Meredith and Stephen
June 23, 2007

Prelude
Processional
Presentation of the Bride

Father Rich: Who present in the community bestows this woman to be united with this man in Holy Matrimony?

Dad : Her mother and I Do

Welcome –
Fr. Rich – Good afternoon.

I’d like to welcome you to this graced day in Meredith and Steve’s life. Each of you is here because in some way, you helped get them here. Your love, your sense of family and devotion, your kindness, your wisdom shared, maybe your forgiveness – something that you have given to Meredith, or to Steve, or maybe to both of them has gone into making them who they are, and if they weren’t who they are, they wouldn’t be here. So thanks – for being who you have been in Meredith and Steve’s life. I want you to know, from them, that they appreciate you and love you

Not all the people who helped Meredith and Steve get here could be here – some are separated from us by distance, and others by time. But in a deeply spiritual way, even they are with in this space made sacred by life-transforming love, and they are rejoicing with us. As we pray together this afternoon, please remember these others in your prayers

Now, let us pray…

Gathering Colloquy –

 It is out of affection for this lovely bride and groom that we have gathered together to witness and bless their vows, to each other, which will unite them in holy matrimony. To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another.

They bring the dreams, which bind them together. They bring that particular personality and spirit which is uniquely their own, and out of which will grow the reality of their life together. We rejoice with them as an outward symbol of our inward union of hearts, a union created by friendship, respect and most importantly love

This is your service as well as theirs. Their future together depends upon you as well as upon them. By your thoughts, your feelings and your deeds and your prayers for them on this day and the days to come you can strengthen the vows and commitment they are about to make

Love is not to be kept - it is to be shared. Your presence here shows your willingness to lovingly support Meredith and Steve’s marriage and the new home they create with and for each other.

Reading and Reflection
The following passage, taken Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, although I’m sure you’ve heard it before, please listen to it with new ears!.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, or boastful or arrogant or rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This is the Word of the Lord.


Reflection


Exchange of Vows

Fr. Rich: Steve and Meredith, you have come here today, in the presence of your friends and family, to declare your love for each other before God, and to begin your life together as a married couple. So if it is your intention to unite yourselves as husband and wife, I invite you to express this profound love that you have for each other. Please repeat after me…

Steve: I Steve, take you Meredith, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health; I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

Meredith: I, Meredith, take you Steve, to be my husband I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health; I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.

Blessing and Exchange of Rings:
Fr. Rich: Heavenly Father, bless these rings Grant that Meredith and Steve may wear them with deep faith in Your love and in their love for each other. May they both do your will and always live together in peace, love and abiding joy. We ask this through Christ our lord AMEN

Steve: Meredith, This ring without beginning or ending is a symbol of my undying love for you I give you this ring as I give you my love

Meredith: Steve, This ring without beginning or ending is a symbol of my undying love for you I give you this ring as I give you my love.

Father Rich: Heavenly Father, we ask that you bless and consecrate this couple in their love for each other. May the rings they have exchanged be a reminder of the love and faithfulness they have pledged one unto the other.

Fr. Rich: Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold Steve and Meredith in the vows they make to each other today?

All: We will.

Blessing and Exchange of the Unity Cup

Blessed are you Lord, God of all creation, in your goodness you have given us wine to gladden our hearts and lift our spirits. Many grapes have become one wine, so may Meredith and Steve’s lives be blended into one loving union. And as they share from this one cup, gladden Meredith and Steve’s hearts, and make them one with each other and with Your abiding love.

 (Fr. Rich will hand the cup to Steve, who will then hand it to Meredith. Meredith drinks, gives it to Steve who finishes the wine, and then hands the cup back to Fr. Rich).

Blessing