78 and counting

Today we celebrated the church's 78th anniversary. Very little is the same as it was in 1935 - not even the building or the organ! The church met in a hut and the building we now meet in wasn't built until the following year.

Edgware is a very different place to what it was 78 years ago. This photo shows Edgware railway station - which no longer exists. If you know Edgware you'll see St. Margaret's parish church in the bottom right of the picture - you can work out the rest for yourself.

The following photo comes from the 1940s when an additional hall was opened alongside the church. Photos from today reflect the much more multi-cultural nature of the community and the church. Now the congregation on a typical Sunday is made up of people from 25-30 different countries.

So, lots has changed in 78 years. But one thing has not changed. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and for ever. God has proved himself faithful over the last 78 years and therefore we can face the next 78 years with confidence - not because we know what is going to happen but because we know that God has promised to be with us whatever happens.

But although God does not change, we live in a rapidly ever changing world and therefore we need to be constantly looking at what we do and why we do it. We need to meet the needs of the community where God has placed us and we need to communicate the love of God in a way that is relevant and meaningful in 2013.