We have come to 2018, our church’s 100^th anniversary year. In 1918 a small group of believers began meeting at a local store. The group eventually became the church we know today. We have existed on this little corner of Burke County for 100 years. None of us were here for the beginning of our church and if we exist here for another hundred years none of us will be here then. However, we have a great opportunity to continue in service as we start our second century.

The new year often is a time of new commitments. Maybe you have made some resolutions to guide you in the new year. The 18^th Century pastor Jonathan Edwards made some resolutions for himself during 1722 and 1723 when he was about 20 years old. Maybe within them you might find some ideas for how you might serve the Lord afresh this year. Maybe within his words you will find some encouragement in your own life.

• Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory and to my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time... Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general...

• Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can...

• Resolved, never to do anything that I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life...

• Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death...

• Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge...

• Resolved, never to do anything that, if I should see it in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him, for, or think any way the more meanly of him.

• Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, mighty, vigor, and vehemence, yea, violence (fervor), I am capable of...

• Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of them.

• Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity...

• Resolved, to improve every opportunity... to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have the assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer.