Meal Night (8/13)

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This Friday meal night goes on the road: we’re headed to Jonny B’z.
This new hot dog restaurant is anything but ordinary (don’t think boiled dogs and stale buns).
And….if you’re not a hot dog lover, there are other options too (including vegetarian ones).
You can either….
  • Meet us at the restaurant (click here for map) at 6:30PM, OR…
  • Meet at the Branch at 5:50 — we’ll catch the 6:11 bus (the Branch will pay bus fare)
To help Jonny be ready for us, please let us know if you’re planning on coming: chris@thebranchonline.org

Hands Across the City

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There’s a massive movement happening this Saturday to renew and improve our city’s parks.  To join in the effort (everything from building a playground system to spreading mulch) check out: http://grandrapids.rethinkchurchevents.org

Ice Cream!

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Mackinaw Island Fudge.  Superman.  Cookies and cream.  Need we say more?  Join us tonight (July 28th) at 7PM for a scoop, a conversation, a summer evening at its best.  Sundaes in the Heights is located on the corner of Alger and Eastern.

CREATE 2023!!!

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Join us June 20-22, 2023 from 6:30-8:30 pm for 3 nights of creativity and fun! Thursday night will end with an Open House for parents and friends to see what the kids have been up to all week, as well as an opportunity to join in the creative fun!

CREATE is an art camp for kids entering K-8th grade. Each child chooses one age-appropriate class to attend for those 3 evenings. They spend their time creating, getting to know one another and having fun. We love coming alongside kids as they tap into their own unique creativity – even when they don’t even know that creativity exists! Scroll down for the class list and descriptions.

REGISTER HERE!!

For the latest updates, be sure to like our facebook page (facebook.com/CreateGR).

Class Options for Grades K-1:

EXPLORING TREES: Calling all tree-huggers!! Exploring Trees is a class focused on creating art that resembles trees, uses elements from trees to make new things, and playfully recreates the birds who love trees! We will use yarn, sticks, and cardboard for this tree-loving fun.

NAILED IT! (Baking Challenge)

 

Class Options for Grades 2-4:

CREATE WITH COLOR: Make Art that celebrates your unique self. We’ll use markers, paint, colored paper and more to make crafts that show who you are and what you love.

HYDRO DIPPING: Join us as we take thrift store finds with unique character and  plain, boring items and bring them to life in a whole new way! We will transform them using spray paint and water to make unique pieces fit to your personal aesthetic. Come be part of the fun! As seen on TikTok.

YARN & BRACELETS: In this class we will learn how to make yarn with drop spindles and then make bracelets with our yarn.

 

Class Options for Grades 5-8:

LEARN TO SOLVE A RUBIX CUBE: We will teach you the four fundamental parts of cubing and we will supply you with your own cube to practice and learn on!

EMBROIDERY: Embroidery is a relaxing way to use fabric and thread to create images of just about anything. Join us for a class where you will learn basic embroidery stitches and create a simple embroidered piece of art. You can build upon these basic skills to create more detailed pieces with practice.

ZINE-MAKING: Zines are self-published, often handmade, magazines! Learn to create fun little booklets to express yourself and share your stories, poetry, art, or fandom!

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY  If you love portrait photography, learn multiple ways to light a portrait image to create a dramatic effect. Gear needed: Digital camera with removable media (SD Card, Compact Flash, etc).  DSLR preferred.

Meal Night – July 9

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Tonight, we’d love to have you join us for a relaxed meal and conversation — capped off with a summer campfire.  Come anytime after 6PM, stay as long as you’re able.  And while you’re welcome to bring something to pass, it is definitely not required. For a map, click here. We hope to see you there!.

Ice Cream

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Mackinaw Island Fudge.  Superman.  Cookies and cream.  Need we say more?  Get a scoop.  Kick back.  Have a conversation. Enjoy summer evenings at their best. Wednesday, June 23, 7PM.  Sundaes in the Heights: corner of Alger and Eastern

Mission: Tanzania

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This past Sunday Matt and Lindsey shared the story of how God is calling them to Tanzania.  We assure you, this is worth a listen (at the bottom of this post).

When you’re finished, you may be wondering how you can partner with God’s work through the DeYoungs?  Here are a few ways:

  1. Stay in touch with the DeYoung’s by adding yourself to their e-mail list.
  2. Commit to consistently pray for the DeYoungs and the people of Tanzania.
  3. Support the DeYoung’s financially.  50 families at $50/month allows them to pack their bags and head out.
  4. Participate in the golf outing on Saturday, July 24 at Wallinwood.

Head to followingthecall.org to contact them, pledge support, or sign up for the golf outing.

she::gathers

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Without a Y chromosome?  Perfect.  This is the event for you.  All women (including friends, neighbors, co-workers) are invited to meet at Pietro’s on 28th St. Monday, June 21 @ 7 p.m.  The agenda?  Actually, there isn’t one.  she::gathers is simply conversation, good food, and the opportunity to build relationships.  Hope to see you there.

Guys Night

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Ok…so this is a little last minute, but what else would you expect from a bunch of guys?
This Friday, June 18 – 5:30pm, join us for disc golfing at Old Farm Park (2298 Embro Dr SE ·  Kentwood).  No experience needed!  We’ll have extra discs if you don’t have any.  We’ll head out for food afterwards.  If you can’t make it for disc golf, shoot us an e-mail the day of to find out what restaurant we’ll be at (because let’s be honest, we probably won’t have decided until then).

Gospel According to Hollywood

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We love movies.  They make us laugh.  They inspire us.  They are a quintessential form of entertainment.  But more than a good time, every movie – from Anchorman to Braveheart – has the potential to shape the way we see the world.  Movies reflect our culture back to us, do you like what you see?  Join us for our next series, The Gospel According to Hollywood.

June 6 – Iron Man 2

June 13 – Avatar

June 20 – Toy Story 3

June 27 – Invictus

she::gathers

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All women are invited to the next she::gathers — an evening out to meet other women, share life (not to mention great food), and build relationships. We’re meeting at the Green Well — Monday, May 10th — 7PM. See you there.

The Ghost Small Groups

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Beginning May 2nd, we’ll be forming short term small groups around a new series called The Ghost. These groups will meet for four consecutive weeks and be focused on building relationships and spurring growth.  Men’s, women’s and couples groups are available.  To sign up, e-mail chris@thebranchonline.org

Partner Gathering

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Partners — we’re looking forward to gathering together this Sunday — 5-7PM.  We’ll be discussing our future in our current building and talking about our future mission in Grand Rapids.  We hope you can make it!  RSVP: chris@thebranchonline.org

Good Friday

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This Friday – 7-8PM

Join us as we take time to remember the final hours of Jesus’ life.  Together, we’ll consider the unraveling of relationship and hope that took place in those dark moments– and in doing so we’ll prepare our hearts for the miracle of Easter.

Meal Night – March 28th

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Ok….so this installment of ‘meal night’ is actually taking place in the afternoon — this Sunday — immediately after worship.  And this time around, we’ll be combining old with new.  Old = potluck (bring something to pass if you can).  New = a Wii bowling tournament (adults — you better bring your “A” game.  I have a feeling the kids are going to dominate).  We’ll have place settings and drinks.  We hope you join us!

Meal Night – March 12th

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This Friday (March 12) we’d love to have you join us.  Meal nights are a relaxed way to meet people, hear stories, and get plugged into the community at the Branch.  The Laws are providing some food — the rest is potluck-style.  Feel free to bring something — or just show up.  Things get rolling at 6PM, but people are coming and going all evening as schedules allow.  We hope to see you!   For a map, click here.

Ash Wednesday

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Lent.

40 Days.

A journey towards Easter.

A time to reflect — to let go.

Join us for worship this Wednesday, February 17th @7PM as we prepare our hearts to encounter Jesus of Nazareth.  Childcare birth-4 years old is provided.  Older children are encouraged to participate in worship.

Serve

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In the coming weeks people from the Branch will be gathering together to serve people locally and beyond.  For details of how you can get involved, click on the “We ‘Heart’ GR” link below.  Then shoot us an email: chris@thebranchonline.org

We ‘Heart’ GR

Valentine’s Day Brunch

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Just to be clear: this is not a brunch you need a date for.  No romantic candles or heart shaped candy.  Instead, this meal is a chance for the Branch and New Life (the church who owns the building we meet in) to connect with one another and build relationships (it just so happens it falls on Valentines Day :).

There are two ways you can participate (and your participation matters!):

  1. Simply show up! Eat some food.  Meet someone from New Life.  Doing this alone will have a significant impact.
  2. Help prepare food. We’re keeping the menu simple, but we could still use help getting things ready.  Email chris@thebranchonline.org if you’ve got 30 minutes to spare.

Brunch starts at 10:20AM and will end a few minutes before 11AM.  We hope to see you there!

Meal Night – February 5th

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When people sit around a table and share food together something happens.   Laughs are shared.  Appetites are satisfied.  Relationships begin.  That’s why we regularly gather together for ‘meal nights’: a simple evening of food and conversation.

Our next gathering is Friday, February 5th at the Navis’ home.  For a map, click here. It all starts at 6PM, but come as your schedule allows — stay for three hours or five minutes.  We hope to see you!