10/9/2023

JourneyCares has officially come to an end, and it's time for us to reflect on the incredible impact of the last couple weeks and express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing volunteers who made it all possible.

Over the course of the past 14 days, our dedicated volunteers have served faithfully at the Rescue Mission, preparing meals for those in need. They've supported HopeTree, a local organization serving adults with developmental disabilities and children who are without families or homes. Together our church family raised over $6,000 to provide access to safe, clean water to those in developing nations who do not have it through the Walk4Water event. Volunteers packed backpacks with food to ensure that children have enough to eat over the weekends and picked thousands of pounds of apples to provide fresh produce to feed those who are hungry.  In addition, they purchased groceries to support the Presbyterian Center’s food pantry, enabling families to feed themselves during challenging times.

Why do we place such a strong emphasis on serving our community in these ways?  

Because of Jesus.

In a parable shared with his disciples, Jesus described what righteous living entails:

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

When we labor in the Rescue Mission kitchen to serve the homeless, the hungry, and those in desperate need, we are, in essence, serving Jesus.

When we support HopeTree's work with adults with developmental disabilities and orphans, we are supporting Jesus.

When we stand in solidarity with those who lack access to clean, safe water, and generously contribute our financial resources to provide them with this essential resource, we are doing it for Jesus.

When we kneel down to collect ripe apples that have fallen from orchard trees to feed for those who hungry, we are doing it for Jesus.

When we pack backpacks with food, ensuring that children have sustenance over the weekends, we are doing it for Jesus.

When we purchase groceries to donate to a food pantry, helping the less fortunate feed their families, we are doing it for Jesus.

Jesus sacrificed everything for us. He lived to serve us and died to save us. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for all that Jesus has done, and in return, we extend our love and care to others because we love Him.

Thank you for demonstrating to our community what it truly means to love God and love people. Love is action that reaches out, and your actions have made a profound difference in the lives of those we've had the privilege to serve.