Saturday, March 18, 2006
1:30 PM
Hope Lutheran Church
Daly City, California
The Wedding Ceremony
Prelude
Seating of the Groom’s God Parents (5 sets)
Seating of the Groom’s Grandparents
Seating of the Groom’s Parents
Mr. Cristobal and Mrs. Lucy Mayrena (right side facing the front)
Seating of the Bride’s Mother
Mrs. Sarah Lee (left side facing the front)
Lighting the Individual Candles Mothers Lucy Mayrena
from Votive and Sarah Lee
Entrance of the Pastor, Groom and Groom’s Men
Pastor Don Ng, Groom Chris Mayrena, Best Man Ceasar Mayrena, Groom’s Men Ferdie Rafanan, Jonathan Convento, Raynante Nichols, Edward Santiago, James Gonzalez, and Lloyd Consolacion
Processional
Bridesmaids:
Roselle Mayrena
Regidia Mayrena
Adora Santiago
Maureen Concon
Jacqueline Chan
Winnie Dela Merced
Maid of Honor Anna Lee
Ring Bearer Justine Valdez
Flower Girl Keilani Villanueva
(Congregation stands)
Bride Allison Lee and Father Phillip Lee (Left side)
Welcome
Welcome to this special day! Please be seated. For the dignity of the service, we ask you that all cell phones and pagers be silent at this time. Thank you.
In this holy place, we have gathered as a community of family and friends to witness this holy event as Chris Mayrena and Allison Lee express their love for one another. This is a day of joy, a wondrous moment of blessing and an affirmation of many seasons of love. We are here to celebrate, support and sustain Chris and Allison in their marriage.
This is a holy time—for we are in the presence of the God who created us for relationships.
This is an awe-filled moment—for we are aware of the strong, yet fragile hearts of love which are intertwined today.
This is a joyous and hopeful day—for we celebrate another sign that relationships are truly fashioned in quality and unity evident in the joining of two families we have here today.
We know that marriage is not only sustained by the love which the two individuals have for one another; but by the love and concern of family and friends. This is the reason why we have bridal parties, loving and forgiving parents, your presence as invited guests, and the fun-filled reception planned for later tonight. In a very real sense, the health of their relationship is going to be dependent upon your love, your concern and your support. And for all of your loving care for them, Chris and Allison are most grateful.
God has brought us together, not only to support Chris and Allison, but also to sense the wonderful mystery of love which God makes the world sing and dance. Enter a moment of silence, and feel the blessings of a loving God while you offer your prayers for this special couple.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray. Gracious and loving God, we remember that at Cana of Galilee, our Savior Jesus Christ blessed the wedding with his presence. We thank you that you bless this marriage with your presence here today. We come to this place confident that as Chris and Allison give themselves to you, as well as to each other, their marriage will be the way through which you pour a lifetime of blessing and happiness upon them. Bless our time together as we celebrate in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Presentation Question
Chris and Allison deeply appreciate the rich and warm heritage of their families and especially the love and nurture that they have received from their parents. Acknowledging that God has brought together Chris and Allison, who has the honor of presenting them to be married today?
(Parents stand up.)
Parents: “We do.”
(Father of the Bride Phillip Lee unveils Allison, embraces and kisses Bride Allison and sits down.)
Declaration of Intent
Chris and Allison, in the presence of God and your family and friends, I ask you to declare your intention to enter into covenant with each other through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Chris, will you have Allison to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
Chris: “I will.”
Allison, will you have Chris to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Allison: “I will.”
Scripture Readings Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty firmament!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
Praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
Praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Romans 12:1-2, 9-18
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God— what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Words to the Couple
The Psalmist reminds us that when we have the love of God, we want to make a joyful noise all over the earth! We praise him in this sanctuary with the sounds of the trumpet, the lute, the harp, the tambourine, strings and pipes and clanging cymbals. We praise God with our songs and our dancing. Chris and Allison, on your wedding day, we are all here making a joyful noise to the Lord because you want to have your life together to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
Although I know that I am not personally very musical, I live in a very musical home. I appreciate how music can enrich life. Chris, your love for music whether it’s playing the drums and clanging cymbals or working as a recording engineer in the music industry, you have brought music into your loving relationship with Allison. You spend time together listening to music or going to concerts. When you commit your loyalty to each other in faithfulness and love, God will hear the music that you make together and he will be very pleased.
As your life together sings loudly in the world, you have invited each other’s family and their rich histories and traditions they offer to you to become intertwined. Allison, you will be blessed with the beautiful culture of being Filipino. Chris, you will be blessed with the beautiful culture of being Chinese. Continue to learn and discover the treasures that each of you bring to the other. Through your genuine love for each other, you have in a small way brought our vast world a little bit closer together. What a gift you give to each of your families and to all of us!
The Apostle Paul in Romans 12 teaches us that as Christians, we are to love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor…live in harmony with one another. Even though it’s tempting to get even or to seek revenge, to live in Christ is to always forgive so that if it is all possible, live peaceably with all. Allison, as you teach the little children in the Day Care Center, show them to share their toys and to play well together. Chris, in the music that you produce, strive to give to the world music that will bring people together for peace and mutual respect. And in your loving relationship together in Christian marriage, may your life together demonstrate living in harmony for the whole world to see.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Today, Chris and Allison, we thank God for your love for each other and for that reason, we “Praise the Lord!”
Exchange of Vows
Chris: I, Chris, take you, Allison,
To be my wedded wife.
To have and to hold.
In sickness and in health,
In joy and in sorrow.
Through laughter and tears.
Promising to faithfully love,
Honor, and cherish you,
From this day forward,
As long as we both shall live.
Allison: I, Allison, take you, Chris,
To be my wedded husband.
To have and to hold.
In sickness and in health,
In joy and in sorrow.
Through laughter and tears.
Promising to faithfully love,
Honor, and cherish you,
From this day forward,
As long as we both shall live.
Exchange of Rings
For many centuries, a wedding ring has been a symbol of a pledge that those who give a ring intend to live up to the vows and promises made at the time of marriage. A ring is a visible sign of an inward grace which signifies the givers and receivers becoming one in holy marriage through the church of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray. O Lord, enable Chris and Allison to be aware of this sacred moment when they give evidence of their pledge of love and loyalty to one another. May they know your peace and your favor as they begin their new life together, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Chris: As a sign of my sincere love for you, Allison,
I give you this ring.
Wear it in the knowledge that I cherish you
With all of my heart and will,
With God’s help, I will live up to the promises
I make to you today.
Allison: As a sign of my sincere love for you, Chris,
I give you this ring.
Wear it in the knowledge that I cherish you
With all of my heart and will,
With God’s help, I will live up to the promises
I make to you today.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Chris and Allison’s mothers lit individual candles to symbolize the precious gift of life that they were given when their children were born. Spanning across the years, they supported Chris and Allison to this day and will no doubt continue supporting and guiding them in the future!
Now Chris and Allison’s individual lives are joined in marriage symbolized by the Unity Candle. They declare that their new life together will shine in the world with warmth and brightness for many. The Unity Candle, a keepsake for them to relight on their anniversaries now burns, signifying their new, shared married life.
Wedding Prayer
Holy Lord, you teach us that two are better than one. If one falls down, the other can help one stand up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. Two can defend themselves better than one. Because you have taught us these things, we know that the choice that Chris and Allison make today is a good one. May they help one another if they falter. May they keep each other warm. May they protect and defend each other. May they intertwine their lives together with you as a strong cord of three strands that will hold firm whatever may come. Give them all that can be theirs because of this commitment they are making. Give them the grateful hearts to understand the blessings they have received. In Jesus’ name, your Son most holy. Amen.
Announcements
Chris and Allison have requested that all family members remain in the sanctuary for wedding pictures. They are very blessed to have your presence her today and thank you for your love.
Pronouncement
On your invitation, you wrote, “In each other’s hands we have found trust and comfort. In each other’s arms we have found happiness and joy. In each other’s hearts, we have found a love that will last forever.”
Chris and Allison, you have come a long way from the first time you met while working together in the college bookstore. Perhaps in reading each other’s favorite books, you are discovering new adventures of being together for the rest of your lives. In each other’s friendships, you have found love to last a lifetime. In each other’s families, you have found new homes. Today, in giving each other vows and promises, you have received God’s blessings from this day on and forevermore.
So at this time, with the authority given to me as Minister of the Christian Gospel, I now declare that you are husband and wife in the sight of Christ’s church.
(Permission to embrace and kiss.)
It is my joy and honor to introduce publicly for the first time:
“Mr. and Mrs. Chris and Allison Mayrena.”
Recessional
Postlude
Officiant: Pastor Don Ng