Saturday, May 28, 2005
4:00 PM
Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel
of Palo Alto
The Wedding Ceremony
Prelude Quartet
Seating of the Family
Bride’s Paternal Grandparents Lawrence Pang & Ngon Lim Pang (Left side facing the front)
Groom’s Parents Jeffrey and Joy Chen (Right side facing the front)
Bride’s Mother Sherry Pang
Groom’s Men
Pastor Don Ng, Groom Pat Chen, Best Man David Siegel, Groom’s Men Jonathan Fong, Aaron Arakawa, Charles Yi, and Gregory Pang
Processional
Bridesmaids:
Marcia Pang Kuo
Stacey Young Chan
Melissa Chen
Sheryl Doung
Maid of Honor Jennifer Tom
Flower Girl Madeline Tan
Ring Bearer Henry Tan
(Congregation stands)
Bride Stefanie Pang and Father Perry Pang
Welcome
Welcome to this special day in the beautiful surroundings of this place! Please be seated. For the dignity of the service, we kindly ask that all cell phones and pagers be silent at this tine. Thank you.
We have come here this afternoon to celebrate the marriage vows of Stefanie Pang and Patrick Chen. Marriage is one of the primary events of our lives and is one of the most significant and joyous occasions for a man and a woman. From the Christian perspective, the institution of marriage did not originate in the mind of humankind, but is a gift of God. It was his intention that two people should live together in mutual love and respect for one another.
Stefanie and Pat stand here before you to declare that even though they know and love each other profoundly, two additional factors are needed if the commitments made here today are to last for a lifetime. Those two factors are the blessing of God and the support of family and friends. They are delighted to see you here to be a part of their special day.
Stefanie and Pat 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.
They also ask you, their family and friends, to pray for them often. Each of you has contributed to their relationship of 6 years through your encouragement, advice and friendship. Even though Stefanie and Pat will relate to you differently than before, they want you to know that your love, support, and encouragement are still needed.
Opening Prayer
Creator God, how excellent is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. You have also created Stefanie and Pat in your own image to be in an honored place in your creation. Today, re-create joy in us as this commitment to a new life together is blessed by you. Guide the steps of Stefanie and Pat as your ever-changing blessings unfold before them. Show us new ways to share with one another and your blessings in our lives. We pray all these things in Christ’s name. Amen.
Presentation Question
Stefanie and Pat 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 Stefanie and Pat, who has the honor of presenting them to be married today?
(Parents stand up.)
Parents: “We do.”
(Father of the Bride Perry Pang embraces and kisses Bride Stefanie Pang and sits down.)
Declaration of Intent
Stefanie and Pat, in the presence of God and these people, I ask you to declare your intention to enter into covenant with each other through the grace of Jesus Christ.
Stefanie, will you have Pat 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.
Stefanie: “I will.”
Pat, will you have Stefanie to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live.
Pat: “I will.”
Scriptures 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Stewart Lin
Words to the Couple—Priceless Ingredients
Stefanie and Pat, we know that when it comes to cooking, what goes in is usually what one gets out. When we put in healthy ingredients like fresh eggs and Smart Balance, we end up with a terrifically healthy and tasty cake! The slogan for Safeway supermarkets is “Ingredients for Life.” Knowing that Stefanie studied as a pastry chef and that Pat loves to eat, knowing how good the ingredients are is essential to making a successful dining experience. Having precious ingredients in a marriage also makes for a healthy and happy life together.
The wise man who wrote the book of Proverbs found that the Bible has many things to say about the characteristics of a truly good, virtuous wife and a trustful husband. In Proverbs 31:10-11, it reads, “A capable wife is more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her.” Each of you brings wisdom: Stefanie’s eye for the best bargain shopping around and Pat’s eye for art design and impressionist paintings. Each of you brings hard and industrious work: both working at Kaiser so that you can enjoy how the other relates with the world. Each of you brings charity and kindness: Stefanie by making people happy over the food you prepare and Pat by your willingness to give and share your music with worshipers at church. The Proverbs also speaks about how this woman has a positive outlook in life that is contagious to others: Stefanie, your gentleness with people and Pat, your hearty smile to befriend everyone gives people hope for a new tomorrow.
One of the most important ingredients to a happy marriage is trust. The surest sign of true love is the trustworthiness of both husband and wife. If we love each other, we will always be there for them. You will always be able to count on each other. Our word will be good and reliable. We will be truthful, dependable, constantly reliable, and completely worthy of trust. Trustworthiness is a primary ingredient in our lives and very crucial to the success of one’s marriage and family life.
There’s an old story that makes this point well. The tale focuses on an old wise man. People often came to him for advice. One day, a young man who felt that he had been cheated by a certain merchant asked the old man, “How can I make sure I get a fair deal when I do business with someone?” The wise man answered: “A thing that is bought and sold has no value unless it contains that which cannot be bought and sold. Look,” he said, “for the priceless ingredient.” “What is the priceless ingredient?” inquired the young man. “My son, said the wise old man, “the priceless ingredient of every product in the marketplace is the honor and integrity of him who makes it. Consider his name and character before you buy.”
The Scriptures that we read today speak about how the apostle Paul did not rely on his own speech or words of wisdom but rather trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom from God.
Trustworthiness is the priceless and necessary ingredient in marriage. It is trustworthiness that will provide peace and security in marriage as well as in the entire household. Stefanie, it’s not how valuable each piece of your Snoopy collection is, it’s valuable because you cherish them that give them their worth. Pat, it’s not how much your grandfather’s paintings may look like an original Cezanne; its how much you treasure them as works of art from your grandfather. We can trust these things with worth because they are genuine and priceless in our lives—just like our love for each other is.
Trust in your family and friends to support you in your new life together. Trust each other to be there for the other in your new home where you will find rest and sleep and the enjoyment of watching reality TV. Before you try out a new restaurant to eat, consider the restaurant’s reputation before you go. Stefanie, you are as precious as a jewel. Pat, your heart is filled with trustworthiness. Trust in God to guide you everyday of your life for “the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps. 100:5)
Exchange of Vows
Pat: I, Pat, take you, Stefanie,
to be my wedded wife,
To have and to hold
from this day forward,
For better, for worse;
For richer, for poorer;
In sickness and in health;
To love and to cherish,
So long as we both shall live.
Stefanie: I, Stefanie, take you, Pat,
to be my wedded husband,
To have and to hold
from this day forward,
For better, for worse;
For richer, for poorer;
In sickness and in health;
To love and to cherish,
So long as we both shall live.
Exchange of Rings
Wedding rings have been used for centuries. Rings are visible signs of a pledge of commitment and loyalty on the part of those who give and those who wear them. They are evidence of a marital union between husband and wife. They say to the world: “Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.” They speak of a spiritual and physical bond known only in the context of a loving marriage.
Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving and receiving of these rings. Enable Stefanie and Pat to live up to their commitments and, most of all, to follow your guidance as they seek to live together in the bond of unity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pat: Stefanie, as a pledge of my commitment to you
And my love for you,
I give you this ring.
Let it be evidence of my sincerity
As I strive to become a good and loyal husband
On whom you can trust.
In the name of the Father,
The Son and the Holy Spirit.
Stefanie: Pat, as a pledge of my commitment to you
And my love for you,
I give you this ring.
Let it be evidence of my sincerity
As I strive to become a good and loyal wife
On whom you can trust.
In the name of the Father,
The Son and the Holy Spirit.
Appreciation of Parents
As a sign of their love and respect for their parents, Stefanie and Pat will present gifts to their mothers and fathers thanking them for years of guidance, wisdom and protection in life. Each of them came today with one set of parents; each of them will leave with two.
Wedding Prayer
Most holy God, you know the sacrifices required by love. You, more than we, know the price of unconditional commitment. Pour out your wisdom on Stefanie and Pat as they pour out their lives for all to see on this special day. Give them the ability to place self aside and to love without reserve. Within their affection, build a lavish supply of forgiveness and grace for each other. Provide them with all the necessary ingredients of family and friends and trustworthiness to have a happy life together. Lead Stefanie and Pat in the path of love. May their lives, joined together, reflect your presence in this world. Amen.
Announcements
Stefanie and Pat have requested that all family members remain in the courtyard for pictures. Pat’s father, Jeffrey Chen would like all of his high school classmates to also remain for a reunion picture.
There will be a reception in the back of this courtyard following the service and after that, dinner will be served.
Pronouncement
Stefanie and Pat, in this immaculate landscaped garden spot which you love, in front of your family and friends, you have made promises to each other. Now that you have made them, you have chosen to accept both the freedom and responsibilities of holy marriage. Symbolizing these heartfelt vows are the lovely rings on your fingers. Whether you are enjoying the comfort of your newly decorated Pottery Barn home or traveling to exotic hotel places with spas to pamper you, trust in each other that you will always be there for the other for the rest of your lives. Continue to plan your trips to NYC or anyplace in the world based on where the good food is because they will remind you that good ingredients make a good and happy marriage as well.
So at this time, with the authority given to me as a Minister of the Christian Gospel, I declare that you are truly husband and wife.
It is my joy and honor to introduce to you for the very first time: “Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Stefanie Chen!”
(Embrace and Kiss)
Recessional
Postlude
Service Coordinator: Tiffany Hong
Officiant: Rev. Don Ng