Leah and Jared Wedding

Structure

Intro

Our Story (wedding homily)

Prayer

Exchange of Vows

Exchange of Rings

Declaration of Intent

Declaration of Marriage and the Kiss (Nah-puhd)

Intro

We are gathered here today to join Jared and Leah in holy matrimony. A special thanks to all of you that have traveled from far and wide to witness the promise these two are about to make to one another. We are here to offer our love and support, and to stand with Jared and Leah as they begin this new chapter of life. And it is my honor to join you in marking the start of Jared and Leah’s marriage.

Homily

It is no secret that Jared and Leah are both musicians. They both can sing. And they both can play guitar. Music is an emotional experience that uses sound to tell stories. More often than not, a movie is good because its soundtrack is good, as well. In music, there’s tension and release and dissonance and harmony and tempo and rhythm. It’s all compelling. Truthfully, I think that God gave us the gift of music to better understand that His universe.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE music. I, too, am an instrumentalist. On top of that, I am an avid music listener, and a Grammy-nominated shower head singer. To me, music is not just about the notes, sound waves, and instruments. Music has revealed to me the beauties of the universe that God has created for us. The seasons move in a 4 count. The pitter-patter of rain beats like a drum. And the birds sing in a beautiful harmony.

The universe gracefully swings to the rhythm of Love.

In a very similar way, life has a musical element to it, as well. The author of Ecclesiastes discovered this, and wrote this beautiful passage about the rhythmic nature of life. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says...

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 ESV

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Exchange of Vows

At this moment, the bride and the groom will be repeating their vows to each other. Jared, we will begin with you. Repeat after me.

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

Leah, repeat after me.

"I, Leah...take you, Jared...to be my wedded husband... to have and to hold...from this day forward...for better, for worse...for richer, for poorer...in sickness and in health...to love and to cherish...till death do us part."

Exchange of Rings

It is now time for you to exchange rings. Your rings symbolize the eternal commitment that you make to each other, and the never ending circle of your love. May these rings always remind you of the commitment you are making here today.

Jared and Leah, please repeat after me. This time we’ll start with Leah

I, Leah...give you, Jared...this ring as a symbol of my love...and commitment to you.

I, Jared...give you, Leah...this ring as a symbol of my love...and commitment to you.

Beautiful.

Declaration of Intent

Now,

Do you, Jared, take this woman to be your wedded wife?

…I do...

Do you, Leah, take this man to be your wedded husband?

…I do...

Declaration of Marriage and the Kiss

“By the power invested in me as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I now declare that Jared and Leah are husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!” (GET OUT THE WAY)

Everyone, it is my greatest honor...to introduce to you..Mr. and Mrs. Napod (Nah-puhd)!