Please join us to hear why cafe and greeter are such vital roles in our ministry effort to provide lavish hospitality. Anyone is invited, but this is especially important for those who serve our community as a cafe person or greeter.
Please join us on either August 23 or September 16 at 10 am.
Questions? Please check out “The Journey Ahead” letter on the back table or in your email, or email Chris or the Stewards.
Interested in cleaning a local park on 2015’s Day of Caring? Join Friends of GR Parks and the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association on Friday, September 11, starting at 9:30 a.m. to clean up Plaster Creek Family Park. The park is just around the corner, off 28th street, between Division and 131. The team will be cleaning up the east hillside of the park, where dumping has been an issue.
To sign up, email Susan Worden at susan.worden@farmersinsurance.com or check out the Heart of West Michigan United Way website. More details to follow signup.
You’re invited!
We will be potlucking and playing with Alas here at the church on Saturday, Aug 8 from 10-2, (lunch will be served from 11:30-1). Please bring a dish to share and your own plates/cutlery. Main dish and lemonade will be provided.
There will be a sprinkler in the grass for the kids to run through and yard games – feel free to bring one to share.
RSVP to Kryss@thebranchonline.org by Aug 4. Hope to see you there!
Looking to test yourself this summer? Or maybe to enjoy the outdoors and some healthy competition?
Check out two great oppotunities to explore nature and challenge your strength and endurance.
The 5th Annual CAR (Christian Adventures Race) is July 18, 2015. This consists of a 5 mile hike/run, a 2 mile canoe paddle and an 12 mile mountian bike ride. Enter as teams of 2, and you can even rent a bike.
The 19th Annual Cran-Hill Triathlon will be August 1, 2015. Swim .5k in the lake, race 12k on the road course and run 4k on outdoor trails. The Triathlon offers individuals, teams, and youth races.
Find more details and entry forms on Cranhill’s website here.
Joshua 1:9
When God spoke these words to Joshua, he and Israel stood at a crossroads. Their world was dramatically changing and while a new, promised land lie ahead so many questions were still unanswered. Perhaps that’s why God commands Joshua, and the people by extension, to be strong and courageous (God does this three times in chapter 1). But hold on. How is it possible for Israel to be courageous in the midst of so much uncertainty? Because God was with them wherever they would go.
The Branch stands in a similar place. A new chapter is ahead and God’s promise is that it is good. But still, we have questions. We wonder about the unknown. And so God’s words are for us too: Do not be afraid Branch family. Be courageous, for I am with you wherever you go.
For three weeks we’ll be looking at people in the Scriptures who stood at a crossroads — who faced a promising but uncertain future. Their lives inform our own and show us how we can enter the future God has for us with faith and hope.
June 21: Joshua and a Promise
June 28: Ruth and Relationship
July 5: David and Obedience
Welcome to Kids Games!
We are joining with several community organizations to put on Kids’ Games. It’s a fantastic way to reach youth in our community in a positive way.
The week of June 15-19, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm, we will join Alger Park CRC, Seymour CRC, St. Luke AME, Tabernacle Church, Alger Middle School, Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, and the KROC Center, to host Kids’ Games at the KROC Center.
Because we are able to host this at the KROC, we feel participation will be very high. Enrollment is capped at 300 entering K-4th graders as we do have limited space and want to provide adequate volunteer support.
There are many volunteers needed to make this run smoothly, so the kids have a wonderful week of learning and feeling God in their lives in a fun and safe environment. Opportunities for volunteering include:
Tracks are multi-age activities offered for the last 45 minutes of each night. Kids split from their small groups into their chosen track.
Volunteering will look a bit different because we are collaborating with the KROC Center. All volunteers will need to register with the KROC (Salvation Army Volunteers ), have a background check and take the on-line “Safe from Harm” training. Once these are complete, you will be directed to the signup genius to choose your volunteer opportunities. If you are not able to do this on-line, please contact Julie Thomas (616 245-4115).
This opportunity will be like nothing else you do this summer. Touching lives in our community, through God’s love, can be a beautiful and powerful thing. We hope you will join us for a life changing week!
Ready to sign up your own kids to participate in KidsGames? Click here.
Want more general information about the program? Check out their website http://kidsgamesregistration.com.
Restoring Our Cities (ROC) Michigan is a coast-to-coast statewide bike tour for cycling enthusiasts and amateurs alike. The tour is organized by Great Lakes Urban and is open to the public for participation. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness and money for Neighborhood Partners that are performing neighborhood transformation work throughout the State.
The Alger Heights Collaborative (which the Branch is a part of) is a Neighborhood Partner for the event and is seeking riders to support and benefit our neighborhood school, Alger Middle.
This 6 day event takes place Saturday – Thursday, June 13-18, 2015. It starts in Benton Harbor and ends in Detroit. The tour is about 320 miles (averaging 55 miles per day).
Each rider registers at $25.00 for each day of participation. In addition to the nominal registration fee, riders are encouraged to seek out sponsors for each mile they ride at $2.00, per mile. Proceeds will be donated back to the Neighborhood Partners throughout the State.
You can tour a single day or up to the entire week, depending on your availability. Find more details or register at roc-michigan.com
Calling all Alger Heights and Garfield Park Neighbors!
You’re invited to a Kick-Off to Summer BBQ
Monday, June 8 at 6pm
Alger Middle School Playground
Hot dogs, drinks, place settings and games will all be provided. Please bring a dish to pass – last names from A-O bring a side dish and P-Z bring dessert. All ages welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Please RVSP by June 5, with number of guests and what dish you are planning to bring to Jenn Reidsma at jenn@tabernaclecommunity.org or 988-9268 ext 205
Rain date Thursday, June 11 at 6pm
If you call the Branch home, we invite you to be a partner. There are booklets available to work through, for new and returning partners, and Chris or any steward are more than happy to speak with you. More info can be found here as well.
We will be hosting our first Partner Gathering of the year on May 31 from 2:30 – 5:30 at Seymour Christian Reformed Church. (840 Alger SE)
PLEASE RSVP to Stewards@thebranchonline.org so we know how many to expect. Thanks!
Mark your calendars – We hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars, it’s the annual Alger Heights celebration!
May 16 from 10a to 2p along the Alger Heights Business District (corner of Alger and Eastern)
Come check out info tables with local businesses, churches, and schools, plus giveaways. Whether your a resident of Alger Heights or a visitor, there will be plenty of great opportunities to get to know local businesses. The Branch will have a table, but we need you to staff it! Let us know if you are able to help for a 1 hour block, passing out flyers and being a friendly face.
Are you interested in serving in a big way? Maybe you’ve always wanted to do a week long mission trip overseas. Or help with disaster relief stateside. But you weren’t sure how to get involved. The RCA offers opportunities for groups or individuals of all ages. Check out their website (rca.org/volunteers) to see what opportunities fit you best. Or call them at 616.541.0868
Join us for this six week journey as we explore taking brave steps and walking in the confidence and power of who God made us to be. Jesus calls us to step out of the boat and into an adventure. We’re constantly facing the choice to stay in comfort and security or rely on God’s power to face our fears and step into something new.
Small group material will build off Sunday’s messages, and yes, your kids can participate too. By enhancing churches’ weekend messages with individual study and small group gatherings, the journey becomes a multi-layered, multi-sensory, multi-community experience. We hope you’ll join us.
YOU WERE MADE FOR BRAVERY.
The Winkleman Family will be hosting a group on Tuesdays @ 6:30 in their Grandville home, beginning with a potluck dinner. This begins on April 14. Email Nate at nate@thebranchonline.org to sign up or for details.
The Madison Ave MC will also be hosting small groups. They meet Thursdays @ 5:30, beginning with a potluck dinner. Their first meeting will be April 16. Email chris@thebranchonline.org to sign up or for more details.
Palm Sunday, March 29, we will be holding a joint worship service with Alas. Service will be at 11 am, with light refreshments to follow.
You’re riding out the prefect storm. Wind and waves have their way with your pitiful boat. You’re preoccupied with not drowning. Yet in the midst of this mighty surge, you see a figure on the water, beckoning you. Into the Storm. Into the Unknown. Into the New.
Who do you trust more?
The prefect storm, or the one calling you onto the water?
Take a New Step. You were made to be Brave.
The Branch will be exploring what it means to be Brave. Gathered together on Sundays and scattered in smaller groups throughout the week. We hope you will join us.
The Branch invites you to join us to worship on Good Friday. Service begins at 7p, childcare is available for children 0-3.
Every spring, we nominate new stewards to serve the Branch community. There are 6 stewards total – 3 Stewards of Care and 3 Stewards of Resource. Stewards serve a 3 year term, so annually one new Steward of Care and one new Steward of Resource are selected.
Stewards are disciples who reflect Jesus in how they live (character) and in what they do (competency). As leaders of the Branch they commit to living out the Branch’s values.
Stewards of Resource manage the financial decisions of the church. Stewards of Care discern the well being of the people of the Branch, as well as the Branch’s vision.
The documents below outline the roles in greater detail.
Please prayerfully consider who among us might be a good candidate to represent the Branch in this way. Then send your nominations to stewards@thebranchonline.org by March 22.
