Shafter High seniors honored with special service

A Baccalaureate service was held for the graduating seniors of Shafter High School on June 1 at the high school auditorium.

The service was sponsored by the high school's Fellowship For Christian Athletes Club. The faculty advisor for the club, Jerald Perrucci, welcomed the graduates in attendance and their families and friends.

Alex Gonzales, Class of 2009, led in the singing of several songs. The speaker was Ken Gross, retired music and band instructor, from Richland School. Gross's message was based on I Peter 5:8, "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

He said our culture was full of deception, half-truths, innuendos and lies. If one allows these things to overtake, it is like being devoured by a roaring lion. He challenged the graduates to be diligent in the pursuit of truth.

Second, he said, to trust God. Fear just paralyzes and does not work with faith. Thirdly he challenged them to be thankful for the blessings, the talents, and the gifts each one has. So as they go forward in life these three things will serve them well: seek the truth, trust God, and be thankful whatever the circumstance. Gross closed the service with a prayer for the graduates.