Words for the Beginning – Week 1 (12.8.24)
We Can’t Go Alone Advent – Week 2 A look at Ruth 1 – a reminder that we meant to walk through this life together, which is a choice of both doggedly moving toward and graciously accepting mutuality.
Entries by Chris
Words for the Beginning – Week 1 (12.1.24)
Week 1: You are A Blessing Luke 1:26-38
Made in the Image of God (11.24.24)
We return to foundational truths — truths that help us remember who we are to be in these season.
Back to Basics (11.17.24)
We return to foundational truths – truths that help us remember who we are to be in this season.
Faith and Politics – After an Election (11.10.24)
We use a familiar framework at The Branch as we process all of the things we might be feeling and thinking after the election.
How To Survive An Election (11.3.24)
With the election two days away, we are feeling the fraught-ness of it all. How do we traverse this week in a way that is hopeful, grounded and kind?
Faith and Politics – Week 3 (10.27.24)
We look at four versions of the same story in order to ask the question: can we follow Jesus’ lead, reject violence, and be people of sacrifice?
Faith and Politics – Week 2 (10.20.24)
We look at two stories that demonstrate the different ways power can be viewed and used. What does it tell us about how we might use our power – and how might power be used in the political sphere
Faith and Politics – Week 1 (10.13.24)
Week 1: Fear Fear is often leveraged in politics. Campaigns try to play off of our fears and use our fears to pit us against each other. There is a better way.
It All Hangs on Love – Week 4 (10.6.24)
Teresa helps us consider the end product of a life of love — a picture of who we could be and how we might move through the world if love is our primary aim.
It All Hangs on Love – Week 3 (9.22.24)
We consider the often neglected and ignored command to love ourselves.
It All Hangs on Love – Week 2 (9.15.24)
Everything — everything — hangs on love – including loving our neighbor. What might that look like today?
It All Hangs on Love – Week 1 (9/8/24)
Everything important and consequential in this life hangs on love. And our capacity to express love is fundamentally tied to our willingness to receive it. Yes – we are called to love God, but equally, we are invited (and must heed that invitation) to receive and experience love. It sounds simple, but is not easy. […]
It All Hangs on Love
What is the greatest commandment? It was a question meant to stump Jesus, but it didn’t trip him up: Love God. Love Neighbor. Love Yourself. But that wasn’t all Jesus said. He went on to say that all of the commandments and religious laws and every word of the prophets hangs on love. Boil this […]
Our Story – Week 7 (8/25/24)
We end our summer series by looking at one of the few stories found in all four of the New Testament Gospels. It’s typically called the feeding of the 5000, but the text tells us there were many more than that. What do we learn from this story about the way we approach life’s problems […]
Our Story – Deb Hitziger (8/18/24)
Deb shares her story – including what it is like to navigate a life filled with many moves, loss, and belonging. The audio quality is lacking in parts; you can also view the live video on our YouTube page.
Our Story – Terra, Audri and Alayna (8/11/24)
Three of our recent graduates share some of their spiritual journey – what it has been like to grow up in the church, what their personal journey’s have been like and what they might hope for in the future as they move away from home and begin their adult lives.
Our Story – Dale Hulst (8/4/24)
Dale shares his recent adventure (in retirement) of starting a new company focused on building net-zero homes. What is a net-zero house? Dale will fill us in — and share something about how we remain hopeful in the midst of overwhelming challenges.
Our Story – CJ and Elizabeth (7.28.24)
CJ and Elizabeth share their experience of growing up in the church, falling in love, and coming out as an LGBTQ couple.
Our Story
Sundays in July and August will feature the stories of different Branch folks – stories of challenge, hope, discovery and growth. As these stories are shared, we believe we’ll not only find the delight of learning new things about each other, but we’ll also see that each person’s story is a part of a larger […]
