St. Mary's Health Center (SMHC) employees and community members joined together in a celebration of the life and works of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in an afternoon service at the hospital.
The key message of the service was, "Lord, when did we see you?" and the keynote speaker, was Rev. W.T. Edmonson, president of Faith Voices for Jefferson City.
He said it's important to note that King was not a president, but yet he has a monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
"Dr. King was a man who lived life in God's service, fighting for humanity, justice and equality," he said.
But, because he was black, Edmonson said King was "restricted by the racism of the time."
Edmonson said that King's efforts, as well as efforts by trailblazers like Rosa Parks, captured the nation's attention and mobilized the masses.
"They said that we are prepared to die, if need be, for the freedom that we seek," he said. "King reminded the nation that it was living a lie every time it said all men were created equal."
Edmonson said that everything King said still holds true today.
"The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer," Edmonson said. "We must never overlook the urgency of the moment."
He said people can only fight today's injustices with God's help.
"We can do it, but only if we keep our hands in God's unchanging hands," he said. "What we say, what we do, the actions we take all impact the community."
Monday's service at SMHC also included prayer, choral music performed by Lincoln University's Vocal Ensemble, a recitation of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, a liturgical dance by members of Second Baptist Church, and a scripture reading and benediction.