Let the little ones come unto me

“One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.”

Matthew 9:14-15 Message Translation

We have had a mom and her daughters joining us for several weeks. They are in a transitional period and it is stressful on them all but they are with us every Saturday and not just for the lunch. I asked one of her daughters if she would help hand out communion and she lit up. It humbles you when a child is living out a faith and clinging to Jesus in such a way that you will most likely never have too.

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!


Logistics

  • Served: 100+ all the food and drinks went out

  • Last week's leaders: Ruth, Bryan, Jodi

  • Next week's leaders: Ruth, Deb, Jodi

  • Next week's preacher: Bryan

  • Last week's: Hygiene kits from Rhino Back Roofing

  • Next week’s: Cold Weather kits from Rhino Back Roofing

Looking Ahead

Service

Hey Family!

My kids used to laugh at me each night around the dinner table when I would share that “the Holy Spirit fell in a powerful way!” when they asked me about my day…

“Dad, you always say The Holy Spirit fell in a powerful way!”

and I would reply, “But He does!”

This is aways the case downtown and when you enter into the space with eyes to see and ears to hear having spent the week seeking after Jesus you get glimpses all around you! Ruth and I loaded up the van in record time because Ciara from VOX South Windsor was going to meet us downtown with the gifts to hand out. Vox has committed every fourth Saturday to provide the meal and send some folks down. We are so thankful for their faithful presence.

I struck up a conversation with a couple from VOX who are bilingual and introduced them to a number of our friends who are not English Speakers. He is a welder for Pratt and Whitney and she is a school nurse and together they brought the joy and dignity… and they tried to teach me more Spanish. Spanish speakers are really needed!

Eric was back with us after a stint away was caught up in praise while sitting alone on the steps. He encourages us all and we give him the love to have hard days among us too. Jodi and Joyce helped out around the coffee table while Liz, aka “Hollywood” kept it all rolling. We had lots of help so we had a team handing out drinks and POP TARTS!!! We were all laughing, perhaps because of the sugar high, that we are the coolest church because we hand out Pop Tarts.

And the crowds came and the numbers are growing and we believe it is not for the food but we have a haven of God’s peace and love in the middle of the city.

Each week there is a group by the bus stop with megaphones and signs crying out that sinners are going to hell; another church near us who hand out a few things and lots of tracts seeking to get people to pray the sinners prayer then promise they will send their bus by to bring them to church if they do; Jehovah’s Witnesses peddling the lies of their cult; and a Pentecostal Church on the far end of the street handing out food…

We show up to worship Jesus and have a church picnic afterwards. No bus needed.

Ruth did a fine job leading the service and communion… and Deb put herself behind the lunch line and stuffed an extra smile and love in each bag

An old friend who was formally homeless and pregnant and in an abusive relationship and now serves with the National Guard came by with two of the three kids to see me and share she has her own ministry now and wanted to help people navigate the current food insecurity.

“Yard Goat Willy” came by with some found object art he had made, and Amy came through, and Angel and the rest of the crew. I preached on Jesus… because…well He’s Jesus, and the prayer time got larger and longer. A mom and her girls who have no roof but lots of faith handed out communion in an act of Defiant Love.

This place,

these people,

Our God….

Love to you all,

Bryan

From the Community Churches

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country,

your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you”.

Genesis 12:1

A few weeks back I was called out of one of the facilities where I had a church. Planting churches in assisted living facilities is not a simple task. They are very much a profit-driven industry and the stress on staff and lack of a living wage makes a very high turnover. This is hard on folks who thrive on stability.

But God knew what he was doing as this opened up my schedule to say “yes” to a friend who works at Arden Court. I first met her when her worked at another facility where I am. She was in need of a pastor and simply asked if I was available.

Please pray for this new family of God at Arden Court. This is number six in the collective and I mention that number not to boast or brag but to honor God and show the deep need for ministers and ministry in these homes full of our churches treasures.

The Street Church Collective Community Churches

Arden Courts Community Church (Farmington)

Brookdale/Chatfield Community Church (West Hartford)

Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield (West Hartford)

Farmington Station Community Church (Farmington)

River Ridge Community Church (Avon)

West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church (West Hartford)

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

God Parted the Road Blocks

“Wait, is it ok if I take a selfie to send to my daughters?”

                                                                                                         Bryan Bywater

I had “the blue light special” on my scalp last week… that’s what my dermatologist calls the chemical peel with the blue light he uses to kill pre-cancerous lesions. I shared with the PA about street preaching and how it’s hard on bald heads…On the ride up in the elevator I got into a conversation with a woman and ended up praying over her and we both missed our floors as the Holy Spirit filled us with awe….

… all places, all times, all people… let’s pack the bus together for The Lord!

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

  • Served: ~65

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

  • Next week's leaders: Bryan

  • Next week's preacher: Bryan

  • Last week's: nada

  • Next week’s: New Street Church Lanyards

Looking Ahead

Service

With the Hartford Marathon taking place, we decided to downsize a bit. Fitting all we needed into my pickup truck I headed Downtown. As I drove, I prayed God would make a way through the traffic and road closures. Listening to a random podcast it began "Fear not for I am with you". On reaching Hartford the ramp was backed up. I sat stuck in traffic waiting as the light went through a few cycles. I realized all traffic was turning left but Town Hall was straight ahead. Reaching the light much to my surprise the road straight ahead was open and completely empty not only that the HPD had just removed the barricade a block ahead onto Main St., I rolled in with less traffic than the typical Saturday. It wasn't the Red Sea but to me it might as well have been.

At Town Hall I was greeted by Benson, Curtis and a few other faithful members. The set up went as a typical Saturday with everyone present jumping to help. It is so beautiful to see those with so little willing to give so much.

Later that day a gentleman who is living in a shelter told me

"I don't worry about myself I just want to give and help others".

With Main St. closed there was a beautiful stillness as I spoke on the Grace of God. Old school street preaching ( no PA system) it was awesome. With the Cross leaving our sin behind us, His grace and His love upon us, we can walk forward with confidence in becoming who He has called us to be.

Lunches were served as a beautiful Bride and Groom

took pictures with their wedding party on the steps of Town Hall.

I watched how tenderly and affectionately he held her, l

ooking at her with love as if she were the only one present.

I felt the eyes of our Lord looking at His Bride the Church with such love.

The wedding party returned on their way out

with a large tray of muffins and pastries to share with us.

This act of kindness was well received and another example of individuals thoughtfulness willing to help as they cross social lines to do what they could.

As I left the city Saturday I was overcome with joy as the podcast continued "I will make a way where there is no way" "I am with you always"

-b

We have been in need of folks bringing food and sandwiches. You can sign up online to bring food, make sandwiches, volunteer, or provide funds to keep the ministry operating.  

GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

        From the Community Churches

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;

or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

                                                                                             Matthew 6:25-27

We did not have any community church services last week, but The Body of Christ worshipped the Father when a friend dropped off food for lunch downtown. For decades our front steps have been the drop off point for so many gifts. It fills my heart to roll into the driveway to see the “offering steps” full!

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield

The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield

The Farmington Station 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

The Jesus Bus

“My goal in life is to pack the bus to heaven before I die or Jesus comes back… preferably the later!”

                                                                                                         Bryan Bywater

I came across this picture today of a note my now college freshman daughter wrote thirteen years ago. It reminded me of all of you who are at the “Jesus Bus Line” with me calling out to those lost and looking for “The Jesus Bus”.

… and this girl sent me this text last week (I asked if I could share)

“we went out in CrU [Campus Crusade for Christ]today and evangelized on campus!

i was able to have so many great conversations and share the gospel with people-

i wanted to share with the family because i was reminded of the times in high school when i wanted to hide my faith because of fear of being judged,

yet now i am sharing it at school because i want no one to go without

hearing the gospel. God is so good!”

… all places, all times, all people… let’s pack the bus together for The Lord!

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hey Family,

Stunning day as always!

  • Served: ~100+

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

  • Next week's leaders: Geoff

  • Next week's preacher: The Holy Ghost and Geoff

    Gifts

  • Last week's: Underwear

  • Next week’s: socks

Looking Ahead

  • We have been in need of folks bringing food and sandwiches. You can sign up online to bring food, make sandwiches, volunteer, or provide funds to keep the ministry operating.  

    GIVE HERE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

    SIGN UP HERE TO HELP SERVE.

    SIGN UP HERE, TO PROVIDE FOOD DONATIONS  

Service

Such a beautiful Saturday that started out on Friday Night as Deb Serra and some young friends made the sandwiches for the day! Many hands make light work, and work for the Lord fills the house with love!

Our friend Ed read Psalm 37 for us. It was a Holy Moment. You could seen and feel The Spirit speak to him as he stood in our midst;

“…Do not fret, trust in the Lord, do good, take delight in the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still wait patiently for him; do not fret…”

Kenny often says the pubic reading of Holy Scripture by God’s assorted people is his favorite part of the service. I would have to agree. Al followed up and others as well. Kenny added to each reading and drew us into the Holy Presence of God.

I preached on trusting God and expounded the many times in Scripture God had proven himself faithful to His covenants.

Then we broke off into prayer groups and I noticed Isis had a group over by the steps holding hands with a new family and praying deeply. She has been homeless on and off and has had many struggles but is growing in faith and joy. A few weeks back she shared she had finished both a carpenters apprenticeship and food prep course and was looking for work! If you have ever seen her nails you would be in shock too! Look at what God is doing!

We called back in and Kenny handed out communion so I jumped over into the lunch line to help it move. I spent years working at Starbucks and know how to keep a POS (point of service) line moving. Kenny smothered  the line in love after he finished and I wandered over to the underwear line to check up and found a woman I had never seen before dressed very nicely handing out underwear and loving up on folks. I asked her name and appologized if we had met before…

“Oh no honey, I was just walking by and saw what you all was doing and asked if I could help so I jumped in!”

This is happening more and more as we intentionally hand our “jobs” over to others and watch the Holy Spirit make the community livable again…. like Isaiah prophesied in Chapter 58… make the community livable again.

What a beautiful day Saturday!

b

From the Community Churches

“I always thought following Jesus was something you did on your own,

but it’s more like a parade, and I LOVE parades!”

                                     - Aaron, Simsbury High school Senior 1990-something

I used the electronic fob I was given by the person at the front desk and let myself in to the secured memory care unit at River Ridge.  As the lock clicked and I swung the door swung open, I scurried inside to avoid the alarm going off and was startled by my friend Teresa who was sitting in one of the oversized chairs… and I startled her too.

“Oh, you are here today!”

“yes, we are having church today, would you like to come join me?”

“Oh yes, please!”

And we started our little parade down the hall, me pushing my beach cart full of church-in-a-box and Teresa pushing her walker. We rounded the corner and many friends were waiting, and more were pushed in, or walked in, or shuffled in and we started to sing old hymns together…

And they sang so beautifully that I picked up one of the battery powered candles from the holder and simply conducted this choir and never took my guitar out of the case.

That’s when Eilene walked in to worship with us. She used to join us during her lunch break at the dental office where she worked with/for her husband. They have since  sold the practice and retired… and now she does not have to rush back.

We handed out communion and everyone was pleased to have it, some opening eyes with joy…and some staff joined us too because the work weekends and we are their church too. I preached a short sermon (honest)  and sang a little more then while we were packing up one of the residents came up to us and said…
”I was watching Mass on TV right before you came and I was sad because I was not able to receive the Body and the Blood of Jesus, and you showed up and look what you brought! That means so much to me! Thank you so much!”

When I got to the truck I had a message about a package that arrived today with gifts to make the people downtown feel loved and seen too.

Thanks to you all who are in the Parade with us.

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield

The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield

The Farmington Station 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

The House of Love

Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.

Proverbs 15:17

Bobby was back with us this past Saturday! I almost busted a gut smiling just seeing him. He was ‘“out of commission” for a while. He lives with mental illness like so many others, and he finds love and a safe home among us. They always come back because they are always welcomed. Bobby has had an executor for his whole life and he is excited to not need one on the New Earth.

 Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hi fam,

A pretty great day downtown. Thank you to Jesus for not dumping rain on us. More info below.

Logistics

  • Served: 100+

  • Last week's leaders: Bryan. Shout out to Nick and Jennifer Yang for loading and unloading 

  • Next week's leaders: Ruth

  • Next week's preacher: Jeff

Gifts

  • Last week's: socks

  • Next week's: backpacks

Looking Ahead

  • VOX is on for this  week

  • CrU will be here with us from UCONN 

Service

Started off praying with Lisa in the morning and it was really good. We prayed specifically for “Big Mouth” and his healing. He remained down by the Wadsworth Saturday, louder and more emotional than before but he came quitely through our line and went back. As we were loading a firetruck with lights arrived as someone had called him in. I told them he had been around us and seems to be off his meds but he has been loud and not violent and they were thankful. We will advocate for every human being

I somehow read the wrong dates so Lisa and I made 100 sandwiches and soup to add to the mac and cheese and 75 sandwiches made. This was good as we ran out of lunch bags, soup and mac and cheese. 

I preached on the dishonest manager and how it was a call to the church to managed the gifts for Kingdom Profit since they were so good at dishonestley handling what they had been gifted by him for their gain. 

LOTS of good faces to day! Bobby was with us, and MISS WONDERFUL TOO! She had kept away because "she is no longer a teenager and the walk is hard".  Curtis came along, and Eric as well as a host of folks we haven’t seen in some time.

There was peace and marked joy today, which I was thankful. As I was leaving Bobby was head in his hands and when we started talking he had moist eyes..."you just don't know what it's like being a ward of the state your whole life. It's really hard."

I reminded him we are his family too. We are all many have around here. What an honor and privledge it is to be a part of this. 

Peace,

b

    From the Community Churches


I am so thankful for the breadth of our ministry! I hosted a huge team of 28 middle school students from Cornerstone Christian School midweek to pack up toothbrushes and razors, soap and utensils and a few hundred other things… and I may have jacked them up a bit which was not hard to do! So grateful for the passion of these kids for Jesus and the marginalized.

Then it was off to one of our assisted living facilities to sing and laugh, preach and come to the table. Often family is with us visiting and it is such a gift for them to be able to have church with spouses who can no longer stay safely at home.

That is true covenantal love and I have bore witness to it over the years… the other can give nothing back in return, it is one-sided because they are one flesh.

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield

The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield

The Farmington Station 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

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How Much More

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

                                                                                                        Luke 14:23 NIV

I’ll be downtown a couple of days a week simply doing what the Lord asked us to do.

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hi fam,

We had a beautiful service Saturday. Praise God for Justin stopping by and giving his life to Christ and getting baptized!!! More info below

Logistics

  • Served: ~90

  • Last week's leaders: Kenny, Jody, Geoff

  • Next week's leaders: Kenny, Bryan

  • Next week's preacher: Bryan

  • Gifts

  • Last week's: socks and string bags

  • Next week's: Hygiene

Looking Ahead

  • Nobody is signed up for lunches or to volunteer yet this week. Can you help us out?

Service

What a beautiful day Saturday. A big hat tip to Bryan for packing the lunches and preparing the storage unit for an easy load-in at U-Haul. College football has started again which means I'm back on my early Saturday morning work shift. As such, I don't get to U-Haul until a bit later than I'd like. I didn't get the truck until 10:30 but thanks to Bryan's work on Friday, it took just 30 minutes to load with Geoff and we were out of there by 11. We could use help loading on Saturdays. The lunches are packed for the day but we can always pack for next week if folks show up to help.

We were greeted by such a huge group of Hillside Church in Bristol (among other folks). There must've been 30 people of all ages that came out! Special shoutout to the Beamans, Scott and Cyndi, for the great work they do leading Hillside's multiple community efforts. 

Many hands make for light work, and we were barely finished unloading the truck before we had the entire place set-up. It gave us all the chance to mingle for a while before starting service. Benson excitedly introduced me to a new parishioner, Gloria. Last week, we said goodbye to Rocky the city bus driver, one of our treasured members who got assigned a new route that took her away from us. This week, Gloria her replacement, came to join us wearing a John 3:16 shirt and is already excited to spread the word throughout the week on the buses!

Geoff led us in the readings as Al, Ed, Tony and one other lady (whose name I forgot) read the passages with such grace. I gave a word that I felt God give me last week about "How much more" based on the half-dozen times Jesus says in the gospels "if [such and such happens], how much more will God do this for you!" I reminded everyone they are God's masterpiece, loved and valued more than anything in the world.

A fellow named Justin came up to me as we were in a time of prayer. He mentioned he was by the library and heard my preaching, so he came out because he felt God calling to him. He said he's always known God, but he wants to follow Him. I asked if he had given his life to Christ before; he said no. So I called everyone in, Justin affirmed his new faith, Benson prayed over him, and then we led him in baptism at the fountain - the best baptismal font in the city! All praise to God. He said he just got out of the shelters into permanent housing and asked for a Bible. I gave him one, as well as a first 30 days book from the Alpha program.

After communion, we had a wonderful feast! Bryan ordered pizzas for everyone. We had a lot of folks come out today but everyone patiently waited in line - one of our volunteers mentioned how grateful everyone seemed. And so we all feasted on some Joey’s from West Hartford (thanks for the discount on 17 pies!) and as God would have it, there was just enough. The Jacobs also brought baked ziti and meatballs, Everyone left full.

A beautiful day! God is the best.

Kenny

        From the Community Churches

So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth.

It broke his heart.

                                                          Genesis 6:6

I hope this image upsets you. I make no apologies….

This is not a neutral photo.

It will infuriate many and make others weep.

Last week at one of the Independent Adult Living communities where I pastor a church I was asked why.… so we prayed hard and our hearts broke over the latest senseless deaths. The elderly don’t understand what happened to the country they fought for and died for. So we circled our chairs and we wept and prayed. There is a spiritual war and the Church is not fighting it. We are here now in this present age to live out Heaven on Earth. Are we?

Hear me, this is not a rally against gun ownership. This a follower of Jesus who desires God to heal our land.

How about you?

Who have you circled your chair with and prayed and wept over the brokenness of our nation and the world?

The Clairbridge Community Church @ Brookdale/Chatfield

The Community Church at Brookdale/Chatfield

The Farmington Station 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