1
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:
• September 25 (10:45 am Farmers Branch Campus, 12:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus) • November 13 (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!
Series Begins the Weekend of September 11 Join us this September, and bring someone with you to this three-part series about what it takes to transcend shame in our lives. We’ll explore what shame is, how deeply it complicates our lives, and how it sabotages our decision-making and relationships. We’ll talk about how to navigate the challenge of living in a culture that “shames.” Above all, we’ll consider what Jesus and the gospel have to do with processing shame in a healthy way. Please think about, pray for, and invite someone to come with you to The Branch for this series. It could be the first step to a new beginning for someone you know! There will also be a Small Group sermon-based discussion guide offered for groups that would like to use it.
- Chris Seidman
1
Women’s Bible Study HEBREWS: Deep Roots Grow Strong Faith In a world that continually pulls at us from every direction, we need more strength than ever to stand firm. Good news! You’ve already got everything you need! Join us as we go back to our roots and remind ourselves of the refreshingly simple and powerful source of our strength – Jesus. Your roots go deeper than you think. Tap in. Women’s Bible Study is a weekly gathering for women that includes fellowship time, group discussion, and large group lectures.
Farmers Branch Campus
Vista Ridge Campus
Wednesdays
Mondays
Begins September 7
Begins September 12
9:45 am • Children’s Bible Study begins
6:30 pm • Fellowship
9:45 am • Fellowship (Coffee and Brunch)
6:45 pm • Discussion Groups
10:00 am • Discussion Groups
7:15 pm • Lecture
10:45 am • Lecture
*No childcare is provided on Monday nights.
No registration required for adults. Come join us! Learn more: thebranchchurch.org/wbs
Children’s Bible Study We’re pleased to offer Bible classes for children of those attending Women’s Bible Study. However, children must be registered. To find out about spaces still available for your child, please contact Lisa Castello: lrcastello@hotmail.com or 214-288-5542
2
SMALL GROUPS
A great way to get connected is to
START A GROUP!
It’s easy to host a group. We will provide you with video content from fantastic teachers, a short briefing, and easyto-read materials to equip you to host the meetings. All you have to do is decide which study you want to do and then invite family, friends, co-workers, or someone you just met to join you. No expertise or experience required! We’re encouraging new groups to start meeting the week of October 2.
Host a group with an easy-to-use video-based study:
All the Places To Go How Will You Know? from John Ortberg
Very rarely in the Bible does God command someone to “stay.” He opens a door, and then he invites us to walk through it—into the unknown. And how we choose to respond will ultimately determine the lives we will lead and the people we will become. In this six-session video curriculum, best-selling author John Ortberg opens our eyes to the countless open doors God places before us every day, teaches us how to recognize them, and gives us the encouragement to step out in faith and embrace all of the extraordinary opportunities that await. So go ahead—walk through that door. You just might do something that lasts for eternity.
The Daniel Plan
Faith • Food • Fitness • Focus • Friends from Rick Warren
In six sessions, you will be introduced to a groundbreaking healthy lifestyle program founded on biblical principles and focused on The Essentials: Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends. The Daniel Plan teaches a practical step-by-step approach to achieving a healthy lifestyle where people get better together by optimizing their health in each of these life areas. The program offers simple ways to incorporate healthy choices into your current lifestyle. The over-arching message is about abundance, not deprivation, and this is why the plan is both transformational and sustainable. Throughout the program, you are encouraged to rely on God’s power, and the application of dependable biblical principles.
Exodus
God’s Relentless Pursuit of Us from Ashley McNary
“I have always seen the Bible as a collection of cool stories of great men and women of our faith. I was wrong. The stories are wild. The men and women are not always great. I mean, not at all. They are honestly pretty messed up. A lot of them do horribly dumb things and don’t trust God and argue with Him, and whine and complain and disobey over and over and over again. But I have come to realize that the Bible isn’t about the characters. The Bible is about God. The narrative is telling the story of God bringing His creation back to Himself. And it starts with Exodus.” - Ashley McNary In eight sessions, Ashley will take you through the book of Exodus and help you discover what it tells us about God.
The Book of Ephesians
from J.D. Greear
Has it ever dawned on you that nothing has ever dawned on God? He knew before the world began that His people would face hardship, so He gave us His Word. The Book of Ephesians is a survival manual—it equips believers to thrive in a world that hates the message of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle writes to encourage believers to live well— we’ve been lifted from the graveyard of sin and called to shout the gospel into the darkened world. Pastor and author J.D. Greear walks through the powerful words of Paul. In nine sessions, J.D. digs into the text of Ephesians verseby-verse, and challenges believers to live out the gospel. If the people of your city, of your school, of your family are going to hear the gospel, it’s going to be from your mouth. Encounter Ephesians, and get swept up into the story of Jesus.
New Groups Launch the Week of
OCTOBER 2
3
For tips on starting or finding a group, contact one of our Campus Ministers.
Tim Ketchersid
Ryan Rainey
FB Campus Minister
VR Campus Minister
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
rrainey@thebranchchurch.org
Strong Marriages • Young Married Class Sundays (October 2 - December 4) Farmers Branch Campus 5:00 - 7:00 pm Cost: $50 per couple The Branch is hosting a special class for young married couples without kids. • • • •
Learn keys/barriers to communication based on your own unique personality assessment Learn how to bless your spouse more effectively Develop healthy conflict resolution techniques Discover greater intimacy
There will be opportunities to meet other couples and compare notes with those who aren’t so young anymore, and it’s all in a safe and confidential space. Strong Marriages is a 10-week course, and couples are required to commit for the entire period. The cost of registration includes a workbook for each of you. Please register by September 18 (at the latest) to allow us time to purchase materials. As an added bonus for participating couples, the church is providing a personality assessment for each person! Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/marriage
4
We are so grateful and appreciative of our Kids Branch and Student Body volunteers! Their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed! So the NextGen Ministry has decided to dedicate all of September to honoring the effort and sacrifice our volunteers have made. We’ll have treats and goodies available every Sunday, so if you’re a NextGen volunteer, make sure to grab a NextGen volunteer bracelet from any of our staff.
For the month of September, our NextGen Volunteers will be treated to:
• 9/4 Baristas (Coffee bar with real baristas!) • 9/11 New shirts (Anybody want a hoody?) • 9/18 Sweet treats (Chocolate might be involved...) • 9/25 Massage Therapists (10-minute massages!)
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!
Tim Scott
Kristan Renshaw Brittany Moore
NextGen Minister
Farmers Branch Kids Minister Vista Ridge Kids Minister
tscott@thebranchchurch.org krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org bmoore@thebranchchurch.org
5
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
6
We’re excited to launch our new online connection hub and church database we’re calling Branch Connect! Using the powerful Church Community Builder platform, Branch Connect enables you to: • Connect with people • Interact within Branch groups you belong to • Set up a recurring gift, and see your giving statement • Control the way the church communicates with you • Easily view and register for events ...and much more!
Branch Connect Help Stations If you would like assistance setting up your profile, we have some help stations and people ready for you after service today!
Where Do I Start? Most of our church members and attendees should have received an activation email from The Branch Church <notifications@ccbchurch.com> welcoming you to Branch Connect on Sunday, September 4, with the subject line “New Login Created.” This email has a green button. Clicking it will take you to activate your profile, set a password, and log in. If you didn’t receive an activation email from us, you can quickly and easily sign up for one at: thebranchchurch.org/sign-up
Once you’ve activated your profile, you can log in anytime from our website by clicking the link at the top right corner at: thebranchchurch.org
7
Confused? Have a question or concern? Contact Jaron Pitts: jpitts@thebranchchurch.org
“Send me an email and I’d love to help you!”
First Steps...
This month, we want everyone who attends The Branch to:
1
Log in
2
Update your profile information
3
Add your photo
4
Set your communication and privacy preferences
The first step is to simply “get your foot in the door.” It doesn’t sound like much, but this is a HUGE accomplishment. Congratulations!
If you’ve filled out a communication card, that information is already loaded in Branch Connect, but it’s up to YOU to make sure it’s correct and up-to-date. Help us have accurate info about you!
How cool would it be if your name had a face to match it? Upload an individual picture of yourself on your profile, and don’t forget to upload a group photo of your family under your family tab as well.
Do you want to allow other church goers to contact you? How about church emails? With Branch Connect, you can subscribe or unsubscribe from various lists, and control your overall privacy settings.
Profile Picture TIPS
It’s important for you to use a clear and current picture of yourself. Here are a few examples of what NOT to do:
Too out of date
Too far away
Too close
No couples
Not your pet
Not your car
No groups
Not your kids
Can’t see your face Yes! The real you.
8
This September, you can help provide meals for students in Haiti by checking in on Facebook at either campus of The Branch Church. Every 2 check-ins = 1 meal for a student in Haiti. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve partnered with Haiti Partners to make this opportunity possible through a service called Reach. Check in any time youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the building during the week too! Learn more about Haiti Partners: haitipartners.org
The Branch Church Farmers Branch Campus
9
The Branch Church Vista Ridge Campus
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
Men’s Life Prayer Breakfast Saturdays Beginning September 10 Farmers Branch Campus 7:30 am Spend your Saturday morning with other men from The Branch! All men are welcome for breakfast and Bible study in the Branch Café at the Farmers Branch Campus. This ministry has been meeting together for years, and serves to encourage men in their faith and strengthen them in Christ. If you would like to know more about Men’s Life, contact: Bro. Eddy Ketchersid: eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org Phone: 972-345-1645
10
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
thebranchchurch.org/espanol The Branch Church en Español - Farmers Branch Campus The Branch en Español. Somos tu Familia en Cristo. 2016: Año de Crecimiento Espiritual Permite que el Espíritu Santo te guíe a alcanzar tus imposibles. Acompáñanos y adoremos a Dios y fortalezcamos nuestra fe en Cristo en el idioma español. Actividades durante la semana: • Dos Servicios de Adoración DOMINGOS 9:00 AM y 10:45 AM (clases bíblicas para niños de 3 meses hasta quinto grado en inglés)
• Martes de Oración – 7:00 pm (niños y jóvenes también participan)
• Miércoles de Estudio Bíblico – 7:00 pm (clases bíblicas para niños en español y reunión de jóvenes en inglés)
Esperamos verte pronto. ¡Nos encantará saludarte en persona!
11
Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
Current Serving Opportunities
Interested in serving at The Branch? Below are some areas of need.
Kitchen Host
Keyboard/Piano Player
Where: Vista Ridge Campus When: Sundays 10:40 - 11:30 am Frequency: 1 month on, 1 month off, repeat Responsibilities: • Keep coffee service running. • Clean up coffee and donuts after service begins. Contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org
Where: Vista Ridge Campus or Farmers Branch Campus When: Tuesday (Celebrate Recovery), Thursday and Sunday (Services) Frequency: 2-4 times per month Responsibilities: • Practice music for the week at home and come prepared. • Be on time and ready to enthusiastically help lead the congregation in worship! Contact James Asplund: jasplund@thebranchchurch.org
Greeter Where: Vista Ridge Campus or Farmers Branch Campus When: Any service time Frequency: 1 month on, 1 month off, repeat Responsibilities: • Arrive 15 minutes before service to greet people entering the building, or hand them a bulletin as they enter the Worship Center. You will finish at your post 15 minutes after service begins. For VR, contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org For FB, contact Tim Ketchersid: tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Parking Lot Greeter Where: Vista Ridge Campus When: Any service time Frequency: 1 month on, 1 month off, repeat Responsibilities: • Wave to people as they enter the parking lot and assist with any parking lot needs. (Example: Umbrella assistance on rainy days.) For VR, contact Rebekah Pitts: rpitts@thebranchchurch.org For FB, contact Tim Ketchersid: tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Singer Where: Farmers Branch Campus When: Sundays 8:00 - 10:15 am (acappella) or 8:30 - 12:00 pm (contemporary) Frequency: 1-2 times per month Responsibilities: • Practice music for the week at home and come prepared. • Be on time and ready to enthusiastically help lead the congregation in worship! Contact James Asplund: jasplund@thebranchchurch.org
Kids Branch Check-In Greeter Where: Farmers Branch Campus When: Before either Sunday service How Many Needed: 10+ Frequency: Once a month Responsibilities: • Greet families and assist them with the check-in process. • Enter new families into the system (no technical skills required). Contact Kristan Renshaw: krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
Serving is a great way to get plugged in at The Branch. Contact us today! Kids Branch Classroom/Group Leader Frequency: Every Sunday during the 2016-2017 school year (through June 4, 2017) Responsibilities: • Arrive at least 15 minutes before service begins. • Build relationships with the kids in your group. • Lead your small group in reading the Bible story, games, crafts, and activities. • Know and care about your small group, pray for them during the week, and send them notes of encouragement. Vista Ridge Campus Contact Brittany Moore: bmoore@thebranchchurch.org When & How Many Needed: • Sundays 9:30 am - 3 x Preschool Classroom Leader - 1 x Kindergarten Small Group Leader - 1 x 4th Grade Small Group Leader - 1 x Elementary Small Group Co-Leader • Sundays 11:15 am - 1 x Preschool Classroom Leader - 1 x 1st Grade Small Group Leader
Farmers Branch Campus Contact Kristan Renshaw: krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org When & How Many Needed: • Sundays 9:00 am - 2 x Nursery Leader - 2 x Preschool Classroom Leader - 2 x Elementary Small Group Leader • Sundays 10:45 am - 2 x Nursery Leader - 6 x Preschool Leader - 2 x Kindergarten Small Group Leader - 4 x Elementary MALE Small Group Leaders
12
THE BRANCH FAMILY NEWS We Mourn With: â&#x20AC;˘ Raymond Pistol and his family in the loss of his mother, Ruth Lee, on August 6. â&#x20AC;˘ Donna Starr and her family in the loss of her
husband, Nelson Starr, on August 25.
We Celebrate These Births: 6/18/16
Kaden McKinney (M) Parents: Kevin and Katy McKinney
8/24/16
Henry Chandler Harris (M) Parents: Chandler and Janna Harris
8/26/16
Landon Paul Kirksey (M) Parents: Tyson and Sarah Kirksey
We Celebrate These Baptisms: 8/18/16
Shelly Powers
8/21/16
Ford Morris
8/28/16
Brandon Lee
8/28/16
Paris Campbell
Weekend Stats - August 2016: Attendance Average: 1837 Total Giving: $276,466
13
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. Next Event: Join us for a Texas Rangers game on September 20. We will use a church shuttle and leave the Farmers Branch Campus at 4:30 pm to attend the 7:05 game. Tickets are $15 (these are $33 seats, first level, Section 137, in a corner box on the first base side beneath the overhang). Please respond to Paulette Travis by September 6: ptravis0822@yahoo.com
NOW ON TUESDAYS Every week – even on holidays! Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program that meets EVERY week — rain or shine! We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups, and CR is a program designed to help you find freedom. Come hear testimonies, find encouragement, and step forward in faith THIS WEEK! More about Celebrate Recovery: Celebrate Recovery (or CR) is based on God’s Word, the Bible. When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, he began by stating “Eight Ways to Be Happy.” Today we call them the Beatitudes. From a conventional viewpoint, most of these statements didn’t make sense. They sounded like contradictions. But when we fully understand what Jesus is saying, we’ll realize that these eight principles are God’s road to recovery, wholeness, growth, and spiritual maturity. CR is forward-looking. Rather than wallowing in the past, or dredging up and rehearsing painful memories over and over, Celebrate Recovery focuses on the future. Regardless of what has already happened, the solution is to start making wise choices now and depend on Christ’s power to help us make those changes.
CR emphasizes personal responsibility. We cannot control all that happens to us. But we can control how we respond to everything. That is a secret of happiness. When we stop wasting time fixing the blame, we have more energy to fix the problem. When we stop hiding our own faults and stop hurling accusations at others, then the healing power of Christ can begin working in our minds, wills, and emotions.
Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth.
CR utilizes the biblical truth that we need each other in order to grow spiritually and emotionally. It is built around small group interaction and the fellowship of a caring community. There are many therapies, growth programs, and counselors today that are built around one-on-one interaction. But Celebrate Recovery is built on the New Testament principle that we don’t get well by ourselves. We need each other.
We are seeing hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful habits, hang-ups, and hurts as they allow Jesus to be Lord in every area of their lives. To God be the glory! We’ll be praying for you.
CR addresses all types of habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Some recovery programs deal only with alcohol or drugs or another single problem. But Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” program under which a limitless number of issues can be dealt with.
Learn more: thebranchchurch.org/cr
14
Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event (Location)
Times
Wed
9/7
Women’s Bible Study Begins (Farmers Branch Campus)
9:45 - 11:30 am
Sat
9/10
Men’s Life Prayer Breakfast Begins (Farmers Branch Campus)
7:30 am
Mon
9/12
Women’s Bible Study Begins (Vista Ridge Campus)
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sun
9/25
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am Vista Ridge 12:30 pm
Fri
9/30
Baby Dedication Event (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sun
10/2
Strong Marriages Class Begins (Farmers Branch Campus)
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Middle School Campout (Registration opens 9/19)
2 Nights
Fri-Sun
10/14-16
Sat
10/15
Men’s Bible Study: Mighty Men Begins (Vista Ridge Campus)
7:30 - 8:45 am
Sat
10/23
Young at Heart: BBQ Picnic
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Sat
10/29
Trunk-or-Treat (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:30 - 8:30 pm
High School Campout
2 Nights
Fri-Sun
11/11-13
Weekly Events Calendar Day
Time
Event (Location)
Start/End Date
Sun
Early Service
Student Body: MS D/Groups
Mon
6:30 pm
Women’s Bible Study (Vista Ridge)
Mon
7:00 pm
Student Body: Monday Blend (Farmers Branch)
Tues
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery (Vista Ridge)
Tues
7:45 am
Student Body: Breakfast & Bible (Farmers Branch)
Wed
9:45 am
Women’s Bible Study (Farmers Branch)
Wed
6:30 pm
Student Body: D/Groups (Both Campuses)
Thurs
6:45 pm
Thursday Night Church (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Mighty Men Bible Study (Vista Ridge Campus)
*Ends September 17 *Begins October 15
Sat
7:30 am
Men’s Life Bible Study (Farmers Branch Campus)
*Begins September 10
(Both Campuses)
Office: 972-247-2109
thebranchchurch.org
*Begins September 12
*Begins September 7
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
Thursdays: 6:45 pm Sundays: 9:30 & 11:15 am