December 14, 2022
Hi <<First Name>>,
Ten things I’m thinking…
1. I love it that the forecast is cold for Christmas!
2. I’m continuing to hear encouraging testimonies from our prayer time for the sick and those in healthcare a couple of weeks ago. We’ll be happy to pray for anyone anytime we gather for services, and not just when there’s a sermon about it. Come on down and visit with any of us standing at the front receiving people for prayer.
3. Did you know our elders also gather for prayer at 8:00 am most Sunday mornings on both campuses? They are happy for people to make appointments to receive prayer during that time. For more information, you can reach out to Hunter Wheatcraft: hwheatcraft@thebranch.org for the Farmers Branch campus and Ryan Rainey - rrainey@thebranch.org for the Vista Ridge campus.
4. This coming weekend, we’ll explore another way Jesus has made history and continues to make history! I won’t give it away, though. Join us with friends in tow Thursday night or Sunday morning for services!
5. Drive-Thru Nativity is THIS coming Friday and Saturday night at the Vista Ridge campus from 6:00-7:30 pm.
6. This coming Sunday at the Farmers Branch campus, we’ll have lunch (Babe’s Chicken) and a time of blessing starting at 1:30 pm for two servant leaders at the Farmers Branch campus – Tim Ketchersid and Eddy Ketchersid. Both are stepping out of their positions on staff at the end of December after long tenures of faithful service among us (Tim for 16 years and Eddy for 34 years).
7. Do you know which Candlelight Service you’re coming to yet? Who are you bringing with you? Christmas Candlelight Service times
8. This past weekend, I met a man who came to The Branch for the first time. He had never been before and hadn’t been inside any church in many years. He confessed he was nervous. I watched as one of our members warmly received him and prayed with him right there on the spot as he so willingly shared his apprehensiveness.
9. It takes a lot for some to cross the threshold of a church building. This can be for any number of reasons – they may not know anyone, they may have had a previous painful experience with a church or other Jesus-followers, or they may be dealing with their own disappointment/disillusionment with God, shame, guilt, etc……
10. May God give us attentive hearts to those around us this season and His Spirit of hospitality, grace, and love be upon us all.
See you Thursday or Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Chris
