“Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.”
Luke 14:13-14 Message Translation
Last Week’s Update…stay connected!
Hey Family,
Weather was beautiful and we had no rain!
Logistics
Served: ~90.
Last week's leaders: Geoff-Jeff, Bryan
Next week's leaders: VOX Church
Gifts
Last week's: socks
Next week's: Hygiene
Looking Ahead
We are still serving hot side dishes. Backed beans with hotdog, Mac-n-cheese, pasta, all is welcome if you would like to cook something!
Miscellaneous
This past weekend was “parent’s weekend” as Kenny’s mom and dad joined us as well as Crystal’s mom! It is such a gift seeing the faith passed down through generations.
Service
Geoff and I loaded up at UHaul. Thanks to Crystal and her mom for packing the lunches earlier this week. Julie, a friend of Louise, stayed and helped pack lunches for next week
We loaded both blue coolers, one with gatorade and the other water. We also brought down an extra case of water and gatorade and both went. It is getting hot!
We handed out “what to do if stopped by ICE” cards. I made it clear that we (Street Church) do not condone breaking the law but that everyone, even law-breakers, has rights and dignity. This is a time where we, as a church, can model the life of Jesus loving across more and more walls.
I preached on covering shame and it seemed like the groups had good times of prayer. Please continue to use the papers so we can teach prayer. Written prayers may not be your tradition but we have heard from many it is helpful for them. There is time for open prayers at the end of each section. Some groups go longer than others. It may feel "canned" but in a large group setting we need to be aware. If you are in a group and notice your group is going long, help them close and tell them you can continue to pray during lunch and find them and do so.
Isis jumped right in to help with communion and the line was long, reminding us our friends come here for Jesus first, food second. Kenny and his dad worked the socks, and Isis and Eric served the mac-n-cheese the Jacobs brought.
We had two folks exchange loud words, but loud is just loud and Eric mediated the conflict well along with Brother Benson. It was while I was preaching and, as a pastor, I cannot say how much I appreciate God giving us this ministry of reconciliation on the streets.
While we were wrapping up in our closing circle one of the family shared a story from a woman whom he was talking to. She speaks very little English, but he is fluent is Spanish. She told him
“I live right up the street and have an apartment and walk by this gathering every week. I thought it was private church and you had to be invited but today this man (Will) offered me water and invited me in. He was so welcoming and I was so thankful to be part of the church today!”
I had given Will the assignment of offering everyone person who walked past us a water or gatorade. Will is one of the must humble and hard working guys I know! It’s hard to think that two months ago he was estranged from God and homeless. So many are finding their way to Street Church through this grateful and unassuming man. He is such a gift.
Love to you all,
Bryan
From the Community Churches
Worship without words, advancing the Kingdom without degrees, and Holy Gossip…
If you happen to be driving by the Chrysalis Center in Hartford, look up and you will see our very own Malaree on the billboard working hard! Malaree is the consummate encourager wherever she is; on the bus, at the center, or with her “coffee club” at Dunkin’ every morning at 6 am. She is a force to be reckoned with!
I had the absolute pleasure of spending time with Crystal’s mom this past weekend. As most know, our beloved Crystal is headed back to Texas to finish seminary, help her dad battle cancer, and wait on The Lord, so her mom came to help her in the transition. She joined us for leader dinner and shared stories and I marveled at such a dedicated, Godly woman with a high school diploma who raised an amazing family with a husband she deeply loves.
I made my first “chair altar” last week when I showed up for a service and the regular staff were out. I didn’t realize how creepy it looked until I posted this picture.
… and then Tuesday… I worshipped at Farmington Station in the memory care unit with some twenty or so people. We sing a lot, and I joke even more, because this is the way were are. One lady had new shoes and swore they made her run faster when I told her they looked fast! One friend was what I call “stuck inside” today. They are fully there, but the words and thoughts are just stuck… like an emotional stutter I would say.
I do what I do with folks who are stuck…. I wait, and look them in the eyes because eyes don’t need lips to speak… and I told her it was ok, Jesus was in there with her words and he heard them loud and clear…. and that he loved her…
We sang together because music makes stuck people unstuck which is a very cool trick God thought up, but she couldn’t eat communion so I placed my hand on her back while her head was down again and sang “Yes, Jesus loves me” and she joined in and I felt her singing through her bones because my hand was on her back.
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 River Ridge Community Church
The West Hartford Health and Rehab Community Church
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Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org