Baccalaureate Service for the Lehighton Area High School class of 2010 held Tuesday at Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton, was filled with music, remembrances and advice.

Several of the talented students shared their voices, musical talent and faith stories to celebrate the lives of their classmates who soon will be scattering off to college, military service and jobs in the near future.The Rev. Allen L. Heckman, pastor, welcomed everyone to the service, but after his welcome the students were in command of the rest of the program.Dylan Frendt, president of Student Council, served as master of ceremonies.The evening focused on the musical talents of several classmates, starting with Molly Harleman providing the opening music "Loreta and Desiree's Bouquet-Part 1," on the piano. Harleman also accompanied the duet of Lauren Jankowski and James Markley, who sang, "Remember Me This Way." Their voices joined in perfect harmony. Also sharing their voices was a chorus of students who sang, "Exsultate Justi In Domino," (Rejoice in the Lord) in Latin and "The Prayer," which was partly in Italian. Harleman then offered a Beethoven selection, "Adagio Cantabile from Sonata Pathetique-OP. 13," and the students' ``musical portion concluded with Katie Sabol and Carol Ahner performing, "Idyllic Suite" on the saxophone and oboe.Faith stories were shared by Emily Day, Madeline Zurn, Rachel Inghram and Tiffany Haydt.Day's story focused on her friendships. She said that while her friends may change over time, she has learned that having one good friend is better than two acquaintances.Zurn relayed a story of faith. She said that she had wanted to give up on her dream to become a doctor, but after talking to a friend she realized she needed to have faith to get through the hard times. She reminded her classmates, "You need to have faith, not only during the best times, but through the hard times or you can lose everything."Inghram spoke about being a pastor's daughter and having to move from Pittsburgh. She said she came to Lehighton at 6 years old and that her father soon will be moving on, but that she is ready to move on because it was time."Let your faith guide you," said Inghram. "Remember you are not doing this alone."Haydt asked her classmates to remember the faith they had in their parents who helped them learn to ride a bike and to remember that even if you fall or fail, you can get up and start over.The Rev. Ingram, pastor of Faith Alive United Methodist Church, said that he most wanted the class to know that they are loved."There are certain moments when you reflect on who you are and where your are going," said the Rev. Ingram. "Graduation is one of those moments. It is time to pause and reflect on the memories. While you go toward an independence, know that you simply are loved. Everyone thinks that nothing in life is free, that you have to earn it, but you don't have to earn God's love. God's mercy is never-ending. God loves freely with no hidden loopholes. God loves you."Commencement of the Lehighton Area High School class of 2010 will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4, in the high school.