A life laid down

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 12:11

While Kenny was leading Street Church, I attended a conference at Valley Community Baptist Church (as did Geoff and his daughter Jen)…

While there I ran into a friend I have not seen in forever. He and his wife adopted four kids each from a different Asian country. They taught me first hand and in real-time what loving the foreigner among you looks like. They are some of my heroes of the faith… all of them.

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hi fam,

My heart was heavy over the past week for our friends, but it was a blissful few hours in the oasis of love at Street Church. Notes below.

Logistics

  • Served: ~70

  • Last week's leaders: Kenny

  • Next week's leaders: Geoff, Crystal

  • Next week's preacher: Bryan

Gifts

  • Last week's: socks

  • Next week's: underwear

Looking Ahead

  • A men's group from Valley Brook is handling all of the food for next week.

Miscellaneous

Service

It was just me (Kenny) today and UHaul was understaffed so it was a small fiasco.  

It was super slow getting the van, so I actually jumped out of the line to get to the unit because we had a family coming to help us out: Matt, Madi and their 3 young kids. They were awesome. Bryan organized the unit on Friday and had a few tasks for the kids to do.

We had just a small crew downtown other than the regulars. Two moms each with their middle school-aged sons were there, as was Zach who came for the first time last week (and is now hooked). Eric showed up for the first time in a while. I had a good chat with him. He got out of the hospital last Friday (a week ago) and Saturday was his first day out of the house. He's just been resting and letting his meds work. He said he felt like he needed to be here, and it was really nice to be with him. 

I gave a message on loving your neighbor. I was originally struck this week by Jesus' words that "A prophet is not accepted in his hometown" in Luke 4. We are in a season where many feel isolated in their “church hometowns”. We are in need of great empathy, compassion, kindness, and care and less flexing, hatred and discord.

I found God pointing me to Luke 10 and Jesus' parable about the Good Samaritan, where a religious leader tries to get Jesus to say he doesn't have to love everyone by asking "Who is my neighbor?" It seems to me like many people today are asking the same question in order to “justify themselves” on who they do and do not have to care for.  I told them I wasn't preaching a universalist message as God certainly has a specific design for how life is to be lived, but we can get too caught up in the Xs and Os of Christianity and lose sight of Jesus' bigger commandment… "go and do likewise [show mercy to all]….

I ended with the Beatitudes and reminded us all that it is how God sees us is what matters and that the best thing we can do to love our neighbor is to pray for them. Not so God “fixes them”, or their attitudes to change, but for God to meet them in their heart and to change our hearts towards them.  People seemed to resonate with it. Everyone was attentive and people felt it spoke to them. 

We had a great time of prayer and communion, lunch and giveaways. Benson, Eric, and Liz were dancing and praising at the altar. It was a great sight. I went back and unloaded on my own, which was good. 

My heart felt better after Street Church. It always does.

Have a wonderful week,

-Kenny

 From the Community Churches

Great worship time at The Farmington Station Community Church. It fills my heart so see staff and traveling OT’s and PT’s jumping into the gathered circle to take communion with the ones the care for…. neither male nor female, Greek nor Jew, Slave nor free, therapist nor patient… we are all one in Christ Jesus. Amen and Amen!

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

soli Deo gloria… to God be the glory alone

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans,

for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

                                                                       Matthew 6:7-8

 

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!


Logistics

  • Served: 80

  • Last week's leaders: Geoff, Bryan 

  • Next week's leaders: Kenny

Gifts

  • Last week's: snack bags

  • Next week's: socks

Looking Ahead

Miscellaneous.

I like pizza 

Service

Great service this weekend... have we ever said anything else?

There was a smaller group but as is always the case we had what we needed. Geoff led us off and did a fine job. I'm so thankful for all of those whom God has sent to lead. It is not simply a "relief" of the burden, but it is a true blessing and joy to see "the glory of God"... as St. Irenaeus said..."the glory of God is man(kind) fully alive, and the life of man(kind) is the vision of God."

We had new folks from VOX join us and they jumped right in without a single bump. One man brought his son who got a little cold so we wrapped him up and his smile never faded. I met Loren, the son of Street Church's dear friend Sue Davis, at a local church before heading downtown. He works at an airport and when one of the local sports teams flies he gets the leftover food and he donates it to us. Such a blessing to have hundreds of sports drinks and snacks! God intentionally set up our food collection so that we would be dependent upon the hearts of others as Elijiah was fed by ravens. It keep us dependent and thankful. 
Chi Chi gave us a solid message from the Lord that He has been sharing with her during her personal time of reading and praying on the intimacy of Jesus and the healings of lepers. This led to people sharing stories during prayer, and tears fell as people were set free to say they were not ok. Maybe that's what we are here, a colony of full of “the one leper” who was healed and came back to say thank you.

We paused to hand out english and spanish copies of materials we were given by our friend Ali Rice on immigration rights. Please keep in mind that even those who are "legal" immigrants can we stopped and are living in fear. Our protocol is just gives names and no other information on any one. Churches are no longer safe places in the eyes of the administration. 

We've got a new friend, "Gloria" who is a bit over the top on the outfit spectrum. Please show the love we always do to everyone. Keep Chino in prayer as he is sick and in a warming shelter, for Eric and his mental health, and Malaree as she heals from back surgery. 

From the Community Churches

Mary and I got to the Farmington Station Community Church last week and it was a HOOT. There is a child-like joy that is often missed in memory care units. Perhaps it’s because we are afraid of thinking we might act like children when we are old too. I pray I do and some one comes to bring me joy! I sing and run and dance around like it’s an elementary school music class and then enter into deep worship, and read the Bible, preach and they listen and we have communion in such solemn unity. There are lots of courses and books written on this stuff, but I believe we are seeing the Father’s Heart for His children when we are here. We actually had staff and visiting therapists making their rounds line up for communion. What a gift! Their faces are full of joy and I can’t miss the fact that in this act of Table Unity they are proclaiming they and their “clients” are one family.

soli Deo gloria…to God be the glory alone

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

“What are you guys doing?”

The Bible tells us that when we do good things to keep it quiet (Matt. 6:3), but then to also do them in public so He is glorified (Matt. 5:16).  It’s about the heart. We don’t do it for show, but to glorify. Last week a random guys asked us what we were doing, Geoff told explained it to him, and the stranger stuffed a $50 bill in his hand.

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

  • Served: 86

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

Gifts

  • Last week's: Hygiene 

  • Next week's: snack bags

Looking Ahead

Miscellaneous.

There are still some food items that can be taken this week. Please check the sign up sheet. As of this writing, Eric is an in-patient getting needed help, Maria has a court date today, Chino is navigating the shelter system again. It’s important in this spiritual climate to keep your prayers going, armor on, tongue under control, and drench yourself in love.

Service

Hey Family! This is from Bryan this week.

Great start at storage with a group of families from the Chinese Baptist Church. They are committed to bringing food and helping us once a month! That makes three of the four weeks covered by church partners. Look at God! Geoff was there so things ran really well. Andy (one of the leaders) mentioned they are using our format to disciple their young children. I am so encouraged. I was also asked last week to visit the Barn's (a church in Simsbury) youth group in May and will be leading a retreat for the youth at Black Rock Church in the Spring.

I arrived at 11:29 (no joke) and there were a few waiting then the LARGE Boy Scout group showed up. They were polite, listened well, and didn't form in little huddles which was really helpful because we had A LOT to distribute. Amir did not show up (the man who was disruptive last week). 

Service was great and Geoff did a great job leading. I'm enjoying watching God work in HIm as He does with all of us as we learn to surrender more and more by necessity. I always think of the old saying "busier than a one-armed hanger. The Spirit stilled the service and the readings and I believe anointed the message. A fine time of prayer and communion. Our regular helpers stepped back so folks could do the work. The jacobs brought three pans of baked ziti along with all the other food. We only had 15 sandwiches left before the stragglers came in and folks asked for leftovers. 

With such a large team handing out hygine was easy. Maria aka "mommy:" was with us, her mom was buried in PR on Friday but she is doing well. Carmen was not with us, nor Eric for the second week in a row. 

....and the rain held off until we left!

Together for the Kingdom!

Brya

From the Community Churches

Great fun and worship with Mary, Karen and her boys at the Community Churches last week. Most facilities have multiple units for Independent living, assisted living, memory care, or rehab from surgery. It’s a gift to serve the later. As part of my training in the Episcopal Church a million years ago I was trained in Clinical Pastoral Education and served as s hospital chaplin for six months. It is a tender place to Shepard people in the time of uncertainty, and a constant reminder to me (and us all) that our time and days are known only to God. Trusting and living belong to us.

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 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