Michael W St Onge

Marriage ceremony for Michelle and Matt..

Matt and me are at the front

Please stand

Flower girl Juliet walks

Gabe walks mother Michelle

Gabe kisses mother then shakes Matt’s hand and is seated

Michelle and Matt stand in front of me holding hands

Family, friends, and those who we hold dear to our hearts, we are gathered here today in the sight of God to witness and bless the joining together of Michelle Tressa Cook and Matthew Steven Kaluk in Holy matrimony. Let's take a breath and a brief moment to thank God in our own thoughts for bringing us together here today and all he has done for us.

(1 min. Pray in silence)

Please be seated.

Marriage is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and 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.

I’d like to do a reading from the Apostle Paul, The first letter to the Corinthians,

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, is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. The word of the Lord (Amen)

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

(Long pause to reflect.)

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.

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

Now, I’d like to read 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.

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

The word of the Lord (Amen)

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 pause to reflect on this reading

(Long pause to reflect.)

Let us pray.

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

We ask that you guide and bless Matthew and Michelle 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 Matthew and Michelle’s marriage today, let us each consecrate the relationships in our own lives and rededicate ourselves to these unions we share.

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

Matthew and Michelle, 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?

Matthew and Michelle: “We have.”

And now Matt and Michelle will say their vows.

Mike(or Frank) has rings in his pocket..(please) and holds them in their hand

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

Give Matt his ring for Michelle

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

Matt: “I do” and places the ring on Michelle’s left hand ring finger

Give the ring to Michelle in her right hand.

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

Michelle: “I do” and places ring on Matthew’s left hand ring finger

Perform the Unity Cross Ceremony.

 

Let us pray.

We ask that the Holy Spirit may deepen the lives of Matthew and Michelle. 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

I now, according to the ordinances of God and in the name of the State of Michigan, pronounce them husband and wife. Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this holy union, now and forever.

Matt, you may kiss your bride!

I am so proud to present to you the new wedding couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kaluk!!

Matt's -

Jenny - 27 (Husband - Nate)

Maria - 25 (Fiance - Bray)

Mike - 23 (Fiance soon we think - Brenna)

Michelle's -

Tressa - 22

Gabe - 19

Eli - 14