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A note from Chris Seidman
At the time I’m writing this, Houston is still very much in the midst of this prolonged hurricane event. Relief efforts are still in the very early stages of forming. This will be a long journey for the people of Houston.
As we’ve grown in the joyful discipline of regularly going “1st and 10” in our giving, we are blessed with the ability to immediately send $50,000 to another church in the heart of Houston.
We wanted to respond, though, initially in a meaningful way.
Ecclesia (EcclesiaHouston.org) is a solid, Christ-centered church, rich in socioeconomic and racial diversity, with a legacy of commitment to caring for those in poverty and in dire circumstances. Ecclesia has committed to spending 100% of what’s donated to them by other
churches to relief and recovery efforts related to people within their church and the community surrounding them. We are pleased to give toward their care and efforts. Thank you for your faithfulness to give to The Branch in the past, which makes it possible for us to be spontaneously generous in times such as these. Grace and Peace, Chris Seidman
Young Adults Group Sundays 6:30 - 8:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus This weekly gathering is made up of young adults ages 21 - 35, single or married, and without kids. They are a community of believers who meet to grow in their faith, serve others, and bring people to Christ. If you’d like to find out more about this group, please contact one of these leaders:
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Nikki Teutsch
Matt Atchley
Jaxon Williams
nrteutsch@gmail.com
matchley@pfsweb.com
williamsjaxon142@gmail.com
Women’s Bible Study ACTS and LETTERS Enter the life and times of the early church, the conversion of Paul, the conviction of Peter, and the hardships that followed. Let the power of the Holy Spirit astound you as you witness the miracles, signs, and wonders that were prevalent throughout the known world. Bring a journal, your Bible, and a pen. Get ready to explore, and discover that we have the same access to God’s profound love expressed through the Holy Spirit! Register in The Branch Church app or at thebranchchurch.org/women to receive the questions for the first week. Purchase the required $6 study guide when you register. The additional commentary can be purchased for $11.50, but is not required.
Vista Ridge Campus: Mondays, September 11 - December 11 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Farmers Branch Campus: Wednesdays, September 6 - December 6 9:45 - 11:30 am
Estudio Biblico Para Mujeres Únete a nosotras en un viaje a travéz del libro de Hechos y ¡espera lo inesperado! Varias mujeres que sirven entre nosotras compartirán un mensaje nuevo cada semana. Regístrese para recibir el material de estudio para la primera semana.
Children’s Bible Study Children’s Bible Study is offered to the children of those attending the Farmers Branch WBS. Space is limited. You MUST register your children if you want to take advantage of CBS. Registration is first-come, first-served. Register in The Branch Church app or at: thebranchchurch.org/women
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Dynamic Marriage Saturdays, beginning September 9 (9 weeks) 6:00 - 8:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus Cost: $130 Why settle for ordinary? You’re 9 weeks away from an extraordinary marriage. Dynamic Marriage is a 9-week course that will help you discover how your marriage can thrive and be more fulfilling than you ever thought possible. Based on the “Love Bank” model from the book, His Needs, Her Needs by Dr. Willard Harley, you’ll learn how communication and behavior styles affect the way you and your spouse act and react to each other. Through an interactive learning process, you’ll identify behaviors that may be damaging your marriage, develop healthy ways to deal with marital conflict, and take concrete steps to meet each other’s needs better than you ever have before. This class is limited to 12 couples, and is first-come, first-served. Register in The Branch Church app or at:
thebranchchurch.org/marriage
Fall Women’s Retreat Fri-Sat, November 10-11 Hoblitzelle Camp & Conference Center Cost: $50 Get out of town with friends! Rest in the outdoors of the beautiful Hoblitzelle camp and conference center just south of Midlothian. Restore your peace of mind with a relaxed pace and good food. Save the date! Unfortunately, this year’s BELONG Tour has been canceled. We will be getting away together at Hoblitzelle instead! Register in The Branch Church app or at
thebranchchurch.org/women
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Branch Equip Saturday, October 28 Location TBD 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Cost: Free In this one-day event, leaders Tim Ketchersid, Janice Ingram, Tim Scott, and Ryan Rainey will guide you through a curriculum developed specifically for Branch members to grow and develop as disciples. Our goal is for everyone who calls The Branch their church home to experience this course. Lunch is provided. No childcare will be available. Please consider joining us! NURTURING THE DNA OF A DISCIPLE Understanding and embracing the four core values of discipleship – Connect, Grow, Serve, and Go. HELPING THINGS GO WELL Becoming a person of peace and influence by identifying and breaking free from attitudes and behaviors that stem from self-deception. LEADING LIKE JESUS An inspirational look at how Jesus modeled for us equipping and empowering others in the four basic stages of leadership development. ENCOUNTERING GOD’S LOVE Everything in the Kingdom of God, especially servant-hearted leadership, begins and ends with encountering God’s love and responding to it. Register at thebranchchurch.org/equip
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The money class that will
CHANGE YOUR LIFE Take control of your ďŹ nancial future once and for all. Sign up today!
Sundays beginning September 10 5:00 - 7:00 pm
more info
Farmers Branch Campus Cost: $93 per family
(Covers all materials)
Register in The Branch Church app or at thebranchchurch.org/FPU 5 Enter your class date/time/location
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
For the month of September, we are excited to partner with Haiti Partners to empower through education.
Every 10 check-ins will provide a day of school for a child in Haiti. Haiti Partners’ mission is to help Haitians change Haiti through education. They currently run one flagship school, and partner with six more. Over 25 years of incountry experience has shown that the most fertile terrain for sustainable change in Haiti is through a high quality, community-based education that teaches students and parents active learning strategies, and prepares them to be agents of change in their community and country. If you want to learn more about Haiti Partners, you can check them out at https://haitipartners.org/. The hashtag this month is #school4kids. Thanks for checking in to help change Haiti through education!
How it works: We make a donation to a Kingdom-building cause every time our community checks in on Facebook. 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
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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!
Kristan Renshaw
Brittany Moore
Farmers Branch Kids Minister
Vista Ridge Kids Minister
krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
bmoore@thebranchchurch.org
Baby Dedication Sunday, October 15 Parents MUST register to participate! On October 15, we will set aside a portion of our services for parents to bring their new babies before the congregation and engage in a time of prayer, dedication, and mutual commitment. Dedicating a child acknowledges God’s sovereignty not only over the child, but also over Mom and Dad. Parents present their child before God and His people, asking for grace and wisdom in carrying out their responsibilities. Parents also come praying that their child might one day trust Jesus Christ as Savior for the forgiveness of sin. The Branch wants to partner with parents in raising their children to seek God, know His Word, and live a full life in Jesus Christ. Our Baby Dedication weekends are a way for us to pledge that commitment as well as celebrate the arrival of our newborns. Register in The Branch Church app or at:
thebranchchurch.org/baby 7
Tim Scott
STEPPING OUT I N FA I T H The Branch Church is a special place for our family. Steph and I first visited The Branch in the Summer of 1997, and have been active members since. I joined the staff in February of 2010, and love my role as NextGen Minister, and the team I lead and serve with. Plus, The Branch is the only church our daughter Ellie has ever called home. I am a disciple-in-process. A disciple is characterized by listening to God through prayer and His Word, and then doing what He calls and commands us to do. Disciples listen, and obey. As a disciple of Jesus, I must listen and obey what God is telling me to do. For over a year, I have felt God telling me that my time on staff at The Branch is nearing an end, and that He was calling me to step out in faith into a new season of life. Steph has felt the same prompting during her times of prayer. She is confident she has heard the same message from God. I shared this with Chris Seidman and David Teutsch this past May, and they asked me to pray further about this over the summer, which I did.
bring glory to Him, and further His kingdom. I would welcome the chance to personally share with you how God has confirmed this word with me, and brought Steph and I into a place of peace and excitement. Sometime by the end of 2017, I will officially transition out of the NextGen Minister role. I have complete confidence and trust in the NextGen team, and know they will continue to love, teach, and encourage the children and students in this ministry, as they continue to partner with parents to raise the next generation of disciples of Jesus. Steph and I plan to continue to attend and serve at The Branch as we prayerfully consider all that God has in store for us. May God bless The Branch as we all seek to listen and obey all that He has for us!
In several real and tangible ways, God has confirmed His message to me: it is clear God is telling me to step out in faith, away from a role I enjoy at the church I love, and trust that He has another calling for me that will 8
Small Groups thebranchchurch.org/small-groups
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 We all need friends. If you’ve got a group of friends here at The Branch (or elsewhere), have you considered meeting with them on a regular basis to hang out, talk about your lives in a biblical context, and pray? That’s a Small Group! If you’re not sure who to start a group with, contact your campus minister and he’ll help connect you with others who are in the same boat as you.
Need Group Content? Sermon-Based Bible Studies
Tim Ketchersid
What is it? Get your group talking with these weekly guides that are meant to coincide with the sermon.
tketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
Where can I find it? You can quickly find it in The Branch Church App under the “Resources” option. OR visit thebranchchurch.org/resources
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Farmers Branch Campus Minister
Derek Robinson Connections Pastor Vista Ridge Campus drobinson@thebranchchurch.
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:
• October 15 (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!
Derek Robinson
Connections Pastor, Vista Ridge Campus We are proud to announce that Derek Robinson is our brand new Connections Pastor at the Vista Ridge Campus. Derek comes to us “all the way from beautiful Coppell, Texas” via Southern California and Illinois. Derek’s focus for The Branch will be helping people get connected and remain connected to this church—primarily through “outside the weekend groups” and service. Derek has a wonderful family: His wife Lena and three kids Karis, Makena, and Kyle. We look forward to introducing you to Derek this month, but in the meantime, feel free to introduce yourself and tell him why the Dallas Cowboys are a better franchise than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Contact Derek at: drobinson@thebranchchurch.org
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The Manly Men Event Saturday, October 7 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Farmers Branch Campus Cost: $15 per man God is seeking men after His own heart, who will boldly step into His vision for biblical manhood. The Branch Church wants to equip and empower men to be who God created them and is calling them to be. Author and acclaimed speaker Stephen Mansfield shows us the way. Working with timeless maxims and stirring examples of manhood from ages past, Mansfield issues a trumpet call of godly manliness fit for our times. “My goal is simple,” he says. “I want to identify what a genuine man does—the virtues, the habits, the disciplines, the duties, the actions of true manhood— and then call men to do it.” Our families, our communities, and our world need Manly Men of God. Join us. Register in The Branch Church app or at: thebranchchurch.org/men
Men’s Bible Study Saturdays, beginning September 9 7:30 am Both Campuses Breakfast, bible study, prayer, and friendship on Saturday mornings. If you’d like to learn more, contact the leaders below. Farmers Branch - Eddy Ketchersid:
eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org Vista Ridge - Ryan Rainey:
rrainey@thebranchchurch.org 11
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!
SMALL GROUPS Farmers Branch
Vista Ridge
High School • Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
High School • Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Middle School • Sundays at 9:15 am
The primary way The Branch Student Body meets is in weekly Small Groups, where students grow closer to God, their peers, and their leaders. This is critical to their development as followers of Christ.
**Weekly schedules and locations are subject to change. Contact Josh or Kyle for the latest updates and details.**
Kyle Poff
Josh Brake
Student Minister Vista Ridge Campus
Student Minister Farmers Branch Campus
kpoff@thebranchchurch.org
jbrake@thebranchchurch.org
Student Body Overnighter Middle school: Sat-Sun, September 9-10 High school: Sat-Sun, September 23-24 Student Body Overnighters are great opportunities for students to take a break from their busy, stressed out routines, have fun, and grow in their relationships with other believers in the same life stage. Because Overnighters provide extended time together, they are the perfect opportunity for students to form and deepen friendships within the ministry. This also provides the perfect chance for students not yet involved in The Student Body to meet friends and get plugged in! Overnighters generally begin with an exciting and fun event Saturday night. Then students break up into age- and gender-specific host homes, spend the night hanging out together, wake up, and conclude back at the church building for Sunday service. Contact Josh or Kyle for further details. Register in The Branch Church app or at thebranchchurch.org/overnighter
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helping disciples make disciples Kamal escaped the Taliban in Afghanistan about a year ago. They broke every one of his fingers on both hands because they thought he was a spy. He fled to Athens with his family. Interested in spiritual things, he was asked if he’d like to read the first few chapters of the book of Matthew in the New Testament. He nodded yes. After intently reading to himself for thirty minutes Kamal looked up with fire in his eyes and said, “I believe this.” Along with thousands and thousands of Muslim people all over
the world, Kamal is on a journey and is hungry to discover Jesus. It is a unique and unprecedented time in our world. It’s not a time to hide. It’s time to show up. Missions Resource Network is an organization that was started almost 20 years ago because of people like Kamal and his family. We have seen the good news of Jesus light fire in the coldest eyes in the most remote of places. The story of Jesus is not static. It is a message that seeks, it knocks, it discovers; it illuminates the darkness and comforts the ache of loss. It is transforming communities all over
the world. The message of Jesus goes. But it only goes when we do. At MRN, we help churches and missionaries get to where that message needs to go. We are passionate about equipping and sending those whom God has called into the world. Maybe He’s calling you? If you’d like to visit with us or if there is a way we can serve you, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: chris.shelby@mrnet.org
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Love Never Dies
Adult Grief Support Group Wednesdays, October 4 - November 1 Farmers Branch Campus 7:00 - 8:30 pm Cost: $10 (Includes book: “Love Never Dies”) If you or someone you know is an adult who is struggling with the death of a significant person, please consider attending these five sessions. Larry Barber of GriefWorks will cover material from his book Love Never Dies: Embracing Grief with Hope and Promise, and each session will include time for the group to process the information and share their experiences, emotional responses and struggles. The groups are not therapy or counseling, just support and encouragement with a little bit of basic grief education. Participants, adults ages 18 and older, are encouraged to share what they need to share and to listen and support each other. The goal of the group is to normalize grief and to help each participant learn and develop healthy coping skills. Register in The Branch Church app or at:
thebranchchurch.org/grief
Young at Heart Group
Bar-B-Q Picnic at the Park Sunday, October 15 3:00 - 5:00 pm Gussie Field Watterworth Park Pavillion
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Everyone is welcome!
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Paul Barner will be taking care of the meat.
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You bring side dishes that go well with Bar-B-Q!
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We will have lots of fellowship, fun, and games!
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Start now inviting others!
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RSVP to Bro. Eddy - (972-345-1645) or email eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
A note from Paul and Linda Barner Lately our church leaders have devoted time during the worship service to recognize many of our members who have devoted themselves to serving the Lord through their work within the church. Listening to those serving reminded us of several chapters in Rick Warren’s A Purpose Driven Life. Most specifically a chapter on “How Real Servants Act.” There Mark 10:43 was quoted: “Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.” Chapter 33 begins with, “We serve God by serving others.” And that says it all! Our Salad and Sundae Supper with a “Chuck Wagon” theme drew in over 100 of our Young at Hearts. We were entertained in song by the “Chuck Wagon Gang,” bingo, and your great selection of salads. Linda and I prepared BarB-Q Panhandle Pork, and John Ketchersid topped it all off with Kettle-Cooked Peach Cobbler. A great meal was enjoyed by all! Mark your calendar for our Fall Picnic, October 15, at the Gussie Field Watterworth Park Pavilion in Farmers Branch. See you there! Blessings, Paul & Linda Barner
TO ENCOURAGE YOU •
In Dallas County alone by 2025 the “60 and Older Population Projection” will be 464,450. This does not include Denton, Tarrant, and Collin counties. This suggests great outreach opportunities for the Lord’s church among those who are 60+ years of age.
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Paul Cedar, who heads up Mission America Coalition, shares these “Fast Facts.” •
81% of U.S. adults believe the Bible is the actual or inspired Word of God. (Only 19% don’t!)
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About a third of Americans have read through all or almost all the entire Bible. (About 70% have not!)
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Only 16 % of millennials (age 30 or under) believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and should be taken literally, word for word.
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According to a Center for Missional Research study, 32% of church plants do not survive past four years. (68% do! Thank God The Branch at Vista Ridge is now 10 years old!)
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50% of millennial evangelicals say, “Government aid to the poor does more harm than good.” (50% believe it still does good!)
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43% of U.S. adults believe Jesus was God living among humans. (How can we believe the Bible and not believe who Jesus is?)
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8% of U.S. adults believe Jesus was a great man and great teacher, but not divine. (92% do believe Jesus was divine! I know, this does not really add up and is inconsistent with some of the above numbers, but when Jesus comes back ALL will believe!)
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70% of American adults say being a father is the most important role for a man to fill in today’s world. (Amen!)
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Millennials are now America’s largest generation, outnumbering Baby Boomers – 83 million to 75 million.
PLAN TO BE IN A
SMALL GROUP THIS FALL!
The START UP GROUP, which will be meeting on Wednesday nights this fall, will begin September 6 at the Farmers Branch Campus in the Family Life Center, 6:30 pm. A potluck supper is followed by Bible study which usually ends about 8:00 pm. There is plenty of room for everyone.
Brother Eddy Ketchersid Office: 972-284-7813 Cell: 972-345-1645 eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
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The Branch
Family
Up dates
We Mourn With:
We Celebrate These Births:
• John Arthur and his family in the loss of his
8/26/2017
Zion Mcgoy Smith (M) Parents: Justin and Getsemani Smith
8/28/2017
Charlotte Maree Baker (F) Parents: Chris and Kelly Baker
grandmother, Ruby Nell Wilson, on July 29. • Sue Fredrick and her family in the loss of her late husband’s mother, Dorothy Fredrick, on July 31. • Laurie Fantine and her family in the loss of her mother, Irene Dragg, on August 8. • Ron Nicholas and his family in the loss of his mother, Leta Belle Shoaf Nicholas, on August 12. • Renea Yowell and her family in the loss of her mother, Yvonne Martin, on August 13. • Shirley Seymour and her family in the loss of her mother, Berniece Foster, on August 19. • The family of Flo Gillespie, a long-time Branch member, who passed away on August 25. • Cindy Moore and her family in the loss of her mother, Virginia Hunt-Royal, on August 27. • The family of Jim Reynolds, who passed away on August 29.
We Celebrate These Baptisms: 8/17/17
Dan Quick
8/27/17
Rebecca Crawford
8/27/17
Ryan Crawford
Weekend Stats - August 2017: Weekly Attendance Average: 1,900 Weekly Giving Average: $62,949
Keep us in the loop! Send news and updates to:
kfox@thebranchchurch.org
First Service of the Weekend Thursdays Vista Ridge Campus Dinner at 6:00 pm ($5 for adults •$3 for kids) Service at 6:45 pm Gathering together on a weekly basis for worship, encouragement, teaching, and testimony makes a difference for the better in our lives. It’s our hope that offering this service on a weeknight will open new doors for reaching people. Consider making Thursday night your weekend worship service at The Branch.
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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event
Times
Wed
9/6
Women’s Bible Study Begins (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 2)
9:45 - 11:30 am
Sat
9/9
Men’s Bible Study Begins (Both Campuses) (pg. 11)
7:30 - 9:00 am
Sat
9/9
Dynamic Marriage Begins (Vista Ridge Campus)
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Sat-Sun
9/9-10
Middle School Overnighter
(pg. 3)
5:00 pm
(pg. 12)
Sun
9/10
Financial Peace University Begins
Mon
9/11
Women’s Bible Study Begins (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat-Sun
9/23-24
(Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 5)
5:00 - 7:00 pm 6:30 - 8:00 pm
(pg. 2)
High School Overnighter (pg. 12)
5:00 pm
Wed
10/4
Love Never Dies Group Begins (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 15)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sat
10/7
The Manly Men Event (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 11)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Middle School Campout
3 days
Fri-Sun
10/13-15
Sun
10/15
Baby Dedication (Both Campuses)
During each service
Sun
10/15
The Branch Orientation (Both Campuses)
Farmers Branch 10:45 am
Sun
10/15
Young at Heart: Bar-B-Q Picnic at the Park
Sat
10/28
Branch Equip (pg. 9)
9:00 - 3:00 pm
Sat
10/28
Student Body Paintball
TBD
Sun
10/29
Trunk-or-Treat (Farmers Branch Campus)
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Vista Ridge 12:30 pm (pg. 15)
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Fri-Sun
11/10-12
High School Campout
3 days
Fri-Sat
11/10-11
Women’s Fall Retreat
2 days
(pg. 3)
Weekly Events Calendar Day
Time
Event (Location)
Start/End Date
Sun
Early Service
Student Body MS Small Groups
Mon
6:30 pm
Women’s Bible Study (Vista Ridge)
Tues
7:00 pm
Celebrate Recovery (Vista Ridge)
Wed
9:45 am
Women’s Bible Study (Farmers Branch)
Wed
7:00 pm
Student Body Small Groups (Both Campuses)
Thurs
6:45 pm
Thursday Night Church (Vista Ridge Campus)
Sat
7:30 am
Men’s Bible Study (Both Campuses)
(Both Campuses)
Office: 972-247-2109
thebranchchurch.org
*Begins September 11
*Begins September 6
*Begins September 9
Email: info@thebranchchurch.org
Farmers Branch Campus
Vista Ridge Campus
3035 Valley View Lane Farmers Branch, TX 75234
3601 Huffines Boulevard Carrollton, TX 75010
Sundays: 9:00 & 10:45 am
Thursdays: 6:45 pm Sundays: 9:15 & 11:00 am