Michael W St Onge

Ceremony Script for Gerald Pokriefka and Rebecca Rogers

Just one note, Please refrain from taking photos during this ceremony and let Ian, Gerry’s son the photographer, do his job. Thanks

Please stand

Matt walks down his mother.

Matt kisses his mother and shakes Gerry’s hand.

Gerry and Rebecca hold hands in front of me facing each other.

Dear Family and Friends, on behalf of Gerry and Becca, thank you for being here today to recognize their love and celebrate their marriage.

My name is Mike St. Onge and Gerry’s brother in law and it is my honor to officiate at this wedding.

We are gathered together in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of Gerald and Rebecca in marriage.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home. And Gerry, two very important words to remember, YES HONEY

I’d like Gerald and Rebecca’s friend Laura Brickley to come forward to do a reading. Before Laura reads, you need to know that without Laura and her husband Bill, this union might not be happening today so thank you Laura and Bill for introducing these 2 wonderful people to each other. Clap

Go ahead Laura

 

A Reading from Corinthians

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, 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. . .

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The word of the Lord

Thank you Laura

In that reading, the bible shares that love is more than a feeling, it is full of action.

Now I’d like Rebecca’s brother Tom to come forward and do a reading

 

A Reading from Ecclesiastes

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The word of the Lord

Thanks Tom

This reading shares the true partnership between 2 people, the fundamental basis of being there for someone in the highs and lows is demonstrated here and the strength that comes from inviting Christ into your relationship.

Let us pray.

Beloved God, we welcome you and are grateful for your presence here today.

We ask that you guide and bless Gerald and Rebecca with a loving, healthy and happy marriage. We ask that you bless this family created by this union.

We ask that your light and grace be extended to all, that they may know you and welcome you in their lives each and every day.

Amen.

As we rejoice in Gerald and Rebecca’s marriage today, let us each consecrate the relationships in our own lives and rededicate ourselves to these unions we share.

Let us each choose the path of loving and caring for one another and making these commitments a priority in our lives.

Let us remember, today and always, that there is nothing more important than loving one another.

Gerald and Rebecca, you have come together this day so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this minister of His word and this community of family and friends and so, in the presence of this gathering, I ask you to state your intentions:

Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? Gerald and Rebecca: “We have.”

Since it is your intention to enter into marriage declare your consent before God and this gathering.

Gerry, looking at Becca, repeat after me

I Gerald, take you Rebecca, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you, and honor you, all the days of my life.

Becca, looking at Gerry, repeat after me

I Rebecca, take you Gerald, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you, and honor you, all the days of my life.

Bill, please come forward and place the rings in your hand so everyone can see them.

These rings are the outward and visible signs of the vows and promises you have willingly exchanged. They reflect the commitment of your words.

Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings and those who wear them. May they live in your peace and continue in your favor, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Bill, give Becca’s ring to Gerry in his right hand.

Gerald, on this day, before God, your family, and friends do you take Rebecca as your wife, promising to uphold the vows you have just spoken

Gerald: “I do” and places the ring on Rebecca’s left hand ring finger

Bill, give Gerry’s ring to Becca in her right hand.

Rebecca, on this day before God, your family and friends do you take Gerald as your husband, promising to uphold the vows you have just spoken

Rebecca: “I do” and places ring on Gerald’s left hand ring finger.

Bill, you can take a step back.

Love is a force more formidable than any other.

It cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession ever could.

But although this love joins you together as one, remember the gift of your individuality. Cherish and affirm your differences as you love each other.

Be supportive of your strengths, and tender towards your weaknesses.

Laugh together, cry together, be comforted by each other's presence, and secure in each other's absence.

We ask that the Holy Spirit of love may deepen the lives of Gerald and Rebecca.

May the relationship, which today has been expressed, continue to grow in the years to come.

Whatever changes time may bring, let this wedding ceremony remain as a treasured memory and a guide to life.

May they always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims: "Out of all this world, YOU have chosen ME."

When life is done and the sun is setting, may they be found then as now, still hand in hand, still thanking you for each other.

Amen

Because Gerald and Rebecca have desired each other in marriage, and have witnessed this before God and our gathering, affirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and have pledged their love and faith to each other, and exchanging of rings

and according to the ordinances of God and in the name of the State of Michigan, I now pronounce them husband and wife.

Gerry, you may kiss your bride!

Now, it is my honor to present to you for the first time, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald and Rebecca Pokriefka!!

Sign marriage license at rehearsal