Timothy H Hayford

(INVOCATION) means “Calling out”

Catherine and David to stand close together before me slightly angled towards their guest

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered here today to join Catherine Strauch and David Hansen in the spiritual union of marriage.

Catherine and David, your friends and family are here to witness the two of you enter into life’s most personal & intimate contract. Like every important decision this should be done thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities you are agreeing to keep for each other.

(POEM READING) A poem can not be read too slowly. Pause for a few seconds between the title and the first sentence. Let the words of the poem do all the work.

To address the concern about transitioning at the arch, we will set up the music stand at the end of the brides maid line.

Frank Wotell, the father of Catherine’s childhood friend will be reading a poem called, “The Meaning of Love”.

(SERMON)

When you hear that two people are planning to get married, what comes to mind? For me, typically I think of love. I think wow, they must really love each other. Love is the stuff that poets and dreamers write of, because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. Love is the great unifier - our one universal truth! No matter who we are, where we’ve come from, whatever we believe, love is the one thing we are all instinctively drawn to. It’s as if love is in our DNA. Love is why Catherine and David are standing here. Love is the reason we have all come to Southern Charm today to celebrate with them. It is at moment’s like this, that we are all reminded, that our ability to love, is the very best part of our humanity.

I read once that you know your in love when you don’t want to fall asleep, because for the first time reality is even better than your dreams. Can you imagine that? You can choose to live a life that is better than your dreams? Catherine and David are! How blessed is they!

Catherine and David, while in some ways this might feel like a dream let me assure you that your guest and I are wide awake and full of joy that we get to witness your commitment to loving each other.

When Catherine and I first started to talk about her and David getting married, I asked her, “when did you know you were in love?” She told me about a time when her dog Ace was very sick. She told me how David stood by her side the entire time. How as Ace’s illness progressed, David cared for him. Ace got pretty sick towards the end. David help clean up after him, would take him to the vet and was present and in the moment for all of it, all the way to the very end. He even took time off work so that he could grieve with Catherine over the loss of her beloved Ace. It is understandable how Catharine came to fall in love with David. He obviously exemplified love, but also two other key aspects of love that are crucial to a lasting union... And they are loyalty and understanding.

You see, love, loyalty, and understanding are intertwined when forming the foundation of a happy and enduring marriage. They are in essence the pillars that Catherine and David will build their lives together on.

While a great marriage certainly starts with two people falling in love, as I mentioned earlier, there is more to it. Loyalty is a different but equally important aspect of love. Loyalty speaks to commitment. In marriage, loyalty must be mutual. Loyalty means you are promising to care about everything. And I do mean everything... the good things... the bad things... the mundane things… the , “wow that was amazing” things... and the “We could have done without that” things... loyalty means you are there for all of it... all of the time... each and every day... for so long as you both shall live.

So we have talked about your love for each other, and we have talked about the importance of being mutually loyal to each other and finally let’s talk about what I call the third pillar of a successful marriage. And that is understanding. If love in a lot of ways is outwardly expressive, understanding is generally quiet and unassuming. Understanding is a mutual confidence that grows by sharing and forgiving. It is understanding that will get you through the not so good times. Understanding settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.

Catherine and David, I am confident there is nothing this world can throw at you that you cannot conquer so long as you always put first your love, loyalty and understanding of each other.

(Prayer of Blessing)

Folks, let’s take a moment here to set the stage for what is going to happen next. I am going to ask for all of us to really focus our thoughts and prayers on the bride and groom right now as we begin to perform the marital rights. This is an epic time in Catherine and David’s life. I say life because they are no longer going to be living separate lives. Whatever happens from this point on, they are doing it together!

As for the rest of us who are here today as their witnesses, I would like to ask you to join me in a focused prayer for a blessing upon them right now!

Make sure Cathy and Dave are connected.

“Lord, we pray that Catherine and David are abundantly blessed in every way imaginable. Let your goodness rain down from the heavens upon them. Please send an army of angels to protect and keep them safe. Let them always feel the love and support of their family and friends. We pray they will be a blessed example of love to each other, their family and every one that comes to know them. Never let them forget this moment or the hope and love we all share for them.

(DECLARATION OF INTENT)

As this time Catherine and David would like to publicly declare their intent to be loving, loyal and understand to each other.

Please face each other and hold hands;

Catherine Strauch do you take this man David Hansen 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?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you David Hansen take this woman Catherine Strauch 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?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

(VOW EXCHANGE)

The sharing vows is a marital tradition going back to the beginning of time. A vow is a solemn promise that you are making before God and all of us here. Catherine and David please hold hands and focus on each other.

This is the moment when you will be publicly swearing your oath of loyalty and commitment to each other.

Together, please repeat after me:

‘Your life will not go unnoticed... because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed... because I will be your witness.”

(RING EXCHANGE)

Please hold that position. Catherine and David will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

Catherine, please place the ring on David’s finger and repeat after me:

"I give you this ring... as a symbol of my love and faithfulness... As I place it on your finger... I commit my heart and soul to you.... I ask you to wear this ring... as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today... This ring is a token of my love.

David, please place the ring on Catherine’s finger and repeat after me:

"I give you this ring... as a symbol of my love and faithfulness... As I place it on your finger... I commit my heart and soul to you... I ask you to wear this ring... as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today... This ring is a token of my love.

(Peace Rose Exchange)

As a sign of their love for their families, Catherine and David would like to offer these peace roses, to their mothers, as a symbol of their eternal love.

(PRONOUNCEMENT) Catherine and David to be on center, holding hands, facing their guest.

It is by the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries, and the State of Illinois, that I now pronounce you, husband and wife!

Catherine and David, would you do us all the honor of sealing your marriage covenant with a kiss!

Lady’s and gentlemen it is is with great joy that I would like to introduce to you for the first time new Mr. & Mrs. Hansen! Let’s hear it for the bride and groom!

(RECESSIONAL)