After the Holy Spirit’s descent at Pentecost, Peter tells those gathered the story of Jesus and what his resurrection means for them. His testimony cuts to the heart of the people, prompting them to ask, “What should we do?” (Acts 2:37). This question points to conviction and a desire for change.
“What should we do?” is also a question that pastors and church leaders love to hear from their congregations and communities. It inspires the desire for newness and helps the church maintain its relevance in an ever-changing community and world. The community tends to look to its religious leaders or to what they have learned from life itself for guidance and wisdom on how to respond during communal adversity, hardships, and even celebrations.
On April 1, right in the middle of Holy Week, the community of Butler, New Jersey experienced a massive fire that engulfed businesses and apartments on the town’s Main Street, triggering a three- to four- alarm response. First responders, firefighters, and police arrived in minutes. All worked tirelessly until the fire was under control. Thanks be to God; all lives are safe. Soon enough, a Call to Action was posted on the community Facebook page with an action plan, to which the community responded, “What can we do?”
Some joined efforts with business owners, some responded to caring for firefighters, first responders, and the police. Others from the community ensured that store signs from well-known, long-time historical businesses were preserved at the Butler Museum. Butler United Methodist Church became the voice, the hands, and the feet of Jesus for the least of these and responded to the question, “What should we do?”
Butler UMC and the Butler community heeded the call, and the church became a collection center and depository for generous donations of clothes, gift cards, and food. The Fellowship Hall became a safe place for the Red Cross to register cases. Food and coffee, prepared by church members, were served to all who came seeking guidance and a place to process what had happened, in the company of church members. We shared a meal with survivors, rented hotel rooms to house those with no place to stay, all with generous donations.
A few weeks later, Butler UMC sent surplus donations received from the community to Newark where another three-alarm fire had left 70 people displaced and three firefighters injured. When the church’s “Helping Hands” truck arrived at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Newark, the volunteers commented that they were low on donations. They were so happy to see the truck arrive with 70 bags of clothing and 7 boxes of personal hygiene and care items – yet another example of the Holy Spirit working through the God’s people in the midst of adversity.
The church will always find what to do when it asks the right, tough question: “What should we do?” Though we don’t want tragic things to happen, we should always be willing to do what Jesus would want us to do. And do it in the love, mercy, compassion, and grace that Jesus taught us and gave us freely.