William James McClintock

THE WEDDING OF

Raymond Anthony Wilson

&

Lori Ann Wilson

On this day, Tuesday October, 23rd 2018 from this place, a place like no other place. We are gathered together to witness, and celebrate the marriage of Lori Ann Wilson, and Raymond Anthony Wilson. We come together not to mark the start of a new relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond. (or not so public)

Marriage is a commitment of life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing, and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a life time.

OPENING PRAYER

Let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord Jesus, we thank you for gathering everyone here today. We ask that you help Lori, and Raymond to remember the strong love that they share. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the others feelings, and concerned for the others needs and wishes. Heavenly father help them increase their faith, and trust in Jesus. Bless this marriage with peace, and happiness and make their love fruitful for your glory, and their joy, both here and eternity. AMEN.

CHARGE TO THE COUPLE

Marriage is the most important of all earthly relationships. It should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully and with full understanding of its sacred nature. Your marriage must stand by the strength of your love and the power of faith in each other and in God. Just as two threads woven in opposite directions form a beautiful tapestry, so will your two lives when merged together, and it will be a beautiful marriage.

While the commitment begins with the two of you, it's effect radiates outward. It touches your family and friends and ultimately all of society. Your relationship will take more than love, It will take trust, faith, and to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other, you both need to be dedicated to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And it will take faith to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

Remember that in every marriage, there are good times, and bad times. Times of joy, and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey not a destination. It is a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by love, trust, dedication, and faith you share in one another.

May the promises you make to one another today, be lived out to the end of your lives. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest joys, but today is the day it all begins.

LOVE

THE SUPREME GIFT

If I could speak all the languages of of earth and of angels, but did not love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but did not love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I had to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could brag about it; but if I did not love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful. Love is not proud or rude. It does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable. Love does not keep records of being wronged. Love does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love nevere gives up. Love never loses faith. Love is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see thing imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we see everything with perfect charity. All that I know now is partialand incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me completely.

Three things will last forever –Faith, Hope, and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE.

I If you love someone, you will be loyal to them. You will always believe in them, you will always expect the best in them, and you will always stand your ground in defending them.

It has been said that two persons together are better off than one alone. For two can help each other succeed. If one person falls the other one can reach out and help the other back up, however one alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be easily attacked and defeated, however two can stand back to back and conquer their enemies together. And for the ultimate strength and unity add GOD to your relationship, for a three fold cord is not easily broken.

MARRIAGE STATEMENT OF INTENT / CONSENT

Raymond, do you present yourself willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?

Will you promise to care for Lori in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life with Lori?

Lori, do you present yourself willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?

Will you promise to care for Raymond in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life with Raymond?

THE VOWS

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VOWS FROM LORI TO RAYMOND

I promise that you will be as important to me as the dog, coffee and chocolate. I love you as much as I love boot season. I promise to respect your choice of music in the car when your driving unless my song comes on of course. I promise to love you no matter how many times you tell the same story.

If you turn into a zombie or a vampire I promise to let you bite me so we can be undead together. I vow to be your spell checker, nutritionist, financial advisor, and tell you when you are wrong always. I promise to try things, even though I am sure I will not like them, just because you say, “try this!”

I vow to love you even as you scan through all those movies without picking one to actually watch. I promise to love you at all times – even during football season, and I promise to root for the Ducks even though I could truly care less who wins. I promise to love you, honor you, but not obey, because that is a little creepy. I promise to turn on the air conditioning when you are hot, even if I am totally freezing. You are the one I want to binge watch Netflix with forever.

And on a serious note I promise to love you, and to stand by you through all of the challenges of life throws at us now and forever.

VOWS FROM RAYMOND TO LORI

I vow to put myself in a time out by going out and sitting in the car if I start to pout because I didn't get anything while we were shopping, and I vow to know that if you have $20.00 dollars, and I have $10.00 dollars that you really have $30.00 dollars.

I vow not to ignore the obvious basket of unfolded laundry that you left out in plain site for me to find and fold. I vow that if I am the one that wakes up first that I will not only make the coffee, but I will also give you the first and strongest part as it drips, and deliver it to you in bed.

I promise to do the stuff neither of us wants to do, if you really don't want to do it more than I don't. I promise to respect you , listen to your advice, and occasionally take it without fussing. I promise to take out the garbage, even in the pouring rain or freezing cold. I promise to share the covers, make sure the toilet paper is stocked, put the toilet seat down, and not use all the hot water as long as we both shall live.

I vow to protect you from all the ills of the world, even if a scientist invented a way to clone dinosaurs and the dinosaurs escaped from his zoo, and then they came after us – I would protect you first. That is how much I love you.

On a serious note I vow to always be there for you in every way and to love you with all my heart every single day.

RING EXCHANGE

Please present the rings.

Your wedding is a symbol of your promise to one another. The ring, an unbroken, never ending circle, is a symbol of committed unending love. For thousands of years, men and women have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that your love has a past, a present, and a future.

Raymond, as you place this ring on Lori's finger, repeat after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you, and the commitments we made today.

Lori, as you place this ring on Raymond's finger , repeat after me: This ring symbolizes my love for you, and the commitments we made today.

CONCLUSION & PRONOUNCEMENT

Raymond and Lori, you have come here today of your own free will, and in the presence of friends, have declared your love and commitment to each other. You have given and received a ring as a symbol of your promises. By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

You may now share your first kiss as husband and wife.