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FARMERS BRANCH CAMPUS
Easter Party & Egg Hunts: Saturday, March 31
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Easter Service Times: Sunday, April 1
9:00 am 10:45 am
V I STA R I D G E CA M P U S
Easter Party & Egg Hunts: Saturday, March 31 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Easter Service Times:
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Thursday, March 29
6:45 pm
(No Kids Branch)
Saturday, March 31
5:00 pm
(Kids Branch Included!)
Sunday, April 1
8:00 am
(No Kids Branch)
9:15 am
(Limited Seating Available)
11:00 am
(Limited Seating Available)
BAPTISM SUNDAY, MARCH 25
C LA SS
Baptism Class Free event for adults and kids Sunday, March 25 Both Campuses 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
What is it? Why should I do it? Come ask questions and have them answered in a family-friendly environment for young and old. Lunch will be provided after the second service on Sunday, March 25 and is free for all who register for the class. Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/baptism
Sack Spring Break Hunger Saturday, March 10 Both Campuses 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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STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS Kyle Poff
Technology Director After faithfully serving as student minister at the Vista Ridge Campus, Kyle Poff will be moving into the role of Technology Director and joining the leadership team at The Branch. Kyle has an extensive background in software development. This coupled with his passion for ministry and spreading the Gospel makes him ideally suited to guide The Branch through the increasingly complex landscape of internet technologies. He will be making significant improvements to our ministry pipelines and public-facing web tools such as our website, app, and Branch Connect. He has already been hard at work paving the way for new and exciting ways we can use technology for the glory of God. Contact Kyle at: kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
Ketch Smith
Student Minister, Vista Ridge Campus We are proud to announce Ketch Smith is our new Student Minister at the Vista Ridge Campus. After a nationwide search, Ketch emerged as our leading candidate, and we couldn’t be happier! Ketch and his wife, Olivia, are a fantastic couple who are full of energy, joy, and zeal for sharing the Gospel of Jesus. Ketch is eager to meet every student and parent, so introduce yourself and get involved in the Student Body! Contact Ketch at: ksmith@thebranchchurch.org
Kay Fox Kay has been a pillar of our church staff ever since May of 1998 when she was hired as an administrative assistant. Over the years she has assisted our office staff and elders, as well as maintained our database. She has also been responsible for the Welcome Center at the Farmers Branch Campus. After an incredible 20 years, Kay will be retiring this May. Kay will be deeply missed on our staff, and we’re so grateful for all that she has done to bolster and support the ministry of this church. Contact Kay at: kfox@thebranchchurch.org
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facebook.com/thebranchchurch facebook.com/thebranchvr
facebook.com/thebranchfarmersbranch
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.
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 18 (10:45 am Farmers Branch Campus, 12:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus) 5
RSVP at thebranchchurch.org/tbo and let us know you’re coming. We look forward to having you!
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
This March we are so excited to partner with Vitamin Angels to improve the health of children in need around the world.
Every check-in or review on Facebook will provide a vitamin to a child in need. Vitamin Angels provides lifesaving vitamins to mothers and children under 5 who are at risk of malnutrition. Reducing preventable illness, blindness, and death creates a healthier world. Vitamin A supplements work to strengthen immune systems and fight off life-threatening illnesses for children who don’t have access to foods with vitamin A. It only takes two doses of vitamin A per year to combat the devastating effects of vitamin A deficiency. If you want to learn more about Vitamin Angels, you can check them out at: vitaminangels.org The hashtag this month is #vitamins4kids. Thanks for checking in this month to help deliver lifesaving vitamins to children in need!
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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Dynamic Marriage Weekly interactive marriage course Sundays, April 29 - June 24 (9 weeks) Vista Ridge Campus 2:00 - 4:30 pm Cost: $130 Why settle for ordinary? You’re 9 weeks away from an extraordinary marriage. Dynamic Marriage is a nine-week course that will help you discover how your marriage can thrive and be more fulfilling than you ever thought possible. Based on the “Love Bank” model from the book, His Needs, Her Needs by Dr. Willard Harley, you’ll learn how communication and behavior styles affect the way you and your spouse act and react to each other. Through an interactive learning process, you’ll identify behaviors that may be damaging your marriage, develop healthy ways to deal with marital conflict, and take concrete steps to meet each other’s needs better than you ever have before. This class is limited to 12 couples, and is first-come, first-served. Register at: thebranchchurch.org/marriage
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Deep Love Free event for couples and singles Sunday, March 25 Farmers Branch Campus 5:00 - 7:00 pm Cost: FREE Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott are back with another fun night of wisdom and insight! They are master communicators who will have you laughing while you learn how to enrich and strengthen your relationships. Their insights can help a not-so-good relationship become good, and a good relationship become even better. This will be a practical and fun experience for married, engaged, and dating couples AND also for singles too. Everyone is welcome, no matter what your relationship status is and even if your significant other can’t attend with you. This recorded simulcast will only be about 1 - 1/2 hours long. Dinner and childcare will be provided for those who register. Register at: thebranchchurch.org/events
SOME INSIGHTS YOU WILL RECEIVE DURING THIS EVENT:
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U P D A T E VISTA RIDGE WORSHIP CENTER UPDATE Our Vista Ridge renovation project has begun. In the front of the auditorium, you’ll see a temporary barrier that will allow us to still use the room while the project is ongoing. Behind the barrier, the existing stage structure, the baptistry, the changing rooms, the stairs and the projection rooms are all being removed. These will be replaced with a single level stage and an LED wall which will be used as both the main screen and the side screens. The new stage will take up less of the room, which will allow the addition of about 100 seats. We anticipate this project lasting about four months. During the construction, there are about 50 fewer seats available in the auditorium. If you normally attend a Sunday morning service, this would be a great time for you to check out our Thursday night 6:45 PM service which traditionally isn’t as full. In the Kids Branch wing, a fire control room is being added in the corner of the Kindergarten classroom. This will enable us to add a sprinkler system throughout both the existing structure and the new education wing when it is built. We will still be able to use this room during the construction. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we progress through this project. We’re excited to see how this additional space will further God’s work at The Branch. Our temporary stage and seating at the Vista Ridge Campus
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Nearly everything shown in this image has since been removed.
Phase 1 Renovation
BEYOND ME UPDATE Our commitments to Beyond Me totaled $6.3 million, and will be given over the next three years. This 1619 doesn’t include $2.5 million of matching contributions which then brings the total committed to $8.8 million. As of the middle of February, $1.6 million of the $6.3 million has already been received, this represent 26% of the total in the first three months of the campaign. Phase 1 Renovation
Our architect (HH Architects) is currently in the process of developing the drawing package for the new children’s wing and the renovation of the existing Kids Branch space. They are working with general contractor Rogers-O’Brien during this phase of the process in order to ensure an accurate and costeffective drawing package is completed. Class 615 SF
Class
Todd 1
mons
539 SF
Toilet 68 SF
Todd 2 503 SF
Nurs 1
Support
Class
379 SF
489 SF
Class 489 SF
Boys 223 SF
Secure Cir.
Class
471 SF
510 SF
Girls
Secure. Cir.
284 SF
1879 SF
Support
Our current schedule has construction on the new wing beginning in the third quarter of 2018, and lasting approximately nine months for the entire construction and renovation. That leads to a planned completion in the second quarter of 2019. Pres. 1 451 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Pres. Recp.
Toilet
Men
235 SF
70 SF
199 SF
Circulation 682 SF
Pres. 4 403 SF
Women 241 SF
Jan. 34 SF
2790 SF
Elect. 77 SF
Stair 168 SF
263 SF
Circulation
457 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
Redundant Room
Admin
Elev. 48 SF
Storage 26 SF
Vestibule
Changing
112 SF
21 SF
539 SF
Changing 101 SF
Changing
Lobby
Baptistry
21 SF
4799 SF
412 SF
Changing 26 SF
Changing
Toilet
49 SF
68 SF
Todd 2 503 SF
Pres. 2
403 SF
235 SF
AV Sound
506 SF
Nurs 2
Pres. 1
Platform
451 SF
108 SF
70 SF
386 SF
122 SF
Pres. 4
Toilet Storage 41 SF
Admin
Admin 151 SF
145 SF
2790 SF
Elect.
Fire Rm.
77 SF
24 SF
Admin 157 SF
40 SF
Children / Multipurpose
34 SF
28 SF
Toilet
Admin
Admin
115 SF
Admin
110 SF
Jan.
Admin 195 SF
96 SF
Admin
77 SF
Play Stair
263 SF
Nursery Recp. 168 SF
Admin
Elev.
457 SF
48 SF
26 SF
Lobby
Baptistry
Changing
4799 SF
412 SF
21 SF
Changing Support 26 SF
Changing 49 SF
Men
Nurs 1
297 SF
Worship
F
Youth / Multipurpose
Coffee 140 SF
Back of House
Platform
519 SF
Storage
1257 SF
37 SF
F
AV Sound
Vestibule 51 SF
235 SF
BackAV of House Booth 519 SF
2576 SF
45 SF
151 SF
Admin
24 SF
4848 SF
Vestibule
68 SF
Elec. Rm 78 SF
Toilet
Admin Support
337 SF
364 SF Class
1023 SF
Class
Class
1879 SF
Class
217 SF
211 SF
Circulation
Circulation
Jan.
221 SF
34 SF
Redundant Room
Storage Men 53 SF
Kitchen / Hospitality
Stair
287 SF
Class 390 SF
Elev. 48 SF
Class 409 SF
Play
642 SF
Nursery Recp.
390 SF
Storage
186 SF
168 SF
Storage 186 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Open to Lobby Below
Support Worship Youth / Multipurpose
Elev. Elev. 48 SF
48 SF
Vestibule 112 SF
Changing
Vestibule
101 SF
Lobby
Baptistry
112 SF
4799 SF
412 SF
Changing 26 SF
Vestibule
Lobby
Baptistry
49 SF
Storage
Storage
15 SF
41 SF
140 SF
Men
62 SF
37 SF
Kitchen
StorageWomen
109 SF
15 SF
Storage 41 SF
296 SF
146 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
601 SF
23 SF
214 SF
Storage
46 SF
Pantry
Storage
15 SF
297 SF
108 SF
AV Sound
Table Storage Class StorageMultipurpose Venue 513 SF 526 SF
Laundry
37 SF
75 SF
601 SF
41 SF
46 SF
78 SF
Toilet
Admin 115 SF
Admin 145 SF
296 SF
64 SF
386 SF
Toilet
Vestibule
122 SF
Corridor
51 SF
N
Admin 110 SF
41 SF
28 SF
Toilet
157 SF
40 SF Scale: 1/16" = 1'-0"
Admin
Admin
522 SF
632 SF
222 SF
Class
Toilet Storage 41 SF
28 SF
1023 SF
Corridor
Admin
Toilet
157 SF
195 SF AV Booth
Admin
108 SF
96 SF
Commons
Storage
2576 SF
45 SF
Class
Class
217 SF
211 SF
325 SF
151 SF
Admin 145 SF
65 SF
214 SF
46 SF
Storage
289 SF
Toilet 40 SF
Admin
96 SF
115 SF
Fire Rm. 24 SF
Admin 110 SF
Admin
Multipurpose Venue 4031 SF Storage
Class
Elev.
390 SF
48 SF
Storage 186 SF
Circulation Corridor 325 SF
277 SF
Nursery / Preschool
4031 SF
Restroom
Family RR 78 SF
Toilet Main Entry
Stage Elec. Rm
Corridor
Toilet
78 SF
Toilet
386 SF
Vestibule Vestibule 222 SF
Class
1023 SF
65 SF
64 SF
Storage 152 SF
Toilet Corridor
Class 211 SF
28 SF
65 SF
337 SF
Class 217 SF
632 SF
Class
Class
1023 SF
221 SF
157 SF
Storage
Storage
53 SF
53 SF
195 SF
96 SF
Class 211 SF
Admin
Class 217 SF
Storage Support Storage 152 SF
Worship
Admin
Children / Multipurpose
Youth / Multipurpose
Youth Lobby
613 SF
Circulation - Secure Kitchen / Hospitality
Platform Multipurpose Venue
Circulation Class 221 SF
Circulation - Secure 09/19/17
Kitchen / Hospitality
*Proposed plans as of 9/20/17.Nursery / Preschool
Admin 154 SF
LEVEL 1
Up
Children / Multipurpose Class
53 SF
64 SF
Admin
195 SF
409 SF
Admin
152 SF
277 SF
51 SF LEVEL 1
Toilet Storage 41 SF
Class
526 SF
Storage
Platform
Vestibule
Youth Lobby Corridor 632 SF
Admin
65 SF
Class
221 SF
44 SF
621 SF
Admin
1443 SF
Elect.
Jan.
Youth Lobby
613 SF
Vestibule
122 SF
Admin
34 SF
LEVEL 2
337 SF
Vestibule
Cry Room
Toilet Storage
Phase 2
23 SF
513 SF
75 SF
Serving
337 SF
151 SF
Fire Rm
Table Storage
Laundry
Kitchen
Women
Elec. Rm
Main Entry
Cry Room
122 SF
Admin
Jan.
62 SF
277 SF
601 SF
Jan.
214 SF
386 SF
613 SF
438 SF
78 SF
51 SF Serving
Elec. Rm
Vestibule
Class
1879 SF
Pantry
325 SF
Platform
4031 SF
Family RR
Vestibule
109 SF
296 SF
297 SF
2576 SF
45 SF
Storage Kitchen 44 SF
4848 SF
Men
62 SF Commons
Storage AV Booth
Worship
Corridor
4848 SF
222 SF
438 SF
140 SF
78 SF
Vestibule
1879
Support
Coffee
Main Entry
621 SF
Secure
284 SF
526 SF
Jan.
Vestibule 51 SF
223 SF
Girls
Class
513 SF
75 SF
Fire Rm
Serving
379 S
471 SF
Vestibule
Pantry
297 SF
Storage AV Sound
Men
110 SF
23 SF
Supp
Boys Secure Cir.
LEVEL 2
Fire Rm
Coffee
49 SF
1619
489 SF
09/19/17
146 SF
4799 SF
412 SF
Changing Vestibule 26 SF 146 SF Changing
78 SF
Corridor
Open to Lobby Below
1156 SF
48 SF
Storage
Play
Upper Commons
Stage Elev.
Class
168 SF
642 SF
Nursery Recp.
Nursery / Preschool Restroom
241 SF
2790 SF
1156 SF
1443 SF
65 SF
2790 SF
Upper Commons
Circulation - Secure
Elect.
199 SF
682 SF
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
489 SF
Class
287 SF
Children / Multipurpose
Class
409 SF
615 SF
Stair
438 SF
451 SF
Class
1879 SF
Support
152 SF
65 SF
Corridor
284 SF
Youth Lobby 632 SF
Secure. Cir.
287 SF
Storage
Toilet
235 SF
Nurs 2
Girls
Stair
64 SF
403 SF
223 SF
471 SF
65 SF
Nurs 1
Boys 1443 SF
Secure Cir.
510 SF
199 SF
Nurs Recp.
489 SF
Elect.
Class
Men
379 SF
Class
34 SF
4031 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Toilet 503 SF
101 SFChanging
51 SF
Cry Room
Jan.
Class
Class
Secure. Cir.
Support
489 SF
277 SF
Multipurpose Venue
539 SF
Todd 2
Worship
154 SF
Family RR
364 SF
489 SF
Class
Platform
Todd 1
Changing
Admin
115 SF
Fire Rm.
Support Class
438 SF
1879 SF
Admin
44 SF
615 SF
Class
364 SF
Secure. Cir.
40 SF
Storage
Class
Support
Jan.
46 SF
26 SF
145 SF
Admin
1257 SF
Worship
75 SF
438 SF
325 SF
457 SF
289 SF
Platform
108 SF
1879 SF
526 SF
Corridor
Admin
Admin
Admin
Secure. Cir.
Class
513 SF
Serving
621 SF
Admin
LEVEL 2 Support
Table Storage
214 SF
09/19/17 Commons522 SF
510 SF
62 SF
601 SF
296 SF
Class
Pantry Laundry
451 SF
Corridor
Storage
Girls
23 SF
Nurs 2
Women
109 SF
403 SF
Kitchen
Nurs Recp.
21 SF
21 SF
Storage
101 SF
Fire Rm
41 SF
284 SF
Storage
Changing
Changing
Changing
21 SF
Storage
15 SF
Circulation
26 SF 21 SF
112 SF
21 SF
Changing
471 SF
510 SF
Storage
223 SF
Redundant Room
Storage Changing
Vestibule Stage
Changing
Toilet 68 SF
Women
489 SF
Boys Secure Cir.
Class
77 SF
Stair
287 SF
263 SF
Restroom
Class
489 SF
539 SF
71 SF
Resource
Nursery / Preschool
457 SF
LEVEL 1
263 SF
Redundant Room
Admin
34 SF
Resource
Kitchen / Hospitality
Storage
Todd 1
146 SF
Elect.
Circulation
379 SF
Women
Jan.
287642 SF SF
Support
Class
Vestibule
Circulation
403 SF Elect.
Circulation Circulation - Secure
Resource
235 SF
Pres. 4
154 SF
Stair
287 SF
489 SF
489 SF
SF 241451SF
Pres. Recp.
Toilet 34 SF 70 SF
Class
Class
Women Pres. 1
539 SF
615 SF
Open to Lobby Below
186 SF
68 SF
613 SF
Vestibule 222 SF Pres. 3
621 SF
289 SF
682 SF
506 SF
Vestibule
Corridor
Admin
Class
48 SF
Storage
78 SF
Pres. 2
403 SF
522 SF
1156 SF
Elev.
390 SF
Circulation
Main Entry
Cry Room
Admin
Upper Commons
Class
Family RR
235 SF
682 SF
241 SF
451 SF
44 SF
Pres.Vestibule Recp. 51 SF
Toilet
Circulation
Jan.
Pres. 1
Storage
Circulation Worship
4848 SF Redundant Room
Men
199 SF
Women
2576 SF
45 SF
AV Booth
1257 SF
235 SF
Commons
Storage
539 SF
Pres. Recp.
409 SF
37 SF
51 SF
Pres. 3
519 SF
Class
Storage
68 SF
Vestibule
451 SF
Back of House
65 SF
71 SF
Pres. 2
109 SF
68 SF
1443 SF
Elect.
Stair
287 SF
503 SF
140 SF
Nurs 1 F
71 SF
34 SF
Todd 2
Coffee
Nurs Recp.
Jan.
642 SF
Nursery Recp.
Resource
Todd 1
1879 SF
Play
287 SF
LEVEL 2
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
Phase 1 Renovation
451 SF
539 SF
Class
364 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
Nurs 2
Pres. 3
Support
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.
68 SF
438 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
235 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.
506 SF
403 SF
Nurs Recp.
71 SF
Pres. 2
Open to Lobby Below
506 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.
489 SF
Restroom
LEVEL 1
Stage Storage
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our online form, this is not the same as setting up a recurring online gift.
COMMITMENT NEXT STEPS Below is information that addresses the mechanics of how we will manage this program for the next three years: •
•
The “official” commitment period started in December 2017 and runs through November 2020, but how you choose to give is completely up to you. If you are writing a check or putting cash into the offering baskets or boxes, please make sure to indicate it is for the Beyond Me program by using a giving envelope or writing it in the memo line of the check.
•
If you are setting up an online gift, please make sure you use the Beyond Me (VR Expand/ Develop) fund. If you are setting up a recurring online gift, you can set it up for a specified number of periods (36 months, 156 weeks, etc.) so it will stop at the end of three years.
•
If you completed your commitment card via
•
Your commitment has been loaded into Branch Connect (our online church management system) which allows us to generate a pledge statement report. The first report was mailed in November 2017, and pledges were also reflected on year-end tax statements.
•
If anything looks incorrect with your report, please contact our Executive Minister David Teutsch at dteutsch@thebranchchurch.org so he can get it corrected.
•
If you need information for transferring stock into the church’s brokerage account, let David know and he can give you the necessary information.
•
Each July, we will send an updated report which shows progress against the commitment. In addition, everything given will be reflected on your annual giving statement for income tax purposes.
ONLINE GIVING SETUP We believe the most straightforward way to handle fulfilling your commitment to Beyond Me is by setting up a recurring gift in Branch Connect as shown below. If you set up a recurring gift, you can specify the number of periods it will last (156 weeks, 36 months, etc.) and it will automatically stop at the end of the number you’ve specified. NOTE: The Branch app also has a giving option, but it is not the same system as Branch Connect. We prefer that you set up your Beyond Me recurring gifts using Branch Connect instead of the app.
1. Log in to Branch Connect Using a web browser on a computer, visit: thebranchchurch.org/connect If you haven’t created a login for Branch Connect, it’s easy! Just select “Sign Up Here” and follow the instructions.
2. Select “Give” on the left bar
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Once you’ve logged in, select Give. You may choose either the “One time gift” or “Repeating gift” option. We recommend setting the repeating gift so you can schedule when your giving will occur throughout your three-year commitment.
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 – people we meet with on a regular basis to hang out, talk about our lives in a biblical context, and pray. That’s a Small Group! Interested in joining or starting a small group in the coming year? We can help. Contact Derek or Tim and they will help connect you with an existing group or walk with you through the simple process for starting a new group.
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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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!
Kristan Renshaw
Brittany Moore
Farmers Branch Kids Minister
Vista Ridge Kids Minister
krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
bmoore@thebranchchurch.org
Rough Riders Baseball Game Everyone is invited!
Sunday, May 6 4:00 pm All-you-can-eat seats for $20 per person Come one, come all to the Dr. Pepper Ballpark in Frisco for Family night! The Rough Riders will be playing the Midland RockHounds. Learn more and reserve tickets at: thebranchchurch.org/events
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The Branch
Family
We Mourn With: •
Rick Swille and his family in the loss of his mother, Beverly Swille, on January 30.
•
The family of Dean Youngblood, who died on January 31.
•
Rick and Janet Moore in the loss of their mother, Eula Grace Moore, on January 31.
•
Felicia Andersen and her family in the loss of her husband, Jeff Andersen, on February 1.
•
Marie Bird and her family in the loss of her husband, Charlie Bird, on February 12.
•
Jan Nash and her family in the loss of her father, Edward JC Gregory, on February 24.
Up dates
February Baby Dedications:
Madelyn Cooper Stout (F) Parents: Eric and Lindsay Stout Born October 12, 2017
We Celebrate These Baptisms: 1/31/18
Jia Rosenbaum
2/4/18
Kai Tindall
2/4/18
Austin Cox
2/4/18
Hannah Reed
2/4/18
Griffin McGuire
Weekend Stats - February 2018: Weekly Attendance Average: 1,859 Weekly Giving Average: $72,574
Graham Lawrence Vargas (M) Parents: Michael and Karri Vargas Born May 12, 2017
Baby Dedication Upcoming Date: April 22 On select weekends throughout the year, we set aside a portion of our services for parents to bring their new babies before the congregation and engage in a time of prayer, dedication, and mutual commitment. The Branch wants to partner with parents in raising their children to seek God, know His Word, and live a full life in Jesus Christ. Our Baby Dedication weekends are a way for us to pledge that commitment as well as celebrate the arrival of our newborns. If you would like to dedicate your child on one of these weekends, follow these steps:
Register by April 8 Registration will allow you to select the date and service time you would prefer, along with a few other details. Part of the registration form asks you to upload a picture of your baby. We will use this picture in the following month’s BranchOut to recognize the dedication of your child. Please select a high quality picture! Register in The Branch Church app or at: thebranchchurch.org/baby
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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!
STUDENT BODY 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 Ketch for the latest updates and details.**
Ketch Smith
Josh Brake
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
ksmith@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
Overnighter
The Branch Student Body Middle School: Saturday, March 24 - meet at 5:00 pm High School: Saturday, April 7 - meet at 3:00 pm Cost: $20 per student All middle school and high school students are invited to an overnighter! Students will meet at the church building at the times listed above. The middle school overnighter includes bowling, arcade games, and dinner at Pinstack in Las Colinas. The high school overnighter will include dinner at Beto and Sons in Trinity Groves. After that students will break up into age-and-genderspecific host homes, spend the night hanging out together, wake up, and conclude back at the church building for the first Sunday service. Get plugged in, have fun, and grow in your relationships with other students! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/events
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Imagine a country where almost everyone thinks of themselves as Christian, but only a fraction of them are active in any kind of church and even fewer pursue a personal faith.
BIZG works with the churches from all denominations, to strengthen them through teaching, training, and mentoring Christians, wherever those believers are in their walk with Jesus.
THAT’S Croatia, where Perry and Elizabeth Stepp serve at the Biblical Institute of Zagreb.
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They help baby Christians grow into adult Christians.
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They help adult Christians develop as servant leaders.
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And they help leaders develop and build their ministry skills and strengths.
As noted, Croatia is a Catholic country. About 85% of Croats identify as Catholic, and about 15% are active. (For comparison: in America, about 40% of the people attend church regularly. In France and the UK, less than 5% are regular church attenders.) Croatian Catholicism tends to be nationalistic (“You’re not truly Croatian unless you’re Catholic”), superstitious, biblically illiterate, and sectarian.
Croatia is a deeply Catholic country. Born-again Christians make up only 1/10 of 1% of the Croatian populace. That’s .001 of the population, one out of every 1,000 people. In a country of 4.5 million people, there are only about 4,500 active born-again Christians.
Soren Kierkegaard once said, “In a place where everyone is a Christian, what the Bible calls ‘Christianity’ doesn’t exist.” He was commenting on the effect of the state-sponsored Lutheranism had on Christianity in his own country,
Denmark. In such a system, citizens are de facto “Christians” without any personal choice or commitment. Croatia is proof that Kierkegaard was right. Centuries of statesponsored Catholicism have made Croatia a place where everyone has just enough Christianity to think that they’re Christians, or that they understand Christianity, regardless of personal faith or whether they’re living it out. Croats today struggle with fragile marriages, a stagnant economy, an uncertain future, ethnic tensions, high unemployment, and addictions to alcohol and gambling. They are slow to look to the gospel, because they are wrongly convinced that it’s been tried and failed. But God’s heart is with the people of Croatia. Jesus came so that they might have life, victory over the dark powers that torment them, and freedom from oppression. The evangelical churches of Croatia are poised to bring the light of biblical Christianity to this beautiful (but sometimes very dark) place. And the Biblical Institute is in just the right place to help the Kingdom of God explode here.
Since 1999, the Biblical Institute (BIZG) has served the evangelical churches of Croatia. BIZG is an accredited ministry training school, a “Bible college.” The Stepps began serving there in March 2016, and Perry became the president of the school in May.
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Branch Cares thebranchchurch.org/cares
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….” ~ James 1:27 Branch Cares is a ministry designed to look after, pray for, and take care of, people within our church body. The vision for this ministry is to reach out, help, and connect with:
Widows • Widowers • Single parents • Homebound • Grieving • Caregivers Ministry volunteers provide care in a variety of ways. These can include simple acts of writing cards and praying, hospital visitation, or delivering communion to the homebound or any others who are unable to attend services. 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, or reach out to us via the contact info below:
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 Acompáñanos y adoremos a Dios y fortalezcamos nuestra fe en Cristo en el idioma español.
Actividades durante la Semana DOMINGOS MIERCOLES Servicio de Adoración Estudio Bíblico 10:45 AM 7:00 PM Weekly Activities SUNDAYS WEDNESDAYS Worship Service Bible Study 10:45 AM 7:00 PM ¡Nuevo Horario!
¡Nuevo Horario!
Ahora, Nuestro Servicio de Adoración los DOMINGOS es a las 10:45 AM. Gracias a todos por su valioso apoyo con el cambio de hora.
¡New Worship Time!
¡New Worship Time!
Our New Sunday Worship Service time is 10:45 AM. Thank you so much for supporting us with this change.
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Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
A note from Paul and Linda Barner Did anyone ever walk into a church by mistake? We don’t think so. People come because they are looking for something or someone. During a recent sermon, Chris said, “We need others to help us to stay focused on the calling of God.” What if we thought of church members, or our Young At Heart group, as friends with whom we are taking a journey? These friends will be there for you at all times; they don’t need to “step up” because they are always there. When you need to focus on prayer, your friends are there. They are there to teach, share joy, and to laugh with. When sorrows set in, they are there. The body of the church keeps us in line with God’s wishes; our friends speak to us and help us to fix our eyes on Christ. They help Christ lead us to be more like Him. We should give praise for all who walk into church. An hour or two of genuine worship and fellowship can last a lifetime. It gets your focus with God straight. Blessings, Paul and Linda
Save the Date Thursday, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer and our 27th Annual Metrocrest Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast. We meet at 7:30 am at the Double Tree Hotel, 4099 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch. Our Keynote Speaker this year is the Honorable Scott Turner, a businessman and former NFL player, who served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2013-2017; and represented House District 33, which encompasses all of Rockwall County and portions of Collin County. The Branch Church will have reserved tables. Let Bro. Eddy know if you would like to attend.
Wednesday Night Potluck and
SMALL GROUP Every Wednesday, the START UP GROUP hosts a potluck at 6:30 in the Family Life Center of the Farmers Branch Campus. The potluck is open to all groups who meet on Wednesday nights. Afterwards, all are welcome to join the Start Up Group for Bible study. We have plenty of room for you!
Brother Eddy Ketchersid Community Minister eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Cell: 972-345-1645
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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event
Times
Sat
3/10
Sack Spring Break Hunger (Both Campuses)
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sat
3/9-11
Celebrate Recovery Retreat (Camp Hoblitzelle)
3 days
Sun
3/11
Daylight Saving Time Begins
2:00 am
Middle School Overnighter
5:00 pm
Sat-Sun
3/24-25
Sun
3/18
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am
Sun
3/25
Baptism Class (Both Campuses)
12:30 - 2:00 pm
Sun
3/25
Deep Love
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sat
3/31
Easter Party (Both Campuses)
Vista Ridge 12:30 pm
(Farmers Branch Campus)
Thurs-Sun
3/29-4/1 Easter Weekend
Thurs-Sun
3/29-4/1 Portable Baptistry
Farmers Branch 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Vista Ridge 3:00 - 5:00 pm
See pg. 1
(Both Campuses)
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(Vista Ridge Campus)
Sun
4/8
Elder Ordination (Vista Ridge Campus)
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Sat
4/14
Branch Equip (Both Campuses)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sat-Sun
4/7-8
High School Overnighter
5:00 pm
Sun
4/15
Elder Ordination (Farmers Branch Campus)
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Sun
4/22
Baby Dedication (Both Campuses)
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Sun
5/6
Rough Riders Game
4:00 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 Campus)
Tues
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery - Dinner at 6:15 pm (Vista Ridge Campus)
Wed
9:45 am
Women’s Bible Study (Farmers Branch Campus)
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 Life Bible Study (Farmers Branch Campus)
(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