My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!?” What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. James 2:14-17 Common English Bible
What if you could change the world? Would you do it?
What if you could give a cup of water or a hot lunch to someone who is thirsty or hungry, and share God’s Living Water with them? What if you could make a friend and help struggling families get back on their feet? What if you could eat a hot dog or stuff bags with fresh produce and help to end hunger in our community? What if you could share a smile with children through games and face painting and bring hope to domestic violence victims? Would you do it?
The writer of James reminds us we need to live out our faith in service to others so that they will know God’s love for them through our actions and behavior. When we do nothing to show God’s love to others, it’s like saying to someone who is hungry, “Good luck with that. Go be blessed.” But if we don’t actually offer them food, how can they be blessed? If we don’t offer ways for those who are cold to get warm, how can they stay warm?
Well, on Saturday, Oct. 10, you can change the world while you live out your faith.
The community will meet on the Conyers and Church Streets and on the lawn of Covington First United Methodist Church beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday morning to help change the world by bagging produce from a produce drop from the Society of St. Andrew Harvest of Hope Gleaning Project.
These bags will help supply fresh produce to food pantries around the county as well as to our guests who come to the festivities on Change the World Day. Then from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will spend the day in downtown Covington making a difference in our community and making a difference in many, many lives as we share Gifts of Grace. We will learn about over 80 organizations that are actively working to help make a difference right here in Newton and Rockdale Counties by offering services to those in need. We will offer haircuts, showers, blankets and food. Friends from the community will be here to offer health screenings, eye and dental screenings, blood mobile and flu shots, as well as counseling services and prayer to guests in our community. We will eat hot dogs, funnel cakes and other tasty treats as we fellowship together and provide a hot meal for friends from our community.
How can you help? You can collect items such as blankets, canned food, or reusable canvas shopping bags to be given out that day and drop your donations off by one of the local churches or bring them to Covington First United Methodist Church. You can pray for our community and for an end to homelessness and hunger in our community. And you can come on Oct. 10 to be the hands and feet of Christ in an active way as together we work to make a difference in people’s lives.
Don’t miss your chance to change the world! See you Saturday, Oct. 10!
Rev. Jan McCoy is the Associate Pastor of Covington First United Methodist Church in downtown Covington. She may be reached at jan.mccoy@ngumc.net or at www.covingtonfirst.org.
