Shout praises to the Lord!
With all my heart
I will thank the Lord
when his people meet.
The Lord has done
many wonderful things!
Psalm 111:1-2a
We all know and love Eric.
I remember a few years back when we asked folks to offer up a thanksgiving to the Lord for his goodness over the past year Eric came forward and took the mic and then put his head down and spoke words that quite frankly changed my life.
“I want to thank the Lord for this past year
because I didn’t have an episode and try and hurt myself.”
I have learned all these years that to live among the thankful people you need to be with the outcast and marginalized. You will here prayers like “thank you for the rain so the crops did not fail”, “Thank you for putting me in jail so I didn’t die on the street”, “thank you for narcan”, “thank you for my keys to my apartment”….
I ask you all to be bold at your table today and give thanks for a few things;
Thank God for your mental health, and for those who are suffering from mental illness.
Thank God for the seat you are sitting on, and for those who don’t own a chair.
Thank God that you will be sick of leftovers, and for those who are sick because they don’t have any “first helpings”
Thank God you were stressed out with all the preparations, and for those who wish they were.
My family and the Street Church Family are thankful for you all.
Last Week’s Update…stay connected!
Served: 96
Last week's leaders: Ruth and Bryan
last week preacher: Kenny
Next week's leaders: Bryan
Next week's preacher: Bryan
Last week's: hygiene products
Next week’s:TBD
(from Ruth)
Arrived at U-Haul around 10 along with Jon, Bryan and Kenny. Bryan and Kenny talked at an event last week and their words did not fall on death ears as a mother and daughter team showed up. They felt moved by Kenny's words and that God was calling them to action hence they came to help load up the truck. I went around to get the truck while Bryan opened storage and started organizing things. Once again packing went smoothly and we ended way before 11. Jeff came to lend a hands for which we are very grateful but this time his presence alone was welcome as we circled and prayed getting ready to head out.
Downtown we were joined by people from VOX Church, a large group from Jack and Jill (a group dedicated to raising up young male and female leaders of color), and another church who had contacted us earlier in the week looking to help. ( (from Bryan) "Unfortunately they arrived with their photography team and as it seemed clear us our church was not a good fit. I told them I was offered and asked them to please leave. It was difficult but our main church are those downtown and as we teach those who come to be with us we are a worshipping church to join, not poor people to hand out too. "
There were a lot of children downtown this time around and we could tell God called everyone to be peaceful as there was no shouting or cursing the kids and everyone there were able to participate and receive the message. Kenny preached on the greatest love story ever told which is Jesus dying on the cross for us. Amongst all he said what stuck with me was that Jesus died for ALL people and ALL the sins. As humans we like to rank what sin is worse than others, but God made no such distinctions they are all bad and Jesus died for them all. We are so blessed that our sins don't make us be left out.
VOX church invited everyone to a thanksgiving pancake breakfast at 8 am at 129 Lafette street. All are welcome to celebrate the holiday together and break bread "pancake" together as a body of Christ. Remembering that Jesus is the one to be thankful for first and foremost.
Bryan, Kenny and I headed back to U-Haul where we were able to have a good conversation about what transpired with that other church and gained better understanding on how to Shepherd and rebuke well.
As always God met us where we were at and provide once again a room for everyone to hear and learn about him and learn to love like him. And I am grateful he's giving me more confidence when it comes to driving the truck .
I wish everyone a happy thanksgiving.
Ruth
From the Community Churches
These week we worshipped at Farmington Station and Chatfield Community Church. Mary came to Farmington Station directly from physical therapy! This is what “Christian Retirement” looks like!
Farmington Station was a packed house as always. I am especially thankful for the family members who are visit to be with their grandparents or friends or spouses and worship together. One couple has been married for 60 years. I would be 103 if Lisa and I make it that far! During our time of prayer, Mary asked if there is anything to pray for and one of the staff with wet eyes asked for prayers for Ukraine and her family that are there.
Chatfield was small in size but that never matters to us. It seems as if the scheduling is difficult but we continue to show up. We asked our friends to help hand out readings, take one if they like, and to set up and take down the communion table. It is healing an offers dignity when you ask resident to help. I personally love to have folks in wheel chairs help me to fold the table linen.
Thanks for all the prayers! The Family says hello!
Blessings,
Byan
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)
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Bryan
Street Church Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator
(860) 578-2961 TEXT ONLY
bryan@thestreetchurch.org