Baccalaureate address: 'I dare you'

Proverbs 29:18 provided the basis for lay pastor Terry McCorkle's challenge to the 2009 McCook Senior High Class Sunday night during the annual baccalaureate address at McCook Christian Church.

"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law."

With no vision, no dreams, no goals, explained McCorkle, people let go and lose their hope.

McCorkle dared the class to allow Jesus to make the difference in their lives and in their families, so that they can make a difference in the society where they live.

"Be the generation that steps out of the middle ground, be the generation that stands up for what is right, decide that your life is going to count for something," said McCorkle.

Without vision, without dreams, without goals, "you lose hope, you lose enthusiasm, you lose."

He also warned the students, "Don't let your yesterdays determine your tomorrows."

"Keep your enthusiasm for the life that God has given you," he said. "Pursue and preserve your personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

McCorkle, whose daughter Danae is a member of the Class of 2009, then instructed the students to stand and to reach their hands high in the air.

"Love that reaches up," he explained, "is adoration.

"Love that reaches out," he said, as the senior class exchanged hugs, "is affection."

Then, bending over and reaching down, he said, "Love that reaches down is grace."

Love with grace, he said, "make a difference."

Molly Peck and Austin Larson, members of the graduating class, shared their personal testimony with classmates and an audience of nearly 400.

Molly shared how her faith became real when she realized that "I am helpless without God."

"It took hardship in my life to teach me how much I need God," she said, remembering her grandfather's death and her own health struggles. Molly explained that through her trials the words of St. Augustine, "Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you" became true for her as well.

Austin drew chuckles from his classmates as he admitted that although he had entered high school shy and afraid, he had "changed a lot during the past four years."

Austin attributes the changes to his growing faith in God and his desire to honor God in everything he does.

He encouraged his classmates not just to know about God, but to know God (Acts 16:31), to love God (John 13:35) and to serve God (Philippians 2:4).

The talents of the Class of 2009 were showcased with special music by the CYO group consisting of Mary Spilinek, Corinne O'Dea, Molly Peck, Amy Been and Olivia Walter; a duet with Atheana Parde and Madison Wagner; the senior choir singing "Awesome God;" and "Those Guys," Ryan Hardin, Stephen Smock, Brenden Funk and Grant Wilcox singing "Bound for Jubilee," acapella. Video of "Those Guys" is featured at www.mccookgazette.com.

Joanna Bryant welcomed 77 members of her graduating class in attendance and the audience with the acknowledgement that "Faith has made us the people we are today."

Interspersed throughout the program, members of the Red Willow County Ministerial Association read portions of Scripture detailing just a sampling of the promises of God.

The Rev. Clark Bates, pastor at McCook Christian Church offered the invocation. The Rev. Dr. Mary Hendricks, rector at St. Alban's Episcopal Church read Psalm 119:9-16.

The Rev. Doug Rohrer, pastor at McCook Assembly of God Church read Psalm 121.

The Rev. Gary Brethour, pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church read Psalm 139:1-18.

The Rev. Allan Jackson, pastor of First Baptist Church, read Matthew 6:19-21.

The Rev. Emmanuel Reinbold, pastor at First Church of the Nazarene read Philippians 3:13-14.

The Rev. Jason VanPelt, associate pastor at McCook Christian Church led the congregation in singing "On Christ the Solid Rock" and "God of Wonders."

The Rev. Bruce Lester, pastor at McCook Evangelical Free Church provided the benediction.