Just about every pew of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua was filled as over 50 Tamaqua Seniors attended their Baccalaureate ceremony Sunday evening.

The Tamaqua Baccalaureate ceremony, a Ministry of the Tamaqua Area Ministerium, is a service of worship in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom.During the sermon, The Rev. John A. Frink, of St. Jerome Church, stated farewell to all the seniors, encouraging them to stay the course. He added, "You have nothing to fear."The welcome and call to worship were by Rev. Phyllis Wolford of St. John's Lutheran Church.Lauren Christ, class secretary, and Trevor Arnold, class treasurer, read the readings.During the service members of the Jazz and Concert Chorale sang, "Keep Holding On" and "In My Life."The Benediction was read by The Rev. Michael Frost of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.On the organ was Sandy Mehalko while John Buglio served as choral director."We need to thank our parents for their support and love: and the richness they have brought to our lives," said Class President Shane Mulligan as he read the prayer of the graduating class. "May God continue to bless them as the role of the parent and child continues to change throughout the years."A total of 151 Tamaqua seniors flipped their tassels on Friday during the graduation ceremony in the Tamaqua Area School District Sports Stadium.