We are here together this evening to celebrate the strength of love and families.
We see it in the faces of June and Russ who stand before us; therefore we
experience it in our own hearts as well. Their undying love has called us
to celebrate the continuation of their life together, and the beginning of
a second new life in the covenant of marriage.
We wish for them that the joy of this hour will increase a thousand times
over the years, and that they will be blessed by growing old together. Russ
said so eloquently to me about him and June, “We love each other, and
we want to be with each other for the rest of our lives.”
Amen to that.
It is written that love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love
does not parade itself, and is not proud. Love rejoices in the truth. Love
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails, even if we falter.
The Vows
Russ, do you take June to be your wife? To love her, to honor and protect
her, and to continually bestow on her your heart’s deepest devotion?
(Russ: I do.)
June, do you take Russ to be your husband? To love him, to honor and protect
him, and to continually bestow on him your heart’s deepest devotion?
(June: I do.)
Please join hands, face one another, and repeat after me:
June, you are my beloved wife, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold,
for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health,
in sadness and in joy, to share our lives together, from this day forward,
as long as we both shall live.
Russ, you are my beloved husband, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold,
for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health,
in sadness and in joy, to share our lives together, from this day forward,
as long as we both shall live.
Exchanging Rings
What tokens of your love have you brought for each other?
[Couple] These rings.
May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your unity. Your two lives are joined
again today in an unbroken circle. Wherever you go, may you always return
to one another in your togetherness. May you continue to grow in understanding
and compassion, and these rings symbolize forever the gift of the Spirit that
is love.
Russ, place the ring on June’s left hand, and repeat after me:
June, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
June, place the ring on Russ’s left hand, and repeat after me:
Russ, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Benediction:
The Book of Ruth is an ancient text, but its words are timeless. I offer them
to you as you make them your own.
“Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will
go. Wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and
your God my God. Wherever you die, I will die and there will rest. May the
Lord do so to me, and more besides, if nothing but death separates me from
you!”
Declaration
June and Russ, you have promised together before your friends and family to
love each other and join your lives. You are now re-united in the covenant
of marriage and in the commitment of love for all of your days.
I now pronounce you husband and wife together. Congratulations! You may share
a kiss.
© 2004, Jody Serey