THE ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
Saturday, May the Tenth
Two Thousand Twenty-five 10:00 a.m.
“The Summons” Graham Maule | John L. Bell Mr. Stecker, organ
Will you come and follow me, If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know, And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, Will you let my name be known, Will you let my life be grown, In you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind, If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind, And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare, Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer, In you and you in me?
Will you let the blinded see, If I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free, And never be the same? Will you kiss the leper clean, And do such as this unseen, And admit to what I mean, In you and you in me?
Will you love the “you” you hide, If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside, And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found, To reshape the world around, Through my sight and touch and sound, In you and you in me?
Lord, your summons echoes true, When you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you , And never be the same. In your company I’ll go, Where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow, In you and you in me.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Rev. Mohr
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN
“Take My Life” Hendon Mr. Stecker, organ
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee. Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my voice, and let me sing, always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.
*LITANY OF FAITH
Michael Tokar ’25 & Elizabeth Marshaus ’25
Graduates: Eternal God, we praise and glorify you, as this is a day filled with great expectations and much anticipation about what the future will bring. As we think of the future we can’t help but be grateful and rejoice in the blessings you gave us during our years at Westminster College. For the expectations of good which brought us here, and for the hopes and intentions of those who cherish our futures:
People: We thank you from our hearts, O Lord.
Graduates: For the sound learning and exciting truths, enlarging our acquaintance with ourselves, with our world, and with you:
People: We thank you from our hearts, O Lord.
Graduates: For classes and books, assignments and examinations, capstones and presentations all means of disciplining our minds and releasing them to a new freedom:
People: We thank you from our hearts, O Lord.
Graduates: For the Westminster community: for professors and counselors, deans, coaches, librarians and researchers, and all whose sharing of themselves also shares great truth:
People: We thank you from our hearts, O Lord.
Graduates: For the religious roots of our learning, for leaders of the spiritual life of our campus, for worship, prayer, and discipline among students and faculty:
People: We thank you from our hearts, O Lord.
Graduates: For past generations of faithful people who attended Westminster College, who have shared the gift of learning, have done your will, and by their courage brought justice, peace and honor to this community and beyond.
People: For the members of the class of 2025 and all of us that are gathered today may we pass on the Titan tradition to the next generation.
Unison: We thank you from our hearts, O Lord. Amen.
*BENEDICTION Rev. Mohr
*RECESSIONAL Ms. Meek, bagpiper
*POSTLUDE
Marche Triomphale “Nun Danket Alle Gott” Sigfrid Karg-Elert Mr. Stecker, organ
*Please stand if you desire
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
The Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes was raised on Long Island, New York. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, he received a Ph.D. in the History of Christianity from The University of Chicago.
He served as the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI, until 1992 when he became the pastor of The National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. In 2002 he became a chaired professor at Pittsburgh Seminary while also serving as the pastor of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church. In 2012 he was elected president of Princeton Theological Seminary and became the president emeritus in January 2023.
In January 2024 he became the director of a new project of the Association of Theological Schools on “Theologies of Pastoral Ministry,” funded by the Lilly Endowment. He has nine published books including When God Interrupts, Pastor as Minor Poet, and most recently Diary of a Pastor’s Soul.
He is married to Dawne Hess Barnes who is an interior designer. They have three fabulous children, four delightful grandchildren, and a frisbee-addicted Bearded Collie.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
The Rev. James R. Mohr II
The Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes
Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson
The Rev. Beth Creekpaum
Mr. Mitchell Stecker
Ms. Kim Meek
2025 SENIOR SPEAKERS
Mr. Michael J. Tokar ’25
Ms. Elizabeth C. Marshaus ’25
Mr. Tarell J. Hefflin ’25
THE KOOL KITTENS JAZZ COMBO
Mr. Ian J. Herr ’25, piano
Mr. Dylan G. Kresak ’25, drumset
Mr. William M. Pry ’27, bass
Mr. Jack R. Romocean ’25, tenor sax
College Chaplain & Director of Church Relations
President Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary President, Westminster College Campus Ministry Fellow College Organist Bagpiper
New Wilmington, PA Mayville, NY Pittsburgh, PA
New Castle, PA Canfield, OH Pittsburgh, PA Ravenna, OH
Commencement lunch will be held in the McKelvey Campus Center.