Jonathan Paul Gray

Let us begin with a prayer.

Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have brought Rafael and Rebecca together before us for this special occasion. Lord, we pray that you bless them today as they join together in their union and move forward in their lives together. Let the choices they make now and always reflect your values as they share life's moments, hand in hand and in tiny hands too. We ask Lord that you bless this new family and thank you for the gift you have bestowed upon them. May your love and protection be with little Isaiah and his parents today and forever. In your heavenly name we pray, Amen

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered here because Ralf and Beeka said to each other, "Babe, I love you sooo much that we should probably get the government in on this too!" But seriously, we are gathered here today to join Rafael Andres Rivera and Rebecca Lynn Gray in the spiritual union of marriage.

Marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep understanding of what goes into it and what it takes to make it work. Rafael and Rebecca, remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home. Be patient and mindful of each other's feelings. Never forget what drew the both of you together. Never, ever, run out of time for love, to share your love, to let each other know you love them. To paraphrase a few scriptures from the Bible into one all important statement; "Do everything in love. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Love each other. Yesterday, today and forever."

In Genesis Chapter 2 we learn of God’s creation of man and woman wherein we are told that; “a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Today in God's eyes Rafael and Rebecca are no longer two, but instead are joined together as one.

Do you, Rafael Andres Rivera, take this woman, Rebecca Lynn Gray, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, through the good times and through the bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her, knowing full well who her older brother is for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

And do you Rebecca Lynn Gray take this man, Rafael Andres Rivera, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, through the good times and through the bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Instead of rings for now, I would like to help the couple make a special exchange.

Please hold hands

Rafael, repeat after me

I Rafael Andres Rivera,

give to you Rebecca Lynn Gray,

the name of my Family Rivera,

to join us as one,

and bring our families together.

Rebecca, repeat after me

I, Rebecca Lynn Gray,

accept from you Rafael Andres Rivera,

the name of your Family Rivera,

to join us as one,

and bring our families together.

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it. Genesis Chapter 1 Verses 27 & 28. May God bless this union and shine his loving light on this growing family before us.

By the authority vested in by the State of Pennsylvania and under the eyes of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Rafael, you may kiss your bride.

It is my honor to present to you my sister and new brother, Mr and Mrs Rivera.