Burton Lee Smith

Welcome:

We have been invited here today to share in a very important time in their lives as they join together in marriage. In biblical times, people would go to the mountains to walk and talk with God.

What greater thing for two people than to feel they are joined together; to strengthen each other in labor, to rest on each other in sorrow, to help each other in need, to share joy, and to be one with each other - whatever life has to offer. The last three years have been a very trying time in the world, but the toughest of circumstances produced some of the strongest and most precious of outcomes. Think about diamonds. The amount of pressure, heat and time it takes to turn the most common of coal into the most precious of stones is unimaginable. Yet it happens. You two have walked many paths together. You endured a pandemic. And when so many relationships were being torn apart, yours was being strengthened and forged. Through this your love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now you have decided to live your lives together as husband and wife. As guests of this occasion we are asked to give our blessing, encouragement, and support.

Tommy and Dawn, today continues a life of giving and sharing, nurturing and support; allowing each other the freedom to change and grow as individuals while developing your mutual spirit as time goes by. In the area of marriage, the little things are the big things. It is about continuing your relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal.

Today we are gathered together to celebrate your union. Today we are privileged to witness two very dear friends; two exceptional and driven individuals committed to sharing a lifetime together.

Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance. Through talking and listening. Helping, supporting and believing in each other. Through playfulness and exploration. Through tenderness and laughter. Through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences and by learning to make the important things matter, and let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as partners before God.

In light of this let us pray to the Great Architect of marriage, home and family for His blessing on this special occasion.

Burt offers prayer

Charge to the couple:

Tommy and Dawn,

Today you are starting to build a house. In Hebrew and English literature this referred to a royal family or dynasty. Listen to Joshua speak, (Joshua 24:15) “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Again in the New Testament, (Luke 6:48) “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” And finally from our Lord. Come unto me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

It is crucial that you continue to build on this foundation. Continue to play. Be distracted by each other daily. Find kindness when a harsh word seems so much easier. Never lose your sense of wonder at life and at each other. Explore, learn, and celebrate life together.

As you state vows to each other and exchange rings, you are putting together a tradition, a belief system; yes, a monument, a house. As you come together you are building an establishment where Christ can reign and you can serve each other and serve others for His kingdom. As God gave Adam and Eve to each other so has he given you both to go forth and be His banner of good news of God’s love and transformation. Because for those who have chosen Christ, this “building” will stand in the day of trouble and testing. This world and culture is waiting for authentic, real people to shine forth as lights in the dark. Ecclesiastes states that two are better than one and a cord of three strands is not easily broken. One author has stated that God does not give you marriage to make you happy, he gives marriage to make you holy. As you leave this holy ground today continue building this relationship, this house, you must realize that the foundation is Christ, but also invite Him in to be the Master of the house and your provider for all good things.

Vows:

Tommy, will you be Dawn’s best friend? Will you respect and support her, only be distracted by her, be patient with her, and help her to achieve those things that are important to her? Will you accept her unconditionally and face all of life’s experiences with her throughout the years?

If so, answer, “I will”.

Dawn, will you be Tommy’s best friend? Will you respect and support him, only be distracted by him, be patient with him and help him to achieve those things that are important to him? Will you accept him unconditionally and face all of life’s experiences with him throughout the years?

If so, answer, “I will”.

Rings:

What do you give as a token of these vows just spoken?

Every covenant has a sign or a symbol to remind each party of the responsibilities he or she brings to the covenant relationship. These rings are symbols of your love. They are precious; an unending circle which will be just the right fit. Not loose so it might be lost or too tight to hurt.

Tommy, place this ring on Dawn’s wedding finger and repeat after me:

“This ring I give to you as a symbol of my love.

I pledge to you my loyalty and devotion.

Until the end of time.

Dawn repeat after me.

“I will wear this ring as an expression of my love and faithfulness to you and a sign that I am yours alone.”

Dawn, place this ring on Tommy’s wedding finger and repeat after me:

“This ring I give to you as a symbol of my love.

I pledge to you my loyalty and devotion.

Until the end of time.

Tommy, repeat after me:

“I will wear this ring as an expression of my love and faithfulness to you and a sign that I am yours alone.”

Pronouncement:

For as much as you Tommy, and you, Dawn have openly pledged yourselves to one another in love and faithfulness, in the presence of God, and before these witnesses, and having confirmed the same by each giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands, I, as a minister of the gospel of Christ, pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

May the Lord God who created our first parents and established them in marriage, establish and sustain you that you may find delight and distraction in each other and grow in holy love until life’s end. The Lord bless you and keep you; may The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Introduction:

It is my privilege to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Tommy and Dawn Eckerty.