Jennifer Lee Downey

Heavenly Father, we humbly bow before you today praising You, Lord, and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask for your blessings upon Amy and Michael, as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment, as their two lives become one, as they combine their loved ones, and explore the depths of their love for one another. Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives. Bless their home as a place of love and of peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.

The joining of two hearts as husband and wife is a commitment like no other. It offers opportunities for sharing and for personal growth that no other human relationship can equal. A husband and wife are each other's best friends, confidants, lovers, teachers, listeners and critics. The bond between a husband and wife deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, and commitments are stronger. Marriage also encourages new life and new experiences and finds new ways of expressing love through the ups and downs of life, and as your journey begins as husband and wife, I would ask you both remember to always treat each other with respect and remind yourself often of what brought you here today.

CHARGE TO COUPLE

Amy and Michael, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it happen. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage - as they do in every relationship at one time or another - focus on what seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, abundance and delight will mark it.

VOW EXCHANGE

Michael and Amy have written their own vows which they will now read.

RING EXCHANGE

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love and now is a token of your love, and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul. May these rings be blessed so Amy and Michael may abide in peace and continue in love until life's end.

Michael, please take the ring you have selected for Amy. As you place it on her finger, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.

Amy, please take the ring you have selected for Michael. As you place it on his finger, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.

PRAYER

May Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, always be at the center of the new lives you are now starting to build together, that you may know the ways of true love and kindness. May the Lord bless you both all the days of your lives and fill you with His joy. Amen.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Amy and Michael, through your words today, you have joined together in matrimony.

Because you have exchanged your vows before these witnesses, have pledged your commitment each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by exchanging rings, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife.

Michael, you may kiss your bride!

Friends and family, I now present Mr and Mrs DeHart