BRANCHOUT CHRISTMAS 2018 Make the most of your time with us at The Branch Church. See inside for the lastest stories of what God is doing in the life of our church family. Be a part of our story.
2
BRA N C HO U T
CON T E N TS Publisher/Designer: Jaron Pitts Editor: Vickie Hinton
UPCOMING EVENTS
4
FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER
6
CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT
8
COPING WITH THE HOLIDAY BLUES
10
GO CHRISTMAS
13
BAPTISM HIGHLIGHTS
14
BEYOND ME UPDATE
16
THE BRANCH EN ESPAÑOL
19
YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY
21
BRANCH STAFF UPDATE
22
BRANCH GROUPS
27
STRONG MARRIAGES
30
The Branch Church Farmers Branch Campus 3035 Valley View Ln. Farmers Branch, TX 75234 t. 972.247.2109 Vista Ridge Campus 3601 Huffines Blvd. Carrollton, TX 75010 info@thebranchchurch.org www.thebranchchurch.org
facebook.com/thebranchchurch instagram.com/thebranchchurch twitter.com/thebranch
© 2018 The Branch Church
3
BRA N C HO U T
4
UPCOMING EVENTS For more details on these events, view the calendar on The Branch Church app or visit our website:
thebranchchurch.org/events Days
Dates
Event
Location & Times
Wednesday
12/5
Youth Christmas Party
Farmers Branch 7:00 - 9:00p
Sunday
12/9
ANGEL TREE DUE DATE
---
Sunday
12/9
THE BRANCH ORIENTATION
Farmers Branch 10:45a Vista Ridge 12:30p
Saturday
12/15
go christmas
Both Campuses 9:00a - 2:00p
Saturday
12/15
Carter blood drive
Vista Ridge 9:00a - 12:00p
Thursday
12/20
candlelight service
Vista Ridge 7:00p
Sunday
12/23
candlelight services
Farmers Branch 9:00a & 10:45a Vista Ridge 9:15a & 11:00a
Monday
12/24
candlelight services
Vista Ridge 5:00p Farmers Branch 6:00p
Thursday
12/27
No Thursday Night Service
Vista Ridge
Sunday
12/30
Regular Sunday services
Both Campuses
Saturday
1/12
Men's Bible Study Begins
Farmers Branch 7:30a
Friday
1/25
Princess Ball
Farmers Branch Time TBD
Sunday
2/10
Baby Dedication
Both Campuses
Sunday
2/10
Valentine Luncheon
Farmers Branch 12:00p
5
WELCOME TO THE BRANCH CHURCH
FRO M THE SE NIOR M INISTER
I can’t tell you how excited I am to begin a journey through the Gospel of Luke with you during Christmas! The timing is perfect. We’ll be touring Luke through Easter. It’s a gospel for everyone and every one! If you haven’t yet, please grab your copy of The Gospel of Luke Scripture Journal. It’ll be an important resource for our series. It’s designed for you to use to reflect on your own time during the week, while also being a place for you to record notes on the weekends when we are together. By the way, who is your one? Who is someone you’ll pray for and invite to join us for our Christmas Candlelight services, as well as our journey through Luke? There’s not a person you’ll meet who doesn’t need Jesus. Because of Him, it really is possible to have a new beginning in many other ways than just our calendars. Grace and Peace,
Ch ris Se i dma n Sen ior M i n i ste r
6
7
B R AN CH OU T
BRA N C HO U T
C E L E B R AT E C H R I S T M A S AT T H E B R A N C H Christmas time is here! Come celebrate the birth of Jesus with us at The Branch. Our Christmas Candlelight Services are meant for the whole family and include a special Christmas message from Chris, communion, and the singing of traditional Christmas songs by candlelight. Because Christmas Eve is on a Monday this year, we’re doing Candlelight Services at each of our regular weekend service times, and then one more on Monday evening.
8
9
COPING WITH THE HOLIDAY BLUES by Ryan Rainey
For many, the holiday season is not a time to be welcomed, but instead a time to be dreaded. For many, 'tis the season of stress, worry, sadness and mourning — and not to be jolly.
10
Acquaintances who know that I'm a pastor often remark that I must be very busy during this time of the year. They have all heard about the "holiday blues." They are usually surprised to hear that I don’t actually get any busier caring for people during the holidays. The interesting thing about “the holiday blues” is that people usually don't seek help while they're suffering with it in the midst of the season. Instead, they tend to wait until the middle of January to seek help if they are still feeling sad or overwhelmed. Unfortunately, during the height of the season, many become isolative and want to avoid social contact.
The depression associated with the holiday blues is usually related to loss and loneliness — mourning of deceased loved ones, divorce, or bittersweet memories of Christmases past. The holidays can bring up loads of sadness — sadness about losses never fully grieved, and the strain of having to appear happy when you are not. I cannot imagine losing a loved one around the holidays and every year having to re-experience that loss. There are also enormous financial and situational stresses associated with the holidays. Parents worry about providing a nice Christmas for their children. Budgets become strained. Traffic gets heavier and the stores are crowded with shoppers. Weather isn’t friendly to us either — stress can rise with darker days and occasionally needing to navigate
But there is help! Here are some points to ponder. Don't Isolate - it will only make sadness worse. Reach out to old friends. Getting in touch gives them the opportunity to reciprocate your affection for them. Also, take a chance and reach out to someone new. Remember that there are people out there who feel the same way as you and would welcome your friendship. Also, go to church and seek out a Bible study or a home group. If needed, seek counseling. Don't wait for the opportunity to pass. Practice Thankfulness - make a list of blessings and then thank the Creator for them daily. Start by thanking Him for basic things like a sunny day and a good breakfast. Thank Him for past blessings. Think of your favorite music and thank Him for that. Thank Him for the family and friends He's given you. Praise Him for the beauty of His creation. Start with at least three
Remember Those Less Fortunate - Pray for them. Get involved in a charitable activity. Most churches and businesses have projects to reach out to those less fortunate, and if you are one of those less fortunate, don't be afraid to ask for help with your Christmas. You are being a blessing for those who can give. Head off Stress - Try to think ahead. Minimizing stress could be as simple as shopping early to avoid the last minute rush. Try not to have unrealistically high expectations — keep things simple. Practice relaxation. Close your eyes and take a few minutes to breath slowly and deeply and think the verse from Psalm 46: "Be still, and know that I am God" or "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4.13).
HIGHLIGHT
things to thank Him for and try to add one new one to be thankful for each day. Even the most miserable of us can find something to be thankful for.
CELE BRAT E RECOV E RY
through snow and icy streets. The incessant barrage of advertising in both the media and in stores wears out one's senses. I enjoy most holiday music, but I think I'll scream if I hear "Santa Baby" one more time. The holiday season becomes a threemonth marathon of syrupy sentiment and cheesy kitsch.
If you struggle with the "holiday blues" or any hurt, habit, or hang-up, I encourage you to attend Celebrate Recovery in the coming weeks. We meet every Tuesday night at 7:00p, including the holiday weeks.
CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEAR'S DAY Tuesdays • 7:00p The Branch Church - Vista Ridge 3601 Huffines Blvd. Carrollton, TX 75010
B R AN CH OU T
CELEBRATE RECOVERY WILL MEET
11
12
BRA N C HO U T
GO CHRISTMAS SACK CHRISTMAS HUNGER & ANGEL TREE WRAP PARTY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 from 9:00a - 2:00p
Come one, come all! We need all hands on deck to Sack Christmas Hunger and wrap the Angel Tree gifts at BOTH of our campuses. Our Go Team has been hard at work organizing the food and gifts for this special day of service. Bring your kids, along with some extra scissors, tape, and boxes. We already have lots of wrapping paper! HOW IT WORKS At the Farmers Branch Campus, enter the building through the double doors under the car port and walk into the Family Life Center. At the Vista Ridge Campus, come to the main lobby. Our Go Team will organize the food into an assembly line. You will grab a sack with a unique label and go through the line, filling your sack with the allotted food items such as cereal, bread, peanut butter, and vegetables. When that sack is full, you will take it to the designated spot with the corresponding label. After the food is sacked, we will begin wrapping the angel tree gifts. The Go Team has a great way of organizing everything, so be sure to listen carefully to the coordinator's instructions. Once the food sacks are filled and the presents are all wrapped, teams will be formed in order to travel to homes in the area for distribution. If you volunteer to be a team leader, you'll be given a map and a route with the family names and corresponding sack labels. Thank you in advance for serving our community this Christmas!
13
HIGHLIGHTS
14
Baptisms
Last November, Tara and I were privileged to meet some new neighbors who live across the street from us — Charlie, Lucia, and Tallulah Rushton.
CELEBRATING NEW
BAP T ISM
BAPTISM STORY
Amanda Guerrero
9/2/18
Maria Melgoza
10/7/18
Lleyton Myers
10/28/18
Tallulah Rushton
11/4/18
Liz Van Scoit
11/18/18
They were such fun to get to know and were so warm and hospitable. We invited them to come to one of our Christmas Candlelight services last December. They came and have been among us at The Branch ever since! They are now good friends — a part of our small group — and Tallulah has been a part of our student ministry. On the first Sunday of November, we were blessed to witness Tallulah’s baptism into Christ. Tallulah isn’t shy about her relationship with the Lord. Six of her fellow gymnasts, as well as her coach, were present for her baptism. Don’t underestimate where a walk across the street or an invitation to a Christmas Candlelight service might lead. New friends and new possibilities await! - Chris Seidman
15
BRA N C HO U T
U P D A T E As we approach the end of 2018, we have completed the first year of our Beyond Me capital campaign for expanding and renovating the Vista Ridge Campus. There are 452 families that made a commitment to the Beyond Me program, and 55 of those families have completed their pledge. In addition, there are 82 families who have given to Beyond Me, but didn’t submit a pledge to the program. A total of $8.8M was committed, and one year into the program, 56% of the dollars committed have already been given, so we have outstanding pledges of $3.8M.
16
It is our goal to be debt free at the end of our Beyond Me capital campaign, but we are prepared to have a loan during the program which is paid off as our pledges are completed.
WHAT IS "BEYOND ME?" If you're new to The Branch, you may be wondering what this is all about. When we launched the Vista Ridge Campus in 2007, we knew we would have to eventually expand the facility on that campus if we were to help more people in the immediate vicinity come to know and follow Jesus. The Beyond Me initiative is aimed at addressing two specific needs: 1. Significantly more space needed for our youth and children’s ministries. 2. More space needed for showing hospitality and helping people to connect with others. In November 2017, we asked the church to confirm our leadership's
belief that the time had come for us to address the limitations of the Vista Ridge facility. The estimated cost of the project is around $9 million, and when the church responded with commitments of $8.8 million added to the $1.25 million we had already set aside for the project, we knew it was time to get moving. If you've recently joined us, it's not too late to contribute! The commitment period started in December 2017 and will run through November 2020, but you can give to the Beyond Me fund even if you didn't make a commitment. If you have any questions about this campaign, please don't hesitate to contact David Teutsch: dteutsch@thebranchchurch.org
Phase 2 Renovation and Addition
1619
Class 848 SF
Class 474 SF
Class 506 SF
Todd 1
Class
482 SF
474 SF
Toilet
Secure Cir.
Class
69 SF
Boys
550 SF
186 SF
479 SF
Secure. Cir.
Girls
Todd 2
343 SF
241 SF
486 SF
Nurs 1 Nurs Recp.
Toilet
Pres. 2
393 SF
231 SF
67 SF
487 SF
Class
387 SF
Support 326 SF
Toilet 68 SF
Secure Cir.
Nurs 2
412 SF
Class 395 SF
385 SF
Pres. 3 503 SF
Jan.
41 SF
Pres. 1
Circulation
386 SF
Pres. Recp.
Toilet
Elect.
149 SF
Men
Circulation
1280 SF
Stair 1
84 SF
Women
648 SF
Pres. 4
Children's Assembly
70 SF
231 SF
69 SF
258 SF
90 SF
400 SF
Storage
Class
234 SF
599 SF
Upper Commons AV Storage
657 SF
29 SF
Jan.
30 SF
AV Storage
Elect.
29 SF
59 SF
Preschool Assembly
Elev.
1246 SF
Laundry
64 SF
54 SF
Stair 1 258 SF
Storage 339 SF
Resource
Preschool Recp.
595 SF
326 SF
Elev. 64 SF
Baptistry
Vest Vestibule
Toilet
Commons
131 SF
76 76 SF
97 SF
3188 SF
Changing Changing 55 SF
Level Two
Changing 22 SF
Vestibule
Nursing
198 SF
34 SF
Pantry 68 SF
Women
Coffee
385 SF
257 SF
Storage 52 SF
Kitchen
F
Men
122 SF
Vestibule 66 SF
Laundry
67 SF
AV Storage
112 SF
Storage
31 SF
FLC
81 SF
534 SF
566 SF
249 SF
Jan.
Commons 3256 SF
1209 SF
Class
386 SF
Serving
302 SF
Platform
Back of House
Table Storage
598 SF
AV Sound
2971 SF
AV Booth 51 SF
Worship
Storage
4901 SF
81 SF
Elec. Rm
Family RR
78 SF
78 SF
Vestibule 66 SF
Toilet
Class 260 SF
Class 330 SF
Cry Room
Corridor
Corridor 621 SF
66 SF
Class
550 SF
Support
151 SF
Admin
Storage 28 SF
Vestibule
145 SF
158 SF
718 SF
157 SF
40 SF
Admin Admin 115 SF
Admin 110 SF
Admin
Back of House
Storage
187 SF
Class 356 SF
Admin
Toilet
Corridor
142 SF
Youth Lobby
Toilet 41 SF
1664 SF
181 SF
147 SF
Admin
Admin
Toilet Vestibule
Green Room
35 SF
201 SF
140 SF
Class 234 SF
Fire Rm 41 SF
Children Circulation Circulation - Secure
195 SF
96 SF
Hospitality
Admin 154 SF
Nurs-Pres.
Level One
Restroom Stage North
Storage Support Worship Youth
17
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
27 SF
10/05/18
18 UPDATE
E SPAÑ OL
THE BRANCH EN ESPAÑOL by Schalee Sanchez
On September 8th, we celebrated the third anniversary of the first Spanish worship service of The Branch Church En Español at the Farmers Branch Campus. God has done amazing things in so many lives! Thank you all for the love and support you have shared with us as we serve Christ together! We eagerly await more good things to come!
Here are just a few testimonies from some of our members:
2018 was a fabulous year for The Branch Church En Español! Lives have been eternally changed. Through consistent contact with the life-giving words of Jesus and intentional fellowship, opportunities for our love and unity to increase have abounded. One of the highlights was an all-day experience at the Lakeview Retreat Center in the spring, which was attended by men, women, and children.
“Praise God! I finally found what I was looking for — a church family.” ~ María Melgoza “God has made a huge change in me! He has made me a better person. I am blessed by all He has given me and for the opportunity to serve Him.” ~ Conchita Díaz “There is such a beautiful unity when you share and pray together. We support one another through prayer, and it has helped me face difficult challenges.” ~ José Santana "This year, God has helped me overcome fear and opened doors for me to serve in the church and community. It has all been for His honor and glory!" ~ Ana Ortiz "Now that I am coming close to God and am starting to know Him, my life has turned 180 degrees...I am learning to pray, something I had never done before..." ~ Dalia Figueroa
B R AN CH OU T
Transformative teaching, relationshipbuilding, recreation, and bonding memories were all part of helping us grow closer to Christ and cultivating sincere love for one another. It became evident as we spent time in each other’s homes for meals or weeks of prayer that the Spirit was working among us not only for our benefit, but to be a blessing to those around us as well. Activities like Sack Summer Hunger, Neighborhood Chill, Trunk-or-Treat, KiDs Beach Club, and a visit to The Bentley Retirement Community have provided wonderful avenues to share Christ’s light in our community.
“I have never been in a group of people where there was so much unity and such a sincere love. Everyone here is wholeheartedly seeking Christ and united in Him.” ~ Marina Hernández
19
20
The Branch Youth are having their Christmas Party WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5th! Our Youth Christmas Party will be at the Farmers Branch Campus from 7:00p - 9:00p. The IN-N-OUT Food Truck will be there, and we will have burgers, fries, and Christmas goodies! Bring a $5 gift for a White Elephant Gift Exchange and IF you can, bring $5 for food, desserts, and drinks. This is for MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL. We will be taking a shuttle from the Vista Ridge Campus to Farmers Branch. Meet at the Vista Ridge Campus at 6:00p; we will be LEAVING at 6:30p.
B R AN CH OU T
We will get back to the Vista Ridge Campus at 9:30p for pick up. If you can't make the shuttle time, you can meet us there at the Farmers Branch Campus: 3035 Valley View Ln.
21
UPDATE
BRAN C H STAF F
JOSH & ABBY BRAKE As a church, The Branch places a high emphasis on working together with our parents to raise up the next generation of disciples. We understand that our children and youth are in a unique phase of their lives where establishing a firm spiritual foundation will have a positive impact on their spiritual walk for the rest of their lives. The role of our Next Generation ministry, which encompasses our children and youth ministries, is to provide environments and opportunities which help cultivate this firm spiritual foundation. We are pleased to announce that Josh Brake is moving into the role of NextGen Lead Minister, where he will oversee our children and youth ministries at both the Farmers Branch and the Vista Ridge campuses.
22
Josh grew up in the local area and graduated from Flower Mound High School. He attended college at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, and met his wife to be, Abby, while attending there. After graduation, Josh and Abby were married, and they joined The Branch in the summer of 2015, where Josh
has been serving as the Youth Minister at the Farmers Branch campus. Over the last three years, we’ve witnessed in Josh a spirit of humility, an eagerness to learn from others, wisdom and the spiritual gift of leadership. Josh has developed fruitful relationships with students, parents, and volunteers at the Farmers Branch campus. He has also invested himself in participating in Kids Branch events in the summers and serving in Kids Branch on many weekends. In addition to serving so diligently among us, he has been pursuing a Master’s degree at Dallas Theological Seminary, which he will complete this coming May. We believe Josh's passion for the gospel of Christ and his desire to influence kids, youth, parents, and volunteers to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus will be a blessing for our church family. We ask for your prayers and support of Josh and Abby in this new role as we look forward to his leadership in the NextGen ministry.
TREY & KRISTAN RENSHAW
They’ve also made a great difference in the lives of many adults through leading a small group that has birthed other small groups. There are so many different realms of our church that they have touched for the better. An exciting thing has happened for Trey. He’s been called back into full-time ministry and will be serving as the lead minister
of a church where he was once the youth minister many years ago. It’s called the Compass Church, and it’s located in Roswell, New Mexico. Trey begins his work there the first weekend in December, and the family will be moving to Roswell at the end of this year. Consequently, Kristan will be leaving her position on our staff. We are so grateful for Kristan’s ministry among so many of our children and families at The Branch. Her conscientiousness, diligence, and heart for the Lord are obvious to so many. May our gracious God anoint Trey, Kristan, Kailey Grace, and Malachi for their new season in Roswell. B R AN CH OU T
Kristan Renshaw is a treasure, as many of you know. For years, she’s served as our Children’s Minister at the Farmers Branch Campus, and prior to that, served so faithfully in a volunteer capacity. Her husband Trey has served alongside her as a volunteer, while also blessing the lives of our middle school and high school students.
23
24
B R AN CH OU T
thebranchchurch.org/app
25
26 HIGHLIGHT
BRAN C H GROUP S
BRANCH GROUPS We all need friends — people we meet with on a regular basis to hang out, talk about our lives in a biblical context,
Tim Ketchersid Farmers Branch Campus Minister
and pray.
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
That’s a Branch Group! Interested in joining or starting a 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
Derek Robinson Connections Pastor Vista Ridge Campus drobinson@thebranchchurch.org
B R AN CH OU T
process for starting a new group.
27
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:
28
Farmers Branch Email: fbcares@thebranchchurch.org Vista Ridge Email: vrcares@thebranchchurch.org Church Office: (972) 247-2109
ISSUE
31
This December, for the holiday season, we are happy to partner with Books for Africa to provide ageappropriate books to kids in Tanzania.
Every 5 check-ins or reviews on Facebook, and tags on Instagram this month, will provide the gift of a book to a child. Books For Africa believes that education is the great equalizer in the world, and books are at the foundation of a strong educational system. Access to an education is one of the only opportunities young people have to end the cycle of poverty and attain a better quality of life than previous generations. By giving the gift of reading to a child, you are not only opening up a world of opportunity, but you are also giving them a lifetime of joy. You can add #givebooks when you check in to promote the cause. For more information about this month’s charity, check out: booksforafrica.org Thanks for checking in this holiday season!
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
Strong Marriages is an intensive deep dive that focuses on transformational, biblical relationships. Couples are paired with a Mentor couple 2:2 after some initial discovery conversations with our Ministry Coordinators. Over the course of several months, couples use our core curriculum and supplemental resources to learn a variety of new skills and behaviors including conflict resolution, daily blessings, and understanding the complexities of how men and women handle relationships.
30
For information on how to get started, email Janice Ingram: jingram@thebranchchurch.org
31
BRANCHOUT
CHRISTMAS 2018