Rev. Bill Armstrong - Religious Ceremony

" MEMORIES ON MAUI ARE WAITING FOR YOU"

RELIGIOUS WEDDING CEREMONY

By Rev. Bill Armstrong

WELCOME

Aloha, I welcome you to this very special event in which __________ and __________ declare before god that they have chosen each other. It is an occasion which is both solemn, as we reflect on the seriousness of their decision, and festive as we share their joy. We are witnessing an extremely important event in their lives.

Our service today is based on the relationship which __________and __________ share with each other and on their faith in God. It is a covenant. We affirm their love for each other as part of Gods plan for them.

LEI EXCHANGE

In Hawaii, we exchange leis as a symbol of our love. Leis hold a specific significance at weddings and in essence represents your married life together. The flowers and leaves represents the love that you bring to the marriage and the twine that holds it all together, represents the marriage bond. Now with loving aloha, would you please present your leis to one another with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

LET US PRAY

O gracious and ever-loving god, you have created us both man and woman in your own image. Look mercifully upon these two people who come to you, seeking your blessing and assist them with your grace that with true fidelity and steadfast love, they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make here today.

We are gathered here today to celebrate and dedicate the joy and deep meaning of the union of __________ and__________ in this sacred commitment. The essence of this covenant is the acceptance of each other as lover, companion and friend.

It is therefore a decision which is not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for ourselves and each other.

This ceremony can set the tone for your entire life together. It is the visible symbol of the on going wedding process in which the two of you grow in love and union. It represents the welding of two souls as one. It is also a demonstration of the bonding which will strengthen, and free you to grow in your own unique way, but still together. Today, your individual memories, desires and hopes come together in this union of love.

This is the time to release the past, to forgive any grievances, bringing only those memories, desires and hopes to this union of your future days together.

VOWS

Will you do this, and are you ready to exchange your vows? If so please answer, " We Are "

And now, will you please face each other and join hands and please repeat after me…

GROOM

I receive you __________, as my partner and love. Beside me and apart from me / in sickness and in health / in conflict and serenity / asking only that you / be no other than yourself / loving what i know of you, and trusting what i do not know / in all the ways that life may bring.

BRIDE

RING EXCHANGE

May I have your rings please?

Your rings by their very shape are symbols of eternal unity, without beginning or end.

They are the emblem of the love that exists between you and characterizes your devotion to one another. Let them always remind you of the commitments you make here today.

GROOM

__________Please place the rind on her left hand and repeat after me.

__________ with this ring /I promise to grow with you / to build our love / to speak openly and honestly / to listen to you / and to love and cherish you for all the days ahead /from this day forward you shall not walk alone / my heart will be your shelter, and my arms will be your home with this ring, I thee wed

BRIDE

__________Please place the ring on his left hand and repeat after me.

BLESSING

Lord God, our heavenly father, we give thanks for the moment that brings __________ and __________ together in marriage. We ask your blessing upon them, to sustain them through the difficult and uncertain times that come to every relationship. May they continue to grow together and may their love for one another deepen with every passing year.

We give thanks for the nurture and support of family and friends and let us, who share the circle of celebration today, be renewed in our own commitments to one another. All this we ask in the spirit we have seen, in Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

PRONOUNCEMENT

And now with the power vested in me by the state of Hawaii, it is my honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife.

And you may now seal this covenant with a kiss.