1
COME PRAY AT THE BUILDING! Weekday Mornings (Monday - Friday) March 7 – March 25 from 6:00 am – 8:00 am
Throughout the month of March and leading up to Easter we are encouraging everyone to pray like Jesus prayed. We can and should pray wherever we are, but to provide some discipline and focus to our prayer life, we will be opening both campuses from 6:00 am – 8:00 am each weekday and we will provide some prompts to help guide your prayer time. Stop by the building on your way in to work or to start your day, and let’s see what God will do. As Jesus’ disciples walked with Him they experienced unbelievably amazing things. They saw Him heal the blind, the lame, and lepers. They saw Him raise people from the dead. They witnessed demons submitting and fleeing. They heard incredible wisdom in His preaching. But one of the things that stood out to them the most was the way Jesus prayed - and so they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” - Luke 11:2-4 (NIV)
11
Please continue to be in prayer for clarity, direction, and provision in our Third Campus initiative. 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.
2
We need Easter eggs for our Easter Parties! We want every kid at our egg hunts to get at least 12 eggs, so we need 6,000 Easter eggs! Please bring at least two dozen plastic eggs, filled with either toys or hard candy; no chocolate! Please bring them by Friday, March 11! You can leave them in the boxes in the lobby, or visit our website! There you will find links where you can order them online and have them sent directly to the church office. Order eggs at this link: thebranchchurch.org/easter
Easter Party Raffle Donations We’re looking for prizes to give away at our Easter parties! If you or your business would like to donate an item or two, please contact Rebekah Pitts (rpitts@thebranchchurch.org) for the Vista Ridge Campus, or Tim Ketchersid (tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org) for the Farmers Branch Campus. Suggested donations include: restaurant and shopping gift cards, electronics (iPad, tablets, Wii, etc.), and other high-ticket items.
3
Dangerous Campout for Guys Thurs - Sat, March 10 - 12 Eisenhower State Park Cost: $40 per person The Dangerous Campout for Guys is where dads and sons of all ages can spend time together in the great outdoors. We’ll stomp around the woods, fish, make things out of sticks, and sit around a camp fire under the stars. We have reserved space at the Eisenhower State Park outside of Denison from Thursday, March 10 through Saturday, March 12. You can come set up any time, beginning at 1:00 pm that Thursday. We have several screenedin shelters reserved, but you are welcome to bring your own tent. Everyone needs to bring their own sleeping bag. We’ll provide dinner Thursday and Friday night, and breakfast Friday and Saturday morning. You must register to attend! Register today! More details and registration at: thebranchchurch.org/father-son
Student Body
knOWN Service Day • Overnighter Sat-Sun, April 16-17 Starts at 9:30 am Cost: $30 Our mission for the Student Body is to be disciples of Jesus Christ. It’s time we put our words into action. We will be having a Student Body service day followed by dinner and games, and then an overnighter. The Student Body will meet at both campuses on Saturday, April 16 at 9:30 am, where shuttles will take them to Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas for breakfast and morning worship/devo. At 12:00 pm, we’ll split up into groups for service time at different locations throughout central Dallas. We are partnering with several outreach and care organizations in Dallas so that our students can give back to the community as disciples. Once services are completed at 4:00 pm, we will head to iT’Z Family Food & Fun for dinner, fun (bowling, laser tag, rock climbing, bumper cars, laser maze, and video games), and reporting. We’ll end the night around 8:30 pm, and split up for the overnighter. Here in The Branch Student Body, we like to think that “loving people, is knowing people.” So we ask that you please consider allowing your students to attend this event. It is a great opportunity for them, not only to give back to the community, but to build meaningful relationships as they experience discipleship first-hand. Registration opens on Monday, March 14. Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/known
4
Upcoming LBS Schedule March 7/9:
Spring Break (No LBS)
March 14/16: She Reads Truth Hymnal Study March 21/23 - April 25/27:
“Living So That” by Wendy Blight
Cost: $15 This study takes a look at how to apply biblical truths to modern day decision making. Wendy is a national speaker with the Proverbs 31 Ministry.
Children’s Bible Study (Farmers Branch Campus)
There are a few spaces available in Children’s Bible Study (open to children attending with LBS class member). If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please email Lisa Castello at: lrcastello@hotmail.com
5
Women’s Event!!
6
The Branch en Español es una iglesia para toda la familia, guiada por el Espíritu Santo para alcanzar la comunidad latina para Cristo. Si te sientes más cómodo adorando a Dios y fortaleciendo tu fe en el idioma español, acompáñanos en nuestras actividades:
The Branch Church En Español Farmers Branch Campus • Domingos de Adoración – 9:00 am (clases bíblicas para niños de 3 meses hasta quinto grado) • Martes de Oración – 7:00 pm • Miércoles de Estudio Bíblico – 7:00 pm (clases bíblicas para niños) Esperamos verte pronto. ¡Nos encantará saludarte en persona!
thebranchchurch.org/espanol
Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
TheBranch
ORIENTATION Are you ready to take the next step and get more involved? Do you have questions about what we do and what we believe at The Branch Church? 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:
• April 3 (10:45 am at the Farmers Branch Campus, 12:30 pm at the Vista Ridge Campus) RSVP at thebranchchurch.org/tbo and let us know you’re coming. We look forward to having you!
7
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
SMALL GROUPS
Tim Ketchersid
Ryan Rainey
FB Campus Minister
VR Campus Minister
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
rrainey@thebranchchurch.org
Have you found your Small Group? Whether you are checking out Christianity for the first time, or you have been a believer for years, a small group is a place to find friendship, engage in Bible study, and discover the power of prayer. We provide an online list of small groups you can visit, but we also want to encourage you to form new groups with friends and people you meet here at The Branch. For tips on starting a group, or to get help finding a group, contact one of our Campus Ministers. Find a group or learn more at:
thebranchchurch.org/groups 8
9
10
Kids Branch ALLSTAR WEEK Mon - Fri, June 13 - 17
9:00 am - 2:00 pm Every Day Vista Ridge Campus Ages: Finished Kindergarten - finished 5th Grade Cost: Free
Your kids won’t want to miss this exciting week of instruction and training on basketball, volleyball, and soccer. We’ll kick off each day with upbeat worship, and follow that up with lessons from the life of Jesus. This will be a fun week for kids to train at the sports they love, while learning about the God that loves them! Plus, it’s a great opportunity to invite friends! Registration is now open, but we have limited space, so don’t miss the cut-off! Register today! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/allstar
Kids Branch WATER DAY
Tuesday, July 26 and Tuesday, August 9 9:00 - 11:00 am Farmers Branch Campus Kids of all ages Cost: Free
Join us for some fun in the sun! On two special days this summer, kids of all ages are invited to come splash around with a water slide, kiddie pools, water soakers, and so much more! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/water-day
11
Branch Camp 2016: MARKED for Christ Sun - Fri, June 19-24 Camp Akiva Cost: $395 per person
Spend a week away from the clutter and noise of the big city 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 is at Camp Akiva just outside of Point, Texas. We have the entire camp to ourselves! Registered students will check-in at the Farmers Branch Campus on Sunday, June 19 at 1:00 pm, and return Friday, June 24 by 4:00 pm. We want you to start your summer off right with a week of drawing closer together, and closer to God. This year our theme is Marked - that Jesus leaves His mark on everyone who encounters Him, that we are marked by Christ, marked in Christ, and called to leave a mark for Christ on the world. Registration for Branch Camp begins April 4. Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/camp
12
Spotlight: Back to the Cross Sun - Fri, July 10 - 15
Farmers Branch Campus Ages: Finished Kindergarten - finished 5th Grade Cost: $90 per camper
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. The kids have a blast being led by our awesome high school counselors! This year, we are doing the musical “Back to the Cross: A Kid’s Musical Adventure Through Time.” Registration for campers will begin April 10, with auditions for lead roles, solos, and special parts on April 16 at the Farmers Branch Campus, and April 17 at the Vista Ridge Campus. For high school students who would like to be counselors, applications are due April 22. Counselor spots will fill up! You MUST get your application in by April 22! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/spotlight
13
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 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!
D/GROUPS DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
D/GROUPS THE BRANCH STUDENT BODY
MB MONDAY BLEND
THE BRANCH STUDENT BODY
Farmers Branch
Vista Ridge
High School • Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
High School • Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:30 am
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.
MONDAY BLEND 7:00 pm on Mondays at the Farmers Branch Campus
Come hang out with your friends and our Student Outreach Minister, Ketch Smith, in the NextGen Coffee shop at the Farmers Branch Campus. Monday Blend is a great time to do your homework, play games, and spend time with your friends. Monday Blend is open to students from both campuses!
BREAKFAST & BIBLE 7:45 am on Tuesdays at the Farmers Branch Campus
BREAKFAST & BIBLE THE BRANCH STUDENT BODY
Come with your friends to Breakfast & Bible! Enjoy breakfast and an encouraging word from our Student Outreach Minister, Ketch Smith. Plus everyone will ride together to Vivian Field just in time for class! Breakfast & Bible is open to students from both campuses!
Questions? Ask us! Kyle Poff
Josh Brake
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
Student Outreach Minister
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
ksmith@thebranchchurch.org
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Ketch Smith
14
thebranchchurch.org/watch-listen
W A T C H + L I S T E N Did you miss a message or just want to hear it again? Visit our website or download The Branch Church App to your device. There you can find audio and video content of our previous messages.
Single Branches
Anyone Interested In A Trip To Branson?
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.
If you are interested in a trip to Branson, Missouri, this fall, probably November 1-4, to see about 5 Christmas shows and “Moses” (Sight & Sound Theater), please let Paul & Linda Barner or Bro. Eddy and Verlen Ketchersid know as soon as possible. Approximate cost per person is $627. This includes the chartered bus (we need at least 30 to sign up!), motel (two per room), and about four lunches on your own. If we have enough interest, we will call a planning meeting and have further discussion. We need to know if you want to go by March 13.
March Event: Saturday, March 19 - Dallas Blooms - Dallas Arboretum: We will meet near the office entrance at the Farmers Branch Campus at 1:30 pm. Admission prices: 65+: $12 Under 65: $15 We will have an early dinner after we’ve enjoyed the gardens.
15
Please RSVP via e-mail to Paulette Travis: ptravis0822@yahoo.com
Contact Bro. Eddy Ketchersid for more info: 972-345-1645 eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program that meets this, and EVERY, Thursday night. Freedom is here for all your hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Hear testimonies and find encouragement this week! If someone you know could benefit from this program, please invite them to attend.
Learn more: thebranchchurch.org/cr
BEGINS THURSDAY, MARCH 24 Every Thursday @ 6:15 pm Grades 6th–12th The Landing is an experience-driven safe place where students can share their struggles. Trusted adults are ready and willing to accept them as they are, not judge them, and would love a chance to walk through their journey with them.
16
THE BRANCH FAMILY NEWS We Mourn With:
Baptisms:
• Dorothy Groves and her family, including the Zarates and others, in the loss of her husband, Lee Groves, on February 16.
1/31/16 2/7/16 2/13/16 2/14/16
Dean Sullivan Jose Santana Braeden Buckley Christian Lambert
Weekend Stats - February 2016: Attendance Average: 1903 Contribution Total: $379,629
2015 Year End Summary David Teutsch, Executive Minister The Branch Church had a great year in 2015. Our average weekend attendance was 1,737, which is higher than any prior year; 219 people attended orientation and became members; and 66 people were baptized. Our annual operating budget was $3,750,000, and contributions to our general operating fund were $3,779,257. In addition, we finished 2015 with $617,093 in our Third Campus Fund, and $80,053 in our Education Fund which was established for college scholarships.
David Teutsch Executive Minister
The chart below shows how our general contributions were spent in 2015. We anticipate our spending in 2016 to be similar to 2015, but this may change when our third campus is launched. If you have questions regarding our 2016 budget, please feel free to contact me: dteutsch@thebranchchurch.org
Budget Giving Third Campus Fund
$3,750,000 $3,779,257 $617,093
Avg. Weekend Attendance Farmers Branch Vista Ridge First Time Guests New Covenant Members Baptisms
17
1737 736 1001 1,026 219 66
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 Family Minister tscott@thebranchchurch.org
Kristan Renshaw Brittany Moore Kids Minister Farmers Branch Campus
Kids Minister Vista Ridge Campus
krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
bmoore@thebranchchurch.org
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 • Homebound • Caregivers • Those who are grieving Ministry volunteers will also deliver communion to the homebound 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
I
18
Upcoming Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event (Location)
Times
M-F
3/7-25
Prayer March (Both Campuses)
6:00 - 8:00 am
Thurs - Sat
3/10-12
Dangerous Campout for Guys Father-Son Campout
3 Days
Sat
3/26
Easter Party (Farmers Branch Campus)
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sat
3/26
Easter Party (Vista Ridge Campus)
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Sun
3/27
Easter Sunday
See pg. 9
Sun
4/3
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
10:45 FB, 12:30 VR
Spring Women’s Event
2 Days
KNOWN Service Day and Overnighter (Student Body)
9:30 am
Mother-Son Movie Date Night
6:30 pm
Fri-Sat
Sat-Sun
4/8-9
4/16-17
Fri
4/22
Sun
5/1
High School Graduate Weekend
---
Fri
5/6
High School Graduate Dinner
6:30 pm
Mon-Fri
6/13-17
Kids Branch All-Star Week (VBS)
5 Days
Sun-Fri
6/19-24
Branch Camp (Student Body)
6 Days
Sun
7/10
Spotlight Kick-off
2:00 - 6:00 pm
Sun
7/10
Rosemeade Rainforest Family Night
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Spotlight (Musical Camp for Kids)
6 Days
Mon-Fri
7/11-15
Weekly Events Calendar Sun
Early Service
Student Body: MS D/Groups
Mon
6:30 pm
Ladies Bible Study (Vista Ridge)
Mon
7:00 pm
Student Body: Monday Blend (Farmers Branch)
Tues
7:45 am
Student Body: Breakfast & Bible (Farmers Branch)
Wed
9:30 am
Ladies Bible Study (Farmers Branch)
Wed
6:30 pm
Student Body: D/Groups (Both Campuses)
Thu
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Men’s Life Prayer Breakfast (Farmers Branch Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Mighty Men Bible Study (Vista Ridge Campus)
(Both Campuses)
Office: 972-247-2109
thebranchchurch.org
Off for Spring Break (March 7)
Off for Spring Break (March 9)
Off for March - Coming back in April
Email: info@thebranchchurch.org
Farmers Branch Campus
Vista Ridge Campus
3035 Valley View Lane Dallas, TX 75234
3601 Huffines Boulevard Carrollton, TX 75010
Sundays: 9:00 am & 10:45
Saturdays: 5:00 pm Sundays: 9:30 & 11:15 am