Grace Helps The Meal Taste Better

REFLECTIONS
March 14, 2010

Sixty-two years ago this Sunday the first worship service was held on this property. The congregation started in a home, moved to Lankershim Elementary School, finally setting down roots at Lankershim and Weddington Streets for the next thirty years. The planned expansion to the Tujunga site was delayed by World Was II. Finally, this property was acquired and the first building constructed was the Social Hall. This space would be used for worship and social gatherings for about two years until the Sanctuary was completed. There are probably less than a dozen people active in this parish today who were present on Easter Sunday 1949 when the Sanctuary was consecrated, let alone were present for the consecration of the Social Hall, March 14, 1947.

However, they need not be present because we have a thorough historical record. Beyond that, and perhaps more important still, we have their stories. Some of us have been fortunate enough to know those who brought the Church to this location. Over coffee, a meal or perhaps a Christmas tree sale we have heard the struggles and triumphs of their common history. The gift of God throughout faith history is that called people are to have a strong memory of the past and a clear vision for the future.

Those folks who gathered here for the first worship service at 4832 Tujunga Avenue knew from where they had come. They settled in this community with a sense of purpose and a forthright vision of where they were called to be and what they were called to do. They had a heart for community and invested time and effort to build and teach so. Moreover, they had a heart for the hopes and needs of the world and extended themselves financially and spiritually into this cause as well. Our task today, tomorrow and each day which follows is to retain a keen sense of the rich past which we share, and then lean full force into what lies ahead.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601