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

The Character of God

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
    as to shrink from death.”

                                                                  Revelation 2:11

The cold days are coming upon us. While this might keep some of you away, I ask you to prayerfully consider joining us on the wettest, snowiest, coldest days.

Now, now, pastor….really? Yes.Having been downtown for some time now, I can tell you with full assurance that the greatest “sermon” we preach is when we simply show up in less-than-ideal conditions…. and it changes us as well while we layer up with polypropylene layers covered in thinsulate and Gortex and go and be with our friends who have to be out of the shelters and on the street before lots of folks even wake up.

oh, that word used in the verse above translated “love”… it’s the same word used here:

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

There is no commandment greater than these.”

Honestly, actions most often do speak louder than words

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

• Served: ~75

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

• Next week's leaders: Kenny, Geoff

• Next week's preacher: Kenny

Gifts

• Last week's: underwear

• Next week's: hygiene

Looking Ahead

• Much of the sandwiches and fruit for next week are claimed. Still some other stuff left.

Service

It was good to be back at Street Church! Storage was a breeze thanks to Crystal and some of her 180 Life friends helping pack lunches a few days prior. We still had a strong crew show up of Wenda, Emmy Lou, and Wenda's friend Cheryl and Barbara. Geoff helped us load the van, we stopped at Chick Fil A for some ice for the cooler, and off we went. 

It was a beautiful sunny day and a lot of our regulars came out downtown. The monthly crew from 180 Life joined us as well as my friend Kendrick, who came for the first time. Crystal did a great job leading in the opening circle.

We had a great time of gathering and welcoming each other as Malaree and Liz did a great job holding down the coffee station. I met a 20-year-old named Jordan who said he'd been out on the street for 3 weeks - he's currently sleeping at Bushnell Park. He got fired from one job but starts a new one at Amazon on Wednesday. It was his first time, and I gave him one of the winter coats we have. I forgot to bring a sleeping bag. Sidenote: Malaree brought a fleece as well and we gave it to one of our regulars Steven, who could not have been more excited. Thanks for sharing the love, Malaree! 

One of my favorite moments was seeing a bride come up the sidewalk, and Curtis holding up the train of her gown! The weight of her gown almost knocked her down as she crossed the street. Curtis, who is always on the lookout to be used by God, saw that and went to help her up and carried (and cleaned) the train of her gown as she rushed into City Hall (she was late for her own wedding!). What an awesome display of love.

Crystal led us in the readings and then Bryan and Lisa gave a short message on love and how that will triumph over all especially at Street Church, despite the behavior from a lot of soon-to-be leaders in this country (and many others). I was able to give a message on the importance of character, especially God's character, and trust. I continue to be amazed at everyone's attentiveness. We had a great time of prayer and then communion afterwards. 

Overall, it was a great day to be back at church. Looking forward to next week.

Blessings,

-Kenny

From the Community Churches

The Gospel on the Sidelines…

Most folks are drawn to the center stage wanting to not miss the “big” thing. Jesus was sneaky… he worked miracles on the margins of the margins… the folks outside
the “club” in off-the-beaten-path nowheres…

In one of the little community churches where we meet my mom came who two years ago should have died. Another friend gets her lunch break off from where she works to come and serve. Another is recently retired and is with me at almost every service as well as volunteering in hospice. And one more is retired as well and loves Jesus and wants to spend her days well.

All this love moves every resident to bless us for coming and bringing Jesus, and as we see so often, move staff to share deep things in life and we come along side them because we are their church too.

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