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Wedding Ceremony of Laura and Calvin 6/29/02 Introduction: Let us take a moment of silence to open our hearts to the presence of God, to the presence of love, revealed in the beauty around us. In the earth and sky, the trees, the breeze, the flight of the birds, the sounds of the stream… Also let us be aware of that same presence as it stirs within us, expressing itself through our emotions of joy and happiness today, of anticipation, but most especially as it reveals itself in the radiant love of Laura and Calvin. Reading by Marie: The Perfect Love, the Perfect Friend Because you are my love… I know the joy that comes from feeling closer to someone then I've ever felt before. Because you are my love… I know the passion of wanting to share everything I have, everything I am with you and only you. Because you are my friend… I know that I can count on you to hold my hand through the rough times and to be there to share the good times too. Because you are my friend… I'll always have someone to make me smile just when I need it most, and to encourage me when I'm feeling confused and doubtful. And I know that I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to have someone like you… The perfect love… The prefect friend… Welcoming: Calvin and Laura, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this beautiful location in the red rock mountains of Sedona. In a very true sense we're standing in a cathedral, a natural cathedral sculptured by the winds and waters of the ages. And like all cathedrals this area helps to elevate our hearts and minds to perfect praise and celebration. What we celebrate today is the joining of your hearts, minds and souls into one through holy matrimony. We thank God for having called you into this beautiful vocation of marriage. We thank you for your acceptance and surrender to this call. And we thank your parents, family and friends who have loved and supported you through the years, making this moment possible. We send a big hello to Michael, who couldn't be here today. And we remember your grandmother, Laura - the potter in your life who lovingly shaped and formed you into the woman that you are today… "Grandmother, although death has separated us physically, faith and love have bound us eternally. Though I cannot see you, I know you are here. Though I cannot touch you, I feel the warmth of your smile, as Calvin and I begin this new chapter in our lives." Journey: So take a deep breath or two, exhale slowly, and relax in the love that has brought you here today, that love which has enriched your spirits and lives so completely. Like the current of this mountain stream that brings life and beauty to wherever it flows, so the current of God's love, the "current that knows the way" has brought you to life and beauty both in and through each other. For you, Calvin, Laura is pure kindness, the one with whom you can be completely open. And for you, Laura, Calvin is your stability, and the one who understands you fully. "Without words, without understanding even, lovers find each other." And so it was with you. Making coffee at work one morning, meeting, becoming friends, companions, amazed at how the currents of your lives came together. Amazed at the joy and happiness, the comfort and security you experience in being together, and at the energy and power you inspire in one another to become the best that you can be. The Alchemy of Love Words from Roy Croft to his fiancee' I love you, not only for what you are But for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself but for what you are making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out; I love you for putting your hand into my heart and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can't help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out into the light all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find. I love you because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern but a temple; out of works of my every day not a reproach but a song. Opening Prayer: God in Heaven, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Calvin and Laura's wedding day, as they come before you pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where your Spirit is always present. Bless Laura and Calvin and walk beside them throughout all their lives together. We ask these things in the name of your son, Jesus our Lord. Amen Reading by Brother-in-Law The Art of Marriage A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things… It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day. It is never going to bed angry. It is having a mutual set of values and common objectives It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and beautiful. It is not only marrying the right partner, It is being the right partner. --Wilfred Peterson Thomas Merton wrote that, "Our real journey in life is interior, it is a matter of growth, deepening, and of an ever greater surrender to the creative action of love and grace in our hearts." And this is your journey, Laura and Calvin, as husband and wife, namely a learning to bow before the love in your hearts which you have for each other and to ask of it what it wants of you. (Here the minister speaks that love motivates you to become better people so you become a better couple… you become one, removing the coverings over the heart that constrict love. Marriage and love involves self- mastery, putting on the mind and heart of Christ. Love is like the water, and we are like pebbles in a stream. The water moves the pebbles together, rubbing off sharp edges and making them shift and conform to one another to make a solid bed.) Intentions: Calvin and Laura, you have found in each other that which compliments your life. You stand here as two independent, whole people, each bringing your gifts and love to this marriage. You are promising to support and strengthen each other as God leads you to an ever-greater maturity and perfection in married, family and social life. Exchange of Vows So I ask you now to please join your hands and declare your marriage vows to each other in the presence of God and this community of friends gathered with you. Calvin: I bring myself to you this day to share my life with you; you can trust my love, for it is real. I promise to be a faithful husband and to unfailingly support your hopes, dreams and goals. I vow to be there for you always; when you fall I will catch you; when you cry I will comfort you; when you laugh I will share your joy. Everything I am and everything I have is yours, from this moment forth and for eternity. Laura: I bring myself to you this day to share my life with you; you can trust my love, for it is real. I promise to be a faithful wife and to unfailingly support your hopes, dreams and goals. I vow to be there for you always; when you fall I will catch you; when you cry I will comfort you; when you laugh I will share your joy. Everything I am and everything I have is yours, from this moment forth and for eternity. Laura and Calvin, you have declared your promises before God, the author of your love, and before we who are gathered here. May your commitment sustain and strengthen you always and may it be a blessing for your family and friends. Ring Blessing and Exchange: Gracious God, bless these rings which are symbols of the vows taken, circles of wholeness. They are symbols of a long journey together, filled with wonder, surprises, laughter, tears, celebration, grief and joy. May these rings glow in reflection of the warmth and the life which flows through the wearers today. Calvin: Laura, you are my life, my love, and my best friend, and with this ring I wed thee; may it be a reminder of my love and the sacred commitment I have made here today. Laura: Calvin, you are my life, my love, and my best friend, and with this ring I wed thee; may it be a reminder of my love and the sacred commitment I have made here today. Final Prayer: Laura and Calvin, by your free choice you have made a marriage. No matter what the demands on your lives and your time, the meaning of your living is now known through your love. Just as two very different threads woven in opposite directions can form a beautiful tapestry, so will your two lives merge together to form a very beautiful marriage. May you live always in the spirit of these profound words by St Paul… Love is patient and kind; Love is never jealous; Love is not boastful or conceited; it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, It does not take offense or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love never comes to an end. Pronouncement of Marriage and Presentation: Calvin and Laura, because you have showered our hearts with expressions of your love, and promised each other the joy of all your days, it gives me great pleasure and honor to pronounce you husband and wife! I now present to all of you Mr. and Mrs. Calvin and Laura Joyce. Calvin, you may now kiss your bride! Back to Entry |