By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer
Dozens of Becker High School graduates attended this year’s annual Baccalaureate at Faith Lutheran Church Thursday to reflect on their past years and look forward to the future.
Students Jacob Drury and Caleb Quernemoen welcomed the guests to the event and said an opening prayer after the students found their seats in the front of the church.
The cover of the evening’s program referred to the Bible’s Hebrews 13:8-9 which says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.”
After three opening worship songs by the worship team of Levi Brennan, Mary Goenner, Alli Hendrickson, Blaire Pappenfus, Luke Pappenfus, Paige Pappenfus, Blake Paulson and Kayden Westin, students Rachel Eisenreich, Morgan Meyer and Hendrickson gave short, reflective speeches.
Eisenreich was grateful for her opportunities at Becker following her move from Big Lake schools to Becker her freshman year. She instructed her classmates to always reflect on ones past and trust in God. She also gave a shout out to Doug Watercott, who helped her in her spiritual growth.
Meyer told the mass she is grateful she has found a relationship with God and said she enjoys listening to Christian music. She pointed out she is “still a work in progress”, but she does her best to be a good role model for people. She also said her faith is a lifestyle and encouraged the students to continue to walk with God.
Hendrickson said the Hebrews verses touch her and helps her to stay in one direction with her faith. She told the others they should seek other Christians and seek God when the struggles of life surface. She said she is excited to look towards the future and all the decisions she’ll be making and hopes others will remember to use God as their anchor.
Terrific advice for the youth (and elders) of today.
Following another worship song, Meyer introduced a slide show depicting the seniors in photos from nearly all their church activities and events. Jon Tweten followed that with reflections from a mentor before the Pappenfus family held a parent/child prayer.
For the offering, this year’s graduating class decided to donate the offering proceeds to Faith in Action. The students felt FIA is a worthy charity because they serve the local communities in many ways and many students have worked with FIA during outreaches and have benefitted from their work.
Pastor Julie Anderson gave the benediction and the students and guests were recessed to the fellowship hall for treats and refreshments.
Thursday’s ceremony was conceived by a team of graduates who had been working on the elements of a service created to honor God for His faithfulness in their lives, and celebrate their response to Him.
The 2018 Baccalaureate committee consists of Jacob Drury, Rachel Eisenreich, Mary Goenner, Alli Hendrickson, Morgan Meyer, Blaire Pappenfus, Luke Pappenfus, Paige Pappenfus, Blake Paulson, Caleb Quernemoen, Danny Solsvig, Pastor Julie Anderson, Kevin Drehmel, Chris Salvevold and Doug Watercott.
