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Wide-Awake Series Some sleepwalk while others fall asleep at the wheel. Sooner or later, our well-being requires an awakening. Scripture reveals realities of life which we all too easily forget or fall asleep to. Living wide-awake to these realities can make a profound difference in our wellbeing and the well-being of others we’re in relationship with. This series is about becoming wide-awake to a few fundamental realities about life according to Scripture so that we can live wisely and make the most of every opportunity in life for the glory of God and the good of others, including ourselves.
Chris Seidman Senior Minister
Join us for “Wide-Awake” beginning the weekend after Easter! This is your wake-up call.
Get my weekly email: 1
thebranchchurch.org/email
Follow me on Twitter @chrisseidman
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 nine 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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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
RoughRiders 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! We’ve got plenty of tickets for you, your friends, and family to join us. The RoughRiders will be playing the Midland RockHounds. If you’ve never been to a RoughRiders game, you’re in for a treat! We have great seats in the shade and all-you-can-eat food and drinks from the Riders Grab ‘n Go for the first hour and a half. Kids and their parents can participate in a free pregame catch on the field – up to 35 minutes before first pitch – AND enjoy $1 ice cream sandwiches the entire game. Kids 12 & under are invited to run the bases after the game!
Questions? Ask Ryan Rainey Vista Ridge Campus Minister rrainey@thebranchchurch.org
Learn more and reserve tickets at:
thebranchchurch.org/events 4
The Branch
Family Up dates
We Mourn With: •
Verlen Ketchersid and her family in the loss of her cousin, Weyland Mullins, on March 3.
•
Janice Mauldin and her family in the loss of her brother, Joe Robbins, on March 12.
•
Matt Watkins and his family in the loss of his father, Allen Watkins, on March 13.
•
Ron Moss and his family in the loss of his mother, Polly Faye Clark Moss, on March 24.
We Celebrate These Baptisms: 3/4/18
Adam Wilcox
Weekend Stats - February 2018: Weekly Attendance Average: 1,849 Weekly Giving Average: $78,776
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 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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For the month of April, we’re stepping in to help stop hunger. Through our partnership with feedONE:
Every two Facebook check-ins OR Instagram location tags at The Branch Church will provide a meal to a child in need. FeedONE is a program of Convoy of Hope, and their Children’s Feeding Initiative serves over 146,676 children. The goal of feedONE is to see lives changed as they promote healthy children and communities that are free from poverty and hunger. Many of the children enrolled in this initiative have their only meal of the day at school. FeedONE feeds and monitors the health and growth of children each day in El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Ethiopia, South Africa, Guatemala, and Tanzania. Check them out here: feedone.com The hashtag this month is #givemeals. Thanks for checking in for hungry children.
How it works: We make a donation to a Kingdom-building cause every time our community checks in on Facebook OR tags our locations on Instagram. 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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Parent’s Guide to We have several events planned this summer! Check out the calendar on the back cover for a complete list of our summer events.
ALL-STAR WEEK What: Who:
Sports Day Camp For incoming 1st-5th graders Mon-Thurs, June 18-21 When: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm daily Where: Vista Ridge Campus Cost: FREE All-Star Week is a day camp hosted at our Vista Ridge Campus. This will be a fun-filled week of sports, Bible, activities & friends. This free event is a great way to invite new friends to learn about Jesus and get plugged into a community of faith. Wear your tennis shoes and sunscreen and get ready to PLAY!
BRANCH CAMP What: Who: When: Where: Cost:
Summer Camp For incoming/graduating 6th-12th graders
Fri-Tues, June 29-July 3 Riverbend Retreat Center (Glen Rose, TX)
$315 per student
Branch Camp is our student ministry’s biggest event of the year. Students from both of our campuses will travel to Glen Rose for a Friday - Tuesday filled with bonding activities, powerful worship, in-depth times of teaching, and insane games. Students will be divided into small groups each lead by adult volunteers. If your middle school or high school student attends ONE student ministry event this year, BRANCH CAMP is where it’s at.
Register at: thebranchchurch.org/events Register at: thebranchchurch.org/events
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SPOTLIGHT What: Who: When: Where: Cost:
Music Day Camp For incoming 1st-6th graders Sun-Fri, July 15-20 Farmers Branch Campus $85 per camper
Want to be a Spotlight Counselor? Students who have completed 8th-12th grade should apply using the application in the Branch Church App or at: thebranchchurch.org/spotlight
Early Bird discount of $10 until May 25. Use Code BESUPER
Spotlight is our week-long day camp where kids learn and produce a musical while getting the summer camp experience. Sunday, July 15 will be from 4:00 - 7:00 pm and will include water slides and dinner. Then Monday - Thursday, camp will be from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. And on Friday, July 20, camp begins at 9:00 am and goes all the way through the public performance at 7:00 pm. 2018 Musical: Agape League Calling on the super-powered fruits of the spirit available to every follower of Christ, the mighty Agape League must face an enemy within their own ranks when Ironblade forgets his superhero identity (self control), and becomes entangled in the pervasive worldly culture. Register at: thebranchchurch.org/events
SPOTLIGHT AUDITIONS Farmers Branch Campus: Saturday, April 7 2:00 - 4:00 pm Vista Ridge Campus: Sunday, April 8 2:00 - 4:00 pm Would your student like to be a part of the cast or sing a solo in the Spotlight performance? Auditions for our 2018 Spotlight show will be held this month. Children who audition are encouraged to sing a song and/or recite a poem or monologue. More information will be available online to help kids prepare for a successful audition. Questions? Contact Holly O’Quinn:
holly_oquinn@yahoo.com
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U P D A T E VISTA RIDGE WORSHIP CENTER UPDATE Our Vista Ridge renovation project is in full swing. 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 doesn’t include $2.5 million of matching contributions which then brings the total committed to $8.8 1619 million. As of the middle of February, $1.6 million of the $6.3 million had already been received; this represents 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
Support
Class
379 SF
489 SF
Class 489 SF
Boys 223 SF
Secure Cir.
Class
471 SF
510 SF
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. Nurs 2 451 SF
Pres. 3 539 SF
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
151 SF
41 SF
145 SF
Fire Rm.
77 SF
24 SF
28 SF
Admin
Toilet
157 SF
40 SF
2790 SF
Elect.
Admin
Admin
115 SF
Admin
110 SF
Jan.
Admin 195 SF
96 SF
Admin
77 SF
Play Stair
263 SF
Nursery Recp. 168 SF
457 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
Worship
F
Youth / Multipurpose
Coffee 140 SF
Back of House
Platform
519 SF
Storage
1257 SF
37 SF
F
AV Sound
Men
Nurs 1
297 SF
Vestibule 51 SF
235 SF
BackAV of House Booth 519 SF
2576 SF
45 SF
151 SF
Serving
Fire Rm.
Admin
24 SF
4848 SF
Vestibule
615 SF
Support
Class
364 SF
364 SF
Class
438 SF
489 SF
Multipurpose Venue
Jan.
68 SF
Elec. Rm 78 SF
489 SF
65 SF
Toilet
403 SF
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
Nurs 1
223 SF
471 SF
510 SF
199 SF
Boys 1443 SF
Secure Cir.
Elect.
Class
Men
Nurs Recp.
Class
34 SF
4031 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Toilet 503 SF
379 SF
489 SF
277 SF
Class
Class
Secure. Cir.
Support
Class
Platform
539 SF
Todd 2
101 SFChanging
51 SF
Cry Room
Class
Support
Jan.
46 SF
1879 SF
Worship
154 SF
Family RR
526 SF
Secure. Cir.
Todd 1
Changing
Admin
115 SF
44 SF
438 SF
Class
513 SF
75 SF
Admin
Storage
Support Table Storage
214 SF
40 SF
1257 SF
Worship
1879 SF
26 SF
145 SF
Admin
Secure. Cir.
62 SF
325 SF
457 SF
289 SF
Platform
108 SF
510 SF
LEVEL 2
Corridor
Admin
Admin
Admin
Class
Pantry Laundry
601 SF
296 SF
621 SF
Admin
Girls
23 SF
451 SF
09/19/17 Commons522 SF
Fire Rm
41 SF
Nurs 2
Corridor
Storage
403 SF
Kitchen
Nurs Recp.
Women
109 SF
Storage
284 SF
21 SF
21 SF
Storage
101 SF
Storage
223 SF
471 SF
510 SF
15 SF
Storage
Changing
Changing
Changing
21 SF
Toilet 68 SF
Women
489 SF
Boys Secure Cir.
Class
Circulation
26 SF 21 SF
112 SF
21 SF
Changing
Class
489 SF
539 SF
Redundant Room
Storage Changing
Vestibule Stage
Changing
Todd 1
146 SF
77 SF
Stair
287 SF
263 SF
Restroom
379 SF
Class
Vestibule
71 SF
Resource
Nursery / Preschool
Admin
LEVEL 1
263 SF
Redundant Room
Storage
34 SF
Resource
Kitchen / Hospitality
Support
489 SF
Elect.
Circulation
489 SF
Women
Jan.
287642 SF SF
Class
Class
Circulation
403 SF Elect.
Circulation Circulation - Secure
Resource
235 SF
Pres. 4
615 SF
Open to Lobby Below
186 SF
SF 241451SF
Pres. Recp.
Toilet 34 SF 70 SF
154 SF
Stair
287 SF
Class
48 SF
Storage
Women Pres. 1
539 SF
Toilet Storage
Admin
Admin
Children / Multipurpose
34 SF
1156 SF
Elev.
390 SF
68 SF
613 SF
Vestibule 222 SF Pres. 3
621 SF
289 SF
682 SF
506 SF
Vestibule
Corridor
Admin
Upper Commons
Class
78 SF
Pres. 2
403 SF
522 SF
409 SF
Circulation
Main Entry
Cry Room
Admin
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.
65 SF
37 SF
51 SF
Pres. 3
519 SF
1443 SF
Elect. Stair
287 SF
Storage
68 SF
Vestibule
451 SF
Back of House
34 SF
71 SF
Pres. 2
109 SF
68 SF
Jan.
503 SF
140 SF
Nurs 1 F
71 SF
1879 SF
Todd 2
Coffee
Nurs Recp.
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
642 SF
Nursery Recp.
Resource
Todd 1
Class
364 SF
Play
287 SF
LEVEL 2
1879 SF
Support
Phase 1 Renovation
68 SF
438 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
506 SF
Secure. Cir.
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.
Open to Lobby Below
403 SF
235 SF
284 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
Nurs 1
Nurs Recp.
71 SF
Pres. 2
Girls
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.
503 SF
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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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 our online form, this is not the same as setting up a recurring online gift.
•
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 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
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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 – 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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The Branch Student Body 6th - 12th Grade
Middle school and high school are 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!
Josh Brake
Ketch Smith
Farmers Branch Student Minister
Vista Ridge Student Minister
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
ksmith@thebranchchurch.org
STUDENT BODY SMALL GROUPS The primary way The Branch Student Body meets is in weekly Small Groups, where students grow closer to God, their peers, and their leaders.
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
**Weekly schedules and locations are subject to change. Contact Josh or Ketch for the latest updates and details.**
Overnighter
The Branch Student Body High School: Saturday, April 7 - meet at 5:00 pm Cost: $20 per student All high school students are invited to Hillsong Worship and overnighter! Students will meet at the FARMERS BRANCH CAMPUS at 5:00 pm; please eat something before you come. We will travel in shuttles to the Verizon Theatre in Grand Praire for an incredible evening with Hillsong Worship and pastor Brian Houston. After that, students will break up into age-and-gender-specific host homes for some fun and snacks, 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
High School Graduate Sunday Sunday, April 29 Farmers Branch Campus 1:00 - 3:00 pm We are hosting a luncheon to celebrate and honor the class of 2018, as well as their parents and families. Appetizers, lunch, and dessert will be served. The deadline to register and submit 2 digital photos is Monday, April 23. Learn more and register at:
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thebranchchurch.org/events
Camp of the Hills exists to reveal and glorify Jesus Christ by providing lifechanging experiences to deserving children and families from lowincome communities across Texas. Since 1991, over 14,000 children have experienced the love and hope of Jesus through summer camps.
Poiema (Greek for workmanship or masterpiece) Discipleship Camps, new in 2018, are 2-week camps for high school students. These 4 camp sessions will provide campers an opportunity to be challenged and grow through study, application, community, accountability, and service. Retreats: Camp serves over 2500 people through retreats each year and is able to host several former camper/counselor weekends. This allows us to continue to share Christ year-round and utilize our facilities for God’s glory. Immerse Discipleship: This yearround program is designed to equip young adults with a deeper understanding of Christcentered leadership through the development of professional skills, hands-on ministry opportunities, and intentional discipleship within a Christian camp environment. This occurs through behind-thescenes work, up-front leadership opportunities, interactions with campers and guests, mentoring relationships, and working alongside Camp staff and volunteers with a shared purpose and vision.
Ministry Programs: Summer Camps: Eight, one-week camps for ages 8-18 serving up to 100 children/youth per week. For most of our campers, this is their only “vacation,” and the first time many of them leave the city and often dangerous neighborhoods they live in. Almost 50 college students are hired and trained to love our campers well as they share the gospel in meaningful ways throughout the summer.
public/private schools, homeschool groups, after-school programs and adults from the local community. This will allow us to serve thousands more children year-round and maximize the use of our facilities and beautiful 100acre property in the hill country.
Outdoor Education: In the fall of 2018, Camp will provide outdoor education programming for
How are we funded: Approximately 85% of our operating budget comprises charitable giving from churches, individuals and foundations.
How you can engage: There are many year-round volunteer opportunities for families and large groups. We would love to have you out for a visit and share more about what God is doing through Camp of the Hills! Please contact Michael Thames: michael@campofthehills.org
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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
RightNow Media Are you looking for a family Bible study or some new content for your Small Group? We invite you to check out RightNow Media! It’s basically Netflix for Bible study videos and Christian content. We’re making our church subscription available to you FOR FREE! Contact your Campus Minister and ask how you can receive your free invitation to RightNow Media: Farmers Branch Campus
Vista Ridge Campus
Tim Ketchersid:
Ryan Rainey:
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
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rrainey@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
4/7
Spotlight Auditions (Farmers Branch Campus)
2:00 - 4:00 pm
High School Overnighter
5:00 pm
Sat-Sun
4/7-8
Sun
4/8
Spotlight Auditions (Vista Ridge Campus)
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Sun
4/8
Elder Ordination (Farmers Branch Campus)
---
Tues
4/10
Summer 2018 Info Meeting (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Sun
4/15
Elder Ordination (Vista Ridge Campus)
---
Sun
4/22
Baby Dedication (Both Campuses)
---
Sun
4/29
Graduate Sunday
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Sun
4/29
Dynamic Marriage Begins (Vista Ridge Campus)
2:00 - 4:30 pm
Sat
5/5
Neighborhood Grill - Cinco de Mayo
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sun
5/6
RoughRiders Baseball Game
4:00 pm
Thurs
6/14
Student Body - Top Golf
TBD
Kids Branch All-Star Week (Vista Ridge Campus)
4 days
Mon-Thurs Fri-Tues
6/18-21
(Both Campuses)
(Farmers Branch Campus)
6/29-7/3 Student Body Branch Camp
5 days
Sun
7/8
Branch Night at Rosemeade Rainforest
6:30 - 10:30 pm
Tues
7/10
Preschool Event
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Spotlight Music Camp (Farmers Branch Campus)
6 days
Sun-Fri
7/15-20
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