AUBURN - Jan. 15 would have marked the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 79th birthday.

Today, many will stop to remember the man and his contributions to peace and understanding between all people and his extraordinary work for civil rights in this country.

Thirty-three years ago, the African-American churches in the community came together to establish a day to remember King, his birthday and achievements.

On Sunday, the halls of the First United Methodist Church hosted the annual celebration that brought together representatives from numerous congregations and organizations in the community.

The gathering is one that focuses on not only King's accomplishments, but also how his message has lived on, and what can be done to keep that alive in the minds of people for all time.

Money collected during the service goes toward a scholarship fund established to help achieve that goal.

“We are here not only to remember the past,” said Elder Willie Murray of Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus Christ. “We are here to look at the future. All the money received today will go towards a scholarship. As we grow we hope that this will, too.”

The service was highlighted with musical performances by the Auburn Community Choir that got many up moving and clapping their hands with songs such as “God's Got A Blessing” and “I Believe.”

The celebration also welcomed various community figures such as Mayor Michael Quill, Eli Hernandez, president of the NAACP, and Imam Abdur-Rahim Muhammad of Community Wide Dialogue, all of whom spoke on their thoughts and feelings about King.

Through gatherings such as this one, people like Muhammad believe the message will live on and the ultimate goal of King will be achieved.

“Can discrimination and racism be beat,” Muhammad asked. “You bet your sweet hearts we can. God has given us all the freedom for justice and equality. We can end this. We are not born racist and we don't have to die racist.”

Serving as special guest speaker for this year's celebration was the Rev. Paul G. Carter, pastor of Thompson Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.

“We come here to remember the life of Rev, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Carter said. “He left 40 years ago, but like a stone in a stream, the ripple has spread and that is why we are here today with this gathering to keep his work and his mission at the forefront of life in this city.”

Carter read a passage from Samuel focusing in on the phrase, “Is there not cause?”

The passage says that as long as there are giants in the land there is a cause. Carter said that he chose this passage as a jumping off point for his discussion on King. Carter said that in many ways King's life paralleled that of the Bible story. King's giants may have been different, but nonetheless, they were cause for King and many others to take action.

“There are always struggles,” Carter said. “When Martin went to see Rosa Parks. When he encountered Jim Crow. There were many that said let's just pray, let's not rock the boat. But sometimes you have to stop praying and you have to do something and that is what he did and that is what we can all do.”

Perhaps most importantly when reflecting on the life of a figure like King, he said, it is necessary to remember his determination to accomplish his goals and not let anything stand in his way.

Carter said that everyone possesses this same ability.

“Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something,” Carter said.

“God gave you the wisdom and ability and the skills to do anything. No one can take away what God has put in your heart.”