The Wedding Ceremony for

Jennifer Lee Muthard and Brian Stephen Vaughan

The Charlottesville Mennonite Church

August 6, 2006

 

Roy:  “Let us rise and sing ‘All Creatures of our God and King’” # 48  in the Blue Hymnal.

 

Processional:

“All Creatures of our God and King” announced by Roy sung by all participants

Welcome and Invocation:

Roy (on behalf of Brian and Jennifer welcome and invocation; Sean and Carolyn remain with Brian and Jennifer standing until after invocation)

 

(all sit down)

 

The Shema:

Roger (standing at reading stand by piano):  Roy has just prayed an invocation, inviting the Holy Spirit to be in our midst.  We are promised that whenever two or three are gathered in the name of God, He will be there.

 

In ancient days, the tribe of Israel believed this Truth and prayed a prayer of invocation; calling upon the name of God in Hebrew, inviting His uniting presence. That prayer is still prayed today and I invite us to sing it together.

 

The name of the prayer is the Shema.  And simply translated it means “Hear Oh Israel, The Lord our God is One.” 

 

I will sing this prayer for you once and then we’ll all sing it together three times, consciously inviting the uniting presence of God.

 

 

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Ec-hood.

      שמע ישראל י-ה-ו-ה אלהינו י-ה-ו-ה אחד

 

A Moment of Silent Meditation

 

  

Statement of Intent

 

(Brian, Jen & Dave Stand)

          Dave:  Why do you want to marry each other?

 (Dave then sits down)

Brian & Jen “ Why we want to marry each other” (Brian and Jennifer then speak to the guests telling each other and proclaiming to the guests why they want to marry each other.)

 (Dave introduces and stands)

 

Acknowledgement of Friends and Family:

Bri & Jen “Thank you” (to friends and family; living and dead who have taught us and helped us along the way)(Brian and Jennifer each address the audience acknowledging and thanking special people in their lives)

 

(Brian & Jen sit) (Dave introduces reading by our dear friend Anne Dickey.)

 

First Reading:

 Anne (standing at reading stand by piano): 

When two people come together in marriage, they bring two very separate vessels carrying old habits and patterns that can stand in the way of true Union. The gift of Grace is the door we’ve been given to pass through this dilemma.  God provides the call and the help for us:

 

From Psalm 25

4 Show me how you work, God;
   School me in your ways.
 5 Take me by the hand;
   Lead me down the path of truth.
   You are my Savior, aren't you?

  7 Forget that I sowed wild oats;
   Mark me with your sign of love.
   Plan only the best for me, God!

 8 God is fair and just;
   He corrects the misdirected,
   Sends them in the right direction.
 9 He holds out his hand,
   And leads them step-by-step.

 10 From now on every road you travel
   Will take you to God.
   Follow the Covenant signs;
   Read the charted directions.
  
    15 If I keep my eyes on God,
   I won't trip over my own feet.

 

Change within us happens as we surrender to the compassionate healing of Christ; a power far higher our individual egos.

 

But even the thought of surrendering our lives and our wills to Christ can be a frightening prospect.  We worry that we’ll be giving up too much; that somehow we’ll disappear or some other equally ridiculous thing will happen

 

Fortunately, if we learn to accept the Grace of the gift of surrender we can learn to follow the example that Christ himself set.

 

In the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians we see Christ’s example of surrender:

 

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

 9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God Amen.

Words by Dave:

What is marriage?  (two individuals accepting the grace to surrender into Union)

 

Solo:

 

“All I ask” from Phantom of the Opera sung by Roger Hautsch

 

 

Second Reading:

As Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians:But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a  willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Along with those gifts we’re given guidelines, or, if you will, “operating instructions.”

Form the words of Jesus the Christ:

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

And the instructions for living that we find from the Old Testament prophet Micah could not be more clear:

 But God has already made it plain how to live, what to do, what he is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—instead take God seriously. Amen.

Words by Roy:

What is marriage in terms of how our purposeful Christian union affects the world/ community?(Concludes with Blessing and Anointing)

 

Congregational Singing:

Now let’s stand and sing “Will You Be My Servant” #307 in the blue hymnal. (all stand to sing Vs. 3: women; vs.4: men)

 

(all sit except Roy, Dave, Brian, & Jen)

 

Community words of support to the Couple: (Jonathan takes microphone to speakers as friends and family step up and offer words of support and advice to Brian and Jennifer)

 

Roy:  Now Brian and Jennifer invite members of their family and friends to offer words of support and affirmation as they step forward together into marriage.

 

Acknowledgement of Community Support:

 

              Dave:  All of you have guided and encouraged Brian and Jennifer to this

moment in their lives.  You have passed onto them a richness of

traditions, a lifetime of memories, and relationships that have been

nurtured for years.  Will you now commit to stand beside them as they

continue on their journey as husband and wife?

 

If so, respond by saying “we will!”

 

 

Exchange of Vows:

          Roy:  Jennifer and Brian will now speak their vows to each other:

(Entire wedding party flanks Jennifer and Brian)

Jennifer: Brian, I promise to daily surrender my life and will to Christ, asking Him to work through me to choose kindness, peace, respect, humility and love. And on this day, before our family and friends, I commit to loving and accepting you unconditionally, forever, as your wife. Amen.

 

Brian: Jennifer, I promise to live in integrity by daily surrendering to Christ. I promise to choose each day to build a community of love, respect, and kindness grounded in fidelity and humility following the example of Christ. And on this day, before our family and friends, I commit to loving and accepting you unconditionally, forever, as your husband. Amen

 

Reception of Vows:

Dave:  “You have declared your vows…..”

 

 

Blessing  and  Exchange of Rings:

          Dave: blesses the rings.

Dave: (Jennifer and Brian to each other repeating after Dave),

“Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen”

 

Declaration of Marriage:

Roy: As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by the authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia, I acknowledge that you have declared yourselves to be husband and wife.

 

Mission of the Couple: 

Roy:  I now invite Brian and Jennifer to state their mission as a couple.

 

(Brian and Jen alternating)

 

(B) We commit to living in humility, building a loving and accepting presence where all are welcome in our hearts and in our home.

 

(J) We commit to living out the example set by Christ as we learn to practice peace, justice, forgiveness, and restoration in our individual lives, in our marriage, within our home, and in our community.

 

        (B) And with this kiss we now seal our covenant. Kiss.

  

 Introduction: 

Roy: Let me introduce to you all, for the first time as husband and wife:  Brian and Jennifer Vaughan.(Roy says: “ Brian and Jennifer will greet all of you at the left front entrance of the church.”)

 

Unity Hymn:

Roy:  As a symbol of the unity we’ve experienced here today, let us now form a circle around Brian and Jennifer, standing around the parameter of the church as we sing the final hymn.

                 

 “Let There be Peace on Earth”