Jeff and John will walk out together from the grooms room before the seating of the

grandparents Bridesmaids and groomsmen will process in together as pairs from farthest out to closest to us, ending with Kim and John

Call to gather: (Jeff) We have come here today to celebrate love. We see it in the faces of Laura and John who stand before us, and we experience it in our own hearts as well. It is a love which is spoken of in all religions, and is our true home, our true meeting place. It kindles our souls with hope. We are grateful to them for inviting us to witness and share in this precious moment. To this day they bring their love as a treasure to share with one another.

GIVING OF THE BRIDE: (Jeff) "Being assured that your love and your choice of each other as lifelong companions are in God's will and that you have your families' blessings. I now ask. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

BRIDE'S FATHER: I do

Introduction/Statement of Purpose: (Jeff) Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other sincerely, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share the future together. In this ceremony, they dedicate themselves to the happiness and well-being of each other, in a union of mutual caring and responsibility.

Reading: (Renee) Colossians 3:12-17: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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. 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.

Vows & Ring Exchange: Jeff to Laura: Do you Laura, knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him to overcome them, take John to be your lawfully wedded husband? Jeff: Repeat after me: I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you." (Place the ring on his finger.) Jeff to John: Do you John, knowing this woman's love for you and returning it, realizing her strengths and learning form them, recognizing her weaknesses and helping her to overcome them, take Laura to be your lawfully wedded wife? Jeff: Repeat after me: I give this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me and know that I love you." (Place the ring on her finger) Jeff Let these rings serve as locks not binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.

Laura and John will walk up to the separate family candles and while Jeff is talking, light the new family unity candle Family Unity Candle Ceremony: (Jeff) It is only out of families that new families emerge. Today the family candles that burn in our midst symbolize your separate lives and these two families. Laura and John come to this moment from these two families, and the new emerges from the old

the present from the past. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined as one, and represents the joining together of your two families as one. As they move together, they form a new light, the light of their union, it burns separately but not alone. From now on your thoughts shall be for each other rather than for your individual selves. Your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. Today a new family candle begins its glow.

Word Of Celebration Reading: (John & Kim) John Y You are not the air that I breathe, You are the sweet scent that drifts upon it

Kim Y You are not the sounds that I hear, You are the music of my life

John Y You are not the food that I need, You are the nourishment of my soul

Kim Y You are not my will to survive You are my reason for living

John It is with you that I experience the wonders of the world

Kim It is with you that I triumph over the challenges in my path

John It is your partnership that will lead me to the fulfillment of my dreams

Kim

It is your friendship that guides me as I grow and learn

John It is your patience and wisdom that calms my restless nature

Kim It is through you that I know my true self

John I do not take you for granted, I cherish you

Kim I do not need you, I choose you

John I choose you today in witness of all the people who love us

Kim I choose you tomorrow in the privacy of our hearts

John I choose you in strength and weakness

Kim I choose you in health and in sickness

John I choose you in joy and sorrow

Kim I will choose you, over all others, every day for all the days of my life ______________________________________________________ Blessing: (Jeff)

May every blessing and grace be yours. May your love grow stronger and deeper with each passing year. May joy and delight fill your home. May daily problems not vex you unduly, nor the desire for earthly possessions dominate you May you have true friends to stay by you in joy and sorrow and if children bless you again, may they return your love many times over with wise and generous hearts. May you help all to come to you in need of comfort and may you reach a ripe age together content for having lived a life of goodness and worth.

You may kiss your bride (muah)

It is with great pleasure I present to you Mr & Mrs John Oatis