WEDDING CEREMONY OF THOMAS A. MICHELLI AND VICKIE LYNN SMITH

#071                            WEDDING CEREMONY of THOMAS A. MICHELLI AND VICKIE LYNN SMITH                         

Prepared by Lamar Skinner                                                                                                                  November 21, 1987

                Marriage has historically been one of life’s greatest celebrations.  Every culture has had its very own means to this end.  The processes, whether primitive or exacting, have enabled the two contracting parties to form a normative relationship.  These individuals would, in this manner, disassociate themselves from the vestiges of the single life, and begin the experience of shared intimacy.  Life takes on the different hue of sharing.  There are now two hands on the tiller of faith and circumstance.

                The declaration made here is all the more significant because there are already two others who stand to gain greatly by this association.  It is all the more significant then, that we enter into this celebration prayerfully. 

                You will bow with me, please, for prayer.

PRAYER

                We are assembled here, in the home of friends to joyfully share in this celebration of marriage. Our minds, hearts, and spirits join with those of

Tommy Michelli

and

Vickie Smith

to enjoin the spiritual oneness of marriage.  We acknowledge responsibility, responsibility first to God, Himself.  Responsibility to other family members who surely are affected by this decision.  Marriage, in its fullest dimension, is the achievement of God alone.  We are to look to Him for the greater fulfillment of family.  We are surely to praise Him for the opening of doors that led upward to this celebration.  You have prayed about your own decision.  Others, who love you devotedly, have prayed for you. As great significance is seen in prayer for the wedding, even greater significance is determined for marriage.  No more measured circumstance could come out of your wedding here today than that of determining that God will hold the place of honor in your individual and collective lives.

                As the years have passed, Tommy, Vickie, you have meandered down separate trails toward a destiny that you could not imagine.  You were guided through your own childhood, but the day came when more assertive decisions became your lot.  Events of magnitude have occurred. You have experienced both happiness and grief.  Stumbling steps have reached toward selfhood, toward becoming the person you can, and ought to be.  There have been many times when your steps were the steps of a person alone.  When you turn from this place, the sands of time will reveal partnered steps.  Work with all your heart and soul to keep it just that way.  Look to God as the source of your strength.

                Marriage is not innovative.  It is not unique.  It is simply acquiescence to a greater divine plan. 

“And the Lord God said, ‘It isn’t in man’s best interest for him to be alone; I will make another person to complement him.  They will be suited to each other’s needs.’  Then the Lord . . . brought this woman to the man.   This explains why the man . . . is joined to his wife in such a way that the two become one person.”

                To this end we are gathered here.  It is toward what we believe to be the will of God that we here move.  We do little more than add man’s prose to God’s promise.  For it is the promise that sends faith to replace the fantasy of the dreamer.

                Because you have indicated to me that these goals to be shared are your desire.  As you want this spiritual priority to guide your relationship, I then request that you join your right hands and repeat these vows.

I Tommy take you Vickie to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.

                Vickie,  your vow is no more nor any less than that of the one who here becomes your husband.

I Vickie take you Tommy to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, til death do us part.

                Now, as a sign of the confirmation of these vows, you will share together the rings of covenant.  The ring has had other uses throughout history.  But none match the holy estate of their importance in marriage.  The symbolism of pure metal and unique form address the purity that is to attend your relationship, and the eternality of your covenant.

Do you, Tommy/Vickie, give this ring to Vickie/Tommy, as an eternal covenant of your love?

Each responds “I do!”

Do you receive the ring, Vickie/Tommy, as such a token of love, and do you so promise to wear it as it has been thus intended?

Each answers “I will!”

                Those of us gathered here by your invitation have heard you pledge your love each to the other.  We have watched as you sealed the contract of your marriage with the rings you have shared with the other.  I therefore, as your pastor friend, and as an agent of this state empowered to do so, happily acknowledge your new station as  husband and wife.  Take care that this holy covenant remains so.  Become the family, father, mother, and two daughters, Jessica and Lindsey, loved fully by you both.

                Tommy, you may kiss your wife.