“would you pray for me please?”
Our newest church was welcomed with open arms..
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7
Last Week’s Update…stay connected!
Hey Family,
It got cold again last week! Welcome to New England fake Spring
Logistics
Served: 85
Last week's leaders: Bryan, Deb, Bensen, and the Culpit Family and special appearance by Kenny and Kelsey
Next week's leaders: Kenny
Next week's preacher:Bryan
Gifts
Last week’s: Hygiene bags
Next week's: Snack Bags
Looking Ahead
CrU will be with us on the 28th with lunches
Miscellaneous
Food sign-ups for February, March, and beyond are here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040849A5AC2AA6F58-street#/
Service
The day started off with TC Cupit and his boys at storage with their Trail Life troop. For those who have never heard of Trail Life, it is a Christian-based ministry along the lines of Boy Scouts but with a strong emphasis on the faith and discipleship. Aiden, TC’s eldest son, was responsible for the organization of the food and packing did a fantastic job. Our truck was loaded with an hour to spare so the team they brought packed up the snack bags for next week.
We arrived downtown and more Trail Life folks showed up, including a man who served with me as a volunteer youth leader almost twenty years ago! He was there with his teenage son and I was so excited to see the line of faith being passed along that it took the sting out of just how old I am getting.
The Spirit fell as soon as the truck doors opened and everyone pitched in. I stood and watched it all until a woman named Gloria approached me and said she wanted to get help getting clean from a crack addiction. I praised God for his invitation at new life for her and Brother Benson and I prayed over her then he gave her information on next steps.
We had a speaker problem and a mic problem off the bat so we knew it was going to be a great day. We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, not our PA. Folks stepped it up as the read the Scriptures and the crowd had to lean in and listen. I preached on spiritual blindness and judgment on the church who claim to see using John 9:1-41.
I love watching everyone engaged with the readings and actively participating. I ended with a call for those who had gotten “spiritual cataracts” and wanted eyes to see Jesus in all his truth as well as there shortfalls….
Two people came up.
One, an older woman of color who wanted freedom from addiction
The other, a young white male who is getting baptized in a couple of weeks who was moved to give his life to Jesus and could not wait…. Jesus always ruins the plans of men and women!
As I had called everyone in to pray over them I simply called folks to turn and pray with those around them like I do and which they did.
We gathered up for communion and Kenny and my old friend served together and I felt all like a proud parent. The soup was welcomed as it was cold, as well as the lunches and snack packs. Folks stuck around drinking coffee and hot chocolate, we helped out people with clothes and underwear who were in need, especially one man just released from prison…..
Crystal was back along with his now spouse. For those of you who don’t know Crystal we met him some time ago when he came into our group homeless and hurting. He is trans and wants to be be referred to as “they, them” but early on I told him we use names not pronouns and it is really hard to not slip. When you are doing Gospel Ministry you attract those whom the Gospel is for. Many churches as good as they are try to attract church members. The “Crystals” in the world are very complicated and will cost you dearly by association. So it was with Jesus and all those who came to him.
On a sad closing note, our dear Maria, aka “Mommy” who sits behind the lunch table and hands out food each week called me yesterday letting me know her sister had died and she was traveling to Puerto Rico for the funeral. Please keep her and everyone in your prayers for comfort and traveling mercies.
love you all,
b
Community Church Updates
This past week I arrived at West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation like I always do on the third Tuesday of the month to find that they had forgotten it was the third Tuesday of the month and were engaged in some Saint Patrick’s Day shenanigans… and since I am always up for shenanigans but never buffoonery I just jumped right in and commandeered some local apparel as any good missionary does to enculturate.
I had brought the readings for the Feast Day of Patrick and had planned on sharing his story… and no one really knew it. No, he was not Irish, he was dragged there as a slave at first but escaped and went back… no he did not drink green beer or eat green bagels nor even green eggs and ham. He did lead the pagan king to Christ and led the nation to Jesus.
We had so much fun loving God and wearing our hats that made our head sweat that my Jewish friend only remembered she was Jewish just before he lips clamped down on communion….
It was my first sighting of a Puerto Rican Leprechaun… yes, they really do exist!
The Street Church Collective communities
Arden Court Community Church (Farmington)
Brookdale Chatfield Community Church (West Hartford)
Harbour Community Church (West Hartford)
Farmington Station Community Church-memory care Farmington)
Farmington Station Community Church-independent living (Farmington)
River Ridge Community Church (Avon)
The Street Church (Hartford)
West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church (West Hartford)
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108 Whitman Ave
West Hartford, CT 06107-1754
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