James W Bennett

INVOCATION

OFFICIANT TO THE ALICIA’S DAD

"Who gives away this woman?” – Wayne Hunt responds “I do”.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"Please be seated.

We are gathered here today to celebrate a time of gratitude, gladness, and joy. It is one of life's greatest miracles when two people love each other so much that they are willing to commit their lives together, as one in spirit. The ability to love is a miraculous gift that God has given us, and a wedding is a celebration of that gift. Today, we have been invited to share and to rejoice with Ronald and Alicia, and to vow our unconditional love and support to them as they begin their journey as husband and wife.

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven or earth, because love is born of God, and cannot exist but in God; it is above all created things. Love is the reason we are here.

According to God's plan for their lives Ronald and Alicia have chosen each other, and we are gathered here to witness their vows of love and to offer our blessings and support for their marriage.

RECOGNITION OF CHILDREN

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

" Ronald and Alicia have enough love for each other to share with all of us, but also to envelope another very special heart with a love and protection stronger than any other. Children are a constant source of joy, inspiration, and hope for all of us.

Sophia’s curiosity, humor, and determination remind them to look at things with a light heart and focus.

Her compassion, acceptance, and forgiving nature remind them to tend to the others needs and forgive moments of imbalance.

Her playfulness, affection, and flexibility remind them to be open to new changes and to find the fun in every step they take.

Without you, Sophia, this day would not be complete."

 

SERMON ON RELATIONSHIPS

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"The two of you know quite well that life is difficult and relationships are challenging . . . but as you travel through life together you'll always have someone to share the good, the bad & the ugly!

Your story of the first meeting was, I admit, a surprise for me. Separately you both noted the same moment. However, the perspectives were different. None of us should be surprised it included In ’n Out. Alicia was supervising the shift and Ronald walked in and sat on a bench in the public area. He was there to follow up with the manager on his transfer plans, having just come down to San Marcos to start college. His impression while observing the shift was “that supervisor really has everyone under control, but I don’t know if I will be able to concentrate working for her because she is also so good looking”. Now, on the other side of that perspective was someone working hard and trying to figure our why the guy/wierdo on the bench kept staring at her --- until a couple employees said hi to him and she realized he was going to work there. Regardless of the perspective though, the first step had been taken.

But what I’d like you to do now, is reflect on the here and now . . . how you are feeling; what does the air feel on your skin, how does the sun feel, how do your hands feel in each other’s. Soak it all in. Look (out of the corner of your eye) and see your friends and family. Who is sitting where and next to whom? Who's smiling or crying (and why are they crying?).

Soak the day in and remember it . . . treasure it, so you can forever remember what this moment felt like. You'll need this memory to face the challenging times when you disagree."

BIBLE READING

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"In the Bible, the book of Revelation is an odd place to find a reference during a wedding ceremony, but . . . there is one verse in Rev. 2:4-5 that has great advice for you today:

Don't forsake your first love . . . repent and do the things you did at first.

This applies to our relationship with God and with our spouses. When things get rough, do the things you did at first: dancing, cards, songs, camping, a special dinner, or those quiet moments curled up together to read.

And Ronald, during the times when Alicia is just plain unreasonable or leaves her socks bunched up for the laundry; or Alicia, when Ronald snores loudly or has a stubborn moment; or the times when you both just plain disagree and feel angry, remember your first love, remember today, remember the giving man and the selfless woman you have chosen to be with forever, and when you've had a chance to cool off remember your rule. By doing this you will provide a safeguard to protect everything you both cherish in your relationship.

Ronald and Alicia, marriage is a sacred relationship. It requires much of two people sometimes more than you feel you can give each other.

But God promises to be with you in the marriage and help you with its responsibilities. Especially as you give him first place in your lives. The Bible speaks of a single strand of cord as fragile and breakable, but a cord of two strands becomes much stronger.

A cord of three is stronger yet. May your marriage always be a cord of three strands you, your beloved, and the presence of God. May God fill your spirit with love and truth."

 

PRAYER

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"Let's pray...

Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched all our lives with a variety of loving relationships, and we give thanks today for Ronald and Alicia and for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts.

Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish.

In your loving arms we pray, Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT & VOWS EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions.

When you're ready you may begin.

• THE COUPLE READS THE VOWS THEY HAVE WRITTEN/BEST IF NOT MEMORIZED.

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"Please join hands."

OFFICIANT TO RONALD

"Do you Ronald take this woman whose hand you hold to be your lawful wedded wife; and do you pledge before God and man to love, honor, and protect her through good and bad times; keeping yourself unto her alone until death do you part?

If so, answer 'I Do'."

• RONALD RESPONDS WITH 'I DO'.

OFFICIANT TO ALICIA

"Do you Alicia take this man, whose hand you hold, to be your lawful wedded husband; and do you pledge before God and man to be to him a loving and true wife, through good and bad times, keeping yourself unto him alone, until death do you part?

If so, answer 'I Do'."

• ALICIA RESPONDS WITH 'I DO'.

 

RINGS EXCHANGE

OFFICIANT TO THE RING BEARER

"May I have the rings please?"

• THE RINGBEARER/DUSTIN PRESENTS THE RINGS.

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"Lord, please bless these rings that Ronald and Alicia are about to exchange. May these rings forever remind them of their covenant with one another, as well as the circle of love they have publicly created here today. May their compassion and kindness for one another always be like these rings, with no beginning and no end.

May the precious metal remind them of their precious commitment, and if begins to tarnish, may they joyfully undertake the sacred duty to make it shine brightly again. May their relationship always be like these rings, separate but close, simple but beautiful. May these rings always belong to their hands, and their love always belongs in each other’s hearts.

Amen."

OFFICIANT TO RONALD

"Ronald, please take this ring and place it on Alicia’s finger and repeat after me:

I give you this ring

as a symbol of my vow

to devote my life and love to you,

with all that I am and that we are,

and all that I have to share in life,

I will honor and cherish you in the name of God."

• RONALD REPEATS THE WORDS LINE BY LINE THEN PLACES THE RING ON ALICIA’S FINGER.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

"Alicia, please take this ring and place it on Ronald’s finger and repeat after me:

I give you this ring

as a symbol of my vow

to devote my life and love to you,

with all that I am and that we are,

and all that I have to share in life,

I will honor and cherish you in the name of God."

• ALICIA REPEATS THE WORDS LINE BY LINE THEN PLACES THE RING ON RONALD’S FINGER.

 

PRONOUNCEMENT

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

"Thank you for all coming and supporting Ronald and Alicia. A happy hour will be hosted on the veranda while formal pictures are taken – followed by the reception.

Let us close with a final blessing for your marriage:

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth. Amen.

By the authority vested in me by the State of California I now pronounce you husband and wife!

Although you have both kissed MANY times before, this one is special --- it is your first as husband and wife.

You may kiss!"

OFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Bennett."

RECESSIONAL

End of the Wedding Ceremony.