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.
On Sunday we're going to introduce a 'new' song at church - and this one isn't by Chris Tomlin ! We're also going to be singing it at the annual celebration of the NW district of the LBA on 17 March in the evening. So have a listen and come along ready to sing.
The Chancellor, George Osbourne, wants to change the tax laws to ensure that international companies, such as Starbucks and Amazon, aren't allowed to move monies around different parts of their businesses so that they avoid paying tax on the profits that they make in each country where they operate. One of the reasons this issue has come to the surface now is that Mr. Osbourne is looking for every penny he can get as he attempts to balance the books in the tough economic climate.
But in countries such as Ghana tax avoidance by big business can be the difference between a child going to school or not going to school, having lunch or going hungry. Here is another short video highlighting one aspect of the work that Christian Aid are involved in.
On 21 April I'll be running the London Marathon and hoping to raise £2000 for Christian Aid. You can sponsor me at www.virginmoneygiving.com/keithtarring
Later in the year, as a church, we are going to be engaging with the Community Bible Experience. As individuals we will commit to reading the New Testament over the space of eight weeks and as a community we will explore the text together on Sunday mornings and in our small groups during the week.
The Experience uses the NIV text of the New Testament but in a different order to what you will find in a typical Bible, and in a different format - all the verse numbers, chapters, footnotes etc have been removed.
The easiest way to follow along will be to get your own copy of the book. But each week we will be publishing that traditional verse references for the passages that will be read in the following week - so you can follow along with your own 'normal' Bible. Also free versions are available on sites such as YouVersion if you have a Bible reader on your mobile phone for example.
If you would like your own copy of the text then you have until Thursday to order to get the special discounted price. If you haven't yet signed up get in touch with Keith before Thursday and order your copy.
