James 5:13-16: Prayer
Chris concludes our series in James with a passage that teaches us of the power of prayer.
Entries by Chris
2016 Strategic Plan (part 2)
We’re taking time each week to write in more detail about our 2016 Strategic Plan (i.e. where we are going to focus our energy and resources in the next year). If you didn’t catch the first post in this series, we encourage you to do so here. Action 2: Offering lavish hospitality and care In the […]
James 3:13-18 True/False Wisdom
Drew challenges us to consider the dangerous trait of envy, and its alternative: wisdom. Please note: at 35:45 you can hear a detailed picture of how we are going to join in God’s redemptive work in 2016.
10th Birthday! James 2:14-26
The first half of this podcast contains the part of our worship where we looked back and celebrated the way that God has been faithful to us. The message for the morning begins at 21:20. This includes the sharing of a vision for where we are going in 2016.
2016 Strategic Plan (part 1)
Over the last six months we’ve been doing our best to pay attention to God’s leading. Both corporately and individually we have been listening for God’s voice and working to notice where God is at work. The result of that discernment is our 2016 Strategic Plan. While this plan is not a once and for all roadmap, […]
Race and Hope
We are located in a part of the city where the racial and ethnic divides are clear. But so is the call to embody God’s reconciling and uniting love. In this intersection, a number of people at the Branch have been hearing God call them to act — to take steps that would create in them the capacity to love […]
Important Time Change!
On February 7th, our worship time will be moving from 10:30am to 9:30am. For more about ‘why’, please watch this video.
IF:Gathering
Friday, February 5: 7pm-10pm, Doors open at 6:30pm Saturday, February 6: 8:30am-6pm, Doors open at 8am The world around us feels like it is crumbling and almost nothing seems certain, until we look to Jesus and see that our Hope is very clear and certain. He didn’t just give us salvation—Jesus is our salvation and […]
James: faith here and now
Faith isn’t just about the future. It’s not something we have in order to punch a ticket to heaven. In fact, Jesus is clear: faith is about the here and now – a gift meant to impact every aspect of today. With that in mind, we turn to James — an ancient and relevant book with deep insight about how […]
Christmas Eve – 5pm
Tonight we celebrate the unlikely story of God coming to dwell with us from 5-6pm. Together we’ll mark this unending, unconquerable gift of Light through song and candle lighting. Our kids are also leading the way in giving their gifts through drama, choir, and dance. Bring the family — bring your neighbor — bring the kids. […]
For the Love of Lola: Online and Silent Auction
Information about both auctions can be found here: www.fortheloveoflola.net Silent Auction A silent auction art gala is being held November 12th from 6-9pm at Lifestyle Kitchen Studio at 222 E. Fulton in Grand Rapids. Over 20 pieces of art will be up for auction. Pieces can be previewed at the website above. Volunteers are also still […]
Anti-Fragile: Reimagining race and religion
Elliot challenges us to live into God’s vision for humanity where people of all races and ethnicities work together toward unity. Videos referenced in the message: Immaculate Perception Racism by the Numbers Implicit Bias Test: Implicit Bias’ Test Want to receive weekly-ish emails that will share different articles and videos that will continue to help you […]
Eat Rice and Beans
We’ll eat cheaply so we can give to those responding to the Syrian refugee crisis.
Family on Mission (UP)
Andy’s final series at the Branch draws from the things God has been doing in his family over the last few years, and on sabbatical. Join us for this three week series.
The Church has left the building
This Sunday — October 5 — the Branch will not be having worship at the building on 28th St.; instead, we’ll be up north on a retreat at CranHill Ranch. If you’re not able to go on the retreat with us…
The 10:30 Challenge! — PART 1
On Sunday, September 7, we start “The 10:30 Challenge”. What’s this challenge all about…
Have we moved?
The sign may look different — but we haven’t moved! For a couple of months, Alas Conexion is using the lower portion of the sign in order to let drivers on 28th St. know they have officially started meeting for worship (they had a great launch on Easter morning!). Later this summer we’ll add a permanent […]
God? Is that you? (part 4)
If you’re just joining us, we’ve been considering some practical steps we can take to get better and better at hearing God’s voice. To see what’s been covered so far (each post is fairly short), start here. Today I want to offer a final ‘filter’ in the process. To recap: Get away to listen. Then, […]
God? Is that you? (part 3)
I’ve been writing over the last couple of weeks about how we can grow in our ability to discern God’s voice. I’m convinced that this is an absolutely critical skill if we are to follow Jesus, because I’m convinced that following Jesus revolves around these two questions: “What is God saying to me?” “What am […]
God? Is that you? (part 2)
Last week, I wrote a post that began looking at how we can grow in our ability to discern whether or not God is speaking to us. I suggested that it begins with stepping away from the noise — which you can read about here. So let’s say we do that — we step away , […]
