Saturday, May 3, 2008
3:00 PM
Trinity Episcopal Church
San Francisco, California
Prelude
Worship through Music
Seating of Grandparents
Seating of Parents
Processional
Welcome and Invocation (Kim)
Declaration of Intent & Question to Parents (Kim)
Letters to Parents
Jamie’s (Don)
May 3, 2008
Dear Mom and Dad,
Words fall short as I try to sum up all that I appreciate about you both in this brief letter. But I’m so glad for this opportunity to thank you publicly. You both deserve more recognition than a page of words will ever convey.
Dad, if I had to describe you in a word, the one that resounds in my mind would be “reliable.” Growing up, I never doubted if I could get a ride somewhere or if I would have to fend for myself. Even if you had a million other things to do that day, you would always say, “It’s not a matter of if you can go but how I’ll get you there.” To me, this is such a clear demonstration of how you selflessly serve others. I believe this has impacted my everyday life, even as I aspire to become a physical therapist. You inspire me to work hard and be a woman who can be trusted with responsibility.
Mom, what can I say? You’ve known me the longest! I guess that’s why you always seem to be able to read me so well. I have one memory in particular from when I had first started getting to know David. It always makes me chuckle when I think back to this particular story. Do you remember the day I slyly asked you, “So mom, hypothetically, if I wanted to hang out at the mall with a boy, would you let me?” And you stopped chopping vegetables for dinner, looked me in the eye and said, “Jamie, if you want to hang out with David, he can come here to the house when your father and I are home.” You saw right though me. Although looking back, I think most anyone would have seen through me! But thank you for knowing when to stop me from doing something I would regret and when to let me make mistakes. It takes a lot of wisdom to know the difference. If one day God blesses us with our own family, I hope that I can nurture and guide them just as you have done for us.
As I write this, I’m overwhelmed with thanksgiving. Praise God for you both! San Francisco and Los Angeles may both be home to me in different ways, but know that when I come back to visit, I’m not just there because I love the city, but because I love you.
David (Kim)
Scripture Reading (Don introduces)
We are happy to have Denise Lee and Ryan Jang share in reading the Scripture lessons that David and Jamie have selected for their wedding service.
Wedding Homilies
Word to the Couple—God’s Fragrance
We know we are in the presence of someone when we can smell the person’s perfume or cologne. For this very special day, I am positive that everyone here has some kind of fragrance on! I’m wearing Amani Code! With everyone’s fragrances, this sacred space is filled with the sweetness of a flower bouquet.
When two persons are in love with each other, you are often in the presence of that person. You can smell the unique scent of the other. Each of you begins to sense the presence of that loved one in your midst. It’s like the way you cook together—while Jamie likes to cut all the vegetables into bite-size pieces, David is ready to flame up over a big wok. Cooking together causes that stir-fry aroma to invite everyone to the table for feeding the hungry and fellowshipping with friends and strangers.
I can identify with your love for a good cup of Peet’s or better yet, Lanna Coffee. It’s not just the taste of coffee’s deep-roasted flavor but it’s the aromatic, satisfying texture that lingers in the room. As a barista, David makes good coffee and invites Jamie to join him to talk about their relationship together and how they are both committed to serving Jesus Christ their Lord.
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2:14-15). When we are in Christ, we are sincere people, sent by God, standing in God’s presence to serve as God’s fragrance from life to life.
David and Jamie, in your new life together, in the presence of one another, you are God’s fragrance in the world. David, when you are studying God’s word and preaching God’s word to his people, you are God’s fragrance. Jamie, when you are helping people to restore their bodies, minds and spirits, you are God’s fragrance. When the two of you are generous with your resources of time, money and talents to bring joy and hope to others in this world, you serve as God’s fragrance that comes from knowing Christ. When you laugh together or sing songs loudly together, you send out this loving spirit that wafts through the room and out the window and down where the people are that tells them that life is good and God loves them. And if the Lord is willing, you will be blessed with little Davids and little Jamies who will grow up knowing God and practicing your family tradition of drinking a good cup of coffee. They can’t start drinking coffee until they go off to college!
I know that sometimes, it’s easier to just make one cup of coffee in a French press; but just like it takes many coffee beans to make a good cup of rich coffee, perhaps we should always make a 10 or 12-cup pot of coffee. One cup of coffee is never enough for everyone. A pot of coffee symbolizes for you that you are always ready to welcome others to come and be a part of your lives. That rich coffee aroma drifting through your home will invite others to join you because it is Christ Jesus who leads us as God’s fragrance spreading in every place in the world.
May God always bless you and may his sweet fragrant presence bind you together this day.
Wedding Homily (Kim)
Exchange of Vows (Kim)
(Kim and Don step back and David and Jamie step up to the same level as the pastors.)
Exchange of Rings (Don)
(David and Jamie, turn to face each other and join your left hands. Receive rings from Wayne and Jackie.))
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 our Lord.
Let us pray. Enable, O Lord, the ring giver and the ring receiver to fulfill the vows taken here and to know your joyful presence in their marriage and family; through Jesus Christ or Lord. Amen.
David: Jamie, as evidence of my love for you
and my vow to be your faithful companion
as long as life shall last,
I joyfully place this ring upon your finger.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Jamie: David, as evidence of my love for you
and my vow to be your faithful companion
as long as life shall last,
I joyfully place this ring upon your finger.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Unity Candle (Don)
David and Jamie’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 David and Jamie to this day and will no doubt continue supporting and guiding them in the future!
Now David and Jamie’s individual lives 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.
Prayer of Consecration (Don)
God of all loving things, we know love because we know you. We know what it is to be loved because we have been loved by you. So it is with David and Jamie. They are here today, committing their love to each other because first they understood the commitment of love that you have toward them. Nurture that love, O God. Help it stand the test of time and perseverance. Breath into it the sweet fragrance of your life and strength, that when they sometimes face moments of uncertainty, they can be certain about their relationship to one another because of your love. Continue to guide them into the community of faith that will nurture their service to others and safeguard their affection to each other. Even when they are busy studying with their noses in the books or leading in worship with their fingers on guitar strings or on the keyboard, bless these times of being together in one’s presence in love. Just as the children of God long ago followed your light, light their way with your love and may this Unity Candle give light to their love for each other. Keep their hearts faithful in your name, we pray. Amen.
Light the Unity Candle
(Kim and Don step to the side.)
Pronouncement, Benediction, and Introduction (Kim)