Our Wedding: Clasping of hands, blending of hearts

The music changed to Vitamin String Quartet's "Smile That Way," Sam opened the doors, and it was time for my mom to walk me down the aisle.

Friends, we have come today at the invitation of Heather and Joshua to share in the joy of their wedding. This outward celebration we shall see and hear is an expression of the inner love and devotion they have in their hearts.


The Bible teaches us that God is love, and that love comes from God. From beginning to end, the Bible is a love story. There we read of God’s love for his people, of the love that send Christ to the cross, of redeeming love for the sinner, of abiding love for the redeemed.


God loved us, and created us to love others. Our lives find completion only as we love and are loved in return. Together, we can become what we could never be separately.



Joshua and Heather come today desiring to be united in this sacred relationship. God has guided Joshua and Heather to this moment, has blessed their love and brought them together.


Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

She gives herself freely, with my blessing.

Joshua Taylor, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage?  Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?

I will.

           

Heather Rebecca, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage?  Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?

I will.

Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

We will.

Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one.  Your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the State nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but by the strength of your love and by the power of your faith in each other and in God.

The ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is the first and oldest ceremony in all the world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of God himself.  Marriage is a gift of God, given to comfort the sorrows of life and magnify its joys.


Now, will you please join hands and, to each other, express your vows of love and devotion.

I, Joshua, take you, Heather to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death; as God is my witness, I give you my promise.

I, Heather, take you, Joshua to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death; as God is my witness, I give you my promise.

Scripture Reading

            Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (New International Version)

Place me like a seal over your heart,

   like a seal 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.

Many waters cannot quench love;

               rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

              all the wealth of one’s house for love,

              it would be utterly scorned.


* All photos by Lesley Wray unless otherwise noted!