Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isaiah 58:6-7
You were a man of suffering
acquainted with grief,
loved and despised in equal measure.
You understand humanity,
know our failings,
love us despite the people that we are.
When we, like Peter, deny you
by word or action,
forgive us.
When we, like Judas, are tempted
to follow a different path,
forgive us.
When we, like those in the crowd
allow you to be crucified,
forgive us.
Bring us to the foot of the Cross
to stand next to the one who,
looking into your eyes declared
‘Surely this is the Son of God’
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust of power, and idle
talk; But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother; for
blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian
You chose a people for your own,
to lavish love upon,
raise up prophets, priests and kings,
to be the nation through which
the Messiah would be revealed to the world,
and through whom your kingdom would come.
You chose this people gathered here
to be your children,
loved and blessed, forgiven
through the one who knew no sin,
the King of Glory whose crown was made of thorns,
and whose name we raise in worship.
It is customary, Lord to give something up during the season of Lent.
What would you have me do without? I who have so much.
Chocolate?
Cream cakes?
Cigarettes?
Sweets?
Swearing?
The list is endless and I could give up all those things for the span of 40 days quite easily and almost
painlessly. But what difference would it make other than making me feel ‘holier’ than my friend who
makes no such sacrifice?
What would you have me do without? I who have so much.
Selfishness?
Conceit?
Envy?
Pride?
I fear before I ask, that the answer might be ‘yes’ and the giving up would be all too real, Lord.
It would be difficult, painful, sacrificial, a real cross to carry for 40 days, and more?
Help me surrender my life to you.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
when you walked this earth
you did not consider
heavenly equality,
though that was yours to choose,
but took the role of servant,
and in humility
and obedience
allowed the rough nails of our sin
to be hammered into your flesh
for the sake of our salvation.
And so it is
that we acknowledge you
as Lord of all,
to the glory of God the Father,
Son and Spirit, Three.
Join us on Wednesday, the 13th, from 7-8pm for a unique evening of music, reflection, Scripture and prayer as we begin the season of Lent together. Childcare birth-PreK provided.
We hope you’ll join us on Friday, February 8th at 6:30 for a chance to enjoy good food, meet new people and catch up with old friends. Specifically, this meal is a chance to welcome the refugee family from Thapa that our Refugee Mission Circle is working with. Bring a dish that represents your own ethnic origins — and enjoy a great night together. No need to sign up – just come!
Creating a profile on our website is simple and quick, and we’ll never give away your information.
That said, you may still be wondering why you should consider creating a profile? Well….doing gives you access to all kinds of information about the life of the Branch. You can join discussion groups, share ideas, receive updates, comment on posts and participate in conversations. And here’s the best part: we’ll send you an email every day or every week (you decide on how often) that will summarize all of the activity on a particular topic or group.
For example, if you serve in our preschool room in BranchKids, you can join the Preschool group. Once you’ve done this, anything that is posted in that group (be it a ‘lesson-learned’ or a funny story someone wants to share) will be sent directly to your email. Of course, you can always log into the website to share your ideas and funny stories too. But if you’re simply looking to stay updated, all the info is brought right to your inbox.
If you’re looking for a good place to start, join the “Branch-wide Info” group. This is where we’ll be sharing all general information about the Branch.
Oh…and it may be helpful to note that some groups on the site are not public. That’s because the information shared in that group might be personal and not ready to be broadcast across the entire internet (anyone on planet earth can create a profile). But that doesn’t mean you can’t request an invite. Private groups are not exclusive — just a little more careful about who is able to see their information.
This September/October, groups of 8-10 adults (and kiddos) will be gathering in homes around GR for four consecutive weeks. The reason? Simple: food and relationship. If you’d be interested in being a host for one of these meals, email chris@thebranchonline.org
It’s a family.
At the Branch, Missional Communities (MCs) are ‘extended family’ like groups (20-50 people) that meet regularly in order to encourage and equip each other to live the kind of life Jesus lived. When thinking about this, we often use the language of UP, IN and OUT.
UP is about our relationship to God — our identity as children of the King. Jesus modeled an intimacy with the Father that we want to experience. And so just as Jesus spent time with the spiritual disciplines (prayer and fasting to name two), so too will MCs spend time doing those things that bring them closer to the heart of the Father.
IN is about our relationship with each other. Jesus was always investing himself in his disciples. They got away on retreats – ate meals together – prayed – went to synagogue – all of it building community and trust. MCs will encourage and empower each other in ways that are ‘organized’ (every Monday night meals) and in ways that are more ‘organic’ (let’s head to the beach this Saturday and hang out).
OUT is about our relationship to the world that God so desperately loves. We see Jesus having compassion for those others ignored and announcing the Good News to them. Everywhere he went, heaven came to earth. MCs follow Jesus’ lead by uniting around a common, specific mission and working to discern and proclaim the Good News in that context.
In a phrase….practice missional life together.
The following rhythms fit our vision and context as people here in West Michigan. We are asking each MC to embrace these rhythms in their own expression of life together. How these 3 rhythms get lived out will be unique to each MC.
sharing stories: We are part of the great story of God and the people. We are part of our own stories and others’ too. We are part of the story of the world. As we listen and share in all these stories, we join our hearts with each other. And, in listening to the Spirit in the midst of this bigger story, which we all participate in, from creation to redemption, we become creatures of prayer, contemplation and rich formation.
playing: As a family, we participate in God’s continual creation and renewal, and in God’s rest and joy in what’s been created. We do this by playing together, creating together, celebrating birthdays, holidays and other moments of goodness, together.
joining: We bless because God blesses us. We take part in God’s renewing actions in the world. This is our missional activity to the world, both individually and together. The story of the redemption of the people and the earth is unfolding all around us. As those who know God, and follow Christ’s ways, we will find and play-out our part in this story.
Two words: anyone and everyone.
One of the strengths of Missional Communities is that they allow for people to get involved in a variety of ways. Which is to say, there is no right or wrong way to participate – each layer of engagement is valued and important. Plus, the layers are permeable, meaning that people are free to move in and out and between each layer as they choose. Take a look below for a visual of where you or your family might fit…
There are many ways to belong to a Missional Community. Some may approach the community not knowing God, uncertain if they want to participate at all. Others will immediately begin on a leadership path. All are welcome. There is a place of belonging and a role for each individual and family in the community life of a Missional Community. Each person, new and old, renews and re-evaluates commitments as time goes on. All members can move between levels accordingly.
Those approaching MC from the outside may have noticed activities of the group that interest them for some reason but are unsure exactly what a Missional Community is and how they want to participate. We expect that some of these individuals do not know God at all, or are estranged from life with God. They do not belong to a congregation or worshipping body. Perhaps they are not currently interested in God but are a Person of Peace* who wants to see the world or neighborhood renewed and healthy. Or, the person entering from the edges may know God and affirm the efforts of the Missional Church*, but may not know anyone else in the MC and/or may not know what a MC is or what the mission focus is exactly. They are just beginning to discover what this community is about and whether or not God is calling them into it. Either of these individuals can easily move to regular engagement.
This is one who attends gatherings and activities with some regularity. This person may have come to the MC from the exploration layer, or they may have come from the outside and immediately committed to regular participation. Some of these individuals may know God. Some may not know God but are People of Peace that want to see the world or neighborhood renewed and healthy. They may be involved in searching for or following through with mission opportunities or activities. They may be involved in watching the edges of the MC for those approaching and helping to show them what the MC is and what the mission vision is.
The participants in this layer of belonging are regular participants, who may or may not be involved in special participation of the group in some way. Community Members are a part of regular spiritual direction and discernment activities. They are involved in searching for mission opportunities and/or activities. They are involved in watching the edges for those approaching and helping to show them what the MC is and what the mission vision is. They are a part of communicating the Gospel of justice, peace, hope, and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
Community Members are encouraged to participate in the larger congregational life through worship gatherings. They are also strongly encouraged to consider joining The Branch as a Partner. We are committed to the belonging of the whole Missional Community within the life of The Branch. This means that Missional Communities are at home and supported by the congregational missional church. Regular participation in congregational worship and gatherings leads to strong familial ties between the Missional Community and the congregation.
Community Members commit to the following patterns in joy, freedom and faith:
MC members in this layer are regular attenders of events, gatherings and meetings. They are also engaged in leadership roles within the MC life. These members will be an MC Host or a leader for Making Disciples or Mission within the MC. The Host will take responsibility for the environment and hospitality of the group’s gatherings. This may include meal planning, greeting, etc. The two leaders take responsibility for making sure the group observes life-giving patterns of the 3 MC Rhythms. They will also be part of smaller gatherings called Huddles that will further disciple-making, personal growth and accountability.
Covenant Members commit to the following patterns in joy, freedom, and faith:
As fall settles in and the temperature dips, is there anything better than a warm bowl of soup with friends? On Friday, November 18, we’ll be enjoying a variety of soups at meal night (meal night is an excuse to get together, share life and good food). We’ll be at the Navis’ home. Everyone, including kids, are welcome. For directions, email info@thebranchonline.org. Come as early as 6PM, or whenever your schedule allows.
Last year, Beneath the Tree raised $4500 for CREATE — a gift that not only made CREATE 2011possible, but the best year yet. This November, we hope you will join us in making Beneath the Tree (and therefore CREATE) a huge success. Here’s how:
Learn more at www.beneaththetree.info
Sign up to volunteer at: www.beneaththetree.info/volunteer
Ah….the great outdoors!
We’re planning a camping outing Sept. 9-11 at Wabasis Lake Campground. Here is their website: http://www.accesskent.com/CultureLeisureAndTransit/Parks/campground.htm
Electric/water sites cost $29/night (plus a $5 reservation fee). Some full hook-up sites are currently available for $35/night. Payments to hold sites are due by August 1st. Please email camping@thebranchonline.org.
CREATE is our arts camps to Grand Rapids budding artists, August 8-12. Registration is up and running. Spots are limited. We also have a convenient paypal button allowing you to pay with a major credit card. If you notice any bugs with our form or process please let us know: create@thebranchonline.org
To register, click here.
If you’re looking for info on how to pay for registration, click here.
To see a fun trailer for CREATE 2011, click here.
Next Saturday (May 21) the churches of Alger Heights (Alger Park CRC, the Branch, Church of the Resurrection, Seymour CRC and Tabernacle Community Church) are coming together to serve our community. Below are the projects we’ll be tackling and the time choices available. To sign up: chris@thebranchonline.org
My 2-hour block time of choice is:
8:00am-10:00am________
10:00am-12:00noon_______
12:00noon-2:00pm_________
My project choice is (please indicate your 1st and 2nd choice by writing the # next to the line item:
________ Splash Pad at Alger Middle School (repairs and painting)
________ Alger Middle School Grounds (planting, clean up, painting, mulch, etc.)
________ Playground at Tabernacle Community Church (painting, repairs, clean up, mulch, etc.)
________ Planters in the Business District (8:00 am-10:00am only)
________ Trash Clean Up at Plaster Creek
________ Alger Middle School Park and Recs Restroom (painting)
________ Welcome Table or Refreshment/First Aid Stations
The dinner and silent auction were a huge success (over $5700 raised)! Thank you to all who participated, but it’s not too late to join the effort. Donations can still be made, and we have a number of adult and child sized “We Choose Joy” t-shirts for purchase. Just let us know: info@thebranchonline.org
