Seniors asked to take God with them

In a speech punctuated by spontaneous song and admittedly lame jokes, Pastor Stacy Crawford urged graduates to prepare for life outside the confines of Greencastle-Antrim High School. Pastor of First United Methodist Church, he spoke at the Baccalaureate Service June 10 as students, family and friends joined together in a worship service in the auditorium.

"Did anyone actually bring a Bible to school today?" Crawford asked.

Using Nehemiah 2:4-6, 4:15-23, and Matthew 7:24-27 as a backdrop, he visually explained the need to carry an offensive weapon to conquer the fears of the world. Holding a sword, he countered that the true weapon was the Bible, an old book that was full of life.

Society would tempt the young adults to do whatever felt right, but in order to not conform to the world, they needed the solid foundation found in the love of Jesus Christ, he said.

"People are sensitive to beauty and to God," he said. "They are not animals. This is a time of possibilities, unlike any other time in your life. Don't get to the end of your life and find out you messed up your beginning."

Crawford asked them to take the high road, make a difference and not ignore God. He wished them well.

"Have a good life. Don't forget your sword, the Word of God."

The Concert Band performed the prelude with 'His Honor' and 'On An American Spiritual', the processional, 'Grand March', and the recessional, 'Fanfare and Recessional'. It was under the direction of Samuel Forney. The Concert Choir, under the direction of Martha Fuchs, sang 'Seasons of Love' and the Chamber Choir sang 'Esto Les Digo'. The audience joined together in the hymns 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past' and 'God of Our Fathers.'