My First Wedding!!

Before everyone’s imagination runs away with them, let me explain …

On Tuesday, 2 February 2010, I conducted my first wedding.  I have been a minister for almost 6 years nows.  I’ve done a few funerals, and even a child dedication, but have not conducted a wedding … until 2 February at least.  I had been very much interested in conducting a wedding, but had not found anyone crazy enough … er, willing enough to have me conduct their wedding   Well, no longer!  The curse has been lifted!  I found a couple of suckers … er, willing participants

Anyway, it was a terrible day … actually, the wedding was quite enjoyable and the weather was fine, once I arrived at the site.  It rained all the way from my house to the wedding, but I was prepared … well, at least a little.  You can read about the adventure, and my reflections on the wedding, because I delivered a sermon on it the following Sunday.  For now, if you are interested, here is the text of the message that I delivered at the wedding.  It was based on Ephesians 5:21-33.

You may have heard it said that we live in a postmodern era.  All this highfalutin language means is that, over the past 50-100 years, there have been great changes in the beliefs, values and behaviours common in our society.

One of the areas in which this is most noticeable is in our tendencies against commitment.  Just try and get a teenager to commit to anything!  Why don’t people RSVP to invitations any more?  Why did Gary and Alison wait 18 years to get married?

Given the circumstances of their lives, I’m not surprised that they were a little shy to make such an important step, but I am most pleased to be with them today, to help them solemnise their obvious commitment to each other.

Despite the ‘bad rap’ that marriage seems to suffer these days, marriage is a good thing, not the least reason of which being the holiness and specialness of this commitment.  No one denies Gary and Alison’s love for each other, but to confirm it publicly is to willingly make themselves accountable to all of you and to the state for the health and longevity of that commitment.  Just as you can now challenge them to remain true to their promises, so too will they now look to you even more to support them in fulfilling their promises to each other.

Marriage is also important because of its spiritual quality.  To love another person under such conditions is to share in the love of God.  By that I mean that God has shown his love for all of us by himself entering into a public commitment —“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (Jn 3:16)”

In addition to this, the Bible is ‘chock-a-block’ full of the public promises of God’s love for us, and it is no surprise that the allusion is often drawn that God’s love for us is quite like that of a groom for his bride (Eph 5:31-32).

Just as God is always faithful to us, in regards to his promises, may you follow his example in your love for each other and even draw strength and inspiration from God for your faithfulness to each other.

Now that I’ve a little experience, if anyone is looking for a marriage celebrant, I’m available and still quite affordable