How is Baccalaureate service different from a graduation exercise? Quite simply the graduation or commencement exercise celebrates the fact that a student has completed all the academic work required in order to earn a certain degree. A Baccalaureate service celebrates the calling of God in that person's life into a specific vocation. During our service today, the hymns and the Scripture readings celebrate the fact that God in His grace is calling these women and men into His service in various ways and in various fields, from business to education to the arts. Our prayer of thanksgiving is that they joyfully heard God's call in their life, confident that His plans for them are good plans.