Sunday, May 12, 2002
4:00 PM
First Chinese Baptist Church
San Francisco, California
Prelude
Lighting the Candelabras (Who?)
Pastor Don comes in
Processional
Victor ushers Mother Mrs. K.C. Lee and joins Don
Grandchildren Anton and Elisa
Maid of Honor Chessaly Miller and Best Man Michael Wong
Bride Teresa and Father Roco Furia (Teresa gives a flower to Mother-in-law Mrs. Lee.)
Mrs. K.C. Lee and Mr. Roco Furia light the tapered candles. (Step aside)
Greetings & Opening Prayer
Friends and family, we are here to celebrate with Teresa and Victor the beginning of their journey as husband and wife. In truth, this is not a new journey, but the continuation of a journey began many years ago—a journey that commenced while sitting together at a business meeting, casual conversations, a first date; and grew from there into a friendship, a deep caring and love, and a desire to share life together.
Victor and Teresa, you stand together before your family and friends to affirm the most sacred commitment two persons can make. You come here not to escape aloneness, but to embrace companionship; not to seek a helper for your own agenda, but to partner in a new agenda; not because of easy conveniences, but because of the desires of the heart.
Since marriage arose from the creative desire of God, its fulfillment and success can be attained only with God’s abiding presence. Therefore, I remind you, Teresa and Victor, that what we do here today has a divine dimension to be pleasing to God. May God’s love be your strength that will enable you to do tomorrow what you promise today.
Let us pray. Creator God, on this day of celebration and excitement, make us aware of your continuing presence in our lives. Today, recreate joy in us, as this commitment to a new life together takes an honored place in your creation. Guide the steps of Teresa and Victor as your ever-changing blessings unfold before them. Show the way to all of us who gather here, moving us to share with those all around us, your blessings in our lives. Amen.
Scripture Reading Geoffrey Yuen
Romans 12:9-18 (CIV)
1 Corinthians 13:1-18 (TEV)
Poetry Reading Lorraine Parker
Message
Victor and Teresa, it is a wonderful privilege to join with you in this joyous occasion, your wedding.
For a period of many years, you two have been together, no doubt growing ever closer to one another. Initially at your professional association meetings, you met as fellow tax-preparers–learning about all the intricacies of the tax laws. Then you became good friends; finding in each other the companionship that you both sought after.
As you stand here this afternoon, your marriage reflects the bringing together of two worlds. Just like North Beach and Chinatown are joined by Columbus Avenue as integrated neighborhoods, Teresa and Victor, your new life together is also joining two cultures into one blended community. You have both visited Italy and China and discovered linguini is pretty much life rice noodles. And for your Chinese wedding banquet tonight, you will have cappuccino cake!
Perhaps because of your different and rich backgrounds, you found the other attractive and very exciting. You discover like Christopher Columbus a “new world” in each other that you never dreamed existed before. Victor, continue to add spice to your life from Teresa’s interest in travel and adventures. Teresa, continue to bring calm to your life through Victor’s gentleness and kindness.
Anyone who studies truly healthy and happy marriages will find that the husband and wife are great friends. They not only love each other, they like one another. They want to be together, to laugh, take bike rides, cook together, and have long conversations together. Even when there will be times to face all of life’s difficulties and challenges, you will remain friends crying together when the occasion calls for tears.
The book of Proverbs says, “A friend loves all times.” (17:17). That is what I would have you remember. Be there as a loving friend for one another at all times, in all circumstances.
Today marks only the formal beginning of a whole new life together. There are so many more new and exotic places to discover! May you begin to build a home together that will blend your two lives into one. Victor, it’s okay to have a few things on the walls. And Teresa, it’s also nice to have more dishes when you have company over. May your family and friends become acquaintances because of your relationships with each other. And finally, may God makes his presence known in your hearts so that your continuing trust and love for each other become true joy!
Declaration of Intent
Victor: Teresa, today I join you as your husband,
to love, to share, to grow,
to accept change, to understand,
to discover an even deeper, fuller life.
I promise to encourage your spiritual
and emotional growth,
to live life with you
that when we die,
we will know that we have truly lived.
With you I am alive.
Teresa: Victor, today I join you as your wife,
to love, to share, to grow,
to accept change, to understand,
to discover an even deeper, fuller life.
I promise to encourage your spiritual
and emotional growth,
to live life with you
that when we die,
we will know that we have truly lived.
With you I am alive.
(Teresa, give flowers to Chessaly.)
Exchange of Vows
Victor: I take you, Teresa
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.
Teresa: I take you, Victor
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
For many centuries, wedding rings have been given as a pledge of fidelity by brides and grooms. A ring symbolizes the sincere intention of the ring giver to try, with God’s help, to fulfill the vows of marriage.
Teresa: Victor, I rejoice in putting this ring on your finger.
It is a symbol of my great love for you
and my pledge of faithfulness to you.
Wear this ring with confidence
that I will be present for you
even as I am sure you will be present for me.
I make this vow before God.
Victor: Teresa, I rejoice in putting this ring on your finger.
It is a symbol of my great love for you
and my pledge of faithfulness to you.
Wear this ring with confidence
that I will be present for you
even as I am sure you will be present for me.
I make this vow before God.
Let us pray. Almighty God, as Victor and Teresa pledge their lives to one another, give them the will and the strength to live up to their marital vows. May the rings given and worn always remind them of the pledge of faithfulness, made before you and all the friends and families who have witnessed the covenant they have made today. Amen.
Unity Candle
Today Teresa and Victor forsake their aloneness in favor of togetherness. The two candles lit by their parents as symbols of the nurturing love that comes from our families represent their individual lives. They will now join flame to flame, life to life, symbolically expressing that they who were two, have now become one.
Wedding Prayer
Holy God, you teach us that two are better than one. If one falls down, his friend can help him 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 Victor and Teresa 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 blend their lives together with you as their strength. Give them all that can be theirs because of this commitment they are making. Give them grateful hearts to understand the blessings they have received. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Declaration of Marriage
Teresa and Victor, inasmuch as you have declared your willingness and intention to enter the state of marriage with each other, and have declared the same in the company of God and these witnesses, and have given these rings to each other, and have lit the Unity Candle to signify your commitment to each other, I pronounce you husband and wife.
May you grow together, enriching your lives with the friendship you have formed. May you grow together, encircling the world with the love you now share. Amen.
Presentation of the Bride and the Groom
Now it is my privilege and joy to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Lee!
Embrace and Kiss
Recessional
Teresa and Victor
Chessaly and Michael
Mrs. K.C. Lee and Mr. Roco Furia
Postlude
Receiving line in the vestibule
Organist: Joy Shih Ng
Officiating Minister: Rev. Donald Ng