Joseph Keith Walters

(INVOCATION)

Thank you, please be seated.

Welcome, friends and family! We are here today to celebrate Asa and Remy as they begin a new chapter in their life together.

Before we begin, I'd like to ask for God's Blessing on the two of them. Feel free to join me in prayer, if so inclined:

Heavenly Father,

We ask your Blessing upon Asa and upon Remy. We come to you knowing that they walk together according to your Grace. We ask that you bless them and keep them, and that you hold us accountable to do the same, Lord.

In your name we pray,

Amen

(CEREMONY)

Is anyone familiar with Matthew 23:23?

Matthew 23:23 is one of 7 condemnations of the religious leaders of Israel - and I know that sounds like a strange way to start this off, but bear with me.

The gist of it was that the leaders of the church were so focused on their public rituals that they missed the larger point of their roles: to live in justice, mercy, and faith. They did the small part, but both parts were required.

In that respect, the wedding is a small part of marriage. Love, itself, can get you to this point, but marriage also requires commitment to fairness, support for one another, and trust. (in other words, justice, mercy, and faith.) Today, we're doing the smaller part, but both parts are required.

And I know you guys get that, because you already do both parts. Both of you are conscientious, kind, and patient with one another. Individually, you are two really great people, and you're even better as a couple. I can't recall another couple as well-suited for each other as you guys are.

You've put in the work to form a fantastic relationship, and I'm glad that you've chosen to take this additional step. It's going to be great.

You already have a covenant with each other, but today is about the ritual - your public declaration that you are knowingly and willingly entering this chapter together.

(DECLARATION OF INTENT)

OK, ready to get married?

(PRESENTATION OF VOWS)

Do you, Asa, take Remy to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

If so, answer 'I do'.

Do you, Remy, take Asa to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

If so, answer 'I do.'

(EXCHANGE OF RINGS)

Guys, the rings you are about to place on each other's fingers are symbolic — a public representation of the covenant between you.

Asa, please repeat after me:

Remy, with this ring, I thee wed.

I will love, honor, and cherish you,

in good times and bad,

for richer or poorer,

in sickness and in health,

for as long as we both shall live.

Remy, please repeat after me:

Asa, with this ring, I thee wed.

I will love, honor, and cherish you,

in good times and bad,

for richer or poorer,

in sickness and in health,

for as long as we both shall live.

(CLOSING REMARKS & PRONOUNCEMENT)

Guys, we're almost done.

The exchange of rings and vows is your public declaration in the presence of chosen witnesses.

And as witnesses, we are honored to be present because we are as invested in you as you are in each other. In this respect, there are two parts, and again, both parts are necessary. You can expect justice, mercy, and faith from us, just as you can from each other.

That is our covenant with you, and that is the larger point.

And as a symbolic display of our commitment to you, I ask publicly:

"Does anyone present know of any reason why these two should not be married?

If so, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Asa and Remy - having proclaimed your love for and commitment to one another in the sight of God and these witnesses, and by the authority vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Hicks!