Saturday, May 24, 2003
4:00 PM
Delancey Street Courtyard
600 Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA
Order of Service
Prelude
Seating of Grandmother & Parents—
Mary Tsunhehara (Right side facing sanctuary)
Ron and Tina Tsunehara (Right side)
Janice Tong (Left side)
Shirlene Tong and Randall Nakano (Left side)
Lighting the Candles Dana Wong
Processional
Pastor Don, Scott, Tom Yamada (Best Man)
Leslie Hong (Matron of Honor)
Emi Hong and Emma Greig (Flower girls)
TJ Olsen (Ring bearer)
Sara Ng (Flower girl)
Courtney and Donald Tong (Father of the Bride)
Don Tong takes his seat.
Welcome
Friends, we are here to celebrate with Courtney Tong and Scott Tsunehara the beginning of their journey as husband and wife. In truth, this is not a new journey, but the continuation of a journey begun many months ago—a journey that commenced with an introduction by a good friend, Alex Owyang, a visit to First Chinese Baptist Church, a first date; and grew from there into a friendship, a deep caring and love and a desire to share life together.
Scott and Courtney stand here before you to declare that even though they know and love each other profoundly, there are still two elements that are needed for the commitments made here today are to last for a lifetime. These two things are the blessing of God and your support as family and friends.
By being together today in the presence of God, Courtney and Scott 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.
Who presents Courtney and Scott to be married today?
Parents: We do!
Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, you are among us in this great outdoor setting, just as you were years ago in Galilee, mingling with guests, tasting the wedding food, drinking the wine. We ask you to bless us with your presence in the middle of the city, as you have blessed others. We consecrate for your glory, Scott and Courtney as they become husband and wife today. In your name, we pray. Amen.
Poetry Reading Gary Margolias
Scripture Reading-Romans 12:9-18 Rachelle Tsunehara
Message
This is a perfect setting to be married—under the canopy of the bustle of humanity and tall buildings of a big city. It’s the right place for you because you have fallen in love in both Seattle and in San Francisco. Under this blue sky, you are welcoming God into your life together and at the same time, making a declaration that your marriage is also a commitment to social responsibility. The passage that you have selected, Romans 12, speaks about the marks of a true Christian. One of those is to extend hospitality to strangers and to live peaceably with each other. Scott, as a physician and Courtney, as a social worker, you are working as a creative team to help foster healing and wholeness in the world. I have been impressed by your commitments for public health and advocacy for the safety of children. We know that the world is a better place because of you.
Your life together is also based on the mark of mutual affection. As distinct and unique individuals, you have come together to become one—yet you remain unique persons. That oneness is only made possible because you choose to mutually love each other. Although Scott misses Seattle, Courtney has also said, “There is nothing more beautiful than a summer in Seattle.” Now that you are back in San Francisco, Scott, Zachary’s Pizza in Berkeley is once again closer to you. And Scott, you have twice as many sports teams to root for now!
God brings unique persons together for mutuality. While Courtney is more care-free and likes things out in the open, Scott likes everything put away and very neat. Imagine, Scott, if Courtney wasn’t the way she is, you wouldn’t need to be neat! You need each other. Love one another with mutual affection.
Some people live to eat while others eat to live. Courtney is a great cook and Scott is a good consumer! With that kind of mutual relationship, you have the beginnings of a good marriage. When you are together, you make each other stronger.
I know that your love for each other is also an extension of the deep love and affection that you have received throughout your lives from your families. You learned how to love because you have been loved. We love our enemies and strangers because Jesus taught us how to love them. Your families and friends will continue to love you and support you in the years to come. And your love for each other in marriage today is a testimony on how well they have done in nurturing you to become the special people you are today.
This is taking a little liberty with Romans 12 but it says, “Do not lag in zeal.” You both ran the Bay to Breakers last Sunday and we won’t say who came in first. But the point is in your new life together, “Don’t let the other person lag behind.” Help each other along the way–always striving for partnership and mutuality. When Scott is enjoying a good basketball game, Courtney, set aside your crossword puzzle and see if the Nets or the Spurs are winning. And when Courtney is participating in another triathlon, Scott pause your X-Box to cheer her on.
Courtney and Scott, may your life together pursue mutual affection. Play together, respect each other, know your differences and never try to be the same. Be open to adventure. And know that God loves you even more than you love each other. We give thanks to God for your marriage this day and from this day forward.
Song “The Lord’s Prayer” Cindy Grieg
Exchange of Vows
Scott—I, Scott, take you, Courtney, to be my wife.
I promise to love and cherish you.
I promise to honor and respect you.
I promise to be honest and faithful to you.
I promise to work with you to better ourselves and our communities.
I promise these things to you today and for the rest of our lives.
Courtney—I, Courtney, take you Scott, to be my husband.
I promise to love and cherish you.
I promise to honor and respect you.
I promise to be honest and faithful to you.
I promise to work with you to better ourselves and our communities.
I promise these things to you today and for the rest of our lives.
Giving & Receiving 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
matrimony through the church of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Scott—Courtney, with joy I am 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.
Courtney—Scott, with joy I am 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. Loving God, we thank you for Courtney and Scott as they join their hearts and lives in marriage. We are thankful that in the first moments of their marriage, they have acknowledged your presence. We pray that they may continue to lean upon your strength and resources throughout their lives. When they laugh for joy, may they give you the praise; when they sink in sorrow, may they find in you comfort; when the labor at their dreams, may they find their hope in you. Challenge them to grow gracefully and in grace; move them to reach beyond their faith; remind them that in serving others, they serve you. May this marriage be a channel of blessing, not only for them, but for others who will be touched by their lives. Amen.
Congregational Support Response
Courtney and Scott know very well the passage in Deuteronomy 6:4-9,
“The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Without you, the household of family and friends, they would not be here today. Courtney and Scott will become a family that reflects the beauty and charm that already exist in their new house. They want you to pray for them and continue to be a part of their new life together—writing your love for them on the doorposts of their house and on their gates. Therefore, they request your continuing love and support as you have blessed them in their lives thus far. Will you love and support Courtney and Scott’s new life together as husband and wife?
Congregation—We will.
Unity Candle
Courtney and Scott will now light the Unity Candle. The smaller candles represent their parents, all their families and friends who have loved and cared for them. Together they light this one candle, signifying that the flames that that are burning in each one of you are now joined in the lighting of this one candle. Their new life together now burns brightly with the warmth from each of you. May their life together shine brightly in this world bringing hope and joy to all.
Giving Leis to Parents
Declaration of Marriage
Let us pray. Joy rings through the skies, happiness swirls in the wind, and songs echo in the trees, O God, for love is alive today. We thank you for the love that has brought Courtney and Scott to this moment of promise, and ask you to bless their marriage. Lead them along the paths of peace. Let their love grow as true as the flowers around us. Give them your patience and vision to see beyond each day’s tasks. Be their abiding presence in the day and in the night, so that their love may be a beacon of hope to a hurting world. Amen.
The special joys of this day will long be remembered as your vows are kept and your love is fully shared. So it is through love in the sight of God and in the presence of your family and friends that you are united in this ceremony today. And it is through loving that you will find many blessings in the years to come. Scott and Courtney, you have become husband and wife together!
I present to you, Courtney and Scott!
Recessional
You are invited to enjoy the Reception that is set up before you!
Wedding Coordinators: Christy Jin & Cheryl Ng
MC at Dinner: Alex Owyang