Branches Humboldt

WE ALL HAVE IDEAS about how love is supposed to work.This Mother’s Day Sunday, we’ll reflect on a kind of love that moves toward us; the kind we might've experienced through a mom or a loved one - or hoped and longed for in our lives.The thing is; that's the kind of love that Jesus offers. And it comes with an invitation: not just to admire Him, but to respond to Him. We're all faced with the big question of who we think Jesus really is; teacher, helper, spiritual figure... but Jesus doesn’t leave us the option of keeping Him at a comfortable distance. He invites something deeper.Through one powerful moment in Matthew 16, we’ll explore how Jesus is bigger than our definitions, impossible to reduce to what we prefer, and how His love isn’t distant; it’s personal, present, and pursuing you.Whether you’re full of faith, full of questions, or somewhere in between, this is a Sunday to come and see for yourself - and maybe take a step closer to the God who is already moving toward you!Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

EVER CHASED SOMETHING that you were sure would satisfy - only to feel that quiet question in the back of your mind a few weeks later; “Is this it?”Whether you’re exploring faith with us through Alpha on Thursday nights, or you’ve been in church for years, we’re asking a deep question this Sunday: Why does life still feel empty, even when everything seems full?We’ll explore the possibility that what we’re searching for isn’t a thing at all, but a person. What if the reason we “still haven’t found it” is because we’ve been looking in all the right places… for the wrong answer?Come discover how Jesus doesn’t just offer help for your life; He offers Himself as life. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or ready for something real, this could be the Sunday where searching starts to turn into finding!Sunday 9 & 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS are often so simple we miss their complexity. Jesus asks the most important questions of life, and this Sunday we dive into one that's basic on the surface but profound in its layers: "Do you want to get well?"It's a question posed to a paralyzed man in the fifth chapter of John - one who's been stuck for 38 years! Find out this Sunday what this ancient encounter has to do with YOU. Where have you felt stuck? What miracle are you looking for? Where are you looking? Join us this Sunday, with Matt Harvey introducing his brother Patrick, as we turn again to the only One who can perform miracles that change lives - One who has the power not just to heal us, but to make us whole!Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

The Big Question from Jesus is not, "Do you agree with me?" or "Why did you do that?" or "What were you thinking?" It’s not a question about behavior; trying harder, being more consistent, proving yourself; or going to church, reading your Bible, being a “good person”, or even doing “good things for others”... It’s actually deeper; it’s about motive - and really about relationship:"Do you love me?"Jesus starts with LOVE, and he invites us to experience love before anything else. That’s exactly what He did after his resurrection in a conversation with Peter in John 21. We unpack this encounter on Sunday and discover a few equations:LOVE > PERFORMANCELOVE > YOUR PASTLOVE = PURPOSEJoin us this Sunday, as we learn that Jesus restores us through love. His love for you is greater than your performance, greater than your past, and His love invites us into purpose!Sunday 9 & 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

What do you really want? Not the quick answer, but the honest one beneath the surface... In this Sunday's message from our new series "Life’s Biggest Questions", we’ll look at a moment in John 1 where Jesus turns to a group of curious followers and asks a question He’s still asking today: “What do you want?” It’s a question that cuts through our assumptions about success, purpose, and even faith itself. Whether you’re full of questions, exploring spirituality, or have been following Jesus for years, this Sunday will encourage you to move beyond surface-level desires and discover something deeper; a real relationship with the One your soul has been searching for all along.Come and see!Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

LIFE is full of questions...What's my purpose? Will this plan work out? Will I ever find true love? What's for lunch?We all wonder at the mysteries around us. We’re all searching for something... What are you looking for most?This Easter Sunday, we'll wrestle with two of life's biggest questions - asked by angels at an empty tomb and later by Jesus himself.And our answers to these questions have the power to change us forever. We'll be encouraged to stop looking for "life" in dead places and begin trusting in the one who IS life; the one who walked out of a grave!The tomb is empty! Jesus is alive!Who will you invite to join you this Easter? We can't wait to celebrate the greatest day in history - with YOU! Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

THE UNEXPECTED surprises us - every time.* ok, ould that be an official quote I just made up? Is it soooo simple and obvious that it might just be profound?? haha!The truth is life is full of surprises. And in our Scripture passage this Sunday (one of the biggest moments in the Bible), everyone experienced the unexpected. It was a parade that turned into a funeral march, and a celebration that made Jesus cry.It was a party that ended in tears.Walking gently and humbly on the journey into Jerusalem, Jesus rode a colt among a crowd that celebrated and honored him. With this same humility, Jesus gathered with his disciples in servanthood and compassion, faced his accusers, and hung on a cross with criminals.But today, we focus not on the end of the journey, but the entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of holy week. Everything is here—humbleness and triumph—foreshadowing the mystery of death and the surprise of a resurrection yet to come.Sundays 9 & 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

"HOPE BEGINS in the dark." - Anne Lamott When we’re in seasons of darkness and despair, we can often think; Is there anything that could bring this back to life? And there’s so much in our world to despair about these days - it's got many of us asking; is there any hope? Psalm 130 opens with this honest prayer: “Help, God—I’ve hit rock bottom! …hear my cry for help! Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy.” Hope is not only a life and death matter, hope is a life in death matter. Hope finds its greatest challenge, and shines its greatest light, when life stands in the face of death and affirms that God remains trustworthy. Ezekiel is called to prophesy this kind of hope in a valley of dried bones and lost dreams. The psalmist proclaims hope from the depths, as one who waits for the gift of a morning yet to dawn. And Jesus, stricken with a grief born of love, speaks hope into Lazarus’s tomb, calling his friend forth as a sign of God’s glory and of our hope. This Sunday, we'll get reminded that God is famous for resurrecting hopeless situations, for bringing things that seemed totally dead BACK TO LIFE - that’s His specialty! Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

We live in a culture of IMAGE. We spend our lives polishing our "look"; the impressive resume, the glossy social media posts, our latest fit, even the "I’m fine" mask at church.But deep down, there’s a darkness we can't quite navigate. We feel like we’re stumbling in the "valley of the shadow" (like Psalm 23 says), trying to look like we know the way when we’re actually lost.Isn’t it exhausting trying to look like you have it all together when you’re actually stumbling in the dark?We assume we see clearly, that we judge correctly, that we know what success looks like, know who’s “in” and who’s “out.” But we misread people. We misread suffering. We actually misread God.We can become outwardly confident in our sight, but still sing along with U2: “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…”This Sunday, at 9 & 10:30 AM, we're going to uncover how God's light helps us SEE; see others differently, see ourselves differently, and most importantly see Jesus clearly. We'll end up singing a brand new song, or an older one, actually; "...I was blind, but now I see."9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

HOPE comes in many forms.And it can seem scarce when you're wandering in the desert not knowing if or when you will arrive at your destination; or when you feel shunned by your community; or when your community is not listening to God’s voice.But hope can surprise us, too; water in the desert, "living water" at a well, encountering a person who changes your life, knowing a God who has created everything and loves all that has been created.Join us this Sunday (with identical services at 9 and 10:30 AM), for a special morning spearheaded by our next generation leaders, where hope will anchor us and encourage us forward!Sunday 9 & 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

A JOURNEY often has a sense of adventure and uncertainty to it. Are you someone who likes the security of a plan and a good map - are you one of those rare folks who thrive in the risk of it all? Abraham was prompted by God to gather his entire family, everything he owned, and take a major leap into the unknown.Most of us like knowing what's around the corner, but we rarely get that luxury. Life is just unpredictable. A sense of trust - of faith, actually - is required to keep stepping forward.And the path we choose makes all the difference. When we choose to walk the path of life, toward God and with God, our journey begins with a promise. We'll see this Sunday (with identical services at 9 and 10:30 AM), that from Genesis to John, a theme emerges; God initiates - God promises - God provides - and we trust.We are people of promise. We walk without seeing everything. We trust without controlling everything. We believe before we hold it.Lent is not about climbing toward God. It is about trusting the God who has already come toward us. This 2nd Sunday in Lent, let’s journey toward Him in prayer, in worship, in trust, and in faith!Sunday 9 & 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

How often are we tempted to think a certain thing, behavior, or experience will enhance our lives, make things better, soothe the ache, or help us escape, when the opposite ends up being true; we feel worse - guilty and full of shame. And we hide. We hide from others, and from God - but there's a better way.It can seem scary and vulnerable to be honest about our failings or shortcomings, but you're in good company; because "we ALL have sinned and fall short..." (Romans 3:23)And Romans 5:18 says, "Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone."Instead of hiding, we can come clean with God, because there is GRACE and HOPE for us if we do. You're invited into openness and truth, rather than hiddenness and shame - true authenticity; being REAL with God!All God has ever wanted for us is to be the authentic human beings He created us to be; loved and forgiven and made whole - and only God's grace can do that. As we step into the season of Lent together, let's discover how it all begins and ends with grace!Sunday 9 & 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

"IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST go alone. If you want to go far, go together."This African proverb rings true in so many ways, yet we're still tempted to abandon the slow, messy process of doing life "with others".The need for speed draws all of us impatient people off track. We’ve all been frustrated by the slowness of a group sometimes, right? Anyone try to wrangle a big family at Disneyland, or get a committee to make an important decision and actually carry out a plan?Ecclesiastes, chapters 4-9 take us down some meandering paths of wisdom, but one overarching theme is that doing "Life On Purpose" will mean doing life - WITH others. And there's an art to it. There's nuance, and the author shares some helpful tips that can make a difference for us.It turns out the treasure of community was designed by God all along, and the invitation to experience it His way is open to us all!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

IN IT'S TIME...Drew Small shares, "I can relate to the struggle. Sometimes life is great. Sometimes it is rough. But everything will pass. I’ve been in some pretty dark places in my life, in my younger years, where it didn’t feel like there was hope. I could not find joy, and there was never peace. But those times came to pass..."If you've had questions about seasons in your life, wondered what God was up to, or what He's even doing now, THIS Sunday, and this chapter in Ecclesiastes is for you! We unpack the most famous quotes in the book and re-discover a hit song with the oldest lyrics ever.Join Drew and Zack Armentrout (with an acoustic rendition of "Turn, Turn, Turn") for this epic section of the new series!10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

Last week, we looked at how the King in Ecclesiastes decided to explore all the enjoyment that life could offer - he “had it all” - and now in this next section, we’ll see how he decides to take a different approach; actually get serious, study hard, find a good job, and be responsible with life to see if that can bring purpose.It’s the "American dream" isn’t it; study hard, get into a great college, find a meaningful career that you love, and make a difference with your education and your work. That’s got to be more purposeful than just partying your life away right?Well, it turns out we work more hours in America than any other place on earth, and yet we're the most stressed and frustrated with our situations; the pressure never seems let up.This Sunday, we'll see how the challenging words from Ecclesiastes point to a better way!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you had all the money in the world? Every resource at your fingertips? Every experience ready and waiting for you? What would it be like to truly "have it all"? Wouldn't that be a major step toward figuring out life, living on purpose, and finding true meaning?Thankfully for us, someone has already tried it, lived it, and is telling the tale!The second chapter of Ecclesiastes takes us on a wild ride of excess and "life to the full" in every way imaginable. Buckle up and get ready to hear the wisdom of someone pursuing every possibility of fulfillment in life and coming up with a surprising realization!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS sometimes feel like trying to grab smoke.We make big plans, set some goals, create a chart or two, but somehow it ends up slipping through our fingers. Things usually don't turn out to be quite what we imagined.We all come to the new year with hopes, dreams, relational, financial, physical, even spiritual goals, and yet disappointment and failed expectations lurk around the corner like a thick fog.It’s no surprise that God knows all about this. He knew all about our temptation to chase the smoke around us. He knew the disappointment we’d experience in the"worthless pursuit of the things of the earth”, and He wants to warn us, to guide us. This Christmas we reflected Jesus’ birth, and right along with that was Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son’s birth; John. John lived his life as a “warning” to “prepare the way” for Jesus, and this ancient book we’re going to look at these next few weeks, Ecclesiastes, was written 1,000 years before Jesus was born; and it’s a warning; it prepares us to receive Jesus by pointing out the absolute futility and emptiness of everything else.Most of us hate the idea of wasting a day, or an afternoon, or a weekend, or God forbid; your life. Life moves too quick! It’s just a mist! A vapor! A breath! Smoke! Your life is passing by while you're reading this!So whether you’ve been a Christian for a lifetime, or your brand new to church and faith and checking things out... If you're ready to stop wasting your time and get down to living “Life on Purpose”, this season is for you!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

HAPPY NEW YEAR!We pray your holidays have been filled with joy and hope. As we turn the corner and begin this new year together, we want to take the opportunity to put Jesus at the center of it all - once again.There's an ancient tradition of celebrating whoever comes through the front door of your house first in the new year, so let's open the "door" of our hearts and lives and let Jesus in FIRST!Join us this Sunday as we commit 2026 to God's will and direction through prayer, worship, and communion. Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

THE GANGS ALL HEREGet ready for a very special Sunday as we gather together (kids included!) for a family service, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the hope He gives as we look ahead to the new year!The extended Fox clan (including all FOUR of Justin's brothers and their families) are with us, leading worship, teaching, reading Scripture, and guiding us through prayer and reflection. This was a morning for the record-books! Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

MISSING JOSEPH in the Christmas story is a common occurrence! Maybe it's because after Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Angels, Shepherds, and Wise Men, there's just too much action and drama to stop and consider the quiet, faithful father-figure in the background. When you ponder the fourth Advent theme of "Love" though, a sacrificial, serving-others-kind-of-love, Joseph's actions and character speak louder than words. He models for us a trust in God and a willingness to surrender to love that inspires and convicts. This Sunday, let's be encouraged, as Monica Hicks shares, to believe and receive the incredible love of God - and let's discover the freedom of surrendering to that love in our lives!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

MANY OF US feel like JOY is out of reach. We’re tired. Stressed. Disappointed. Overwhelmed. We've chased after the "Good Life" and found it comes up hollow. We assume joy comes after life gets better. And this feeling is nothing knew - listen how the Psalmist writes it chapter 4;“Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater JOY than those who have abundant harvests…"It seems God wants to teach us something important through this season of Advent: Joy comes not because “life is good”, but because God is here. Joy grows in the messy, ordinary, unfinished places - and that's exactly the kind of place God likes to show up!This Sunday, we'll see how Zechariah, Elizebeth, Mary, Joseph - all received an impossible promise. Not a finished miracle; a seed. God begins His saving plan in hiddenness, in a womb, quietly growing.Come be reminded with us (as the Taylors light our third Advent Candle) that real joy is nurtured and takes root in us not through pleasant circumstances but through the presence and promise of God!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

"DON'T BE AFRAID"Every time an angel steps into the Christmas story, they always open with that line; "Don't be afraid..." And that's exactly how Zechariah hears it as he encounters his divine moment. It's an assurance of love and care - and it's coupled with the peace of God in the midst of uncertainty.Most of us want peace, but in our noisy, chaotic world, we rarely stay quiet long enough to receive it. We’re living in the loudest generation in history. Constant noise, constant distraction, constant movement. And when life gets that loud, peace feels impossible. We numb ourselves, but we don’t calm ourselves.Where do you need God to speak peace to you? Where is fear shouting the loudest? Where do you need to hear God’s voice inviting you, reminding you;“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10)This Sunday, the Beam family lit our second Advent Candle and shared a powerful faith-story, and we practiced new ways to make room in our hearts for the Prince of Peace!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

THIS SEASON has so much promise and joy to it, but there’s also a variety of emotions we experience. One of those is this nagging feeling of emptiness - the question; “Is this really it? Is this truly what it’s all about?”These four weeks leading up to Christmas, the Church's "Advent" season, begins right there; not in strength, but in ache. We all have a place that feels like an empty room — a longing, a disappointment, a grief, a prayer still unanswered. And our instinct is to rush past it, numb it, or pretend it’s fine. But Advent invites us to pause. To acknowledge the darkness before the dawn. Because that’s the place where HOPE begins. Before a Savior is announced, a disappointment is named.Hope doesn’t begin when things get better; hope begins when we admit that we can’t make things better. This emptiness becomes the place where God moves. We discover God doesn’t avoid our empty places - He steps into them.Allow His HOPE to step into your life this Sunday as we kick off the Christmas season with the Beards sharing and lighting our first Advent Candle!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

GRATITUDE changes our perspective.As we look ahead to Christmas and the holidays, it's a great time to reflect on all that God has given us and to consider how He would want us to give in generous ways. God invites us to ultimately see our money and possessions through this lens of gratitude.Since we know everything we have comes from God, we give back a portion to Him with thankfulness and joy. We give as an act of thanksgiving and worship to God. When we “take an offering” at Branches, it is part of how we worship, how we THANK God - and this helps our praise take on an even deeper meaning and passion.Psalm 50:14 says, “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God…”What are you thankful for? Would you be willing to tell someone about it? Well, this Sunday, we got to hear testimonies shared of God's faithfulness, and it was a joy to celebrate with you!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

"IT'S BETTER TO GIVE than to receive." That's what they say, anyway! Some of us are born-givers who love to see the joy in others as they receive our gifts - and some of us just really like getting gifts, right?!It seems soon to say, but Christmas is right around the corner (some of us have already decorated!), and it's the season of giving and receiving - and it's a time when underneath it all lies the subject of money and possessions. Did you realize God knew all about the temptations we'll face with money? There's more verses about "money" in the Bible than "faith" and "prayer" combined (2,350 actually)!In anticipation of the holidays, we'll be taking a couple weeks to explore this topic together. We'll discover what the Bible has to say about this important subject and how God has created a pathway for us to experience FREEDOM in this area! Get ready for a life-changing challenge!Sunday 10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

FOLLOW THE LEADER can sometimes be a fun game when you're a child, but it gets more complicated when we're adults, doesn't it? How do we know a leader is worth following? Are they going in the right direction? Do they have my best in mind?The last part of Hebrews encourages us to take seriously our spiritual leaders and honor them as we all follow God together. In this day and age, as we experience one leadership failure after another, this can be a challenging ideal - it can be tempting to give up on it altogether.But, Jesus Is Better than going our own way!Have you been hurt by poor leaders in the past? What does it mean to support and encourage God's leaders in your community now? How might God grow you and us in new ways as we trust Him, together?Join us this Sunday as we wrap up our series in Hebrews!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

It’s easy for any community — even a church — to turn inward and get comfortable. How many of us have felt the sting of being excluded or ignored? But Jesus calls us outside the walls, where the real action is! Listen to how Hebrews 13:10-14 says it; "So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This 'insider world' is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come.”Join us this All Saints Sunday as we explore what it means to follow Jesus beyond our comfort zones — to love, serve, and reach those who feel left out. Come ready to be challenged, inspired, and reminded that Jesus is better than keeping to ourselves!We’ll be encouraged to take small, bold steps of love, where Jesus is at work in the world around us. It’s a Sunday to realign our hearts with His mission and celebrate that we were once outsiders, too… until Jesus came for us!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

CAN YOU RELATE to that feeling of thinking and preparing for something for so long, waiting for the moment to finally arrive.. and then, it's HERE! It's time!Let's gooooooooo!!!Coming off the celebration of last Sunday, looking back on THREE YEARS of God's faithfulness and goodness, it's time to focus our gaze once more on the road ahead. This Sunday, we begin our journey through the last chapter of Hebrews. A culmination of all that God's be showing us throughout this book. All the history, all the theology, all the encouragement - it comes down to this last chapter and these final instructions on what it looks like to actually "run this race marked out for us".In light of all this, how should we then live? What does it look like, practically?This first section of chapter 13 will challenge us in so many ways. It will remind us that JESUS IS BETTER than being selfish, in every area of our lives - that giving, not getting, is what brings real freedom. It's how we start running this race, and it's the fuel that will carry us to the finish!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

We have so much to celebrate as Branches crosses the three-year mark of meeting together every Sunday! Wow - what awesome things God has done! Could you even count the stories? It's like a tidal wave of Jesus' love and grace changing lives everywhere we look.This Sunday, we take some time to reflect and celebrate on these amazing three years together (with three faith-stories!), and we'll be challenged and encouraged to look ahead for more of what God has in store. Chapter 12 of Hebrews will remind us that God is building an "unshakable Kingdom" in and through us. It's not promised to be easy, though. There's no Lazy-Boy seats in the house; this is a long-distance race - a marathon. But it's WORTH IT!Jesus is better than sitting around in lazy comfort. He's got a mission and purpose for us all. And only with God can we confidently say "the best is yet to come!"Sunday 10:30am // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

FAITH in our culture’s view is something you acquire and develop within yourself. You know; “...gotta have faith, faith, faith!” Or, how about this cliche in positive thinking: “Trust in yourself, have faith!”But God invites us to a totally different reality; faith not in ourselves, but in something -or someone- outside of ourselves; faith that comes from Him as a gift.When we doubt, we’re welcomed through the grace of God to bring Him our doubts and ask for His gift of faith to strengthen us. It’s not important how much faith you have (‘a mustard seed’ is all it takes!), the important thing is what you’re placing your faith in.Remember, JESUS IS BETTER than giving up!"Faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living." (Hebrews 11:1)This Sunday, we arrive at Chapter 11 of Hebrews, the great “Hall of Faith”; a list of inspiring heroes, examples to look up to when we feel like quitting (which members of our church read aloud from their seats - and microphones couldn't pick up unfortunately). But, it's not a list to compare ourselves with and try to “go and do great things” - it’s a list that reminds us to trust in God - a reminder of WHERE our faith comes from and WHO it’s directed toward!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

WE CAN BE TEMPTED to give up on faith when doubts and questions swirl around us. We can be tempted to give up on love when disappointment and rejection knock us down. We can be tempted to give up on hope when our situations are confusing and difficult. When following God's path seems murky and the way of Jesus unpopular, there's a real pull to abandon it all and just do what feels 'right' and easy.This Sunday, we get to chapter 10 of Hebrews and come across this famous passage; "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”Are you ready to be encouraged and stengthened for whatever you're facing?JESUS IS BETTER than giving up!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

Some might look back with fond nostalgia on the past and say this was the "good 'ol days", "things were better back then" - but, really?Sometimes new developments are truly helpful. And that couldn't more true in the case of Jesus' arrival! Jesus came to bring a "new covenant"; a new relationship between us and God. There's no going back, why would we want to? JESUS IS BETTER than the past!Yet, old thinking, old habits, old hurts, and old ways sometimes hold us back. This Sunday, we'll look through chapters 7-10 of Hebrews and see why we can look forward in hope, because Jesus is so much better than anything in the past!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

WHAT VOICE has the most influence in your life? Who do we listen to - and how does that affect and impact us? Is it Podcasters? Preachers? Youtubers? Parents? Grandparents? Big brothers or sisters? Even the best Pastors? Last week, as we kicked off our new series, we looked at Hebrews 1-3 and saw how Jesus Is Better than angels or any spiritual beings, and this Sunday, we'll move on to chapter 4 and see how Jesus Is Better than any human being, ever. The most important, influential person you can think of can't measure up to Jesus - not even close!And often times they let us down anyway! People disappoint, they don’t come through, they break promises and hurt us, but JESUS never does and never will. Lots of “leader types” are trying to tell us stuff, sell us stuff, but there’s one leader above them all...Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

Whether you're a Christian, or just checking out church for the first time, you know that angels have actually gotten a lot of press throughout the centuries; statues, paintings, tattoos. In fact, the Devil himself was an angel at one time - one who rebelled (interesting story!). Humboldt County is a very “spiritual place". There’s all sorts of spiritual entities or transcendental experiences offered around here - just take a look at your favorite coffee shop bulletin board! Have you ever been tempted to try out something spiritually new or different? Or maybe thought, “You know, I’m not so sure about Jesus and His unpopular teachings, God seems too mysterious, church too rigid, people too flawed - maybe an angel or some other spirit-being can help me!”You're not alone in this.As we kick off our brand new sermon series on Hebrews, entitled "Jesus Is Better", we looked at chapters 1-3 to see how incredibly amazing Jesus really is, how He's better than any other spiritual experience out there, and how His invitation to help and wholeness is like no other!This Sunday (even though we only recorded the last 10-minutes!), we went cosmic, pulling back the curtain, going back to the beginning, to creation itself, to see that Jesus was, is, and always will be the center of it all!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

THERE'S ANOTHER JUSTIN in the house...but this one's from Texas!Justin Gambino headlined Unity in the Community last Saturday AND, he agreed to be with us the next day; this Sunday morning!Raised in a Christian home, Justin Gambino rebelled in high school and was arrested for theft at the age of 18. His judge gave him the option of military service, and at 19, he began an 8 year enlistment in the Navy. While serving in Iraq, Justin was asked to lead worship on base, renewing his love of music. Upon returning stateside, he battled PTSD and anger issues, leading him to depression and despair. At the bottom, Justin cried out to God from his apartment floor, and a new journey of redemption, hope and purpose began. Bringing his life full-circle, Justin performs a revival annually on the steps of the courthouse where he was sentenced as a teen.Listen in to this inspiring morning of music and the life-changing power of God's grace!Sunday - 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE THIS, but one of my longest friendships in leadership is with a "Strongman" who shares God's love and grace all around the world by performing feats of strength! Yah, crazy, right??! Well, when you meet Jon this Sunday, you'll love him as much as I do!I was with Jon in England for an outreach when he broke the Guinness World Record. I sidestepped street-riots and water cannons in Sri Lanka with him, navigated washed out roads in Ecuador, and led worship as we walked into a primitive prison in Costa Rica to share the freedom found in Jesus! It's been an incredible partnership for 35 years, and he's finally back in Humboldt!Hear Jon share a message from the Bible along with some of his personal story. It was an honor to have him at Branches! Sunday 10:30am // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

WE ALL UNDERSTAND the concept of gardening; we get out what we put in.In this last Sunday of the "Good & Beautiful Community" series, we consider once again this truth. And God uses it (and the analogy of sowing and reaping) in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians to talk about generosity: 2 Corinthians 9:5-6 reads, “So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.”Giving, practicing generosity, identifying needs and meeting those needs with our resources, can be like gardening the perfect plot of land in all the best ways! Whatever you’re looking for; awesome, healthy food to eat, or beautiful flowers and plants in a tranquil oasis, when you put in a little bit of time and energy and effort you get a little result, but when you put in more - plant more seeds - you get a harvest of MORE.Let's see what God's showing us all as we close out this series with the invitation to become a generous people!Sunday 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

A mark of a "Good and Beautiful Community" is that we're a prayerful people. We know that God is the source of strength and hope in all situations, and so we turn to Him around every corner of our lives. Join us this Sunday as Mike Haley shares and we pray in the new school year, enjoying these last weeks of summer - together!Sunday // 10:30AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

IT TAKES PRACTICE...learning the ways of a good and beautiful community. It's who we are in Jesus (already!), but growing into this reality, stepping into this truth; these are action-steps, practices that we get better at over time.How are the practices going for you so far? What's it been like practicing being "A Peculiar People", "A Hopeful People", "A Serving People", "A Jesus People", "A Forgiving People", and "An Encouraging People"?Before we dive into the last few weeks of this series, let's reflect on what we've experienced so far. What's God been stirring up in your heart? What have you been challenged by? What's been encouraging?As we return to prayer, to a dependence on the Holy Spirit, and a deeper trust in God, we get to experience His unconditional love for us once again. Sundays - 10:30am // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

HOLY AND BROKEN...broken and holy.We are both of these things, in balance, and a "good and beautiful community" has the power to remind us of this truth. Our world doesn’t tell us the truth about ourselves, but as a faith family gathers together, through song, scripture, and prayer, we get a glimpse of who we are and what we can become.Paul says it like this in Ephesians 4:1 “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”I want a community that reminds me constantly of who I am and will watch over me with love—which means both comfort and warning—so that I might live a life worthy of my calling.Do you desire such a community for yourself? What attracts you to this idea, and what reluctance do you feel toward this type of community? How do we do this with humility and grace, not judging or condemning, but in love?Let's find out this Sunday!10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

LET'S TALK about the "F" word; Forgiveness."To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness."  ( Robert Muller)But haven't we all wrestled with what actual "forgiveness" is supposed to look like? Have you wondered if you're doing it right, or even doing it at all? Have you ever felt guilt or obligation around this topic?Deep down, we know that being a "forgiving people" is the path to a good and beautiful community, but the pursuit of reconciliation can be complicated and we often get tripped up along the way.This Sunday, in our SECOND gathering at the new location, with one, unified service at 10:30am, we'll see the gift of God's forgiveness in a whole new light.Can't wait to see you there!!!70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

UNITY IN DIVERSITY“If we disagree, then we must divide.”How WRONG is this statement??? Have you ever felt the temptation though, to separate from people who don't think like you or believe like you? Did you know the original Greek word for Church is "Ecclesia", and it implies a diverse group of people, called out from every corner of life, to be united together under one mission, one cause, one person actually; Jesus.This Sunday, as we celebrate our FIRST gathering at the new location, with one, unified service at 10:30am, we'll see once more how good and beautiful this unity can be!Can't wait to see you there!!!10:30 AM // 70 Stephens Ln. Bayside, CA 95524

THE VETS HALL STEPS have seen a LOT these last three years! There are so many memories to reflect on, God-enounters, and changed-lives walking up and down those steps. This Sunday will be our LAST time to worship, sing, pray, and learn together at this historic and special location.We'll take time to recognize the veterans for their service and hospitality to us, and we'll let their service inspire us once again to the service each of us is called to in following Jesus. Jesus came to SERVE, and in connecting with Him, receiving His Spirit, power, and friendship, we in turn get to be people who serve others and make a difference in our world.Our grand adventure as a Church is one of unselfishness generosity, of giving ourselves away so others can get blessed! As we close this chapter at the Vets Hall, we look forward with great anticipation and excitement to our future in a new, larger location beginning next Sunday, July 6th!Join us as we remember, reflect, and rejoice in all that God has done and is continuing to do!

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." (Martin Luther)There's nothing more crushing or demoralizing than the feeling of hopelessness. When a situation feels hopeless, it's impossible to move forward... Where do you find hope in those moments? Where do "Jesus-people" find their hope? How can we discover and experience a grounded, solid hope that not only strengthens us but draws us out to make a lasting, eternal difference in the lives of those around us?As we look ahead to a BIG MOVE for our church; setting up our Sunday gathering in a new space - as early as July 6!!! - let's remain rooted in the hope that calls us forward, that fuels our mission.This Sunday, we'll hear more about the move, our vision and mission together, and get reconnected to the only hope that lasts!Sunday // 9 & 10:30am // Arcata Veterans Hall

LEADERS are hard to find.Have you experienced a good leader in your life? What was it about them that made the most impact? Or, have you been hurt and disappointed by leaders? Although you may have never considered yourself a "leader", did you know that everyone is a leader, somewhere? We all have a circle of influence; people in our lives that look to us and are impacted by who we are and how we act. To know people are looking to us, that we influence others (whether we mean to or not, or whether we're a father or not on this Father's Day Sunday), can be intimidating and overwhelming. We often feel inadequate, not up for the task... And that's exactly how Moses felt!This Sunday, Jason Beam takes a look at his story in Exodus; how God invited Moses, a reluctant, self-doubting, troubled-soul with a past, into the adventure of a lifetime. We'll also see how each of us has been invited into a meaningful life of impact by the greatest leader and Father of all!Sunday 9 & 10:30AM // Arcata Veterans Hall

SUMMER IS HERE...and some days it actually feels like it!What's your summer going to look like this year? Are you imagining some travel? New experiences? Time with family and friends? How might this summer be different than any other? We're excited about bringing some intention to the summer together - and that's the key word; TOGETHER. Our last series "How To: Life" took us through the letter of James. Now, we'll get to take James' encouragements and challenges and practice them, together in community; the "Good and Beautiful Community" that God has created right here at Branches!We'll follow along with a popular book of the same title, so feel free to order it and track with us if you'd like. God wants to continue to do something special in and through us! 1 Peter 2 describes who we can be together; “God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”What an awesome invitation! Let's jump in together this Sunday!9 & 10:30 AM // Arcata Veterans Hall

YOU WERE NEVER MEANT...to do life alone.As we wrapped up our past series last Sunday "How To: Life", we landed on the fact that leaning on each other, sharing our struggles in honesty and vulnerability, praying for each other, and doing life together is how God designed community to work.But how do we navigate the most difficult relationships in our lives? How might we grow and be strengthened through our trials? Where do we find hope and wisdom to lean in when we feel like running away?Join us as Shane and Marty Couch provide practical tools and biblical wisdom to strengthen your relationships, overcome challenges, and cultivate connection with others. This is a special Sunday you don't want to miss!9 & 10:30 AM // Arcata Veterans Hall

BEING RICH AND FAMOUS was my ultimate goal in life! At the Arcata High Talent Show audition, my guitar playing demonstration was finally cut-off after ten minutes by an exhausted group of judges!Whether it's through fame, attention, manipulation, debt, or outsmarting the competition to win at all costs, there’s a big part of us that selfishly desires to have our own way; to get what we want - all the world can offer us! The "world" being our surrounding culture’s value system apart from God.But there's a problem with that, and James spells it out in Chapter 4; “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?"Whoa! What do we do? How should we then live? How to: Life?Could it be that depending on God in honesty and humility, rather than pride, arrogance, or even self-confidence is what truly leads us to wholeness? This Sunday, we'll experience the forgives and grace that sets us free and gives us life!Sundays at Arcata Veterans Hall // 9 & 10:30AM

WORDS GIVE LIFEIsn’t that true? I can remember how powerful words were as I was growing up, words that were spoken to me, or words that I just overheard - that shaped me, changed me. I can also remember words I wished I would have said, and words I wish I could take back or say differently… don’t we all?Mother's Day gives us a poignant opportunity to consider how we are all "life-givers" to those around us. Are our words giving life to the loved ones we care about? The third chapter of James reminds us of the power of words and ends with this poetic picture; "...those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”Branches, let’s plant seeds of peace! Let’s be that kind of people! And it starts with our words - flowing from the "Word" Himself; Jesus. Join Heidi and Justin as they share, connecting us again to Jesus, the true source of life!

DON'T JUST TELL ME...show me! Aren't actions much more valuable than words? Isn't it true that behavior should follow belief - if it's real?Last week, we began a new series through the book of James called "How To: Life". James is a "cheat-sheet of guidelines to have a full and happy life", as Cory Taylor eloquently said.And we're just getting started as Chase Fichtner walks us through Chapter 2 this Sunday. God wants to encourage, inspire, and lead you into the life you've been created to live! Sundays 9 & 10:30 AM // Arcata Veterans Hall