This is the faithful David Kyle, who is an integral part of our community at Street Church.

Chris, Ted, and Andrew, hanging out at Street Church.

For the last month or so, Andrew has been available to drive anyone from the street to our gathering as the church at PCC on Sunday evenings. It has been great having them around our community some more.

Rand, Melissa, Stephanie, and Eppi

This is the night that we found out that Stephanie had a huge gash in her leg. The bandaging from the hospital had fallen off and Stephanie wasn’t sure how to put it back on, so we bandaged it up for her.

That same night, Charles shared one of his poems with us.

This is what a typical night at Street Church may look like. I mean, it changes every night, but we are constantly blessed by being in this community.

Lisa T. came and share her story with us.

She was the one who interned with PCC in 2001. We always refer to her as our “founder.” She told us that it was one simple act of obedience that led her to start a conversation that then led to what we know as StreetChurch. Thank you God for all those who cook, drive, serve, and lead!

David K. approached me tonight with the idea of having the Lord’s Supper as a celebration of Easter. He even brought the bread and grape juice! I was a little hesitant at first…I know how to participate but not really to lead people into that special celebration. It ended up that we gathered around the cleared off tables, place four bowls of grape juice on the table and broke some bread. Charles was kind enough to read the Lord’s Supper passage from the book of Matthew and we shared communion together. It was pretty cool and those who had stayed for Bible & prayer time seemed to be touched that they could participate in this special time.

We talked about the resurrection of Christ tonight. We looked at the book of Mark and also Luke! What a story of Jesus raising his hands, blessing his people as he ascended into heaven! I closed my eyes and tried to picture this in my mind. I can only imagine what it must have been like for his followers to actually see this with their own eyes!

It’s cold out on the streets again. We must put out another plea to our church family for blankets, jackets and sleeping bags.

I look forward to this time week after week. We will resume our study in the Old Testament and further understand where we came from!

Love to all and have a blessed Easter celebration! -Steph

I Have to Find it First

I have to find it first,

As soon as I can find it,

I’ll release this built up pressure

to go in peace forever more.

To build up my heavenly treasure

I’ll walk the streets of Zion

And sing praises all day long.

For I see that it is Jesus

Who lifts us up where we belong.

And we’ll see the streets of gold

That they talk about so often.

I’ll talk to the lamb of God

Who is gentle and so soft spoken.

I’ll kiss my mom and dad

And shake my pastor’s hand.

Thank him for being so understanding

And showing me the way to the promised land;

I will see all of my loved ones

Who to me are very dear.

I may even see my best friend

Who I’ll bug and keep real near

We’ll splash in the River Jordan

and praise His holy name

and thank the Lord for his love

that helped me get this way;

But first I have to find it

This love so sweet and clear

Which only for a selected few

Will get a chance to share.

All I have to do is have a change of heart

and praise His holy name all day long.

Yes, I just keep love in my heart.

I just have to find it first.

We also talked a lot about the Holy Spirit and being constantly filled with him. I have been incredibly encouraged by reflecting on Jesus’ life. He put aside his abilities as God (Phil 2) so that he could live humanity and identify with us. But in doing this he showed us (therefore saying, “Follow me.”) what it looks like to be in constant relationship with God the Father and filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Remember that even though he did miracles–he didn’t do them about of his ability to be God– but his ability to be filled with God’s spirit. That’s why so many thought he was just like the rest of the prophets who did wonders. That’s why he would often say that healing people didn’t prove his identity as God, but forgiving sins did.

May we be a church who lives in the power of the Holy Spirit as we follow Jesus in relationship with God our Father.

God bless Robert and send him in your power and send others to serve and lead in his stead.

-Tony

We get ready to say goodbye to Robert who will be moving to the Sacramento area next week to start a new job. Next week will be his last week serving and leading at Street Church.

-Tony

-Stephanie

I have recently finished an amazing book.

It was given to my wife and me by a good friend just a few days ago. The way she detailed parts of the story, I knew I had to read it asap. The main character has a weekend with God. Yes, a full interaction face to face, voice to voice, physical experience with Him…or all three of him, or her…or..Papa, Jesus, and Sarayu. You simply must read it.

Please, I can’t really explain it and I don’t want to give it away. You just have to read the story. The tag line to THE SHACK, is “Where Tragedy Meets Eternity.”

I already want to read it again and have re-read pages over and over. So tonight, I shared what I was learning, reminded of, and confronted with in my reading of this book.

God’s truth never gets old.

We spent time being quiet and reflecting on God as our father and God redeeming our pain.

A great time of starting the year together.

The cold didn’t let us, but that didn’t stop our time–our time as God’s people, a family all focused on him.

It was good to hear Ted’s story. He’s experienced God in some hard, yet significant ways. It was good to meet Jake, too. I pray for God’s peace for all. That we would all be at home in his love and at home with who he made us to be.

At peace in his love,

tony