Wedding of Amanda and Aaron Arthur
November 2, 2013
Processional Music
· Bridesmaids
· Bride and Father
Welcome from Minister (30 seconds or so)
Reading-
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so I could move mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, if profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not, vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself unseemingly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, rejoices not in inequity, but rejoices in the truth.
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For now we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became grown, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then shall we know even as we are known.
And so abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
Sermon- Rev. Wolfe (3 minutes)
We gather in the beautiful sunlight of this day to celebrate the love and commitment of two people. Blessed by the presence of beloved family and friends, we gather here to support, guide and witness to the promises that Aaron and Amanda make here today. There love has been tried by distance and struggle. It has been bolstered by listening ears and patient minds. It has been blessed by presence, engagement, and promise- the promise of these two young people.
A marriage is not an easy proposition. Ask those who have been married for decades and they will tell you that it was not always easy, but it was always worth it. The commitment you share is based on a love that has grown and deepened over years. It’s a love that has grown beyond the warmth and the glow, the excitement and romance you felt when you first fell in love. It’s a love that has matured and will continue to mature over the course of your lives together.
This is important, because a truly caring relationship is one of the most fragile things in all the world to maintain. You will need to work at your marriage, sticking by each other in bad times, as well as good. You will have to listen to each other, sensing what’s unsaid as well as what ‘s said. You will have to trust in each other and what tomorrow can bring, without forgetting about what needs to be done today to bring happiness to your lives. Love is about trust and faith in your relationship.
In your vows, you will promise to grow together allowing your love to draw you closer. This will be most especially important as life grows more complicated and busy and as you bring children into your lives. Remember that your love and connection are the foundation that will hold you through the hills and valleys of your journey together.
In doing this it will help if you remember the words of Kahlil Gibran, who said:
Let there there be spaces in your togetherness
And let the winds of heaven dance between you,
Love one another, but make not a bond of love,
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of the lute are alone,
Though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not unto each other’s keeping,
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak and cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.
Marriage is not something static. It can’t just be created and forever remain the same. The relationship between two people must be kept vital and alive. It’s best, perhaps, to see it as an adventure- your adventure- developing in ways that enhance the lives of not just you, but your family here today and your children and family members to come. The depth of a marriage depends on a couple’s ability to be honest and authentic and to share the deepest parts of themselves. It requires staying in touch with the reality of the meaning of their relationship and understanding how much it benefits their lives.
So, today we gather to bless this marriage- this union of love, trust, caring, connection, creativity, silliness, wonder, and hope. As you have journeyed together so let the adventure continue. May your union be blessed by all here gathered and all to come. May it be so.
Vows
Aaron, will you promise to share with Amanda in times of joy, as well as in times of trouble? Will you promise to talk and to listen, to honor and appreciate, to provide and support her in trust and love? Will you promise to share your hopes and dreams with her, to work with her to build your lives together? Will you grow with her, your lives forever intertwined, your love bringing you closer?
Aaron: I will.
Amanda, will you promise to share with Aaron in times of joy, as well as in times of trouble? Will you promise to talk and to listen, to honor and appreciate, to provide and support him in trust and love? Will you promise to share your hopes and dreams with him, to work with him to build your lives together? Will you grow with him, your lives forever intertwined, your love bringing you closer?
Amanda: I will
Exchange of Rings
Once, these rings were forged from rock, melted and shaped carefully and skillfully into their current form. Just as these rings were meticulously shaped and polished, so, day after day, is your love, melted in the fires of passion, molded by struggle and triumph, and shaped by the work of your hands and hearts. The ring Aaron gives Amanda was further forged by the love of his grandparents. He will be giving Amanda the ring that his grandfather gave his grandmother. May the exchange of these rings remind you of the bond that you share and the daily work that creates your love.
Proclamation
Having made your promises before this community you enter into the next steps your adventure together. By the power vested in me by the state of Alabama, I now pronounce you partners in Life. You may kiss one another.
Kiss
(After kiss): Go forth and have fun!
Recessional
· Bridesmaids
· Bride and Father
Welcome from Minister (30 seconds or so)
Reading-
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so I could move mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, if profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not, vaunts not itself, is not puffed up. Does not behave itself unseemingly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, rejoices not in inequity, but rejoices in the truth.
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For now we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became grown, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then shall we know even as we are known.
And so abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
Sermon- Rev. Wolfe (3 minutes)
We gather in the beautiful sunlight of this day to celebrate the love and commitment of two people. Blessed by the presence of beloved family and friends, we gather here to support, guide and witness to the promises that Aaron and Amanda make here today. There love has been tried by distance and struggle. It has been bolstered by listening ears and patient minds. It has been blessed by presence, engagement, and promise- the promise of these two young people.
A marriage is not an easy proposition. Ask those who have been married for decades and they will tell you that it was not always easy, but it was always worth it. The commitment you share is based on a love that has grown and deepened over years. It’s a love that has grown beyond the warmth and the glow, the excitement and romance you felt when you first fell in love. It’s a love that has matured and will continue to mature over the course of your lives together.
This is important, because a truly caring relationship is one of the most fragile things in all the world to maintain. You will need to work at your marriage, sticking by each other in bad times, as well as good. You will have to listen to each other, sensing what’s unsaid as well as what ‘s said. You will have to trust in each other and what tomorrow can bring, without forgetting about what needs to be done today to bring happiness to your lives. Love is about trust and faith in your relationship.
In your vows, you will promise to grow together allowing your love to draw you closer. This will be most especially important as life grows more complicated and busy and as you bring children into your lives. Remember that your love and connection are the foundation that will hold you through the hills and valleys of your journey together.
In doing this it will help if you remember the words of Kahlil Gibran, who said:
Let there there be spaces in your togetherness
And let the winds of heaven dance between you,
Love one another, but make not a bond of love,
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone,
Even as the strings of the lute are alone,
Though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not unto each other’s keeping,
For only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak and cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.
Marriage is not something static. It can’t just be created and forever remain the same. The relationship between two people must be kept vital and alive. It’s best, perhaps, to see it as an adventure- your adventure- developing in ways that enhance the lives of not just you, but your family here today and your children and family members to come. The depth of a marriage depends on a couple’s ability to be honest and authentic and to share the deepest parts of themselves. It requires staying in touch with the reality of the meaning of their relationship and understanding how much it benefits their lives.
So, today we gather to bless this marriage- this union of love, trust, caring, connection, creativity, silliness, wonder, and hope. As you have journeyed together so let the adventure continue. May your union be blessed by all here gathered and all to come. May it be so.
Vows
Aaron, will you promise to share with Amanda in times of joy, as well as in times of trouble? Will you promise to talk and to listen, to honor and appreciate, to provide and support her in trust and love? Will you promise to share your hopes and dreams with her, to work with her to build your lives together? Will you grow with her, your lives forever intertwined, your love bringing you closer?
Aaron: I will.
Amanda, will you promise to share with Aaron in times of joy, as well as in times of trouble? Will you promise to talk and to listen, to honor and appreciate, to provide and support him in trust and love? Will you promise to share your hopes and dreams with him, to work with him to build your lives together? Will you grow with him, your lives forever intertwined, your love bringing you closer?
Amanda: I will
Exchange of Rings
Once, these rings were forged from rock, melted and shaped carefully and skillfully into their current form. Just as these rings were meticulously shaped and polished, so, day after day, is your love, melted in the fires of passion, molded by struggle and triumph, and shaped by the work of your hands and hearts. The ring Aaron gives Amanda was further forged by the love of his grandparents. He will be giving Amanda the ring that his grandfather gave his grandmother. May the exchange of these rings remind you of the bond that you share and the daily work that creates your love.
Proclamation
Having made your promises before this community you enter into the next steps your adventure together. By the power vested in me by the state of Alabama, I now pronounce you partners in Life. You may kiss one another.
Kiss
(After kiss): Go forth and have fun!
Recessional