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Go Weekend Fri - Sun, June 12 - 14 We’re calling everyone who attends The Branch Church to serve in our community this June. Our hope is that you are finding ways to share the love of Christ with people throughout the year. In addition, Go Weekend is a way for all of us to pool our resources at once to make a greater impact than any of us could do on our own. These acts of kindness reflect His love to our community, and can open doors for people to hear the Good News.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these . . . you did for me.” ~Matthew 25:40 We have several opportunities for:
Serving Widows, the Elderly, and Disabled:
Serving Children, the Homeless, and Impoverished:
• Yard work
• Preparing care packages
• Painting
• Serving and delivering food
• Cleaning
• Sewing dresses
• Various forms of manual labor
• Organizing donated items
• Food preparation and delivery
. . . and More!
Jesus calls us to help the weak and to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Put your hands and feet to good use in our community this summer! We will have projects available all weekend, so please reserve time and volunteer for this important effort.
Sign-Up to Volunteer and Get Your Shirt! You’ll find a list of projects to choose from through The Branch Church App or on the church website at:
thebranchchurch.org/go
Please know that each spot of availability is important, and you will be counted on to serve at that specific time. If you have any trouble registering for a project, email go@thebranchchurch.org or call the church office at 972-247-2109.
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Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
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Rosemeade Rainforest Party Sunday, July 5 Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex 6:30 - 10:30 pm Cost: FREE! We’re throwing a summer bash at the Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex! The Rosemeade Rainforest is located between Josey Lane and Old Denton Road, at 1334 East Rosemeade Parkway, Carrollton, 75007 (adjacent to the Rosemeade Recreation Center). Hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be provided, so please bring desserts! Here are some of the features: Kid-friendly water slides; 200-foot lazy river; 600-gallon dump bucket; zero-depth entry pool with play platforms, water cannons, and spray bars; 50-meter, Olympic-size pool; three-foot-depth training pool; separate diving well; 22-foot structure with a two-flume slide for the older kids. Don’t forget your towel, and join us for a great time of summer fun! Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/rosemeade
Young at Heart: Salad & Sundae Supper Friday, July 10 Farmers Branch Campus 6:30 - 8:30 pm This social event is hosted by the “Young At Heart” group. One of the other purposes of this very relaxing gathering is to get acquainted with our newest members at The Branch, as well as the guests who attend that night. BRING FRIENDS!
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If you have questions, contact Paul and Linda Barner: 972-533-0300 or Bro. Eddy Ketchersid: 972-345-1645 broeddy@thebranchchurch.org
• Please bring salads only. Dessert, ice cream, and all the toppings will be provided. • The program of the evening will include: - A brief update about the ministries at The Branch Church - Continuing education regarding “Senior Benefits” that most do not take advantage of • BINGO with great fun and prizes. • Feel free to bring a door prize, if you like. Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/yah
Neighborhood Chill Thursdays, June 11 - August 13
Sack Summer Hunger Saturdays, June 13 - August 8
Farmers Branch Campus 6:30 - 8:30 pm Cost: FREE
Farmers Branch Campus 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
At the Neighborhood Chill, we open up the parking lot for a fun evening of FREE snow cones and fellowship with the community. We hope to create an atmosphere where you can make connections with people from our surrounding community. We also have games and activities set up for the kids!
We need willing hands to bless families in our community any Saturday this summer! We meet at the Farmers Branch Campus and every week is an opportunity for you and your family to lend a hand to the process of providing food for kids who usually rely on free or reduced-cost school lunches during the school year. You won’t believe how easy and rewarding this experience is!
Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/grill
Learn more about the process at:
Men’s Bible Study: Mighty Men Saturdays beginning July 11
Single Branches
thebranchchurch.org/sack-hunger
Single Branches is our ministry for active widowed, divorced, and single adults who are 50+ years of age. The aim of the ministry is to provide a variety of monthly Mighty Men is Bible study group for men at the Vista social events so that Branch singles may meet each Ridge Campus. Learn to grow in the fundamentals of the other and build friendships. faith alongside other men. This is a great opportunity for Next Event: you to strengthen your walk with the Lord and become Saturday, June 27 a mighty man of God. We’ll spend the day at a lake house on Lake Whitney. No need to register, just come join us! Come enjoy the woods, sun, shade, relaxation, lake view, deer, games, and a late lunch. Questions? Email Terry Grimm: Vista Ridge Campus 7:30 - 8:45 am
terry.grimm@thebranchchurch.org
Questions? Email Paulette Travis: ptravis0822@yahoo.com
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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!
Interested in serving in Kids Branch? Go to thebranchchurch.org/serve, or simply send us an email.
Tim Scott
Kristan Renshaw
Family Minister
Kids Branch Coordinator Farmers Branch Campus
tscott@thebranchchurch.org
krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
For more information, call: 972-855-8506 or email: contactus@thehayesschoolofwonder.com
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What is the BSM? The letters “BSM” stand for The Branch Student Ministry, and is our ministry to 6th - 12th grade students. Students have the opportunity for community and discipleship at D-Groups. You can read more about that below. We also encourage our students to attend and serve at our weekend services with their families. There are several special events throughout the year, including summer camp, retreats, and other fun activities.
Discipleship Groups: “D-Groups” Middle School Vista Ridge Campus | Sundays | 9:30 am Farmers Branch Campus | Wednesdays | 6:30 pm
High School Both Campuses | Wednesdays
| 6:30 pm
Questions about the BSM? Ask us! Kyle Poff
Josh Brake
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
Farmers Branch Campus
STUDENT MINISTER Join us in welcoming Josh Brake and his fiance Abby Flaherty to The Branch! Josh is originally from Flower Mound, and graduated from Bucknell University with a dual major in Psychology and Religion. Abby graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Elementary Education, and is planning on doing her student teaching in LISD this fall. They plan to be married this July. Josh will be focused on building Christ-centered relationships with middle school and high school students at the Farmers Branch Campus, and will partner with parents and our great BSM volunteers to help raise up the next generation of disciples of Jesus. He has hit the ground running since he started on May 20, and is already becoming an integral part of the Family Ministry. Please welcome them, and pray for their ministry here at The Branch Church!
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The Extra Mile The inspiring story of a dad who goes above and beyond for his kids. by Jay Payleitner As appeared in Guideposts
Near midnight. My wife and I were driving home from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where our son Randy was a junior English major. Rita was asleep in the passenger seat. I headed north, wondering what on earth had possessed us to take the afternoon off to make the trek to campus and back, a six-hour round trip slogging through the towns dotting Highway 47. All for nothing. For weeks Randy had been telling me how much fun he was having playing intramural coed flag football. Maybe it was his talk of diving catches and trick plays, but I’d felt this sudden urge to cheer him on, like we had in high school. Just several hours earlier Rita and I had met him at the field. It was a crisp fall evening—perfect football weather. I was pumped. Randy introduced us to his teammates. “You really came all this way just to see us?” they asked incredulously. The cheering section consisted of Rita, me and an injured player on crutches. But we didn’t mind. We watched the kids stretch and warm up, run through some drills and then...there was some sort of delay. Randy ran over. “The other team had to forfeit,” he said. “They don’t have enough players.” I tried to hide my disappointment. No big deal. Unless you’d just driven three hours to get here. We took Randy out for pie and coffee. Nice, but I’d had my heart set on seeing him in action. I’d wanted to cheer for my son.
Ahead I saw a bridge crossing over the Fox River. A distant memory stirred...from back when I was a Boy Scout. Every fall our troop made a two-day, 40-mile canoe journey down the Fox. There was one year I would never forget. My dad dropped my brother Mark and me at the launch, made sure our life vests were snug and said goodbye as our flotilla set off. I plunged my paddle into the water and pulled hard, then lifted and stroked again. Mark, in front, did the same. Before long we had a good rhythm going. I wish Dad could see us, I thought. About a mile downriver we came to a bridge. I looked up and there he was. Dad, standing right in the middle of the span. He didn’t shout instructions or do anything embarrassing. He simply waved until we passed underneath. I looked back and he was gone. Huh? Was I just imagining him? But several miles later, at the next overpass, there he was again. And the one after that. And the next. It turned into a game. The whole troop began looking for him. Every time we rounded a bend that day someone would shout, “There’s Mr. Payleitner!” All the boys were waving now, but no one was happier to see him than I was. My dad had taken a chance and literally gone the extra mile (and then some) to show us his love. All these years later it had never left me. Now I drove across the bridge in the darkness. I imagined Dad standing there, waving, still encouraging me. It made me think of a nightly prayer I’d said when the kids were younger, asking God to help me be the kind of dad my kids need. At last I understood the most important thing I could do for my children—just be there, even if it meant going the extra mile, the way my dad did for me, cheering me on.
Now, slowing the car to a crawl through the town of Yorkville, I couldn’t help thinking that the whole idea had been foolish. I was behind on work. I really needed to clean out the garage. I thought of all the T-ball games and soccer matches, band concerts and science fairs I’d gone to over the years for our five children. Once Rita and I even snuck into Randy’s English class to see him perform in a skit. We had been the only parents there that day too. I’d worked hard to be a supportive dad, but was I trying too hard?
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Jay Payleitner and his son, Randy
Third Campus
Prayer Specifics When it comes to the mission of God in the world, we often make our greatest advances on our knees. When the early church was waiting for the next move of the Spirit of God, they devoted themselves to a season of continual prayer (Acts 1:12-14). We are in such a season right now as we move toward the launch of our third campus. Please join us in several different prayers listed below. There is much to be done and, therefore, much to lift up in prayer. Thank you!
Our Focus
For Elders
• That we will keep it “front and center.” We are missionaries in a “land of religion” helping people to become, and live as, disciples of Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20)
• That they would be identified for service at the third campus.
For 250 People For The Hearts In The Vicinity Of The Third Campus • That they will be open to respond to the message of Jesus. (Acts 16:14) • Prayerfully imagine the faces of those you personally know in the area.
For Our Hearts • That we have the vision of Jesus – see people as He sees them – and are filled with compassion for those who are spiritually lost. (Matthew 9:35-38)
• That we will be filled with the Spirit for the purpose of being His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) • That the Lord will stir up the spirit of His people at The Branch to engage in this effort, whether it be through serving in some capacity, praying, giving, being a part of the launch team, etc. (Haggai 1:13-14)
For Key Personnel • That we would discern the right people to fill the roles of Campus Minister, Worship Leader, Kids Branch Coordinator, and Student Minister.
• Adults and children who answer this call and make up the launch team. • That volunteers are identified, equipped, and cared for.
For Our Existing Campuses • That our existing campuses will continue to thrive, and new servants will rise up to fill the holes that are left by those who join the launch team.
For Funding And Wisdom In Regard To Funding • That our trust in God’s provision remains strong, as well as our faithfulness to go “first and ten.”
For The Location Of The Campus • That we would find the right place.
For The Facility • That it would be well-suited for our mission and approach.
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THE BRANCH FAMILY NEWS You will find the following in the lobby: Prayer Requests | Monthly Birthdays | Shower Info
Births:
New Members
4/6/15
Lucas Dean Parents: Tommy and Amanda Knobloch
Farmers Branch Campus:
4/21/15
Bennett Thomas Parents: Preston and Shelbi Rampy
(Children: Samantha, Rory, and Madeline)
4/30/15
Rebecca Elliott Parents: Trent and Robyn Morton
Vista Ridge Campus:
5/3/15
Vada Michele Parents: Josiah and Emily Williams
5/21/15
Shiloh Raine Parents: Brent and Erika Hughes
6/3/15
Blessing Armstrong Parents: Dee and Rachel Armstrong
New Members Tommie Bentley Channing Denton Neal and Staci Gee (Child: Garrett)
Jose and Jennifer Hernandez (Children: Sianna, Siarah, Gabriel, and Joey)
John and Rachel Kuelbs (Child: Mila)
Baptisms: 5/5/15 5/24/15 5/24/15 5/24/15
John and Misty Young
Kimber Blackwell Hugo Vasquez Brandon Horton Amanda Vega
Branch Cares is a ministry designed to look after, and take care of, people within our church body. It is rooted in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….” The vision for this ministry is to reach out, help, and connect with:
Widows • Widowers • Single parents • Shut-ins • Caregivers • Those who are grieving Ministry volunteers will also deliver communion to shut-ins and any others who are unable to attend services.
How Do We Reach Out? One or more of our volunteer ministry members will call and/or visit the person. The ministry member will attempt to find out how the person is doing, if they have any needs (house repairs, help with transportation to the store, doctor visits, etc.), and also offer to pray for/with them if they so desire. If you are interested in becoming a Branch Cares ministry volunteer, or if you know of someone who is connected to The Branch Church and 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 listed below.
Questions? Farmers Branch Email: fbcares@thebranchchurch.org Vista Ridge Email: vrcares@thebranchchurch.org Church Office: (972) 247-2109
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The Celebrate Recovery Ministry Needs Your Help We’re looking for friendly and outgoing people to host and serve in the Celebrate Recovery Ministry. Needs include: • Setting up tables and chairs • Serving the meals • Kitchen clean-up It is about two hours of service every other, or every third, Thursday, depending on availability. With this being a weekly ministry and because of the upcoming erratic summer months, we could use some extra hands. We look forward to meeting some new friends and volunteers! We’re also inviting Small Groups to bring meals, serve as a group, or simply donate funds. Contact the Celebrate Recovery leadership: cr@thebranchchurch.org
Our
Spring Women’s Event was a spiritual and literal feast! Women from both campuses came together with friends, guests, and believers from other churches to hear from Lisa Durr and several of our very own. The weekend was all about living beyond our fears in a fallen world. Kudos to Jennifer Fariss, Rebecca DePauw, Kathy Rife, Janie Vasquez, Karen Young, Nicole DePauw, Sara Rivas, Rebekah Pitts, Wendy Howard, Amy Hance, Courtney Stone, Sarah Asplund, Kim Barnes,
Kristine Morris, The Branch Worship Team, and many other volunteers and ambassadors for their leadership and hard work behind the scenes! Also, thank you to Lori Caplin, Tracey Griner, Cheryl Moore, and the LBS prayer team for covering in prayer all of those who were invited and affiliated with the event. The event began with an abundant Persian-style banquet followed by worship, the reading of the Book of Esther, and a night of inspired teaching and discussion. Saturday morning resembled a Purim
feast celebrating freedom. The day was full of inspiring and informative breakout sessions by Melissa Dettmer, Andrea Rockwood, Jessica Hooten, Rachel Brown, Kenee Dover, Liza ter Kuile, Lana Wisenbaker, Stephanie Scott, Janet Moore, Lynn Jones, Schalee Sanchez, Amber O’Brien, Lorisa Miller, Tara Seidman, Lisa Castello, and Kristan Renshaw. Lisa Durr also continued to lead us from living life on the brink to living life on the verge. If you missed this incredible journey, look forward to our Fall Women’s Event, October 2-3!
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Branch Camp 2015: ROOTED Sun - Fri, June 21 - 26 Camp Akiva Cost: $395 per person
(Registration closes June 12)
It’s not too late to register for camp with all your middle school and high school friends. Branch Camp is a time of building friendships, having fun in the sunshine, and growing closer to Jesus. Branch Camp 2015 will be at Camp Akiva in Point, Texas. We have the entire camp to ourselves! We’ll depart The Branch Church on Sunday, June 21 at 2:00 pm, and return Friday, June 26 by 3:00 pm. Our theme this year is ROOTED. We’ll learn and explore who we are in Jesus; how we want to be “rooted and established in love;” how much Jesus loves us; and how to realize all that He has for us, both individually, and as the church. We want you to start your summer off right with a week of drawing closer together, and closer to God. Register today!
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Spotlight 2015: iAM Sun - Fri, July 12 - 17 Farmers Branch Campus Cost: $135 per camper Ages: Finished Kindergarten - finished 5th grade.
Spotlight Music Camp is one of the best weeks of the year in the life of The Branch Church! We take over the entire Farmers Branch Campus, and our kids have fun learning about God as they produce a musical to perform at the end of the week. This year, we are doing the musical “iAM,” where we learn that God has “the real life APP for all that we need.” Our heart for the Family Ministry at The Branch Church is to grow closer to each other, closer to God, and to be overflowing with more kids, more disciples, and more leaders. Spotlight is the perfect example of this: kids coming together to make friends and learn about Jesus, while being led by our high school students. Make plans to be a part of Spotlight!
Registration ends July 3! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/spotlight
VBS 2015: Kingdom Quest Mon - Fri, August 3 - 7 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Both Campuses Cost: Free
Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a fun week when kids learn about God. It’s also a great opportunity to invite more kids and families into the life of The Branch Church. We design VBS with the visitor in mind, and we want all our families to bring their friends! Our theme this year is “Kingdom Quest,” and we’ll learn how we need to put on the whole armor of God in order to step boldly into the quest God has for us. VBS is for kids entering kindergarten through entering fifth grade, and will be Monday through Thursday mornings that week, with a special event on Friday. Invite friends, and make plans for your kids to attend! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/vbs (Registration opens July 6)
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Our Honduras team will be in Catacamas from July 2 - 12 to build houses, dig a water well, run a VBS, love on the kids at the CRF Children’s Home, and bless the people of the city in the name of Jesus. Please be in prayer for their safety and success.
Support the mission by donating items! For the Children’s Home, boys and girls ages 2-17: Underwear Socks New t-shirts Twin sheets Towels New toys and games School supplies: Pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, construction and notebook paper, glue sticks, scissors, new backpacks
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For the Clinic run by the Villa Verde Congregation: Over the counter medications: Advil, Tylenol, Band-Aids, Pepto-Bismol, Metamucil, vitamins, first aid cream, etc. Reading glasses *Please drop-off your items in the designated bin in the lobby. Contact Linda Havins if you have questions: 972-307-3477
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Upcoming Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event (Location)
Thurs
6/11
Neighborhood Chill Begins
Fri-Sun
6/12-14
Times
6:30 - 8:30 pm
(Farmers Branch Campus)
Go Weekend
3 Days
Sat
6/13
Dress Prep Crew
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sat
6/13
Sack Summer Hunger Begins
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sun
6/21
Father’s Day
Sun-Fri
6/21-26
Thurs-Sun
7/2-12
Branch Camp: “Rooted”
6 Days
Honduras Mission Trip
11 Days
Sat
7/4
No Saturday Service (Vista Ridge Campus)
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Sun
7/5
Rosemeade Rainforest Party
6:30 - 10:30 pm
Fri
7/10
Young at Heart: Salad & Sundae Supper
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Spotlight Music Camp: “iAM” (Farmers Branch Campus)
6 Days
Spotlight Musical Performance (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sun-Fri Fri
7/12-17 7/17
Mon-Fri
8/3-7
Vacation Bible School: “Kingdom Quest” (Both Campuses)
5 Days
Fri
8/21
Movie Night (Vista Ridge Campus)
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Fall Women’s Event
2 Days
Fri-Sat
10/2-3
Weekly Events Calendar Sun
9:30 am
Middle School D-Groups
Wed
6:30 pm
Middle School D-Groups (Farmers Branch Campus)
Wed
6:30 pm
High School D-Groups (Both Campuses)
Thu
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery (Vista Ridge Campus)
Thu
7:00 pm
Neighborhood Chill (Farmers Branch Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Mighty Men Study Group (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
9:30 am
Sack Summer Hunger (Farmers Branch Campus)
(Vista Ridge Campus)
*Begins July 11
972-247-2109 | FAX 972-243-6009 | info@thebranchchurch.org
TheBranch C h u r c h
Farmers Branch Campus 3035 Valley View Lane Dallas, TX 75234
Vista Ridge Campus 3601 Huffines Boulevard Carrollton, TX 75010
thebranchchurch.org