8 Sep 2022, 08:53Don RobertsOxford
Oxford Church Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Oxford Church marked the 50th anniversary of the dedication and opening of its church building last Sabbath, 3rd November 2022. The celebrations involved members of all ages, with contributions from previous members, former leaders and local dignitaries.
Special guests in attendance included the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor James Fry, his wife Councillor Susanna Pressel, the Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, and Emily Kerr the local Ward Councillor.
The main speaker was TED Communications Director, Pastor David Neal, who grew up in the church as a child. In his sermon, The miracle of the Church in the 21st Century, Neal examined what it means to be a follower of Christ, using Paul's letter to the Ephesians and illustrations from his time at Oxford.
Among the day's highlights was the afternoon programme of music, old photos and recollections of the past from members and church pioneers including, retired former Pastor Michael Taylor and wife Joan, whose tenure covered the building's opening and dedication in 1972.
West-Central Africa Division President and GC Vice President, Robert Osei-Bonsu were among several former serving pastors who recorded messages of congratulations and shared how their time at Oxford Church impacted their ministry. A video message was also sent by SEC Treasurer Candy Lawson, who presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Conference.
In his closing remarks, Oxford's current Pastor Rudika Puskas thanked the members for their acceptance, kindness and love toward him and his family when he first came to the church in 2020 and throughout the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Puskas also expressed that "celebrating 50 years is a big achievement, but all glory should go to God. We should not get complacent, but we should play our part in proclaiming the good news of Jesus' second coming."
Oxford Church marked the 50th anniversary of the dedication and opening of its church building last Sabbath, 3rd November 2022. The celebrations involved members of all ages, with contributions from previous members, former leaders and local dignitaries.
Special guests in attendance included the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor James Fry, his wife Councillor Susanna Pressel, the Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, and Emily Kerr the local Ward Councillor.
The main speaker was TED Communications Director, Pastor David Neal, who grew up in the church as a child. In his sermon, The miracle of the Church in the 21st Century, Neal examined what it means to be a follower of Christ, using Paul's letter to the Ephesians and illustrations from his time at Oxford.
Among the day's highlights was the afternoon programme of music, old photos and recollections of the past from members and church pioneers including, retired former Pastor Michael Taylor and wife Joan, whose tenure covered the building's opening and dedication in 1972.
West-Central Africa Division President and GC Vice President, Robert Osei-Bonsu were among several former serving pastors who recorded messages of congratulations and shared how their time at Oxford Church impacted their ministry. A video message was also sent by SEC Treasurer Candy Lawson, who presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of the Conference.
In his closing remarks, Oxford's current Pastor Rudika Puskas thanked the members for their acceptance, kindness and love toward him and his family when he first came to the church in 2020 and throughout the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Puskas also expressed that "celebrating 50 years is a big achievement, but all glory should go to God. We should not get complacent, but we should play our part in proclaiming the good news of Jesus' second coming."
