The Street Church

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An Impromptu Pizza Party

Bryan Bywater

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Jesus said, “You do it. Fix supper for them.”

They replied, “Are you serious?

You want us to go spend a fortune on food for their supper?”

Mark 6:37 (Message Translation)

We say it all the time…Street Church is not the place for people with control issues! (read why)

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

  • Served: ~70

  • Last week's leaders: Bryan, Crystal, Geoff

  • Next week's leaders: Bryan, Jody

  • Next week's preacher: Big Sam

Gifts

  • Last week's: Hygiene

  • Next week's: tee shirts?

Looking Ahead


Miscellaneous

  • Crystal and her mom prepared the lunches beforehand and will do so again on Thursday for Saturday. This reduces the amount of time at storage on Saturday mornings.


Service

We had a sweet time of fellowship on Saturday. Geoff, myself (Crystal), Crystal's mom, and Bryan loaded the van. Bryan gave my mom a lowdown on Street Church and she was thoroughly impressed with the ministry! Geoff did a terrific job taking the lead by directing us in getting the van loaded. Jennifer, Emerson, Geoff, and Bryan helped to unload afterward. 

When we arrived downtown we were greeted by regulars. Jennifer, Geoff's daughter, made delicious pumpkin muffins and another family graciously dropped off some morning treats. People devoured them. All eyes and ears were on Bryan as he preached the word. At one point we had a car waiting at the stoplight blasting loud music. I found out then that Bryan has some impressive dance moves! His message was convicting and countercultural. He challenged us to reevaluate how we live out the gospel message. It was a reminder to be others focused, selfless, and eternity minded. 

We had an opportunity to pray over people. We handed out cards that said "You Matter." We made sure to look people in the eyes, and let them know they matter to God and they matter to us. 

As smooth as everything was going, we did hit a snag! I'll let Bryan take it from here...


We don’t have any sandwiches!” Somehow I missed the fact that no one had signed up to bring sandwiches. I am grateful it happened. I ran a few options through my head, and called Joey’s Pizza in West Hartford and explained who we were and what had happened.

“I need 10 pizzas as quickly as possible. How much would that be?”

"I’m going to give you 50% off."
"Excuse me, 15% or 50%?"
"Fifty."

It was going to take 45 minutes, and we had a smaller group of about 70 but I explained what happened and what I arranged and that God ordained that we should have hot fresh pizza for lunch and the place lit up. 

I knew pizza is never fully cut so I stopped by the dollar store for paper towels, plates, and knives (and they were even sharp). As I pulled into the parking lot at the pizza place my phone rang “Bryan, your pizzas are ready now." God’s timing…

I got back and the place erupted and everyone was happy and waited… Crystal Hall taught us to surrender our expectations and to wait expectantly and we saw that in spades…

God has transformed this church. We have learned kindness, patience and trust. We are no longer in a fight or flight mentality. I was beaming as I walked around seeing my friends enjoying a treat, and they covered me with thanks for doing what I did. 

The whole day was just amazing with a team from 180 Life Church, pardoned felons, disabled friends wearing pain patches standing up to read, three generations serving together, a third grader bringing a playlist she made for church.

As we gathered for our final prayer we always ask, “How did you see God move in you or in others?” A friend chimed in: “I went into City Hall to use the bathroom and they had a wedding going on. There was a lady on the phone giving directions to someone…’look for the protesters outside the building’…and I told her that’s not a protest, that’s a church!" And her face lit up.

Oh, look for the church outside on the street.. We are being gossiped about. I love this family.



From the Community Churches

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

 Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:17-18

This week we were with the Community Church at West Hartford Health and Rehab. We were not able to go last month because they were locked down with COVID. Yes, the state still requires strict compliance from nursing homes. The group was small as one of the units that normally joins us was in lockdown.

I preached from Mark 10 where James and John were still looking to be important folks and had not yet understood the call to service and humility. I related to my personal life and struggles to “be seen” in a home that was dysfunctional with a mom that had not addressed the trauma of her dad going to work one day when she was 13 and didn’t come home. As a result, she and I were angry with one another for a long time.

This is the case with MANY of us, and so often those in assisted living facilities have not had help understanding and reconciling pain that was never addressed. The Holy Spirit come and ministered among us. This is practicing the Presence of God at its best.

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

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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