A Charge to the Couple,
given to:
John Beckman and
Lindsey Counts
at their Wedding on 8/2/2014
St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Pastor Rafe Allison
and
Rev. Andrew Counts
Officiating
John and Lindsey, as I put on this
stole, I step out of my role as father of the bride and into my role as a
father in the Church of God. The symbol embroidered on this stole is that of
two gold rings intertwined around the cross – a mini- homily itself about the
nature of Christian marriage – specifically that two individuals, male and
female, are united by God in Jesus Christ to become one.
At the moment you are pronounced Man
and Wife, you are no longer separate people pursuing your own destinies , but
one unit, joined together metaphysically in Christ. Body, Soul and Spirit join
to become one with each other and also one with Christ and His body, the
Church. That’s why we’re here and that’s why I’m really pleased, as both types
of father that you have asked to be married here in this church.
By coming here to this building and
being married in a Christian worship service, you are saying that you desire to
live your married life within the community of this church locally and within
the universal church globally.
Those of us who are gathered to
celebrate your joy are also members of this one great community and witnesses
to your desire to live in and be supported by the community. So this simple ceremony draws you out of your
individual lives, singly pursued, into shared life with one another and with
Christ and His body – and we couldn't be happier!
I assure you that countless prayers
have been offered for you both by your biological families and your new church
family. And on behalf of all of us gathered here to rejoice with you, I welcome
you and pray for you every blessing in heaven and earth!
I also charge you with two great Missions
– to Love one another, and to Respect one another. Although two become One
mystically in Christ, it’s perfectly obvious that you are still two unique and
complementary – and contradictory(!) human beings – and that many of your
differences, 69% to be precise – will never be resolved!
That’s why you need Love and Respect.
It’s not enough to be attracted to each other and to cherish attributes you
admire. You also have to respect your differences and to accept that these
differences make you who you are. In fact, you need these 'irresolvable' differences to help mold you into something more than you can be individually:
the family we will now call John and Lindsey Beckman. And if God grants you
children, the Beckmans with the little stick figures on the back of the SUV or
mini-van of your choice.
John and Lindsey, Love one another!
Be Kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgiving, even as God in Christ has
forgiven you. Be quick to listen and slow to defend yourself, Quick to forgive
and loathe to resent. Respect each other as Persons made in the Image of God,
accurately matched and MISmatched for the task ahead of you – to live out your
lives together as one in Christ and members of this gathered community – a
community that pledges to you our support in this noble calling to be Husband
and Wife.
Love one another and be assured of
our love for you. Receive our blessing, in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit. AMEN!
