Arnold and Bridgette Njiosseu (GeOSir)

intro

Arnold and Bridgette GeOSir

Greeting and Declaration of of Intention

Friends and Family. . . We are gathered together on this beautiful day for what we know to be one of Life’s most auspicious occasions: It is the joining together of this man and this woman for holy Matrimony. It is one moment in time we’ll mark forever in our hearts as we celebrate Arnold and Bridgette as they begin this New journey- and pledge to love and cherish one another for the rest of their lives.

Giving Away of the Bride

Well for these two it has been a whirlwind of activity these past few weeks. Many of you have joined them in the past few months working diligently on the celebration that we are enjoying this very moment. And now we are here; this is it. The moment we have all been waiting for. Others that are married can attest that this moment remains only as a blur in most of our minds. Now let’s do the work to BE Here in this moment. . let’s take a few seconds to collect ourselves, focus on what is about to take place, and in silent prayer ask God to be glorified in our midst. Will you bow in prayer with me?

Who gives this Women to be married to this Man?

Gospel Homily

To Arnold and Bridgette in just a few moments both of you will share sacred vows with one another but first we’ll remind ourselves that marriage stands firmly upon the Word of Almighty God.

Marriage: A beautiful, holy, and sacred thing. . .

The scriptures celebrate this as a most honorable covenant. . . it was established by God in a time of man’s innocency. In a time when there was no sin. In a time when things were perfect symbolizing not just the love a man and a woman have for each other but more so the love that God has for you and me. Our first witness of the miraculous power of Jesus happened not at a birthday celebration nor the grandeur of an illustrious banquet. . . . rather His power was first displayed at a wedding. . . the celebration of Two lives becoming One.

But I’ll say not only to Arnold and Bridgette, but also to the rest of us in this age of flippant commitments that marriage is not something to be experimented with. Friends it is not something that we should merely “TRY OUT” and then find a “WAY OUT” should times become turbulent. If you hear nothing else friends, HEAR this: MARRIAGE is a covenant before God and man; That as Jesus loves his church so will I love the spouse Jesus has given me. Marriage is God’s Idea. . Therefore. . Marriage . is about . . . GOD.

My prayer for you both is that Jesus will be at the center of this relationship. It was Jesus who went about Proclaiming the Kingdom of God making His message of truth and love a message of Hope to everyone he encountered. Is it not also wonderful that on today we celebrate a proclamation of love between a husband and his wife as they proclaim that love through sacred vows? I say to you: Marriage is a beautiful, a holy and a sacred thing.

This same Jesus not only proclaimed His love, but He would spend his life EXTENDING it to all who would receive it. His ministry was more than a message. It was lived out. He extended the good news . . bringing sight to the blind, the power of movement to the lame, and relief to the poor. . and I am overjoyed that we are celebrating a husband and wife who will EXTEND their gifts of love and Charity to one another and the world around them. I say to you friends: Marriage is a beautiful, a holy , and a sacred thing.

Jesus did not just Proclaim and Extend his love. But ultimately he was willing to give his love away. His love would be emptied on a cross called calvary for all who would come to know Him. What doe this mean? It means the love of Christ was unconditional. The Love of Christ was pure. The love of Christ was given regardless of whether or not it was obliged. It is so delightful that there are two giving away that same love towards one another. Marriage is a beautiful, a holy and a sacred thing.

The Story

These two were brought together by God through a mutual Friend 5 years ago. They would meet a few times and thought: maybe this could be something special. They waited for the other to make the Move! This would continue through 2019.

February of 2019, Arnold would experience a defining moment in his life in the death of his father. Bridgette was there, Arnold said Bridgette nursed him back to health.

After this, Arnold said she is definitely the ONE!

2020 caused many plans to cease, The Love between these two kept going.

It was a great April evening in 2021. . .

the Setting: A birthday party in Miami. . .

he Scene: the Rooftop…

the question: will you do life we me forever

the answer: yes

Vows

In Ephesians 5, Paul labors to paint a portrait of Christ’s love for you and me and he does so through the context of marriage . We see challenging words like. . .wives submitting to their husbands. . NOT easy. Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church. Easier said than done. But before all of this Paul admonished all believers to “submit yourselves to one another out of Reverence for Christ.”

What is he saying? He’s saying we are to love each other as Christ has loved us. He’s laid down his rights for us and to show His glory . . we now do that for one another as husband and wife.

Arnold; God has been good to you. Bridgette is not only beautiful; but she is warm, compassionate and a great encourager. So Arnold, lay down your rights. Put her needs above yours. Provide for her, make sacrifices for her. Tell her everyday how beautiful she is; Don’t miss a day. Fill her with truth. Lead, Protect, Provide. Should she let you down, and because she is human she will. . . forgive her. . restore her. . build her up. . do these things . . because Jesus has done these things for you.

Bridgette, God has been good to you. I’ve found few young men with the sense of dedication, loyalty, and purpose that Arnold has. He’s a man who knows what he wants and doesn't mind working diligently until he accomplishes his goals. Yet, I’d argue that nothing makes him happier than seeing you happy. So Bridgette, lay down your rights, put his needs above yours. Support him, believe in him. . especially on those days he’s not believing in himself. Make sacrifices for him. Pray for him more than anyone else in this world. Defend his honor. Should he let you down; and he will. . forgive him. . restore him.. do all these things . . . because Jesus has done these things for you.

And so i ask. . .

Arnold, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so as long as you both shall live?

Bridgette, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love, obey, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so as long as you both shall live?

Commitment(repeat after me)

I Arnold take you Bridgette to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy command I pledge my faithfulness.

I Bridgette take you Arnold to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy command I pledge my faithfulness.

Rings

May i have the rings? These rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

Ring vows:

Arnold : holding her hand and place the ring on her figure and repeat after me: “In token and pledge of the vow that we’ve made, with this ring I now wed, in the name of the father, son, and holy spirt Amen”

Bridgette, holding his hand and placing the ring on his finger repeat after me: “ In token and pledge of the vow that we’ve made, with this ring I now wed, in the name of the father, son, and holy spirt Amen”

Communion/Sand ceremony

Arnold and Bridgette have chosen to do the sand ceremony. This symbolizes the two families coming together. Once the colors are mixed, it is impossible to separate

Prayer of blessing

Pronouncement and Salutation

By the authority committed unto me as a minister of the gospel, I declare that Reagan and Emily are now husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the law of the State—in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Whom therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9

You may now salute your bride

Mr. and Mrs Arnold GeOSir

Announcement of Reception

I know you are ready to continue the celebration; and to do so. . . we need all of you to immediately go upstairs (elevator or stairs).

cocktail reception will take place and afterwards our sit down dinner.