Members of the Salisbury High School Class of 2013, and family and friends of the graduates gathered June 3 at Horizon Church to celebrate the students' accomplishments during the annual Baccalaureate service.

Organized by parent Jill Creveling, members of the class participated in the service by reading scripture or providing the gift of music.

The service is not sponsored by the district; it is organized by parents.

The theme of this year's service was "We Never Walk Alone" and the scripture chosen and read by students reinforced the message for the students.

Thomas Walters read from Isaiah 41:10, "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Eric Tatum read from Psalm 32:8, "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'"

Austin Albright read from Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Joseph Skibbens and Connor Harrison also provided scripture readings.

Salisbury High School teacher Michael Barna was again asked to provide the teacher's message, chosen by the students.

Barna told the graduates, "If you love, you will never walk alone."

Quoting from one of his favorite verses on love from I Corinthians 13:4-8, Barna said if you have love, you will never walk alone.

"It is the kind of love that brought you here tonight," Barna said, referring to the love of parents.

Barna said there are three kinds of love love of God, loving one another and the love of learning.

Regarding the love of God, Barna told the graduates, "You need to remember this. At times you will feel alone, your faith will be tested which is especially true as you head off to college or to the military. Remember, God is always with you. God will send angels to comfort you. How do I know that? Because some of you have done this for me."

Explaining the second love of loving one another, Barna told the students, "we are all called to service." He said on the last day of class, he challenged his students to go do great things and to pursue the positive impact they will make on others. "Everyday, with everyone you meet, you will have the ability to do great things, provide helping hands or offer kind words," Barna said. "If you live well, happiness will come to you."

The last love Barna referred to was the love of learning. "It is just the beginning," Barna said. He said hopefully the faculty have helped build the foundation and assured the students they can learn much from listening to others. "Try, try again; persevere," Barna said.

He said if you love all three ways, you cannot go wrong.

"With these three in your life, you are guaranteed to never walk alone."

Horizon Church Pastor Bud Daneker provided the baccalaureate message asking the question, "Will you be safe, or will you be brave?

Daneker said fear is a common problem for human beings and it is mentioned many times in the Bible.

"Fear will define how far you go in life," Daneker said. "It will define the boundary of how far you go. It is true in so many areas of our life."

He said one can choose to be afraid or brave and that people want to be known for their courage not cowardice.

"There will be a time in your life where you cannot be both," Daneker said.

Daneker said in a world where we are being conditioned to be safe safe schools, safe environment, there are still opportunities to be brave.

"To be brave remember God is with you. He is your biggest fan; you will never have a bigger fan than God. He will be with you always."

Daneker told the seniors, "You will face a choice to be safe or brave. The choice will come and often. I hope you recognize when it comes. I hope you choose well."

Ending his message, Daneker said, "May the God who is your biggest fan bless you and make you brave."