Rev. Rose: Family and friends, I welcome you to this day of celebration. Tricia and Stuart have invited us to share in their public declaration of lifelong commitment to each other. You who gather are an integral part of this ceremony. Your blessings, support and encouragement are important to this union, not only now, but in the days and years to come.
Amidst the turmoil of our world, with all of life's struggles and concerns, it is with deep joy and a sense of wonder and awe that we pause to affirm the power of love. As we gather to witness the union of Stuart and Tricia, we celebrate the blessings we all cherish in our intimate relationships. This ceremony calls us all to renew our vows of love and commitment to one another.
Let us pray: Spirit of Life, your creative power is seen in the whole universe; in myriad stars and planets and infinite space. And yet we dare to believe that you care for us and that you are mindful of the things that we do. In your presence we gather today.
Let your Spirit be known among us, that we may do what we do here with our whole hears and wills and that the commitment Stuart And Tricia make to each other may be a sign of your love on earth. Amen.
Rev. Rose: Through the wedding ritual, two people declare publicly, their intent to enter into a relationship of enduring love. Stuart and Tricia, it is absolutely essential that you realize the enormity of what you are about to undertake with these vows. Because you are human, and therefore, subject to error and temptation as all humans are, and because you have no idea of what the future holds for you ... what joys and sorrow await you, your decision to marry requires tremendous faith on your part.
You must have faith in yourselves as persons in your own right and in what you have to give to each other; faith in your relationship as a couple and in what you can do and be together; and most of all; faith in God and in God's presence with you to guide you in vows of love, but they are vows of faithful love for each other grounded in God's love for both of you.
Rev. Rose: Stuart will you take Tricia to be your wife? Will you show her love by trusting her, treating her as an equal, and helping her to grow? Will you affirm her and give yourself to her from this day forward?
Stuart: I will.
Rev. Rose: Tricia will you take Stuart to be your husband? Will you show him your love by trusting him, treating him as an equal, and helping him to continue to grow? Will you affirm him and give yourself to him from this day forward?
Trish: I will.
Rev. Rose: Let us all remember that the path of love is meant to be walked together with all the human family.
All love is nurtured and guided by the love of others. Each of us counts on relatives, friends and neighbors for the caring and concern that replenishes our own ability to love. Stuart and Tricia are joined together in a new way this day in the midst of the affection and friendship of you all and, most especially, in the presence of those whose love has been their life's companion, their families.
Rev. Rose: As a part of this celebration Stuart and Tricia have selected these scripture passages.
Rachel Ingrey (A friend of Trish's): Romans 12: 9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Mrs. LiAni Lewis (Stuart's mother): 1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 13: 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Rev. Rose: Let us pray: Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, giver of all grace. Bless with your Holy Spirit Stuart and Tricia. Grant that they may give their vows to each other in the strength of your steadfast love. Amen.
Stuart: Tricia, I will share with you the joys and pains of life. I will walk with you when you are well, and I will comfort you when you are sick.
I will honor you as a person. I will respect your feelings. I will let you know that you are special and that you are loved. I will be your lover and your friend. I pray that God will bless our marriage.
Trish: Stuart, I will share with you the joys and pains of life. I will walk with you when you are well, and I will comfort you when you are sick.
I will honor you as a person. I will respect your feelings. I will let you know that you are special and that you are loved. I will be your lover and your friend. I pray that God will bless our marriage.
Rev. Rose: The wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual commitment.
Let us pray: Bless, O God, the giving of these rings, that as Stuart and Tricia wear them, they may be faithful to the love promised here and may abide in your peace and continue in your favor. Through Jesus Christ our Rock and Redeemer.
Stuart: With this ring, I mark the promises I have made to you.
Trish: With this ring, I mark the promises I have made to you.
Rev. Rose: Stuart and Tricia, by your promises and actions here today, you have declared to be forever united in love. On behalf of those gathered here, I pray God's richest blessing on your marriage. In the name of the Creator, Redeemer and the Sustainer of Life. Amen.
You may kiss the bride.
Rev. Rose: It was once spoken of a long married couple, "Those two shone like two flaming spirits bound into one fierce blazing torch" To symbolize their covenant of love, Stuart and Tricia will join the light of two candles into one.
Let us pray:
Source and spring of all joy and hope, by whose spirits our spirits are continually fed, through whose mystery the meaning of our life is revealed, by whose knowledge we come to know ourselves: Be the abiding and unending presence with this man and this woman, when they know themselves to be deeply in love and when they feel estranged, when they experience elation, when they know despair. Because of your love that endures forever, may their care toward the larger world be shaped by justice and tenderness.
May they discover that when they are faithful toward you and toward each other that their relationship deepens and grows and grows. Through the intensity of their life together may they discover words that nurture, gestures that heal, thoughts that illumine, sharing those experiences that turn life itself into one continuing act of praise. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our redeemer who taught us all to pray saying, Our Father who art in Heaven .....
God gives. God renews love. God is love. Celebrate that love within you and let it overflow to enliven all the world. Go now, and may the God of love, joy and peace be with you this day and always. Amen.