (An important thing to note is that this commitment would not be in place of what you give in the general offering already. What is given in our weekly offering funds the ministry we are doing right now.)
C O M M I T M E N T C A R D S D U E N O V E M B E R 1 2 T H On November 12th, we’ll ask you to indicate on a card the financial amount you’re led to give. Only a couple of people will see your card. We’ll add up the commitments and one of three things will happen. •
Should the committed amount meet or exceed the cost of the project, we’ll proceed immediately with permits, contractors, and beginning the project.
•
Should the committed amount fall short of the cost to a certain degree, we’ll refine the scope of the project relative to the committed amount.
•
Should the committed amount fall far short of the cost, we’ll walk away from the project altogether. We’ll assume the Lord has spoken through the body of believers and is correcting our course of action. It’s worth noting that if this becomes the case, we will go to work on another plan of action. 12
W o r s h i p C e n t e R R e m o d e l V i s t a R i d g e C a m p u s In addition to our Beyond Me activity, renovation work will be starting with the Worship Center at the Vista Ridge Campus. This project has already been funded and involves reducing the size of the stage area in order to maximize the seating space, with a goal of increasing capacity by approximately 100 seats. The plan is to remove the walls surrounding the stage and decrease the footprint of the stage to make room for the additional seating. Included in this process will be moving the baptistry from the Worship Center into the new wing that will be added in the Beyond Me plans. Architectural/engineering work is currently underway with a plan to start renovations in 4Q 2017 or 1Q 2018.
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Small Groups thebranchchurch.org/small-groups
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 We all need friends. If you’ve got a group of friends here at The Branch (or elsewhere), have you considered meeting with them on a regular basis to hang out, talk about your lives in a biblical context, and pray? That’s a Small Group! If you’re not sure who to start a group with, contact your campus minister and he’ll help connect you with others who are in the same boat as you.
Need Group Content? Sermon-Based Bible Studies
Tim Ketchersid
What is it? Get your group talking with these weekly guides that are meant to coincide with the sermon.
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Where can I find it? You can quickly find it in The Branch Church App under the “Resources” option. OR visit thebranchchurch.org/resources
Farmers Branch Campus Minister
Derek Robinson Connections Pastor Vista Ridge Campus drobinson@thebranchchurch.org
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What would life be like for you if there was no Bible in the English language? If you’d NEVER heard or read scripture in English, but had to try and read it in another language, would you want to go to that trouble? Would you think God cared specifically for you, or would you feel left out of His plan and His love?
There are a total of 7,099 languages in the world today. Nearly 1,800 of those languages still have no Bible translation. Pioneer Bible Translators exists to provide God’s Word to people around the world in their own mother tongue – in their own heart language. We want to see transformed lives through God’s Word in every language. Pioneer Bible Translators does this through Bible translation, literacy, Scripture use training, church planting, and community development. And there is much fruit already… but much work left to be accomplished! Currently, Pioneer Bible Translators has 70 different language translation projects going on in 20 countries. And we partner with many other Bible translation organizations around the world, all of them are working toward one united goal of seeing God’s Word in every language. This is an exciting time as great progress is being made each year. Clint and M’Liss Stringer, and their girls, Emma and Clara, have served with Pioneer Bible Translators for 13 years, and have lived in West Africa and France. They are not
Bible translators themselves, but God has called them to support and encourage those who do go out all over the world to do Bible translation and other ministries.
spiritual retreats.
Clint’s gift of understanding and managing finances is a blessing in his challenging role as chief financial officer for PBT. His warm and welcoming personality helps him to make and build relationships across many different cultures, and that furthers the work of Bible translation, especially in Ukraine, where he helped to start a sister Bible translation organization among Ukrainian Christians.
There are people in the world who can now read the Bible in their own heart language, thanks to your partnership and prayers.
M’Liss ministers to missionaries from start to finish as a training coach for new missionaries preparing to go overseas with PBT. This is usually at least a two-year process with each trainee. And M’Liss ministers to missionaries and their families in her pastoral care role, helping them to thrive cross-culturally, and to live well so that stress or loneliness or discouragement don’t affect them in negative ways. She has traveled all over Eurasia to visit and minister to missionary families, and to lead
The Branch has supported Pioneer Bible Translators and the Stringer family for over 12 years!
Please continue to pray for the Bibleless people all over the world. They deserve to have the same blessing we all have – to be able to read the Bible in their own language! Learn more about Pioneer Bible Translators: pioneerbible.org Contact Clint or M’Liss: mliss.stringer@iscteam.org
Learn more about the languages of the world: ethnologue.com/guides/how-manylanguages
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The Branch
Family
We Celebrate These Baptisms:
We Mourn With: • Shelley Hackler and her family in the loss of her
grandmother, Ina Dial, on September 24. • Trish Smith and her family in the loss of her nephew, Frank Loret de Mola, on September 22. • Tina Osban & Sharron Barboza and their family in the loss of their father, Rusty Osban, on September 16.
We Celebrate These Births: Hutch Eyer (M) Parents: Jesse and Jenny
8/31/2017
Stella Dawn Zuczek (F) Zeppelin Blair Zuczek (M) Percy Jean Zuczek (F) Parents: Craig and Jenny
9/10/17
Stephanie Wright
9/10/17
Diamonde Kearney
9/10/17
Elio Marletta
9/10/17
Derrick Hemmelgarn
Weekend Stats - September 2017:
8/10/2017
Up dates
Weekly Attendance Average: 1,882 Weekly Giving Average: $68,260
Keep us in the loop! Send news and updates to:
kfox@thebranchchurch.org
First Service of the Weekend Thursdays Vista Ridge Campus Dinner at 6:00 pm ($5 for adults •$3 for kids) Service at 6:45 pm Gathering together on a weekly basis for worship, encouragement, teaching, and testimony makes a difference for the better in our lives. It’s our hope that offering this service on a weeknight will open new doors for reaching people. Consider making Thursday night your weekend worship service at The Branch. Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/thursday
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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event
Times
Wed
10/4
Love Never Dies Group Begins (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sat
10/7
The Manly Men Event (Farmers Branch Campus)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Middle School Campout (pg. 8)
3 days During each service
Fri-Sun
10/13-15
Sun
10/15
Baby Dedication (Both Campuses)
Sun
10/15
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Sun
10/15
Young at Heart: Bar-B-Q Picnic at the Park
Sat
10/28
Branch Equip (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 1)
9:00 - 3:00 pm
Sat
10/28
Student Body Paintball
TBD
Sun
10/29
Trunk-or-Treat (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 2)
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sun
11/5
Angel Tree Drive Begins (Both Campuses)
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(pg. 7)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am (pg. 2)
Vista Ridge 12:30 pm
3:00 - 5:00 pm
(pg. 4)
Fri-Sun
11/10-12
High School Campout (pg. 8)
3 days
Fri-Sat
11/10-11
Women’s Fall Retreat
2 days
(pg. 3)
Wed
11/15
All-Church Night of Worship (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 3)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sat
11/18
Sack Thanksgiving Hunger (Both Campuses)
9:30 - 11:30 am
Thurs
11/23
Thanksgiving Day - No Thursday Service
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Fri
11/24
Turkey Bowl (Vista Ridge Campus)
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Weekly Events Calendar Day
Time
Event (Location)
Start/End Date
Sun
Early Service
Student Body MS Small Groups
Mon
6:30 pm
Women’s Bible Study (Vista Ridge)
Tues
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery (Vista Ridge)
Wed
9:45 am
Women’s Bible Study (Farmers Branch)
Wed
7:00 pm
Student Body Small Groups (Both Campuses)
Thurs
6:45 pm
Thursday Night Church (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Men’s Bible Study (Both Campuses)
(Both Campuses)
Office: 972-247-2109
thebranchchurch.org
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