We modeled our program after a theatre playbill. The center page was the ceremony order. CLICK HERE to see our ceremony order. CLICK HERE for the song translations.
Our readings –
Happiness in Marriage (aka – The Art of Marriage)
Two readers alternated lines.
Happiness in Marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage the little things are the big things…
It is never being to old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together facing the world
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and deomonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways
It is not looking for perfection in each other, but cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which they can grow
It is finding room for things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which “the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.”
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
It is discovering that marriage at its best is described in the words Mark Twain used in a tribute to his wife: “Wherever she was, there was Eden.”
Colossians 3:12-17 (New International Version)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
An excerpt from Union by Robert Fulgham
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks – all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.
