Inspiring the churches of the valley

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Bryan and I (Kenny) had the opportunity to talk about Street Church to a local church gathering last weekend. Our goal wasn’t to get more people to come down with us (though everyone is welcome), but rather to share what we’ve learned about Jesus and how folks can apply those learnings to their context. Our session was titled, “Discipled by Jesus at the table of the outcasts.”

I first showed up to Street Church six years ago thinking I was going to be fulfilling Matthew 28 and making disciples, or at the very least obeying Jesus’ command to go and serve the needy. Little did I realize that I was the person who was going to be discipled, and that I was the needy one! But man, I am thankful for how it turned out. I’ve learned more than I ever thought about Jesus on Saturdays on the front steps of Hartford City Hall and through my dear friends I’ve come to know and love. Most of my learning wasn’t through handing out lunches, underwear, or coffee, but rather simply showing up consistently, learning about people’s lives, and sharing a meal together. We call it the ministry of presence. The Lord is close to all those who need Him. Let us recognize where we need Him in our own lives, and how we can show God’s presence and nearness to those around us.

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

• Served: 80ish., with the extra help around 50 bags were prepped for next week

• Last week's leaders: Ruth and Chichi

• last week preacher: Ruth

• Next week's leaders: Ruth

• Next week's preacher: Kenny

• Last week's: socks

• Next week’s: Hygiene

From Ruth

Picked up speakers and other items from Bryan's house and made it to storage by 10:10 where the Yangs, Deb and her son Nate were already waiting. I opened our unit and left them to pack lunches as I got the truck. (it was nice having the extra help!)

Once I got the truck packing up was easy and we made it out before 11. We dropped off ChiChi’s son, Royal at the sitters and headed downtown. (thankful for ChiChi’s commitment)

One of our friends was having a hard time and was cursing and shouting as we set up and as we broke down but somehow while service was going on he was quiet. God is faithful.

Chichi led us through the service and I preached on suffering experiencing Job moments when Satan may come at us and seemly “take” thing from us, yet we still persevere and win the battle. I called us all to remember God’s promises in Matthew 5 that we are blessed as we suffer on this earth for our rewards will be great in heaven.

God provided too as an old time friend of mine, Danielle, who led intervarsity back at Eastern State University was passing by. It was great to see her and she came through as we were missing the ladle for the soup and she was able to call her husband to bring it down. It was a beautiful day through and through, and TC came with me and chichi and helped us unpack in the afternoon.

Be blessed,

Ruth

From the Community Churches

Beautiful first service at our newest community church at Arden Court. The staff were fantastic and had everyone gathered and even joined us for the service and communion. Mary will be with me here too (she is living a Godly retirement!). This group loves to sing, but as always, it was communion that was the center piece and thank you after thank you came from folks who have not had it in years. This is such a gift to be here. Pray for our new friends!

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

Can you hear me now?

“Can you hear me now?”

Say hello to our newest member of our sound team! I picked up this small Bluetooth speaker to help us do online intake for housing and rehab on Saturdays. We will be able to be on the phone with case managers and friends while they navigate housing and sobriety on the front steps! Thanks for your giving!

Last Week’s Update…stay connected!

Logistics

Served: 80ish. There was a huge giveaway from Hartford Hospital 

Last week's leaders: Bryan with help from Deb, Br Benson, Geoff (with Jen and Emmerson), Liz, Jesus

Next week's leaders: Ruth, Deb,

Next week's preacher: Ruth!

Last week's: Socks

Next week’s: TBD

Miscellaneous 

Bryan is starting the new Community Church at Arden Court today

Kenny and Bryan will be teaching and representing at the Vision New England’s Thrive Conference this Saturday at Valley Baptist in Avon

Bryan will be preaching at New Life in Wethersfield on Sunday

Service

Can I give out The Blood today?”

Yes, yes you can...

It’s happened, all we had to do was get out of the way. I remember when Street Church first started before we called this family Street Church. We would send out an email with an air of desperation looking for volunteers to help us “do” all that we had to do. 

I had been warned about being ripped off and hustled by homeless from veterans of the field so much so that we prayed with our eyes open so that we wouldn’t get ripped off. 

To be sure, there were a few occasions that we were taken advantage of but slowly I simply saw that as part of doing what we were doing and being where we were. I stopped looking for the dark and focused on the light. 

We rolled up yesterday and I had a person not from the city who was there to fulfill community service hours for breaking the law and three others who were “not locals”... one family just doesn’t count because they came from that scene and God did a work...

So we asked Hollywood to oversee the coffee table, and Charles to hand out drinks, Jesus (not THE Jesus) who rededicated his life back to THE Jesus last week was asked to help hand out lunches, my little friend wanted to hand out “the Blood” again this week and she was helped out by a local guy...

I never asked anyone to help set up or break down.... they didn’t need to be recruited for the church set up team... our rented van just rolled up with all that we needed for church and they set up and when we were over they put things back in. 

During the “church picnic”.... what used to be what some folks call “feeding the least, last and lost” I walked around chewing on some food and chatting with friends... one who has a brain tumor and was really confused and in pain really couldn’t put a sentence together so I asked Geoff and his daughter to sit and pray with him and this did.... silently rubbing his back while sitting with him on a curb... 

...and I caught up with a friend who told me he has a new apartment in Bristol because the one they had given him smelled like dead rats and everyone smoked weed... (that’s the kind of apartments they are given so those in charge can say we are decreasing homelessness)... he’s been clean from crack for a couple of months and you can see it... “Bryan, you know what I like the best? I can walk into the store with my grandkid and he say’s “grandpa, can I get this?’ and I can say “yes”! because I didn’t give away my money to the drug dealer at the corner”

...”but don’t worry, I’m gonna figure out how to get back here on Saturdays. This place means a lot to me and helped me out so much”

oh, and Deb learned “Big Mouth’s” name... that’s the moniker the police gave him because he is always yelling... we are keeping that to ourselves because it seems to be a very personal thing to him. When we pulled up he walked over to me and asked if I needed help unloading. A far cry from being told to f*ck off. 

I said thanks and noticed as I turned away he had taken a bar of soap out of his backpack and was using the puddle left by the rain to was his hands and face so I dug into the back of the van and pulled out a bottle of water.... “here, you can wash up with this”

I asked a friend who I will keep very vague how they are doing because when they first showed up a few weeks ago they needed information for an immigration lawyer. Papers are filed but they and family are the kind that are getting dragged out of cars by our own governement and sent away.... 

“Can I ask how you are feeling about your situation and all that is happening in America?”

With the biggest smile they replied “I am not afraid. I have Jesus. He will protect me and I trust him.”

   From the Community Churches

We arrived early, but we were alone until folks were brought out from their rooms and that left twenty minutes for the entire service…. but God does not need much time to do what he Wants to do with and in people…

“if anything, we are flexible” Mary said as we were walking out…. we are because He is.

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

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

• We will make the switch to Hot Chocolate this weekend.

• Please sign up to provide sandwiches and other food items with your family or small group. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040849A5AC2AA6F58-street#/

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