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

Time is not on our side

We take responsibility for delivering annually to The Temple of God 

the firstfruits of our crops and our orchards,

our firstborn sons and cattle, and the firstborn from our herds and flocks

for the priests who serve in The Temple of our God—

just as it is set down in The Revelation.
                                                                                                  Nehemiah 10:35-35

God wants our time more than our money. Making a donation is easy to do without thought especially with today’s electronic systems. We plug our card in once and set to reoccurring payment. This is easy for our banking, but deadly to our souls. It takes times to shop and drop off like our friend did, and time is the only thing we can offer God that we can never make up. We appreciate the funding, but we honestly want you to be careful with your soul. We love you too much.                                                      

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hi family

We had a great day at church and God made sure we stayed humble!

Logistics

  • Served: ~80

  • Last week's leaders: Bryan

  • Next week's leaders: Ruth, Bryan

  • Next week's preacher: Bryan

Gifts

  • Last week's: hygiene

  • Next week's: underwear

Looking Ahead

Please sign up for sandwiches :)

Service

The parade had no effect on the service and did not come down main street but I was loaded and left storage at 10:45!
We had Ed with us who took on the tent set up, and another who took on the coffee table. Set up was smooth. With packing solo and my mind on hustle mode for the parade the readings and sugar remained in my truck.

"Rocky the bus driver", who is Carmen's friend and told us she was sick had come today to church on her own and volunteered to go for sugar! “I wanted to come by today. I had the day off.

I am not sure what is up, but I have been very forgetful as of late like I was before I began my meds that help with my ADHD symptoms. I would appreciate some friendly reminders! Thanks. 

The service was smooth and we read from a phone and a bible from the crate. Folks were attentive. I preached from the Gospel readings (Luke 12) on not being afraid which was poignant for me as Lisa and I were forced to choose faith over fear in a rather large family decision. The message was well received.  The pastor from Wintonbury distributed communion as a gesture of our unity in Christ across all denominaitons. Great time of prayer and most everyone was engaged. 

Lunch line was smooth and the Jacob's brought mac n cheese and folks stuck around. "Big Mouth” (as he is called on the street) was asleep when we arrived and awoke to have his cuss-filled rant with his invisible tormentor. I shared before the service that is what he would do. We just ignore him and there is no problem. He is not well. If your church is not filled with the broken and outcast and the ones the church scorns, you are a club and not a movement.

As we were wrapping up a friend from VOX let me know that she would be there next week but then away for three following as she is going to Portugal to visit family.

"I hate missing it here! I was born again 50 years ago and I have been looking for a church like this ever since and I have not found one.”

I came here to help hand out food and had no idea it was a church service too!" ..."really? You could never find a church engaged like this?" I asked... "no, never”. God is waking up her Bride! You are all the carriers of the imitation to your houses of worship to join that God is doing here!

As we went around the circle two of the men Andre brought shared they had been looking for a place too. One said he is at Wintobury because they list they are engaged in programs like this. We continue to hear time and time again how Street Church is unique and it breaks my heart to hear this. We are normal, absolutely average in the Biblical understanding of what the Church is supposed to be to a hurting and confused world.
…and it was a lovely day and folks just walked up and greeted me with a hug. deep love here. 

With love,

b

From the Community Churches

“I just want a schedule and stick to it”

… my friends in the assisted living facilities are vocal with their frustrations. It is a sad reality that these places are for-profit and are run as such. They are very, very stressful for the caregivers and turnover is high.

This results on lots of confusion for our little churches of National Treasures as service locations change or don’t get posted. They want Jesus. They need Jesus.

Thankfully, God has sent me a band of merry fools for Christ that are willing to put up with all of the confusion and do whatever it takes to bring the Gospel to Aging America… the largest growing unreached group in the country that is rapidly tossing out the generation that was called the Greatest because they sacrificed the most.

So many well up with tears as they thank us for coming.

The Clairbridge Community Church @ 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

Concealed Carry Policy

The signs of the times...

My wife and I have raised our kids in the domestic mission field while Lisa carried them in her womb. They grew up cross-culturally sharing Jesus’ message of love and redemption in projects, on the streets, in trailer parks, and the suburbs. 

I have been in countries with road pirates and radical Muslim terrorists. My friends have been jailed and tortured for spreading the Gospel. Some have had churches burned down, wives assaulted, guns to their heads... yet they never sought retaliation. I went to seminary with may students who lived in the lands you pray for along with Voices of The Martyrs. They came from Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, The Middle East and many other hostile and closed nations.  They taught and formed me on how to live as “peculiar people”

They were witness to the Gospel, as are we. The Greek word for “witness” is μάρτυρας (mártyras). Christians are called to live the life of Jesus so that the world will see our oounter-cultral life. 

To that end, as churches more and more turn to armed church members fearing attacks, we follow the historical evidence of the Christian Church and God’s Word that tells us to turn cheeks and not live by the sword, to not fear those who can kill only the body but fear only him who can kill the soul. 

As an “ancient Church”, our Holy Space is declared a gun-free zone. We honor and respect your right to carry, but not hear. You are welcome to join us, but please do not bring your side arm. Please respect our applied ethic of Scriptures command to not live by the sword. We understand and respect those who legally have carry permits. You are welcome to join us, but leave your weapon at home. God’s house is no place for a side arm. We are, and have been a safe-haven on the street for almost 10 years. As a friend taught me, we are the “redeemed community”, a “pocket of Peace” in the midst of a hurting and broken world.

 Pray for our nation. Never in my life would I have imagined that we would have to issue notices on weapons in church. God is our strength and our strong tower. The righteous run into him and we are safe. 

Thank you, 
Bryan, and the Street Church Board of Directors. 

One of the best parts of Street Church

Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 

Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my

brother and sister and mother.”

                                                                                                     Matthew 12:47-50

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Hi fam,

We had a great day at church today. The Holy Spirit fell in a profound way! More below.

Logistics

  • Served: ~80

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

  • Next week's leaders: Ruth Chichi, Jody

Gifts

  • Last week's: Socks

  • Next week's: Holy Spirit and love

Looking Ahead

Service

The day started with Bryan, Josh and I at U-Haul loading up. Bryan had organized the unit earlier the week, the lunches were packed from last week, so it made for a quick and easy load. I got to know our new friend Josh a bit more. He just graduated from UConn and is continuing for one more year getting his Master's in Accounting. He found out about Street Church through Vox a few months ago and has been coming almost every Saturday. It's awesome to see him catch the vision.

On the way down to Street Church, Bryan and I got to talk about things weighing on our hearts, both collectively and individually. It's nice to have a brother who shares a similar vision for many things in life but also isn't afraid to speak truth in areas my heart might've gone astray. Those truck rides down to City Hall are holy rides for sure.

Downtown, we had a great crew waiting for us. It was the fourth Saturday of the month, which meant many from Vox showed up. We're so thankful for their enduring partnership, especially those who frequently come and have become part of the family of Street Church. I got to talk with Chris, who formerly cleaned toilets on the Peter Pan buses, but is now looking for work and striving for sobriety. Thankfully, we have two people - Brother Benson and Cheryl - who are active in the social work community of Hartford and they helped him with his next steps. 

The readings were beautiful: Evelyn, Max, Kalia

(Howard and Iyanna's oldest daughter), and David read.

Today reminded me why the readings are among my favorite parts of

Street Church.

Most Sunday churches reserve public readings for those who are the most confident, eloquent, and presentable. But at Street Church, we believe the word of God is for everyone to be read by anyone, from kids to those who can't speak well or have difficulty reading.

It's a wonderful experience.

I was privileged to give the message and have Howard pray over me beforehand. I spoke about the importance of persistence in prayer, a common theme found in today's readings. Often, I've found the "best" sermons are when the messengers preach to themselves, and I was certainly doing that today. God gave me the words to speak as I went along, and I felt assured in the Spirit. 

We had a time of prayer with new prayer cards. Everyone was so engaged in it, and I'm excited to continue in this format. Then the Holy Spirit fell in a profound way. Bryan called up anyone who wanted to give their life to Christ or renew parts of themselves. We had so many people come up and get re-dedicated. Carmen, our Puerto Rican grandma who comes every week in the snow and heat despite health issues, was there with her grandkids from Puerto Rico, and she couldn't look happier. She came up to get prayer for her health issues and the Holy Spirit radiated through Bryan, her and Benson. After finishing, Eric prayed with her and was also almost knocked over from the overflow! It was powerful.

We had a great time of communion where David handed it out. He's another guy who's only come twice but seems to be a guy who'll stick around for a long time. We also prayed for Max, who has been with us since last summer but is going home to Massachusetts next week before embarking on his final year of school. He's been such a light to our family, and we hope to see him again soon.

Overall, it was a blessed day to be downtown as always.

With love,

-Kenny

From the Community Churches

“In Acts 2:42, Luke gives his readers a description of some of the practices of the early church. He says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Most commentators note that the “apostles’ teaching” is something like Bible study or listening to a sermon. The commentators also agree that the “breaking of bread” is most likely shorthand for the Lord’s Supper. But what does Luke mean by “fellowship?”

Fellowship cannot be reduced to, as one writer suggests, “idle chitchat over steaming coffee before or after a worship service.” Fellowship, on the contrary, is gathering around what we believe and then living out that belief for the world to see. We believe the apostles’ teaching about Jesus’ death and resurrection; we come together around one table, breaking one loaf of bread to proclaim Christ’s death as a community; and we pray for our world, our city and our church. Koinonia for Luke, then, is the common Christian life recognized in belief and practice.”

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

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