It is a great privilege and a pleasure to be a part of something so big and significant an event as that of a church celebrating over 148 years of ministry in a community.  That a church established in 1871 continues to minister to the community after all the original members have passed on, testifies of two things.  First it testifies to the longevity of the church of Jesus Christ.  “Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the church of Jesus constant will remain.”  It also testifies to the urgent need for those involved in the work of the kingdom of God to earnestly pray the prayer expressed in Psalm 90:17, that the work of our hands be established by God.  Works established by God not only challenge the generations who come after us, but such work will also be able to withstand the test of fire when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  It is with this in mind that I take this opportunity to challenge all of us to ensure that whatever we purpose in our hearts to do in the kingdom of Christ, be done solely for the glory of God.