Branch Out - Fall 2023

BRANCH OUT

HELPING PEOPLE BECOME , GROW , AND LIVE AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE GOOD OF ALL.

THURSDAYS 7:00 PM

In recent years, research psychology has revealed the three places in American society where people are most likely to pose or pretend to be something they’re not: hotel lobbies, car dealerships, and church buildings. The reasons may differ from venue to venue.

I believe that fear is often at the root of why we’re inclined to “pose” or “pretend” in places of worship. Some may fear not being accepted, others may fear “not knowing enough” as it pertains to matters of Scripture or faith, etc....

We hope that you find The Branch to be a community of faith where those kinds of fears die quickly in the midst of grace and love. We’re seeking to be a church that helps people to become, grow, and live as disciples of Jesus. He came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In His steps, we’re growing in our understanding of what it means to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). We’d love to have you on the journey with us! So take a moment and enjoy this latest Branch Out, maybe even download our app, and get to know a little bit about us! We’d love the opportunity to get to know you!

Grace and Peace, Chris Seidman Lead Minister cseidman@thebranch.org

Trunk-or-Treat is happening again at both campuses this October.

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SUN 17 DIVORCECARE GROUP LAUNCH

WED 20 BRANCH YOUTH SERVE

FRI 22 FATHER/SON RANGERS GAME

SUN 24 STARTING POINT

OCTOBER 2023

WED 4

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP AT VISTA RIDGE

WED 4 BIBLE 101 CLASS LAUNCH AT FARMERS BRANCH

FRI-SAT 6-7 FALL WOMEN’S EVENT

SAT 7 BRANCH YOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL LATE NIGHT

WED 11

THURS 12

BRANCH MOMS NIGHT OUT

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP AT FARMERS BRANCH

SAT 21 FAMILY NIGHT OF WORSHIP AT VISTA RIDGE

SAT 21 BRANCH YOUTH HIGH SCHOOL LATE NIGHT

SAT 28 TRUNK-OR-TREAT AT BOTH CAMPUSES

NOVEMBER 2023

WED 1

WED 1

SAT 4

THURS 9

THURS 9

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP AT VISTA RIDGE

ALL-CHURCH CHAPEL AT VISTA RIDGE

GRIEFSHARE EVENT AT VISTA RIDGE

PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP AT FARMERS BRANCH

BRANCH MOMS NIGHT OUT

FRI-SAT 10-11 GRACE & TRUTH CONFERENCE

LGBTQ+ AND PARENTING IN TODAY’S CULTURE

SUN 12 BRANCH STARTING POINT

SAT 18 SACK THANKSGIVING HUNGER

WED 22 NO BRANCH YOUTH

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

THURS 23 NO THURSDAY SERVICE

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

DECEMBER 2023

SAT 2 BRANCH MOMS CHRISTMAS PARTY

SUN 3 BAPTISM SUNDAY

WED 6 PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP AT VISTA RIDGE

WED 13 BRANCH YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY

THURS 14 PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP AT FARMERS BRANCH

SAT 16 SACK CHRISTMAS HUNGER

WED 20-27 NO BRANCH YOUTH MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THURS 21 CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT

7PM SERVICE AT VISTA RIDGE

SUN 24 CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT

9AM & 5PM AT VISTA RIDGE

10:45AM & 6PM AT FARMERS BRANCH

SUN 24-31 NO BRANCH KIDS

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SUN 28 NO THURSDAY SERVICE MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

JANUARY 2024

WED 3 NO BRANCH YOUTH HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SUN 7 DIVORCECARE GROUP LAUNCH

TUES 9 GRIEFSHARE GROUP LAUNCH

WED 10 WOMEN IN THE WORD LAUNCH AT FARMERS BRANCH

THURS 11 BRANCH MOMS NIGHT OUT

SAT-SUN 13-14 BRANCH YOUTH WINTER RETREAT

SUN 14 ROOTED GROUPS LAUNCH

MON 15 WOMEN IN THE WORD LAUNCH AT VISTA RIDGE

SUN 21 BABY BLESSING AT FARMERS BRANCH

SUN 28 BABY BLESSING AT VISTA RIDGE

FEBRUARY 2024

FRI 2

FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE

TUES 6 BRANCH MOMS NIGHT OUT

FRI-SAT 16-17 BRANCH YOUTH GALENTINES

STARTING POINT

(Formerly known as Branch Orientation)

You were designed to be a part of a church family. That’s exactly what The Branch Church is intended to be — your family. A healthy family has common beliefs, purposes, and commitments. That’s why we want to share what we believe and where we’re going.

If you’re new, this is your first step to get more involved.

Whether you’re new or you’ve been here for years, we want everyone to attend this important class. Come to ask questions and hear the philosophy behind why we do what we do. This class will help you to become more involved at The Branch, and will introduce you to others who are also looking to get more involved.

What to Expect

Starting Point is our basic introduction to The Branch Church family, and is designed to clearly explain who and what our church is, as well as the next steps for getting more involved and active in our church family. At the end of Starting Point, you can decide whether to complete the process by becoming a member, or to wait and decide at another time. No pressure whatsoever. We want you to be comfortable with whichever you choose.

Register for our next Starting Point on the “What’s Happening” page at thebranch.org or in The Branch app.

THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY

WHAT IS ROOTED?

Rooted is a 10-week, group-based experience that will help you develop Christ-centered rhythms to discover and deepen your connection with God, the church, and your purpose. If you aren’t sure what your next step is, then Rooted is for you! We currently have around 200 people participating in Rooted groups that started in September. We will have new groups starting in January. Registration opens October 1, so sign up in the “What’s Happening” section of The Branch app, or scan below to visit our website.

A BAPTISM STORY

SAL HERRAN

On April 10th, I met with my good friend Jaxon Williams to pray and plan before I led worship for The Well that night. At some point in the conversation, I felt prompted to ask Jaxon about opening up a time for people to come forward for baptism if they felt called to it. We agreed it would be a cool idea since we were coming off Easter Sunday, so we prayed about it.

That night, we had an awesome time of worship and a great message. Jaxon began to pray and then opened up the time for people to come forward to be baptized, and then, at that moment, I started to feel a stirring or a tug to want to come forward. I thought to myself, “Surely this is not for me; I was baptized as an infant. My parents’ faith, I believe, is enough for me. I follow Jesus, and I love him.” Even still, I felt that call to come forward. I didn’t go up, but I decided to go and pray with Jaxon. I started to explain to him that baptism had always been a controversial topic for me because I was no longer a practicing Roman Catholic. I had a hard time with the idea of people thinking my baptism was not legitimate or my confirmation (a sacrament in the Catholic faith) was meaningless. Over the years, this caused me to develop a lot of pride and even some anxiety. I told Jaxon I didn’t want to be baptized on my own accord, but rather, I would want to be baptized because Jesus was actually calling me to do so. We prayed, and then

I told him I would talk to my wife, Nichole. I went and told her how I was feeling and wanted to pray and process with her. We decided that if I was on the fence about this, then maybe it wasn’t the right time, but that maybe it IS something that Jesus is calling me to do.

We went back to Jaxon to let him know I wasn’t going through with it today, and he insisted that we pray again together with our wives. I agreed, and so we gathered in a room and began to pray. Jaxon began to pray, and as he was praying, I instantly felt the presence of The Holy Spirit. Every word Jaxon was saying felt and sounded as if God himself was encouraging me and speaking to me. I was overwhelmed and filled with joy and comfort as Jaxon said, “Sal has not been baptized as a believer.” At that moment, it was clear that I was being called to baptism not to replace anything, to wash away my Catholic-ness, to get attention, or any other ridiculous reason. I was being called to baptism because I love Jesus, I believe He saved me, I reject Satan and all his lies, I want to walk and talk with Jesus for the rest of my life, and I want to testify to all this as a believer in Christ.

We finished praying (and crying), and Jaxon said, “Let’s go get you baptized!” So, on April 10th, 2023, I was baptized as a believer in Jesus Christ.

CELEBRATING RECENT BAPTISMS

NEED HELP DEALING WITH GRIEF?

Our GriefShare support group is here for you.

There’s no “right way” to grieve

Feeling angry or full of regret? Are you depressed and wondering how to heal? Do you walk around in a mental fog? All this is normal. And while your grief journey is unique, you’ll find many grieving people are facing the same struggles. And others who’ve gone before you can help.

Grief cannot be rushed

You may wish you could bypass the difficult emotions or push down the pain. Or maybe others are pressuring you to “get up and move on.” But healing from grief and loss requires you to go through your grief. We have resources that can help you find relief and stability.

Finding support is crucial

Grief is a journey that shouldn’t be traveled alone. You may feel like no one understands and be tempted to isolate, but as counselor David Bueno Martin says, “Healing happens in the context of finding others who can help you.” A GriefShare group is a safe place to find support.

FIND HELP AND HEALING for the hurt of separation and divorce.

Divorce is one of the most painful experiences you can face. So many emotions. So many challenges. You don’t have to go through it alone. DivorceCare offers support, answers, and practical tools to help you manage the many stresses of separation and divorce, and find healing.

DivorceCare Topics

Emotional healing

• Deep hurt

• Anger

• Grief & depression

• Loneliness

• Fears & anxiety

Overcoming relationship struggles

• Family & friends after divorce

• Conflict

• Forgiveness

• Interacting with your ex

Handling practical challenges

• Single living

• Financial & legal issues

• Moving forward

DivorceCare is a 13-week support group that helps you heal from the pain of separation or divorce. The experience involves three main components designed to help in that healing.

Video seminar

• 30-minute video

• Practical advice and insights from divorce recovery experts

• Real-life stories from people who have been where you are

Focused support group

• Discussing what you learned from the video and how to apply it

• Sharing how each group member is doing (only if you want to share)

Participant guide

• Exercises and articles for recovery and personal growth

• Parenting tips

• Practical tools to help you heal

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!

“As I look back to the person I was three years ago before CR, I don’t recognize her. She was afraid of everything and trusted no one. God has graced me with people who have shown unconditional love and acceptance through CR. I can look people in the eyes, trust in a way I couldn’t before, and love as God loves me. CR has taught me to trust God to make all things right!”

CR addresses all types of habits, hurts, and hang-ups. Some recovery programs deal only with alcohol or drugs or other single issues. But Celebrate Recovery is a “large umbrella” program under which a limitless number of issues can be dealt with.

We are seeing hopeless marriages restored and people set free from all kinds of sinful habits, hangups, 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.

SACK HUNGER

Our Sack Hunger opportunities are a partnership with Metrocrest Services to provide healthy, easy-to-prepare breakfast, lunch, and snacks for children in our community. These are kids who qualify for free or reduced meals during the school year, but when school takes a break, so do these meals. That’s where we come in.

During the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, The Branch purchases meal bags with a combination of pantry items and fresh foods. On the Saturday prior to the break, we ask volunteers like you to come and deliver to homes. Check out the “What’s Happening” section of The Branch app or thebranch.org to learn how you can join us in this effort!

Join the Pro-love M ovement!

Our partnership with Embrace Grace gives us the opportunity to help women see that they can have their baby and their dreams too! We help women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancies to receive practical, spiritual, and emotional support as they prepare for their baby. Being pro-love is an action, the boots on the ground, the hands and feet of Jesus, the church. To learn more and sign up to help, visit: thebranch.org/women

WOMEN IN THE WORD

MONDAY NIGHTS • 7:00 PM • VISTA RIDGE

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS • 10:00 AM • FARMERS BRANCH

Life can get pretty hectic, can’t it? Finding those moments of reflection and spiritual growth can be a real challenge in the midst of our busy lives. That’s why we’re inviting you to join our Women in the Word Bible study. It’s not just any study; it’s a vibrant and nurturing community where women like you can deepen their connection with Jesus and grow as disciples.

Getting Closer to the Word:

We’re firm believers that God’s Word is a wellspring of timeless wisdom, guidance, and comfort. Our weekly gatherings are all about diving into scripture together, uncovering its hidden treasures, and figuring out how those truths fit into our everyday lives. With engaging discussions and heartfelt prayers, you’ll find yourself growing spiritually, deepening your faith, and discovering God’s purpose for your life.

Building Friendships and Faith:

Women in the Word isn’t just about studying the Bible; it’s about building genuine connections and friendships. This is a time and place where you can freely chat about your questions, share your struggles, and celebrate your victories. Together, we lift each other up, creating bonds that extend way beyond our meetings. It’s like a cozy, judgment-free zone where you can be your true self while you walk the path of discipleship in Jesus.

BRANCH KIDS

In Branch Kids, we want kids to know, see, feel, and follow Jesus! Here are some of the ways we do that!

We’re shepherding kids from birth through 5th grade toward Jesus. We want kids to know the one true God, His word, and the gospel. We want kids to see people living Christ-centered lives full of love, worship, and service. We want kids to feel the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit in our church. And we want kids to know they can be a part of it all – serving, leading, worshipping, and loving others for Christ.

We pray that kids draw close to the Lord during their time in Branch Kids, and build a personal relationship with Jesus. We want kids to know that they have access to the same Holy Spirit as adults, and that the Spirit fills them with power, love, and a sound mind. Our amazing volunteer teachers demonstrate Christ’s love and what following Jesus looks like each and every week. They meet kids where they are – loving them deeply and consistently, while pointing them to the Lord. We believe every kid that comes to

Branch Kids is a child of God: seen, known, and loved by their Heavenly Father. Our volunteers are an extension of that love.

In Branch Kids, we partner the truth of Scripture with age-appropriate activities that reinforce what we’re reading in the Bible. We incorporate activities that emphasize movement and creativity, because we know kids can connect to God in many ways. We’re connecting the dots that point to Jesus throughout the Old and New Testaments, because we know that the Bible is one BIG story where everything points to Jesus. It is a great privilege for us to share Jesus with kids on Sunday mornings.

We’re seeking to partner and communicate with parents because we know that together, we can speak Jesus over our kids’ lives.

If you’re a parent or caregiver, please sign up for Branch Kids texts by texting “kids” to (972) 440-2460. We’d also love for you to follow Branch Kids on Instagram to see what our kids are up to!

If you’re interested in being a part of our ministry to children, we want to hear from you!

Amy Williams Kids Minister Farmers Branch awilliams@thebranch.org

Katie Gray Kids Minister Vista Ridge kgray@thebranch.org

BRANCH KIDS POINTS

Kids in K-5th grade earn points each Sunday for memorizing our memory verses, bringing their Bibles, and attending Branch Kids. Kids get to cash in these points for cool prizes and celebrate their hard work at Branch Kids Redeem Day coming in May 2024!

What are Branch Kids Points?

In Branch Kids, your child will be given points that can be redeemed at the end of each school year for prizes. Branch Kids Points are a way we encourage and reinforce the importance of the following practices:

Fellowship

We encourage attendance in Branch Kids. God’s word tells us not to forsake meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). We want to instill the importance of Christian community to each of our kids.

Reading the Bible

We encourage your kids to bring their Bibles each week to Branch Kids (even prereaders). The Bible is God’s word, a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).

Memorizing Scripture

We encourage your kids to memorize scripture. We teach kids to hide His words in their hearts (Psalm 119:11).

Journaling and Prayer

We encourage your kids to practice journaling and prayer as part of their daily lives. We model this in Branch Kids by giving time for each child to pray, write, or draw a response to the lesson of the day.

BRANCH YOUTH

Branch Youth (6th - 12th grade) is guiding middle school and high school students to follow the practices and person of Jesus Christ.

We want Branch Youth to be a place where students feel seen, known, and loved by our adult volunteers, but most importantly by Jesus! Most of us remember what it was like in middle school and high school. It’s a trying time of change where our identities begin to form and our beliefs are put to the test. In many ways, it’s the most critical time in a person’s development. It’s often also looked upon as the time we had the most fun.

Branch Youth meets on Wednesdays for games, worship, teaching, and small group time. We want Branch Youth to be a place where students want to be, where they feel like they belong, and where they learn about Jesus and how much He loves them. Throughout the year, we focus on how to practically follow Jesus in our everyday lives. We also do events throughout the year, such as Branch Camp, hang-outs, and retreats for students to have fun while growing closer to each other and to God.

WEEKLY GATHERINGS

Wednesdays

6:00 - 8:00 pm • 6th - 12th Grade

Both campuses currently meet at Vista Ridge on Wednesday nights 3601 Huffines Blvd. Carrollton, TX 75010

Sundays

Farmers Branch: MS & HS at 9:00 am

Vista Ridge: MS at 10:45 am

Marlee McFarland Youth Minister mmcfarland@thebranch.org

BRANCH MOMS

MONTHLY GATHERINGS FOR MOMS

In the whirlwind of motherhood, every mom deserves a break and a chance to connect with others who understand the journey. This is why we started Branch Moms Night Out, a cherished monthly gathering hosted by our Branch Moms. We want to extend a heartfelt invitation to every mom seeking community, social interaction, and support. This is for ALL moms of any age.

A Monthly Oasis for Moms:

Branch Moms Night Out offers respite and rejuvenation for moms. Every month, a different host mom plans a delightful activity, whether it’s at a cozy home or a fun public venue. It’s your chance to take a well-deserved break, step away from the daily routine, and indulge in some quality time with other moms.

Community, Social Interaction, and Support:

At Branch Moms Night Out, you’ll find more than just a fun evening; you’ll discover a community that cares. It’s a gathering of like-hearted moms eager to connect, share stories, and offer support. Whether you’re a new mom navigating uncharted waters or an experienced parent seeking camaraderie, this is the place where bonds are forged and friendships flourish.

Learn about our next gathering in the “What’s Happening” section of The Branch app or at: thebranch.org

BRANCH MARRIAGES

A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO BUILDING HEALTHY, CHRISTCENTERED MARRIAGES THAT RESULT IN STRONG FAMILIES

MARRIAGE MENTORING

Marriage mentoring identifies, equips, and empowers couples to disciple other married couples by consistently spending time together as couples, sharing life experiences, and learning more about God and His design for marriage together.

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS NEEDED

We are in need of qualified mentor couples who can facilitate and shepherd other couples. If you know of a couple who would be good at this, please visit thebranch.org/marriages and send us your recommendations.

BRANCH WORSHIP

TECH TEAMS • WORSHIP TEAMS

We’d love to meet you!

We are always looking for dedicated people to join our worship ministry team. If you have a desire to serve our church community, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Whether you are a vocalist, instrumentalist, have experience in sound or lighting, OR NONE OF THE ABOVE, I would love to hear from you! Our ministry is not only about music, but also about creating an atmosphere of worship that encourages our congregation to connect with God on a deeper level. If you are interested in getting involved, send me an email or fill out the form at thebranch.org/serve

I look forward to hearing from you!

Joshua Hobbs

Worship Ministry Director

Biblijski Institut

Biblical Institute of Zagreb - Central European Christian Education Foundation

cecef.net

City Square

Fighting the causes & effects of poverty through service, advocacy & friendship citysquare.org

Camp of The Hills

Christian Summer Camp campofthehills.org

Christian Community Action

ccahelps.org

Great Cities Missions

Sharing Christ with the Latin World greatcities.org

Metrocrest Services

Helping individuals, families, and seniors

metrocrestservices.org

Missions Resource Network

mrnet.org

Solutions of North Texas

sontx.org

Namikango Mission

Empowering African communities through Christ-centered transformation. namikango.org

Pioneer Bible Translators

pioneerbible.org

SomeOne Cares

Advocacy and Pregnancy Center

someonecaresfamily.com

Touch A Life

Rescueing, renewing, and restoring survivors of child trafficking touchalifekids.org

MISSIONS & BENEVOLENCE

Organizations The Branch Financially Supports

THE BRANCH CHURCH

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)