Saturday, June 16, 2007
11:00 AM
Old St. Hilary’s
Tiburon, California
The Wedding Ceremony
Prelude Lady Love, Have I Told You Lately, Put Your Head on my Shoulder
Seating of Parents
Seating of Groom’s Parents (Right side facing the front)
Seating of Bride’s Mother Josie Poon (Left side facing the front)
Lighting the Individual Candles Arioso in G Johann Sebastian Bach
The Lord’s Prayer
Mothers Mrs. Melvin and Josie Poon
Entrance of the Pastor Don Ng, Groom Marc Melvin and Best Man David Livingston
Processional Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Johann Sebastian Bach
Maid of Honor Claire Beale
(Congregation stands)
Bride Marilyn Beale and Father of the Bride Wally Poon
Welcome & Greeting
Welcome to this special day at one of the beautiful places in the Bay Area! Please be seated. For the dignity of the service, we ask that all cell phones and pagers be silent at this time. Thank you.
Friends and family loved ones, we are here to celebrate with Marilyn Beale and Marc Melvin the beginning of their journey as husband and wife. In truth, this is not a new journey, but the continuation of a journey begun 7 years ago—a journey that commenced with a blind date encouraged by a mutual friend, a casual lunch on the Embarcadero, a first date; and grew from there into a friendship, a deep caring and love and a desire to share life together.
Marilyn and Marc stand here before you to declare that even though they know and love each other dearly, two additional elements are needed if the commitments made here today are to last for a lifetime. Those two elements are the blessing of God and the support of family and friends.
By holding this service of commitment in a place associated with the gathering of people of faith, Marilyn and Marc acknowledge their dependence upon God and their conscious and deliberate invitation for God to be an integral part of their marriage. They humbly ask God to bestow his blessing upon this service, upon their vows and upon their journey as a couple.
Marilyn and Marc also ask you, their family and friends, to pray for them often. Each of you has contributed to this relationship through your encouragement, advice and friendship. They want you to know that your love, support and encouragement are still needed.
God has brought us together to sense the wonderful mystery of love that makes this world sing and dance. Enter a moment of silence, and feel the blessings of a loving God while we offer our prayers for this special couple.
Opening Prayer
O God of love and life, we know your wonderful ways have brought us to this place. Today we acknowledge your presence in our lives. At the start of this celebration, we share that there were times when that direction did not seem clear. And yet, we are here to enjoy how our separate paths now have crossed. We share with all who can hear, that from this day forward, your continuing blessings will move Marilyn and Marc closer together on yet another path—a path that is constantly unfolding with beauty and grace. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Presentation Question
Marilyn and Marc 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 Marilyn and Marc, who has the honor of presenting them to be married today?
(Parents stand up)
Parents: “We do.”
(Father of the Bride Wally Poon embraces and kisses Bride Marilyn and sits down.)
Honoring Parents
As a sign of their love and respect for their parents, Marilyn and Marc have gifts for their parents thanking them for years of guidance, wisdom and protection in life.
Marc: Presents golf balls to his Father.
Marilyn: Read Marilyn’s words to her Parents.
Declaration of Intent
Marc and Marilyn, 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.
Marc, will you have Marilyn 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?
Marc: “I will.”
Marilyn, will you have Marc to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Marilyn: “I will.”
Words to the Couple—A Turn in the Road
Before our children were old enough to drive, we played a game of having them direct us to drive wherever they wanted to go. This was when gasoline wasn’t so expensive! We told them that we would not disobey traffic signs but we would drive to explore new places that we haven’t gone before. It’s almost like the maps and directions that you sent to us because for most of us this may be our first time driving these roads to Old St. Hilary’s.
Sometimes life is too much like taking the same road to work or eating the same dinner every other night in a row. We who are here are not children. We have been driving for some time. We know a little bit about life. We are so familiar with life that we become a little bored and we are ready for something different. We need something that will change our habits before they become too much a part of the only person we can be. Marriage will change habits. It will mark a turn in the road.
One of the first turns in the road that you had was when Marc proposed to Marilyn. You were roller-blading on the Embarcadero when Marilyn fell flat on her back in front of the Cupid’s Arrow sculpture. You could have skated smoothly but when you fell and Marc got down on his knees to help you, he also proposed to you. That turn or fall in the road is the beginning of this new journey together.
The first thing Marilyn told Marc when they met was that she has a daughter. Marc soon discovered that Marilyn was also a part of a large family that loves to do things together like their recent Alaskan trip. This was a new turn in the road for Marc who has been a bachelor all his life. He is now a part of an instant family and cherishes and adores the two ladies in his life!
When Marilyn was sick, Marc learned how to take all the right turns on the road to visit her at the Stanford Hospital everyday she was there. He never missed a day—that’s an example of true love, adoration, loyalty and faithfulness.
If you ever become bored on your normal road in life, consider taking that little road that snakes a bit but still gets you to your life’s dreams. You may find a fresh perspective of life from this new vantage point that may inspire you and help you to renew your love for each other. We all like our same old roads—no need for a GPS. And there is nothing magnificent about changing the route all by itself, but sometimes when we do, a glorious surprise is just around the corner. And I believe that your marriage today is like that.
God is always doing a new thing in the world; always inviting us on a new journey with Jesus Christ. John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Lord when he said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Your marriage today is going on a new path with each other and trusting God to abide with you for the rest of your lives. God’s way is rut-less. You leave what could be a rut in your life and start a new life together where the road is smooth and straight. When you make your promises to each other, you show that you are capable of change, renewal and hope. With God’s help, you can keep these promises and will be making new and exciting turns in the road all the time. Who knows, after Santa Fe, you may find the road to Paris one day!
Every day as you make a turn in the road, it will be glorious and you will always know how to come home to each other, to Claire, and to your family who will always be there to encourage, support, and love you in every twist and turn in the road.
Exchange of Vows
Marc: Marilyn:
Today I join you as your husband
and you join me as my wife.
I offer my strength and my support;
I promise you my loyalty and faith;
I offer my hope.
I will trust, respect and encourage you:
I promise to keep my hands securely
joined to yours as we journey through life together,
and to walk that path with you,
for as long as our lives shall last.
Marilyn: Marc:
Today I join you as your wife
and you join me as my husband.
I offer my strength and my support;
I promise you my loyalty and faith;
I offer my hope.
I will trust, respect and encourage you:
I promise to keep my hands securely
joined to yours as we journey through life together,
and to walk that path with you,
for as long as our lives shall last.
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 that signifies the giver and receiver becoming one in holy marriage through the church of Jesus Christ.
Let us pray. O Lord, enable Marilyn and Marc to be aware of this sacred moment when they receive 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.
Marc: As a sign of my sincere love for you, Marilyn,
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 my promises
I make to you today.
Marilyn: As a sign of my sincere love for you, Marc,
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 my promises
I make to you today.
Lighting of the Unity Candle Grow Old With Me John Lennon
Marilyn and Marc’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 along with their fathers supported Marilyn and Marc to this day and will continue to be a significant part of their lives in the future.
Now Marilyn and Marc’s individual candles are joined in marriage symbolized by the Unity Candle. They declare that their 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
Creator God, Marilyn and Marc are here before you at such a significant moment in their lives. They are ending a journey and beginning a new one. They bring with them souvenirs from their life before in the hopes of finding even greater treasures in this new life together. Meet them at this turn in the road. Grant them peace and security in their decisions. Give them the hope that in this world where everything changes they will find the same love growing all along their way. Take their hands and help them travel well. Keep them safe from the dangers around and the temptations that familiarity brings. After all, we are all your children, hoping to follow you on the way home. Take Marilyn and Marc, your own, under your wing for their journey. Help them to walk well. We pray these things in your name. Amen.
Announcements
Marilyn and Marc have requested that all family members remain in the sanctuary for wedding pictures.
They will look forward to meeting each of you at the luncheon at El Fornaio in San Francisco for appetizers beginning at 1:30 and lunch at 2:00. If you need directions, they are available in the back of the chapel.
Presentation of the Couple
Marilyn and Marc, you planned this special day in order to share with all of us the promises you wanted to make to each other. You have chosen to accept both the freedoms and the responsibilities of holy marriage. Symbolizing these heartfelt vows are the lovely rings on your fingers. Marilyn, continue to share your thoughts and feelings openly as the two of you grow to know each other from the depths of your hearts. Marc, with your passion for design, continue to create loving spaces for you to live in with always a special place for Claire to have a home.
Because Marilyn and Marc have publicly made their vows to each other today, and have given and received rings as an outward sign of inward grace, I as a Minister of the Christian Gospel now declare them to be husband and wife. Joined as one, Marilyn and Marc, you will continue to be blessed by the love you share, the love you have for God, and the love God has for each of you.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warmly upon your face.
May the rains fall softly upon the fields until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
It is my joy and honor to introduce to you for the very first time, “Marc and Marilyn Poon Melvin!”
(Permission to kiss)
Recessional Joyful, Joyful Ludwig van Beethoven
Postlude
Pianist: Joy Shih Ng
Officiant: Rev. Don Ng