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Fulfill a Wish List Today
Choose a child’s wish list in the lobby today! November 5 - December 10 Each Christmas season, we partner with area schools to identify children who may be in extra need. This November, you can “adopt” a child and help provide them with an outfit and a toy by taking a name from the Angel Tree located in the lobby. Each child has a wish list. Please purchase the items on the list and return them no later than Sunday, December 10. Once the gifts are sorted and organized, everyone is invited to help wrap these gifts at our Go Christmas event on Saturday, December 16, from 9 - 2 pm. Mark your calendar!
Gift Drive
Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/angel-tree
Sack Thanksgiving Hunger Saturday, November 18 Both Campuses 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Students in our community who usually receive free/ reduced breakfast and lunch can use some help when school is on a break for the week of Thanksgiving. We purchase food from Metrocrest Services and deliver it to these families the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Show up or donate if you want to help. A family can eat for a week for $10. Checks can be made out to The Branch Church with “Sack Thanksgiving Hunger” in the memo line. Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/sack-hunger
How it works • Come to either campus on Saturday morning, November 18. • Assembly Line: Volunteers will first organize the food. You grab a sack and go through the line. You fill your sack with the allotted food items and take it to the designated spot. Then repeat until all the bags are filled.
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• Deliver Bags: Once the bags are filled, teams will be formed and will travel to area homes for distribution. Team leaders will be given a map and a route with the family names and corresponding labeled sacks.
All-Church Night of Worship Wednesday, November 15 Farmers Branch Campus 7:00 - 8:30 pm Please join us for an extended time of worship and prayer. These special nights are designed to help you encounter God in a meaningful way. Jaron Pitts and Sarah Asplund will lead us in worship. Learn more at:
thebranchchurch.org/night-of-worship
Turkey Bowl Friday, November 24 Vista Ridge Campus 10:00 - 1:00 pm All are invited for some post-Thanksgiving pick-up flag football on the fields behind the Vista Ridge Campus. NOTE: If there are heavy rains in the days leading up to the Turkey Bowl, we will change locations. Questions? Contact Julie Bonneau:
jbonneau@thebranchchurch.org
Mother-Daughter Christmas Breakfast Saturday, December 2 Seatings at 9:00 am and 10:00 am American Girl Bistro – Dallas Galleria Cost: $20 per person • for moms, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, and friends • includes full meal and treats to take home Online registration required. Learn more and register at: thebranchchurch.org/events
Student Body Christmas Party Wednesday, December 6 Farmers Branch Campus 6:30 - 8:30 pm • For 6th-12th grade students from both campuses • Bring $5 per person • Bring a white elephant gift of $5 or less Students MUST RSVP:
thebranchchurch.org/student-christmas 2
Women’s Bible Study 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 Join us this fall as we study ACTS and LETTERS. Register in The Branch Church app or at:
thebranchchurch.org/women
Men’s Bible Study Saturdays at 7:30 am (Ends November 18) 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 - Derek Robinson:
drobinson@thebranchchurch.org
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:
• January 28 (10:45 am Farmers Branch Campus, 12:30 pm Vista Ridge Campus) 3
RSVP at thebranchchurch.org/tbo and let us know you’re coming. We look forward to having you!
Follow Chris on Twitter twitter.com/chrisseidman
Did you know that 66 million primary school-age children attend classes hungry across the developing world? No child should ever go hungry! That’s why for the month of November, we’re stepping in to help stop hunger. Through our partnership with feedONE, every 2 check-ins at The Branch will provide a meal to a child in need. FeedONE is a program of Convoy of Hope and their Children’s Feeding Initiative serves over 146,676 children. The goal of feedONE is to see lives changed as they promote healthy children and communities that are free from poverty and hunger. Many of the children enrolled in this initiative have their only meal of the day at school. FeedONE feeds and monitors the health and growth of children each day in El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Ethiopia, South Africa, Guatemala, and Tanzania. Check them out here, https://feedone.com The hashtag this month is #givemeals. Thanks for checking in for children in need.
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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thebranchchurch.org/espanol
The Branch Church en Español - Farmers Branch Campus Acompáñanos y adoremos a Dios y fortalezcamos nuestra fe en Cristo en el idioma español.
Actividades durante la Semana DOMINGOS MIERCOLES Servicio de Adoración de Estudio Bíblico 9:00 AM 7:00 PM Weekly Activities SUNDAYS WEDNESDAYS WORSHIP SERVICE Bible Study 9:00 AM 7:00 PM ¡PRONTO! – ¡MUY PRONTO! – ¡3 de DICIEMBRE! Nuestro Servicio de Adoración los DOMINGOS será a las
10:45 AM a partir del 3 de DICIEMBRE
SOON! VERY SOON! – DECEMBER 3! Our SUNDAY Worship Service will be at
10:45 AM starting DECEMBER 3
Luis y Schalee Sánchez lsanchez@thebranchchurch.org
Branch Cares thebranchchurch.org/cares
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….” ~ James 1:27 Branch Cares is a ministry designed to look after, pray for, and take care of, people within our church body. The vision for this ministry is to reach out, help, and connect with:
Widows • Widowers • Single parents • Homebound • Grieving • Caregivers Ministry volunteers provide care in a variety of ways. From simple acts of writing cards and praying, to hospital visitation, and delivering communion to the homebound or any others who are unable to attend services. If you are interested in becoming a Branch Cares ministry volunteer, or if you know of someone connected to The Branch Church who 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, or reach out to us via the contact info below:
Farmers Branch Email: fbcares@thebranchchurch.org Vista Ridge Email: vrcares@thebranchchurch.org 5 Church Office: (972) 247-2109
Young at Heart Group
Christmas Luncheon Sunday, December 3 at 12:00 pm Farmers Branch Campus - Family Life Center Cost: $10 each (Pay at your table) •
Everyone is welcome!
•
Entertainment by Dave Tanner
A note from Paul and Linda Barner
•
Enjoy a meal with all the holiday trimmings
The Fall Picnic at the park was attended by one hundred
•
Door prizes!
•
Invite others!
•
RSVP to Bro. Eddy - (972-345-1645) or email eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
of our own Young at Heart members, guests, and some of the Farmers Branch Police officers on patrol. Coming together in the pavilion, we enjoyed great BBQ and tables full of delicious sides and desserts. The fellowship we shared was awesome. We offer many thanks to all our helpers, too many to name, and expecially to those who attended. It’s that time of year again.
Our Annual Christmas
luncheon is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for December 3rd at noon in the FLC. As always, we’ll have a delicious lunch prepared by our own chef Chris Austin, along with entertainment by Dave Tanner and much more!
Dates: November 24 - December 30 (Closed December 25)
Times: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Blessings, Paul and Linda
Location: I-35 and Valley View Ln Cost: Free (Suggested $5 donations accepted) Tree Lighting: Saturday, Dec 2 (includes snow hill, fireworks at 6:30 PM, etc.)
Brother Eddy Ketchersid Office: 972-284-7813 Cell: 972-345-1645 eketchersid@thebranchchurch.org
www.farmersbranchtx.gov 6
Kids Branch Sunday mornings at both services Ages 3 months - 5th Grade
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!
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Kristan Renshaw
Brittany Moore
Farmers Branch Kids Minister
Vista Ridge Kids Minister
krenshaw@thebranchchurch.org
bmoore@thebranchchurch.org
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
High School Campout Fri-Sun, November 10-12 All high school students are invited to go camping with us at the beautiful Eisenhower State Park! There will be hiking, s’mores, other outdoor activities, and powerful moments of teaching and worship! Students will spend time connecting with each other and connecting with God as we get away from the normal routine! Each person will receive a hoodie. The cost for the event is $65. Register in The Branch Church app or at thebranchchurch.org/campout
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Following Jesus will always lead us beyond ourselves. We’re called to pray, give, serve, and live beyond ourselves so that others might come to know and follow Jesus. This is our purpose – our “why” – behind what we do and how we do it.
We currently have more than 50 middle school students meeting in a room designed for 25-30 people.
We believe we are entering a new season in which God is calling us to something beyond ourselves. We have a plan, but it’s not yet in motion. We are asking for your help to confirm that this plan is of the Lord by entering into a season of prayer. What you have to share after this season of prayer will be a critical part of our journey! When we launched the Vista Ridge Campus in 2007, we knew we would have to eventually expand the facility on that campus if we were to help more people in the immediate vicinity come to know and follow Jesus. Presently, more than a thousand people meet at the Vista Ridge Campus in a facility of approximately 25,000 square feet. (Just as a point of reference, our Farmers Branch Campus is approximately 45,000 square feet.) For some time now, we’ve been running at maximum capacity in the present children’s wing on Sunday mornings. At the most, we can appropriately handle 120-130 kids per service at the Vista Ridge Campus.
Our leadership believes the time has come for us to address the limitations of our facility on the Vista Ridge Campus. We’ve discerned two pressing needs which are a part of our strategy for reaching others. These are for significantly more space for our children’s ministry and student ministry, and for more space in regard to showing hospitality and helping people to connect with others. A rendering of the proposed addition.
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A southeast view of the existing facility on the left and proposed new addition on the right.
Southeast Our desire is toBirdseye build a View 28,000 square-foot, twostory building for children’s ministry, which would attach to the present building.
THE COST •
The children’s wing is estimated at $6 million.
It would be attached through our present lobby. This would necessitate the expansion of the lobby. We have needed additional space in our lobby to make it possible for people to meet, connect, and converse with one another.
•
The remodeling of the lobby and present children’s wing into student ministry and hospitality space is estimated at $2 million.
•
Architecture, engineering, fees, permits, FF&E, etc. is estimated to be at $1 million.
•
This brings the estimated total cost of the expansion and remodel project to $9 million.
SOME GREAT NEWS Main Entry, Alternate No. 1 Copyright 2017 |8/3/2017 11:49:29 AM
What would happen with our present children’s wing? A significant portion of it would be remodeled to serve as space for our student ministry. The remaining portion would be remodeled to serve as a multi-purpose space which could be used for hosting meals, connection events, and overflow crowds during certain times of the year, such as Easter and Christmas.
We have two pieces of very good news! We already have $1.25 million set aside to get started. Earlier this year, two donors, wishing to remain anonymous, have committed to match, dollar-for-dollar, the first $2.5 million given to this project. Can you imagine? $2.5 million becomes $5.0 million! This is an extraordinary opportunity we have as a church.
THE PLAN When we consider what we already have set aside and the matching gift opportunity, we need to raise ~$6 million for this project to come to pass.
Our leadership does not think it’s wise to borrow the money for this project unless we have commitments to cover the cost. We’re debt-free as a church, and don’t want to incur long-term debt. Instead, the leadership is asking us to envision paying for the project over the course of three years, from December 2017 - November 2020.
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68 SF
503 SF
Children / Multipurpose Nurs 1
Nurs Recp. 235 SF
71 SF
Pres. 2
Circulation
506 SF
Pres. 3
403 SF
68 SF
Nurs 2 451 SF
Circulation - Secure
539 SF
Pres. 1 451 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Pres. Recp.
Kitchen / Hospitality
Toilet
Men
235 SF
70 SF
199 SF
Circulation 682 SF
Pres. 4 403 SF
Nursery / Preschool
oilet
Women
SF
241 SF
Jan.
Restroom 34 SF
2790 SF
Elect.
Nurs 1
77 SF
Stage
403 SF
Stair
Play
287 SF
642 SF
Nursery Recp. 168 SF
Resource
Storage 263 SF
Circulation
Redundant Room
Support Admin 457 SF
Todd 1
Elev.
539 SF
48 SF
Storage 26 SF
Worship 21 SF
edundant Room
Toilet
Vestibule
Changing
Circulation
112 SF
Changing
503 SF
101 SF
Changing
68 SF
Todd 2 Lobby
Baptistry
21 SF
4799 SF
Youth / Multipurpose
412 SF
Changing 26 SF2 Pres.
Changing
Nurs 1 403 SF
Nurs Recp. 235 SF
71 SF
506 SF
49 SF
68 SF
451 SF
Todd 2
Pres. 3 539 SF
503 SF
Coffee
Pres. 1
140 SF
451 SF
Circulation
Men
235 SF
70 SF
682 SF
AV Sound
71 SF
Pres. 2
109 SF
403 SF
Nurs Recp. 235 SF
Women 296 SF
506 SF
68 SF
Vestibule Women 51 SF
Nurs 2
Secure. Cir.
284 SF
1879 SF
Support
Class
438 SF
489 SF
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Class
364 SF
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
Support
1879 SF Class
379 SF
489 SF
Jan. 34 SF
1443 SF
Elect.
Class
65 SF
489 SF
Stair
287 SF
Boys 223 SF
Class Secure Cir. 409 SF
Class
471 SF
510 SF
Upper Commons 1156 SF
Girls
Secure. Cir.
284 SF
Class
1879 SF
Elev.
390 SF
Support
48 SF
Class 615 SF
438 SF
Open to Lobby Below
Class 489 SF
Support
Storage 186 SF
Class
364 SF
Support
Class
438 SF
Secure. Cir.
379 SF
489 SF
1879 SF
Class 489 SF
Boys
Jan.
223 SF
Secure Cir.
Class
34 SF
471 SF
510 SF
Girls
Secure. Cir.
1443 284 SF SF
Elect.
Storage
Storage
15 SF
41 SF
Support
Class
364 SF
Secure. Cir.
Jan.
409 SF
34 SF
62 SF
403 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
Kitchen
75 SF
601 SF
1443 SF
Upper Commons
Elect.
Class
513 SF
510 SF
LEVEL 2
Pantry
Nurs 1
Class
438 SF
1879 SF
Class
23 SF
489 SF
438 SF
Support
Fire Rm
Class
1879 SF
65 SF
Stair
287 SF
1156 SF
65 SF
526 SF
Stair
287 SF
Serving
Jan.
214 SF
46 SF
409 SF Elev.
390 SF
451 SF
Support
Class
Class
09/19/17
241 SF
Jan.
615 SF
Girls
68 SF
297 SF
37 SF
Class
223 SF
471 SF
Toilet
Storage
199 SF
Circulation Pres. 4
Boys Secure Cir.
510 SF
539 SF
Men
Redundant Room
Pres. Recp.
Toilet F
489 SF
Class
Todd 1
146 SF
379 SF
489 SF
Vestibule
Nurs 2
Phase 1 Renovation
Toilet Todd 2
Support
Class
Class
364 SF
48 SF
Upper Commons 1156 SF
of House
Pres. 3
Play
1257 SF Nursery Recp.
Elect.
539 SF
642 SF
Platform
19 SF
Worship
451 SF
44 SF
287 SF
Pres. Recp. 51 SF
Toilet 122 SF
Pres. 4
457 SF
522 SF
Admin
Admin
151 SF
145 SF
41 SF
101 SF
412 SF
Admin
24 SF
Admin
115 SF
110 SF
Admin
241 SF
49 SF
53 SF
Kitchen / Hospitality
Vestibule 146 SF
77 SF
154 SF
Circulation - Secure
Storage
2790 SF
Elect.
4799 SF
221 SF
4799 SF
26 SF
Changing
Circulation
Class
217 SF
211 SF
34Changing SF
195 SF
96 SF
Class
Class
Lobby
412 SF
Jan.
Admin Admin
Class
1023 SF
Baptistry
21157 SF SF
40 SF
Lobby
aptistry Fire Rm.
Women
Changing
Changing Admin
Toilet
289 SF
632 SF
112 SF
Storage
Storage
15 SF
Coffee
Stair 287 SF Vestibule
140 SF
F
Men
LEVEL 1
146 SF
Nursery Recp.
Storage
168 SFKitchen
37 SF
Resource
Women
Storage
109 SF
15 SF
Vestibule Circulation
Coffee
51 SF
Storage 41 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
Stage
Class
513 SF
75 SF
Fire Rm Serving 214 SF
296 SF
LEVEL 2
Restroom
642 SF
62 SF
601 SF
AV Sound 263 SF
Nursery / Preschool
23 SF
Play
Pantry
297 SF
41 SF
Fire Rm
526 SF
Storage
Support LEVEL 2
Jan.
46 SF
23 SF
Redundant Room
Worship
140 SF
Men
Back of House
297 SF
Platform
519 SF
Admin
45 SF
108 SF
Kitchen Storage 601 SF
Worship 4848 SF
Serving 51 SF
21 SF
Vestibule
214 SF
78 SF
Elec. Rm
Vestibule
45 SF
Admin
Admin 151 SF
222 SF
Toilet Storage 41 SF
Admin 145 SF
28 SF
Admin
Toilet
289 SF
613 SF Changing
Vestibule
621 SF
522 SF
157 SF
40 SF
Admin 115 SF
44 SF
Fire Rm.
Admin
Admin
110 SF
632 SF
195 SF
211 SF
Class 217 SF
Class 221 SF
146 SF
4031 SF
15 SF
Men
Elec. Rm F
Main Entry 386 SF
Toilet
AV Sound
37 SF
Corridor
Kitchen 601 SF
Storage
Toilet
109 SF
62 SF
Storage
64 SF
152 SF
65 SF
Women
513 SF
75 SF
Serving
296 SF
46 SF
632 SF
222 SF
Class
1023 SF
Class
Class
217 SF
211 SF
Back of House
Storage
Platform
519 SF
45 SF
AV Booth
Storage
1257 SF
108 SF
53 SF
23 SF
Nursery / Preschool Stage
Circulation
Class
Corridor
221 SF
Circulation - Secure 325 SF
2576 SF
Platform Multipurpose Venue
277 SF
Kitchen / Hospitality
4031 SF
Family RR
Vestibule
Nursery / Preschool
78 SF
51 SF
Elec. Rm
Toilet
Restroom
78 SF
386 SF
Vestibule Vestibule
Admin
Admin 151 SF
Admin 145 SF
613 SF
222 SF
41 SF
28 SF
Toilet
115 SF
Admin 110 SF
632 SF
Class
1023 SF
Admin
Class 211 SF
Admin 157 SF
40 SF
Admin
Youth Lobby
Toilet Storage
Storage
Admin
24 SF
Stage
337 SF
289 SF
Fire Rm.
Toilet
Corridor
621 SF
522 SF
64 SF
Main Entry
122 SF
Corridor
526 SF
Children / Multipurpo
Commons
44 SF
LEVEL 1
Class
Storage
4848 SF
Cry Room
09/19/17
Youth / Multipurpose
Storage
Worship
53 SF
195 SF
Class 217 SF
65 SF
Storage 152 SF
Storage Support Class 221 SF
Worship
Youth / Multipurpose
96 SF
Admin 154 SF
*Proposed plans as of 9/20/17.
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409
Worship
51 SF
Youth Lobby
613 SF
Cla
Admin Support
Jan.
214 SF
337 SF
Table Storage
Laundry
Vestibule
Vestibule
65 SF
Restroom
Pantry
297 SF
LEVEL 1
78 SF
estibule
41 SF
140 SF
78 SF
Elec
Circulation - Secure
Coffee
51 SF
34 SF
/ Hospitality StorageKitchen Fire Rm
Storage
154 SF
Jan.
Circulation
Vestibule
53 SF
277 SF
Multipurpose Venue
Family RR
Vestibule
Class
325 SF
1879 SF
Children / Multipurpose
Storage
Admin
24 SF
Class
Corridor 1023 SF Platform
96 SF
Admin
152 SF
65 SF
337 SF
49 SF
Admin
Storage
Corridor
Youth Lobby
26 SF
Changing
Storage
Toilet
4799 SF
412 SF
Corridor
2576 SF
64 SF
Lobby
Baptistry
21 SF
Commons
Toilet
78 SF
386 SF
122 SF
51 SF
277 SF
Family RR
Main Entry
101 SF
Cry Room Changing
526 SF4031 SF
46 SF
Changing
Platform
Class
Multipurpose Venue
513 SF
Vestibule 112 SF Jan.
Vestibule
Changing
296 SF
Table Storage
48 SF
75 SF
26 SF
Women
325 SF
Storage Laundry 44 SF
Youth / Multipurpose
Corridor
Storage62 SF
AV Booth
Storage
1257 SF
37 SF
Storage
Pantry Commons 2576 SF Elev.
457 SF
S
287 SF
Children / Multipurpose
Youth Lobby
613 SF
Vestibule
222 SF
48
Stair
Admin
152 SF
337 SF
Vestibule
Vestibule
21 SF
Storage
65 SF
Corridor
Storage
Changing
28 SF
64 SF
Toilet
682 SF
Elev.
26 SF
621 SF
Toilet Storage
Toilet
Circulation
48 SF
403 SF
Corridor
Admin
Main Entry 386 SF
Admin
Lobby Below
Storage 186 SF
199 SF
78 SF
Redundant Room
Cry Room
186 SF
Men
Elec. Rm
48 SF
Storage
Redundant Room
78 SF
235 SF Circulation
70 SF
4031 SF
Circulation
642 SF
Nursery Recp. 168 SF Family RR
Vestibule
263 SF
Open to Lobby Open to Below
Elev.
390 SF
277 SF
Multipurpose Venue
Play
4848 SF
Resource
Class
Platform
Pres. 1
Storage
Stair
325 SF
2576 SF
45 SF
108 SF
168 SF
Commons
Storage
77 SF
AV Booth
Corridor
C
Secure. Ci
34 SF
2790 SF
The Branch Church - Vista Ridge
Admin
615 SF
489 SF
THIS DRAWING IS RELEASED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF BRUCE E WOODY, REGISTRATION NUMBER 14419, WHO MAINTAINS THE ORIGINAL DRAWING. THIS DRAWING IS INCOMPLETE AND MAY NOT BE USED FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL, PERMIT, OR CONSTRUCTION.
539 SF
THIS DRAWING IS RELEASED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF BRUCE E WOODY, REGISTRATION NUMBER 14419, REGULATORY APPROVAL, PERMIT, OR CONSTRUCTION.
The Branch Church - Vi
Todd 1
Class
Class
LEVEL 1
WHAT’S THE ASK? First things first.
We are asking every household to pray specifically over the next several weeks concerning this plan. What do we pray?
“Lord, what do you desire for me to financially give to this effort?”
From now until November 12, will you and all within your household seek the Lord in regard to this? This could be a financial commitment that could be fulfilled over the course of three years. (An important thing to note is that this commitment would not be in place of what you give in the general offering already. What is given in our weekly offering funds the ministry we are doing right now.)
C O M M I T M E N T S U N DAY N O V E M B E R 1 2 T H On November 12th, we’ll ask you to indicate on a card the financial amount you’re led to give. Only a couple of people will see your card. We’ll add up the commitments and one of three things will happen. •
Should the committed amount meet or exceed the cost of the project, we’ll proceed immediately with permits, contractors, and beginning the project.
•
Should the committed amount fall short of the cost to a certain degree, we’ll refine the scope of the project relative to the committed amount.
•
Should the committed amount fall far short of the cost, we’ll walk away from the project altogether. We’ll assume the Lord has spoken through the body of believers and is correcting our course of action. It’s worth noting that if this becomes the case, we will go to work on another plan of action. 12
W o r s h i p C e n t e R R e m o d e l V i s t a R i d g e C a m p u s In addition to our Beyond Me activity, renovation work will be starting on the Worship Center at the Vista Ridge Campus. This project has already been funded and involves reducing the size of the stage area in order to maximize the seating space, with a goal of increasing capacity by approximately 100 seats. The plan is to remove the walls surrounding the stage and decrease the footprint of the stage to make room for the additional seating. Included in this process will be moving the baptistry from the Worship Center into the new wing that will be added in the Beyond Me plans. Architectural/engineering work is currently underway with a plan to start renovations in 4Q 2017 or 1Q 2018.
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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
Farmers Branch Campus Minister
Derek Robinson Connections Pastor Vista Ridge Campus drobinson@thebranchchurch.org
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VSL, Conservation Agriculture training, Community Health Education (CHE) and the Maternity/ HIV Clinic are being propelled, with the vision of empowering African communities through Christcentered transformation.
Deep in a small village in one of the poorest countries in the world, 28 Malawian women meet to study the word of God together. The vast majoriy of these women are Muslim. When the day is finished, there is a joyful celebration as $2900, the total amount that has been saved and invested by these women over the last nine months is shared out amongst them. Paying school fees, starting a business, or just surviving till the next harvest season, all of which seemed impossible just a few months earlier, have now become a possibility. But what is more, these women know that they are valuable people loved by their Creator, and they have been given something by Him and have stewarded it well. These Village Savings and Loans Groups (VSL) are one of ministries Namikango facilitates which God is using to make a difference in peoples’ lives in Malawi. A group like the one mentioned is now possible because 56 years ago, Roland and Wanda Hayes from The Branch, together with B. and Ruth Shelburne, came to Malawi
Ben and Ryan, great nephews of Roland Hayes, together with their families and teammate, Eric Gephart, are currently serving at the Namikango Mission. Over 60 Malawian staff members work with them from a 90-acre campus, many of which are taking key leadership roles in the ministries mentioned, as well as aiding in the development of sustainable projects at the mission. Integrated into these ministries are Discipleship Journey Groups and Discovery bible studies, which provide staff and church leaders from all over Malawi with opportunities to grow in Christ through intentional, small group discipleship. B. Shelburne and Roland Hayes at the founding of Namikango in 1961.
to train Christ-centered church leaders. Since 1961, this work has been and continues to be propelled and expanded by Namikango’s 25 Village Bible Schools, working with over 1300 churches throughout Malawi and Mozambique. These churches and church leaders are now the catalysts through which Together, these ministries seek to reveal the gospel to the hearts of people, while making a difference in their physical lives as well.
Director, Ben Hayes, with his wife, Becca, and their children have been at the Namikango Mission since 2012.
If you would like to learn more about Namikango, and would like to know how you can be involved, feel free to contact the Namikango team at info@namikangomission.org
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The Branch
Family
We Mourn With: • David Ware and his family in the loss of his father, Lawrence “Dean” Ware, on September 28. • Derrick Hemmelgarn and his family in the loss of his grandfather, William Hemmelgarn, on October 17. • Angie Arthur and her family in the loss of her mother, Diane Greckel, on October 21. • Aislyn Varela and her family in the loss of her mother, Rebekah Zarate, on November 1.
We Celebrate These Births: 8/10/2017
Madelyn Cooper Stout (F) Parents: Eric and Lindsay
We Celebrate These Baptisms: 10/5/17
Ellie Eden
10/22/17
Freddie Spainhouer
10/29/17
Tyler Sizemore
Welcome These New Members: Farmers Branch Campus
Bill and Judi Baggett Marilyn Bonlie Jason and Sara Durham (Children: Harris and Danielle) Gary and Fonda Ellis Brittney Hopkins
Up dates
Lynda Klempel Joe and Kristin Looper Mark Thompson Vista Ridge Campus
Kyle Beavert Chris and Meagan Blair (Children: A.J., Ally, Emma, Kayla, Abby, Tyler, and Mattie) Dave and Darlene Cole Nate and Allison Eltzholtz (Children: Emerson and Ellie) Jonathan and Rachel Gardner (Children: Gwen, Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Eric)
Shea and Shannon Gordon (Children: Avery and Grayson) Dusty Houk Tashona Johnson Darren and Kimberly Linden (Child: Alexander) Jay and Christel McGraw (Child: Ellie) Rick and Jennifer Mynhier Kathryn Owen Derek and Lena Robinson (Children: Karis, Makena, and Kyle) Brian and Stephanie Russell (Children: Nate, Lucas, and Mikayla) Michael and Jerrika Sanders (Children: Ricardo, Roxie, and Ella) Brian and Carol Shelton (Children: Emily, Sarah, and Sam) John and Stacey Shoemaker (Children: Lauren and Wyatt) Tyler and Alana Vandiver Jeremy and Kendal Wages (Children: Zachary, Kaleigh, Elijah, Alyse, Kaitlyn, Nathan, Savannah, Garrett, and Harrison)
Josh Whalen and Karen Poydence-Whalen
Weekend Stats - October 2017: Weekly Attendance Average: 1,790 Weekly Giving Average: $69,142
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. Learn more at: thebranchchurch.org/thursday
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Featured Events Calendar Days
Dates
Event
Times
Sun
11/5
Angel Tree Drive Begins (Both Campuses) (pg. 1)
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Fri-Sun
11/10-12
High School Campout (pg. 8)
3 days
Fri-Sat
11/10-11
Women’s Fall Retreat
2 days
Wed
11/15
All-Church Night of Worship (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 2)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Sat
11/18
Sack Thanksgiving Hunger (Both Campuses) (pg. 1)
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Thurs
11/23
Thanksgiving Day - No Thursday Service
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Fri
11/24
Turkey Bowl (Vista Ridge Campus) (pg. 2)
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sat
12/2
Mother-Daughter Christmas Breakfast (pg. 2)
9:00 am or 10:00 am
Sun
12/3
Young at Heart:
Fri
12/6
Student Body Christmas Party (pg. 2)
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sat
12/16
Go Christmas (Both Campuses)
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thurs
12/21
Christmas Candlelight Service (Vista Ridge Campus)
7:00 pm
Sun
12/24
Christmas Candlelight Services (Farmers Branch Campus)
9:00 am 6:00 pm
Sun
12/24
Christmas Candlelight Services (Vista Ridge Campus)
11:00 am 2:00 pm 5:00 pm
Mon
12/25
Christmas Day
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Thurs
12/28
No Thursday Service
---
Sun
12/31
Regular Services (No Kids Branch)
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Christmas Luncheon (Farmers Branch Campus) (pg. 6)
12:00 pm
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
*Ends December 11
*Ends December 6
*Ends November 18
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