Mark Christopher Boyer

We are here today to finalize the spiritual union of marriage between Richard Lee Thomas and Carla Dee Blackson.

Today I am not talking about the "contract of marriage" because we know two people don't enter into it lightly. Rather, as a couple, you enter it thoughtfully, carefully, seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy marriage.

"Place me like a perminant tattoo over your heart, like a tattoo on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame." from Song of Songs 8:6

LET US PRAY

From the Book of John

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us."

RING EXCHANGE

May we now have the rings?

The ring, an unbroken circle, represents unending love. Look at these rings often so they be remind you of this moment and the love you have promised to one another.

Carla, please place this ring on Rick's finger and repeat after me.

"Rick, I give you this ring

as a symbol of my love

and am choosing to share

my life's journey with you

I give you this ring

with the pledge to love you

today, tomorrow, and always.

Rick, please place this ring on Carla's finger and repeat after me.

Carla, I give you this ring

as a symbol of my love

and am choosing to share

my life's journey with you

I give you this ring

with the pledge to love you

today, tomorrow, and always.

VOWS

Do you Richard Thomas take this woman, Carla Blackston, to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Carla Blackston take this man, Richard Thomas, to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Rick and Carla, I want to wish you both much love and happiness as you continue this journey of life and togetherness. As the minister conducting this ceremony, because I now know you both I want you to push yourselves past anything you've ever felt to keep this marriage alive. Marriage isn't just about love and lust, its about developing a friendship for the rest of your life and that love is different and deeper than "just being in love" and I know you both know this. So I want to remind you to keep lots of laughter in your life and love will never be far behind.

With that being said, By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries Jackson County and the State of Missouri I now pronounce you husband and wife!