We met in prison

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—”

Joel 2:25a

This is what repayed years look like. I met this guy while he was incarcerated while I was teaching bible study with a friend. When he got out years back he found us on the street and would come every Saturday to help set up and serve. Then he went his way and was called into different service. This past week he stopped by with donuts, and a redemption story… he is now working on his master’s degree in criminal justice. look at that.  

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hey fam,

We had a wonderful day in the snow! Notes below

Logistics

• Served: ~65

• Last week's leaders: Geoff, Chino, Kenny, Crystal

• Next week's leaders: Bryan

• Next week's preacher: Bryan

Gifts

• Last week's: underwear

• Next week's: snack bags

Looking Ahead

• We have a good friend bringing a scout troop this weekend

Miscellaneous

• “S”  came and said she's got a stable spot in a shelter now. Her husband, “F”, is still on the waiting list and is in warming shelters. I asked her if she's noticed any changes in him at all after his coming to faith last week and she said absolutely she has.

Service

What a day today! Headphones Chris checked out our truck in the U-Haul center, which was awesome. Crystal, Louise and I loaded up the van, which was super easy after Crystal pre-packed the lunches with a lady at 180 Life during the week, and Bryan took out all of the bins for us. It was a very easy load.

We got downtown and were greeted by some new and familiar faces. Some new folks from 180 Life helped us out, and we threw them straight into action at the coffee station. They did great! 

We had a wonderful time of readings. One of the new 180 guys, Spencer, mentioned how he appreciated everyone was excited to read God's word, and how well they were paying attention. I love that too. Crystal preached a wonderful shortened version of her message about fear of man and not being caught in that snare, and many folks said afterwards they really appreciated it. There was a new guy who seemed to be a bit out of it as he was making loud noises during Crystal's message, so I took him aside. He wasn't hostile but I also couldn't understand much of what he was saying due to his accent. He left without any incident. 

Everyone loved Louise's soup on this cold, snowy day. Gerry came by after not being with us for a while, and brought two friends. They seemed to catch the vision well and were mingling and praying with people throughout the day. I think they'll be back soon. A friend is leaving an abusive relationship. Pray for them. 

At the end of service, we got a nice surprise as a very clean cut Marcus came to visit with donuts! He's doing well, living by Charter Oak and getting his Masters degree in Criminal Justice. So awesome. I hope he comes back soon.

Such a treat to be with you all today. God Bless! 

-Kenny

        From the Community Churches

Wonderful time at Claribridge Community Church at Brookdale this week. I’ve learned over the years how to be present with my friends in the memory care units. Folks don’t have “good days” or “bad days”, they just have “days”.

I had a mix of both, but was touched as one of my friends wore a face that seemed to have a hint of anguish as she kept rubbing her hands. The face came and went, but the man sitting next to her kept a hand on her shoulder as she would bend over and look down. It was tender, and holy, and it changed me

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale

The Community Church at Brookdale

The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield

The Farmington Station Community Church

The Gables Community Church

The River Ridge Community Church

The West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org

Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org

We are never getting a signature sneaker, and that's okay

“For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

                                                                         Psalm 139:13-14

There are positions in God’s design, but no professionals….

I am reminded of this truth every weekend downtown. Scripture reminds us that he uses the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the strong and the wise.

(1 Corinthians 1:27).

He  picks those who are not wise or noble or influential, and in an atmosphere where creating yourself to be an influencer is the greatest goal nothing can harder to comprehend with much less accept.

I love The Street Church because we don’t have “professionals” who preach just average folks who profess…

…and when you see a man who sells large equipment for a living handing out communion with a woman who manages corporate health care accounts to friends who struggle with mental health and others battling illness and homelessness it all makes sense in a beautiful way… because we are all of equal value in God

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

• Served: ~80

• Last week's leaders: Bryan, Ruth, Geoff, Jody

• Next week's leaders: Kenny, Bryan

• Next week's preacher: Bryan

Gifts

• Last week's: snack bags and bandannas

• Next week's: hats/gloves

Looking Ahead

• All of the lunches are packed for next week

Miscellaneous

Please think about providing food and helping at storage

Service:

So, the rain held off, but that goes without saying…

It was a colder day but VOX provided twenty fresh, hot pizzas from Joey’s in West Hartford. A HUGE thanks for the 50% off discount they offer us because of our work.

We had six gallons of soup and Mac-n-cheese in additon to the pizza. There was not a hungry person in sight, but that is not why the vast majority of people come to this place.

One of the family leaders shared that he was approached by three separate people in a row stating “the food is really good here, but that’s not why we come. We come for church”.

So we gathered in a bit of a chilly mist, reading God’s Word and feasting on him. Summer showed up. Her husband pushed her there in her wheelchair as her cancer has progressed to the point of her not being able to walk. I was filled with a feeling I can’t process as I slipped a poncho over her head as she leaned forward in her chair. She is as hungry for Jesus as she was the day I said it was ok for her to come forward for Jesus.

and of course the Peace of God fell on us all.

From the Community Churches

They always remember

We had two services to wrap up the year with our Community Churches and both were primarily sing-alongs.

No, they were choirs and I simply gave the starting note and first word of each stanza then conducted with my eyes closed as I listened to Silent Night, Oh Come all Ye Faithful, Go Tell it on The Mountain and other classic songs in harmony.

Then I ask our friends if I may pause in the singing to read read Scripture and give them a sermon, after which we will come to the Table to feast on Jesus together.

This is when the peace of God falls and I stand in the middle of the room and look at eyes that are riveted on my and clear, and even those heads which are bowed listen intently.

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale

The Community Church at Brookdale

The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield

The Farmington Station Community Church

The Gables Community Church

The River Ridge Community Church

The West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Help Us Load Up @ 10am 164 South Street in West Hartford

visit our website thestreetchurch.org to learn more

or feel free to contact us at

admin@thestreetchurch.org

Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org

LOOK WHAT GOD DID!

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning.Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness has not overcome it.”

                                                                                                                     John 1:1-5

Dear Street Church family, 

I am always struck by the joy of the Lord that invades our services and ministry. We are a joyful lot because the Presence of God is in our midst. 

Look at this picture. 

You will see one person who is living unsheltered and another who grew up in foster care in the projects and struggles with keeping work and relationships. There is a woman who has been housed and homeless on and off for a number of years and there is a man who battles mental health issues that whisper lies of defeat and hopelessness. 

Stories, people, and God.

Yet, they have joy. They are here every week worshipping and giving thanks to Jesus for keeping them alive. Our volunteers give them a community, love, and help navigating life. Your donations help them survive in an economic landscape where buying soap and underwear or paying bills is a challenging reality. 

Wait, there was more!

I found joy in bombed out villages in Ukraine where you sent me to love people who have been living in hell. I found joy in memory care units with people who may be complicated and forgetful but are still alive and seeking Jesus as best they can. 

The enclosed newsletter shared how far and wide how your gifts went to care for the marginalized,  but you did more than can be counted or tallied. You made it possible to  give the intangible Kingdom gifts of hope, love, and community. . These are  pearls of great price.

As the year closes out, I thank you all for your lavish love and support of the work and my family. I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider a year-end gift to The Street Church as a thank offering for what you have received and as a token of love and solidarity with God’s Family in the field. Help us burn brightly in the dark corners as a beacon to the lost and scattered.  You may scan the QR code which will direct you to our website where you can give. Checks must be postmarked before January 1st. 

Thank you all and Merry Christmas, 

Bryan and The Street Church Family