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Crash & Burn Series “Crash and burn.” It’s a phrase used today to describe a spectacular failure in someone’s life. The Bible has its share of “crash and burn” stories from people’s lives. It doesn’t shy away from them. “Crash and burn” experiences don’t have to have the last word on people’s lives. God can bring beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61). He also brings wisdom out of them. Experience is an excellent teacher. But it doesn’t always have to be your own. We can learn from the experiences of others.
Chris Seidman Senior Minister
Join us for a journey through six “crash and burn” stories from Scripture, and bring a friend! We’ll find hope beyond the “crash and burn” experiences we’ve had, and wisdom for avoiding a few in the future.
Get my weekly email:
thebranchchurch.org/email
Follow me on Twitter @chrisseidman
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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, and 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! Register at: thebranchchurch.org/events
VOLUNTEER AT ALL-STAR WEEK!
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This incredible week is made possible by people just like you taking four days to serve and be used by God. You don’t have to be an athlete or a biblical scholar for God to use you. If you’re willing and able to give of your time from June 1821, please contact your campus Children’s Minister using the contact info on page 4 and let them know you’re interested!
On Mother’s Day, May 13, be sure to take advantage of our designated photo areas with a backdrop you and your family can use to take Mother’s Day photos.
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
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Gabi Badillo
Josh Baker
Nathan Billingsley
Alden Bradley
Cole Bryant
Claire Cathey
Kayla Christian
Alexyss Clifton
Rowdy Colten
Lauren Gilmer
Preston Krantz
Brady McBride
Lacey Parker
Rachael Pena
Nathan Perkins
McKenlee Scott
Isaiah Taylor
Trey Taylor
Jaydee Wagner
Logan Watkins
These graduates will always have a place here at The Branch Church, and we pray they always see this as home. However, we are extremely excited to see all the things God will do in them and through them to further the gospel of Jesus. We send them out into the world, with all the love of our congregation, to walk the paths that God has called each of them to in life. Dodd Weyandt
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Mackenzie Wight
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~Ephesians 2:10
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 6
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
CONTINUING ALL SUMMER!
High School • Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Vista Ridge
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.**
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! To sign-up and receive your free invitation to RightNow Media, visit: thebranchchurch.org/rightnow Or scan the QR code to the left to get started.
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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
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Sack Summer Hunger Saturdays June 16 - August 11 Both Campuses 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Come help us Sack Summer Hunger! With no school during the summer break, students in our community who usually receive free/reduced breakfast and lunch can use some help. We partner with Metrocrest Services to deliver food to these families each Saturday during the summer. 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 Summer Hunger” in the memo line. Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/sack-hunger
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
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GO WEEKEND What: Who: When: Where: Cost:
Serving our community Everyone Fri-Sat, June 15-16 Yards, homes, and more! Your time and talent
It’s GO TIME. This weekend will be all-hands-on-deck as we go into our neighborhoods and serve the needs of widows, the elderly, the disabled, children, the homeless, and the impoverished.
How does it work? STEP 1: Join the Go Weekend group using the form in The Branch Church app or at: thebranchchurch.org/go STEP 2: Watch your email in the weeks leading up to June 15-16. We’ll be sending out opportunities for you to serve. They’ll be called “NEEDS” and you’ll easily be able to say “I’ll take it” for the tasks you want. Another way to view the list of NEEDS is by logging in to Branch Connect and clicking “Serve” in the black menu on the far left side. Then click the NEEDS tab to see the list. Every Go Weekend volunteer will get a free t-shirt! Get yours in the lobby after you’ve signed up. If you need any help signing up, please email Kyle Poff at:
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
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U P D A T E VISTA RIDGE WORSHIP CENTER UPDATE Our Vista Ridge renovation project should be completed in May 2018. As of the publishing of this article, the new worship platform, fire sprinkler system, and HVAC equipment installations are basically completed. If everything continues on schedule, our first Sunday when we are using the new worship platform should be Mother’s Day, May 13th. Obviously, there are potential opportunities for delays, but we are at the point where the audio/visual contractor is beginning to install equipment, so the end of the project is in sight. During the first two weeks of May, our Celebrate Recovery, Thursday worship service, and associated meals may be meeting in the lobby and Kids Branch space to allow work to continue in the Worship Center. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we’ve progressed through this project. We’re excited to see how this additional space will further God’s work at The Branch.
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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 April, $1.9 million of the $6.3 million has already been received; this represents 30% of the total in the first four 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 1 403 SF
Nurs Recp.
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 438 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. 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
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
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.
235 SF
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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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
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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.
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5 Tips for Supporting Our Church Through Social Media by Niki Wight Social media is becoming a part of practically everyone’s life in 2018, no matter your age. Here at The Branch, you may have also been asked to “check in” on Facebook to help one of our monthly causes, or maybe you have even been asked to post during the Easter season to bring a friend or family member closer to Christ. Did you know that there are other ways that you can help our mission using social media? While social media may not be for everyone, it is a prominent means of communication in 2018, and can be extremely useful to get people excited about what we do here at The Branch! If you are new, nervous or even if you consider yourself an expert at social media, we thought you would like to try some of our tips on how you can help put The Branch on blast on your social channels! Will you try even just one of these tips this week?
1. Pictures Everyone loves to see pictures of family and friends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even Snapchat! If you are a regular at “checking in” on Facebook each week, why not add a photo of your family, friends, or even part of the sermon to the post? Statistically, images are seen by more people than plain text, and these photos are a positive way to show the incredible things we do at church.
2. Check In We would LOVE it if you did this every week! Checking in lets your friends and family know three super important things: 1) I GO to church; 2) I go to THIS church; and 3) I like it and I think you would, too! Don’t forget, we also partner with some incredible Kingdombuilding causes, and every check-in makes a difference!
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3. Tag Us On Instagram, you can tag one of our locations when you post. You can also use the hashtag #thebranchchurch or find us at: @thebranchchurch Tagging our location helps us reach more people, and lets people see what the church looks and feels like, whether it’s a small group gathering, fellowship with friends after Sunday Service, or maybe you were helping out with one of our other events or causes.
4. Invite People We frequently share events that are going on at The Branch, and we would love for you to invite your friends and family on Facebook to these events. Even if they just say they are “interested,” they will get a reminder that is automatically sent by Facebook, and that simple reminder could be all it takes to push them to actually visit.
5. Share the Love See something great that The Branch is doing? Maybe one of your friends at church has shared some awesome scripture or tagged you in a photo at one of our events or services. Click the share button and let people know what we are up to. Maybe they will share, too! Social media can be for everyone! It helps us reach people that we don’t see every day, and the really incredible thing about it is that you never know who will see that photo, post, or event invite and say to themselves “WOW! The Branch looks like so much fun!” These platforms can be a truly fun and unique way to get someone closer to Jesus, and what an amazing feeling that is to know you helped them!
This May, in celebration of mothers all over the world, check-ins at The Branch Church will provide food for a mother and her new baby thanks to our partnership with Compassion International.
Every 5 check-ins will provide a day of food for a mother and her new baby. Compassion International is the world’s leading authority in holistic child development through sponsorship. Through their ‘Child Survival Program’, Compassion was able to help over 64,000 mothers and babies so far. The program is run in places like Haiti, El Salvador, Kenya, and Indonesia - where mothers and babies need the most help. To learn more about Compassion, check out their site at: compassion.com You can add #care4moms to check-ins to help spread awareness! Thanks for helping change the lives of hundreds of mothers and their new babies.
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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30th Anniversary Celebration October 12-14, 2018 This year we will be celebrating 30 years in our facility at 3035 Valley View Lane. Our present building was officially opened for services in August, 1988. For many, it was the most exciting and thankful day of their church lives. A handful of us had worshipped at 2570 Valley View Lane, by the Farmers Branch City Hall, for over fifty years. Some of those had forefathers who had helped found the church in 1905. This new building was a new beginning and a fresh start in the Lord’s work. It is only fitting that we should pause for a special observance to thank God and renew our love and gratitude to those who served at The Branch Church these past thirty years. Plans are just beginning! If you would like to help with this celebration, contact Tim Ketchersid at: tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
A note from Paul and Linda Barner Linda and I recently read this article, God’s Lesson on Love, by Kenny Vaughn. It is so poignantly powerful we wanted to share it with our Young at Heart members. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” I used to think this meant dying for another person. What I have since learned is that I can and must lay down my life for others, even as I live, in order for love to rule my life. I can’t do it to get anything. I must do it just like Jesus did for me, expecting nothing in return. What you eventually learn though is that you can spend your whole life chasing what you want and never find it, or you can put God and others first and find that what you want chases you down.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Brother Eddy Ketchersid Community Minister eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Cell: 972-345-1645
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How do I live this out in my own life, as a friend, as a co-worker, as a parent, or as a spouse? It starts by making Jesus first in my life. In Him is the power to love. Without Him, we can do nothing. Even with Jesus, love is hard work. I have to push myself to think about other people. Love will always cost you something, but not loving will cost you more. Love requires sacrifice, and the only person we can lovingly sacrifice is ourselves. Blessings, Paul and Linda
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:
• May 20 (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!
Rosemeade Rainforest Party Sunday, July 8 6:30 - 10:30 pm Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex Cost: FREE! Save the date for our annual Rosemeade Rainforest summer bash! We’ve reserved the whole park, including the lazy river, water tubes, and diving boards. We’ll have cannonball contests, volleyball games, and more! Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/events
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Good News Is… In Luke 4, Jesus inaugurates his ministry by reading from Isaiah 61: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Afterward, Jesus rolled up the scroll and said: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The mission of CitySquare is to ensure this scripture is fulfilled today by continuing to proclaim
“good news” to the poor. Over the years we have learned from the experts, our poor neighbors, about what constitutes “good news.”
We are thankful for our partnership with The Branch, and hopeful that together we will continue to proclaim good news to the poor. We’ve still got work to do.
“Good news” is: Proximity. Presence. Acknowledgment. Friendship. Opportunity.
“Good news” is: Cold water. Hot food. Clean clothes. A place to call home. A job.
“Good news” is: The gathered people of God (the church) getting to know some of God’s favorite people (the poor).
Roughly 40% of the residents in Dallas County live in asset poverty. In other words, 40% of the population could not survive for 90 days from a crisis that disrupted employment. Too many of our neighbors are one crisis away from poverty. Too many of our neighbors have never known anything but poverty. That must change. And it will change if we continue the fight together.
Learn more at: CitySquare.org
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The Branch
Family Up dates
We Mourn With: • •
We Celebrate These Baptisms:
The family of former member Tom Caperton, who died on April 16. Ragan Davis and her family in the loss of her mother, Nancy J. Sloan, on April 18.
Weekend Stats - April 2018: Weekly Attendance Average: 2,201 Weekly Giving Average: $71,573
3/31/18
Janna Sanders
4/1/18
Kristin Medellin
4/1/18
Kaitlyn Wages
4/1/18
Alyse Wages
4/1/18
Karen Medina
4/8/18
Andrew Dobbs
4/8/18
Joshua Mancilla
April Baby Dedications:
Braxton Charles Darrell Brown (M) Parents: Austen and Meagan Born 2/21/18
Hannah Marie Gudgel (F) Parents: Jeremy and Katie Born 11/12/17
Ryn Honor Ware (F) Parents: David and Kara Born 8/30/17
Upcoming Baby Dedication: June 3 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. Catiana Amelia Fric (F) Parents: Geoffrey and Amanda Born 10/15/17
Hudson Reid Winters (M) Parents: Tyler and Casey Born 4/13/17
If you would like to dedicate your child on one of these weekends, follow these steps:
Register by May 20
Christian Scott Regier (M) Parents: David and Ashley Born 11/10/17
Micah Daniel Stringer (M) Parents: Jeffrey and Melissa Born 1/3/18
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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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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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Thurs-Sun
5/3-6
Event
Times
Portable Baptistry (Vista Ridge Campus)
---
Sun
5/6
RoughRiders Baseball Game
4:00 pm
Sun
5/13
Mother’s Day
---
Thurs-Sun
5/17-20
(Vista Ridge Worship Center Completed)
New Sermon Series Begins
---
Sun
5/20
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am
Sun
6/3
Baby Dedication (Both Campuses)
---
Sun
6/3
Incoming 6th Graders Event
TBD
Thurs
6/7
Neighborhood Chill Begins (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sun
6/10
Next Gen Promotion Sunday
---
Go Weekend
2 days
6/16
Sack Summer Hunger Begins (Both Campuses)
9:30 - 11:30 am
6/18-21
Kids Branch All-Star Week (Vista Ridge Campus)
4 days
Fri-Sat
6/15-16
Sat Mon-Thurs Fri-Tues
Vista Ridge 12:30 pm
6/29-7/3 Student Body Branch Camp
5 days
Sun
7/8
Rosemeade Rainforest Party
6:30 - 10:30 pm
Tues
7/10
Preschool Event
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Spotlight Music Camp (Farmers Branch Campus)
6 days
Spotlight Public Performance
7:00 pm
Sun-Fri Fri
7/15-20 7/20
(Farmers Branch Campus)
Weekly Events Calendar Day
Time
Event (Location)
Start/End Date
Sun
Early Service
Student Body MS Small Groups
Tues
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery - Dinner at 6:15 pm (Vista Ridge Campus)
Wed
7:00 pm
Student Body Small Groups (Both Campuses)
Thurs
6:45 pm
Thursday Night Church (Vista Ridge Campus)
(Both Campuses)
Office: 972-247-2109
thebranchchurch.org
CONTINUING ALL SUMMER
CONTINUING ALL SUMMER
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