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Tuesday, July 7th
Tuesday, July 21st
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Both Campuses Cost: FREE
Vista Ridge Campus Cost: FREE
Let’s get creative! Come to either campus for a morning when imagination can run wild. We’ll provide the supplies, you provide the artists.
We’ll turn the back lot at the Vista Ridge Campus into our own playground, and compete in fun, field day games! Hot dogs and burgers will be provided.
Art Day
Field Day
Kids of all ages are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Spotlight Performance Friday, July 17 7:00 - 8:30pm Farmers Branch Campus Cost: FREE
After a week of fun, excitement, and hard work, our kids will be performing the musical “iAM,” at the Farmers Branch Campus. The sanctuary will be transformed into a theater with props, decorations, a choir, and actors for a night you won’t want to miss. A party/reception will be held immediately following the performance.
The whole church is invited! Come support the kids and enjoy the show! Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/spotlight
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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!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/vbs
Family Night Out - Water Night Friday, August 7 6:30 - 8:30 pm Farmers Branch Campus Cost: FREE Everyone is invited to come cool off at the end of VBS with inflatable water slides and food trucks!
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This summer, the student ministry spent a week at our first Branch Camp, “Rooted,” working through and figuring out who or what our identities are being defined by instead of Christ. This week was nothing short of a revival for our student ministry. Amidst the lake, volleyball, worship, bunk beds, frogs, noodles-of-death, and countless other things you can only experience at camp, there was an air of unity that was undeniable. There was something different about this year. From the moment camp started, we could sense the enemy’s efforts to oppose us. A rain storm followed us there, making our arrival chaotic on Sunday night. There were physical and spiritual attacks of many kinds on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So Wednesday afternoon, we fought back. Our entire camp, including the staff of Camp Akiva, embarked on a prayer march around the entirety of the camp grounds. With worship leaders in the front leading the charge, we covered everything in prayer and scripture reading, evoking the name of Jesus and calling on His power to ward off our enemies. From that moment on, we could tell the Holy Spirit had rested there. We prayed for -- and witnessed -- healing, lives being recommited to Christ,
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and eyes being opened to the very real and present power of God in their lives. Throughout the week, students spent time learning what it looks like for them to root their identities in Christ. We began to grasp God’s calling for us, and that Christ is our identity, both individually and together. Its only when we come together as a FAMILY, when we are covered in God’s LOVE and filled with the spirit’s POWER, that we become THE BODY of Christ.
Big Announcement! With all of these lessons in mind, and after much prayer and seeking the Lord, we made a recommitment to being the body of Christ. On Thursday evening of camp, the staff and students of The Branch Church decided to complete the “BSM” chapter of our ministry. We will now see our students come together as The Branch Student Body, or Student Body for short, where everyone has a place in it. This change represents so much more than just a rebranding of our name and logo, but is a public declaration of our attempt to come together as one, unified under the blood of Christ, yet seeking for each of us to grow in our own distinct gifts. We can’t all be eyes or legs or arms, but we are one body serving one God.
The Branch Student Body is our ministry to 6th - 12th grade students. This is an important time of transition into maturity in Christ, and we encourage all of our students to attend and serve in our weekends services with their families. The primary way The Branch Student Body meets is in weekly Discipleship Groups (D-Groups), where students grow closer to God, their peers, and to their leaders. This is critical to their development as followers of Christ. There are also several special events throughout the year, such as Branch 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? Ask us! Kyle Poff
Josh Brake
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
Student Body THURSDAYS This Summer! Every Thursday this summer, our Student Body will be hanging out doing exciting things like pool parties, bowling, Hawaiian Falls, service projects, and more! If you want to get in on the fun, text bsmfb or bsmvr to 41411, and you’ll receive text messages alerts for when and where each Thursday activity will be.
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Coming to The Branch Church this September.
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Explore God is an initiative to unite hundreds of churches in DFW for the cause of Christ. At the heart of this effort are discussion groups and online resources that are designed to help us engage in life-giving conversations with our friends and neighbors around 7 Big Questions related to God that they are wrestling with. The Branch Church is joining this effort, and we are hoping to have at least 100 Explore God Discussion Groups. These discussion groups will be meeting once a week for seven weeks beginning the week of September 6. Each Explore God Discussion Group will need a facilitator and a host home. To prepare our facilitators and hosts, we are hosting the Explore God Team Member Training Event (details below). This event will train, equip, and answer questions for all those interested in facilitating or hosting an Explore God Discussion Group. Space is limited, so please register for this training event now at: thebranchchurch.org/explore-God Explore God Team Member Training Event • September 1 • 6:30 – 8:30 PM • We will have dinner together. • Childcare will be provided. (Please let us know if you will be needing childcare.)
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Young at Heart: Salad & Sundae Supper Friday, July 10 Farmers Branch Campus 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Men’s Bible Study: Mighty Men Saturdays beginning July 11 Vista Ridge Campus 7:30 - 8:45 am
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!
Mighty Men is a Bible study group for men at the Vista Ridge Campus. Learn to grow in the fundamentals of the faith alongside other men. This is a great opportunity for you to strengthen your walk with the Lord and become a mighty man of God.
Please bring salads only. Dessert, ice cream, and all the toppings will be provided.
Starting July 11, we’ll take a journey through the gospel of Mark. Christianity Explored is a seven-week series that explores who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to follow Him. Here is a look at the course outline:
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!
If you have questions, contact Paul and Linda Barner: 972-533-0300 or Bro. Eddy Ketchersid: 972-345-1645 broeddy@thebranchchurch.org Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/yah
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!
Week 1 - Good News: What are we doing here? Week 2 - Identity: Who is Jesus? Week 3 - Sin: Why did Jesus come? Week 4 - The Cross: Why did Jesus die? Week 5 - Resurrection: Why did Jesus rise? Week 6 - Grace: How can God accept us? Week 7 - Come and Die: What does it mean? No need to register, just come join us! Questions? Email Terry Grimm:
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
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Neighborhood Chill Thursdays through August 13
Sack Summer Hunger Saturdays, June 13 - August 8
Farmers Branch Campus 7:00 - 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! Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/chill
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 would otherwise rely on free or reduced-cost school lunches. You won’t believe how easy and rewarding this experience is! Learn more about the process at: thebranchchurch.org/sack-hunger
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Single Branches 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 social events so that Branch singles may meet each other and build friendships. For questions or information on the next Single Branches event, email Paulette Travis: ptravis0822@yahoo.com Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/singlebranches
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 Church En Español
TheBranchChurch
Launches September 13, 2015 9:00 am Farmers Branch Campus
The Branch Church En Español is a Spanish language worship service designed to reach our Latino neighbors for Christ. There are over 4,300 Spanish speaking households within three miles of the Farmers Branch Campus. Over 900 of those households have school age children in them. With our current Kid’s Branch program in place to minister to these children, we will begin to offer a Spanish language worship service to minister to the adults.
En Español
Please be praying for this effort. If you would like to join the prayer team or be part of the launch team, please contact Luis Sanchez: lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
Please be in prayer for our team! Our Honduras team is 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!
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Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
Financial Peace University Begins Sunday, August 9 5:00 pm Farmers Branch Campus Cost: $93 per family Financial Peace University is a biblically based, video-driven small group study that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth, and give like never before! This program is for YOU if . . . • • • • • •
Your credit cards ARE your emergency fund. Your dog responds to the name “Ebay.” You’re intrigued by the word “plasectomy.” You want to know what God says about money. You have to sell your house to put your kids through college. Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds are friends you haven’t met yet.
Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University is typically offered once a year. Cost is $93 per family, which covers all materials. Note: If you need childcare during the class, please email Tim Ketchersid at tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org and indicate the number and ages of the children.
For more information, call: 972-855-8506 or email: contactus@thehayesschoolofwonder.com
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Find out more at thebranchchurch.org
THE BRANCH FAMILY NEWS You will find the following in the lobby: Prayer Requests | Monthly Birthdays | Shower Info
Births:
Baptisms:
4/24/15
Sarah Frances Cox Parents: Rod and Kamara Cox
5/1/15
Ike Winters Smith Parents: Eric and Aimee Smith
5/4/15
Hutch Matthew Goscin Parents: Chris and Casey Goscin
5/12/15
Connor Marciano San Juan Parents: Micah and Becky San Juan
6/8/15
Nelon Caroline Stout Parents: Eric and Lindsay Stout
5/31/15 5/31/15 6/7/15 6/7/15 6/14/15 6/26/15 6/28/15
Blake DePauw Jillian Patterson Wendy Ramirez Jason Durst Judy Burton Tristen Bowe Evelyn Mitchell
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 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
Vista Ridge Communion Team Meeting Sunday, July 19 9:00 am or 12:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus Serving communion is an integral part of our ministry on the weekends, and is a service opportunity open to anyone. At The Branch Church, ages 16 and older can serve communion without supervision, while ages 15 and under need an adult serving with them. If you’re interested in serving communion at the Vista Ridge Campus, or are currently serving in this area, we are restructuring the way we serve communion and need all of you to attend a short meeting on July 19. There will be two options that day: • 9:00 am (before early service) - in the lobby • 12:30 pm (after late service) - in the front of the Worship Center If you intend to serve in this area, please make plans to be at this important meeting! For questions or more information, contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org
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Upcoming Events Calendar Days
Dates
Thurs-Sun
7/2-12
Event (Location)
Times
Honduras Mission Trip
11 Days
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
Sun-Fri
7/12-17
Fri
7/17
Spotlight Musical Performance (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sat/Sun
8/1-2
Clothes for Kids: Uniform Drive Begins
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Mon-Fri
8/3-7
Vacation Bible School: “Kingdom Quest” (Both Campuses)
5 Days
Fri
8/7
Family Night Out: Water Night (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Fri
8/21
Movie Night (Vista Ridge Campus)
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Back to School Weekend
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Sat/Sun
8/22-23
Sun
8/21
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
During Early Service
Tues
9/1
Explore God: Team Member Training
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sun
9/6
Explore God: Discussion Groups Begin
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Explore God Series Begins
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The Branch Church En Español Launches
9:00 am
Sat/Sun Sun
9/12-13 9/13
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