First Baptist Church Family Life Center was filled with family and friends of the 2011 California High School graduating class at the Baccalaureate Service Wednesday, May 18. The event was sponsored by the California Ministerial Alliance.
Several congregational hymns directed by Rev. Tim Burgher, First Baptist Church were followed by a senior choir performance of "May You Always Have a Song," and a message "Be Strong and Courageous" to the graduates by Rev. Kyle Ward, First Baptist Church
The message was based on Joshua 1:1-9.
The graduates were presented by Dr. Peter Kurowski, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Gifts of miniature diplomas were presented by California Kiwanis and small Gideon New Testaments through the Moniteau County Camp of Gideon's International.
This year $500 scholarships in honor of Ivan S. Dameron were awarded to Courtney Langkop and Oyuky Sandoval.
(For more of this story check out the May 25, 2011 issue of the California Democrat.)