Saturday, July 14, 2001

4:00 PM

Peacock Gap

San Rafael, California

Prelude

            Seating of Godparents Uncle Charcoal & Auntie Marjorie

                        –Charlie

            Seating of Grandmother Popo—Greg

            Seating of Dan’s Father Ron and Bonnie—Frank

            Seating of Dan’s Mother Cecily and Al—Dan

Processional

            Pachelbel’s Canon in D

            Telemann’s Adagio from Rumpet Concerto in D Major

            Bach’s ‘Air’ from Overture No.3

            Escorting Lauren—Don and Joy

Greetings and Opening Prayer

            Dear Family and Friends, we as a community, aware of God’s presence, have come here this afternoon to celebrate the marriage vows of Lauren and Daniel. 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 is God’s intention that two people should live together in mutual love and respect for one another.

            We also understand that a marriage begins with the love that two individuals have for one another, but it is sustained by the ongoing love and caring support of family and friends. That is the reason why you and I are here today. Each one of us has had and will continue to have responsibilities for the strength and health of Dan and Lauren’s relationship. As parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends, by our presence today, we pledge to Lauren and Dan our time and energy, our hearts and ears so that in times of crisis they may find a place of help, and our unceasing prayer.

            Lauren, as your Dad, I know that you have been looking forward to this very moment to be the “Princess of the Day” and for Dan to be the “Shining Knight” who comes and makes a “Once upon a time…” dream come true. Well, Princess, your dream is coming true right now. Here is your “Knight” to be. May this magical day with all of your family and friends present be unforgettable!

And on behalf of Dan and Lauren’s families, we bid you welcome and wish that you may find this day full of joy and a blessing to you.

Let us pray. O Lord our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. When we look at the heavens and the work of your hands, the sun, the moon, and the stars, which you have established, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? But you do care, O God, and as we gather in this beautiful place, we can see your care for creation and for us. Lord, we know that you have searched us and known us, when we sit down and when we rise up, and discern all of our thoughts. Be present with us now, as Lauren and Dan share their love and express their commitment to each other. Hear us as we rejoice in your creative work as seen in the love that Dan and Lauren have for one another. Amen. 

Presentation Question

            Acknowledging that God has brought together Dan and Lauren, as parents, do we celebrate the union of our children in marriage?

            All parents: “We do.”

Scripture Reading                 Psalm 139:1-18                         Juniper

                                                                                                Charlie

Message to Lauren and Dan

            Sharing a few words as the officiating minister is easy but as the Father of the Bride, it is a lot more sentimental. When Dan came into your life, you told me that he is the one whom you want to spend the rest of your life. You told me that he is very much like me because Dan likes to see how things work and enjoys putting things together like furniture from IKEA. He is handy around the house and I know that one thing we share in common is that Home Depot is our favorite toy store. I know that Dan will always provide shelter and safe harbor for you regardless of what happens in life. I cannot be happier than to know that Dan will be your husband and that Mom and I will have another son. Ron and Bonnie and Cecily and Al, I know that you love our daughter as much as we love your son.

            Lauren, you have been the “apple in my eye” because of your love for life and the joy that you bring to others. Those who have worked with you share how you affirm them and encourage them. I am very proud of you. I have seen you grow from the little girl in pigtails and stuffed animals placed all over your bed to a mature woman who continues to fight for the rights of the under-privileged and downtrodden.

            In the Psalm passage that you selected for today, it says that you were “knitted together in your mothers’ wombs.” The beauty that we see in you, Dan and Lauren comes from the nurturing love that you received from your mothers. They glued and sewed together Halloween costumes for you. They created wedding dresses and sewed on buttons. But most importantly, your Moms taught you the rich meaning of caring relationships that you now have for each other and share generously with your friends.

            When we had the opportunity of traveling to China three years ago, I thought this would be the true test on whether your relationship will last in time. Dan, I was impressed on how helpful you were in carrying many of the oversized suitcases and ate almost everything on the table. Lauren, you connected with your Chinese heritage and valued the struggles of our ancestors bravely crossing the great sea to make a new home in Gold Mountain.

            Now you are about to make a new home for yourselves. Have fun with the board games and music CDs that your friends got you. But more importantly, continue to care for the needs of the other and you will soon discover that the needs you thought you had have been taken care of in the meantime. Lauren, your gift to humanity is to envision and fight for a world with peace and justice. Dan, your gift to humanity is to make the world turn round and round with your curiosity of how things work. What a combination the two of you have together! By trusting and relying on each other with your different but complementary gifts, God will be pleased.

            Dan and Lauren, without sounding like a bragging Dad (And I’m speaking for Ron and myself), you are both very creative. Pursue your interests in writing poetry and designing new products. Take time to create one of a kind jewelry and play the drums loudly and the guitar tenderly. If you take the time to go for a walk in Philadelphia or listen to your music, you will discover that it will take a whole lifetime to uncover all of the funny and divine things that you are. You see, God formed your inward parts and knitted them together. God’s work is wonderful!

             I pray that you will always have the Lord in your new life together. The Psalmist said that God knows him all the time even at the times when we may lose faith in God. God will be with you tomorrow as God has been there when you were born. Trust in God and God will not disappoint you. God’s good thoughts of you are countless as many as the sand in the desert. 

            Lauren and Dan, these are our hopes and prayers for you, sent with love for both of you on this day, your wedding day.

Declaration of Intent

            Dan and Lauren, here in the presence of God and these loving people, I ask you to declare your intention to enter into covenant with each other through the grace of Jesus Christ.

            Lauren, will you have Dan 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?

            Lauren: I will.

            Dan, will you have Lauren 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 her as long as you both shall live?

            Dan: I will.

Exchange of Vows

            Lauren: Daniel, I promise before God and all who are present here, to be your loving and faithful wife, from this time onward, to join with you and to share in all that is to come, to give and to receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, and in all of our life together to be loyal to you with my whole being. I will serve you with tenderness and respect, and encourage you to develop God’s gifts in you.

            Dan: Lauren, I promise before God and all who are present here, to be your loving and faithful husband, from this time onward, to join with you and to share in all that is to come, to give and to receive, to speak and to listen, to inspire and to respond, and in all of our life together to be loyal to you with my whole being. I will serve you with tenderness and respect, and encourage you to develop God’s gifts in you.

Exchange of Rings

Wedding rings are evidence to the world that the couple wearing them have made a pledge to be loyal to each other. A wedding ring is a sign of commitment, of unity, of fidelity, of steadfast love to one another.

Let us pray. Almighty God, as Lauren and Dan 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 of us who have witnessed the covenant they have made today through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dan: Lauren, 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.

Lauren: Dan, 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.

Pronouncement of Marriage

Lauren and Dan, your marriage is a union of families that were once strangers but are now friends joined together through your love for one another. We pray that the symbol of bamboo will reveal that life is flexible as well as full of good food eaten by chopsticks. We pray that the symbol of porcelain will convey the strength and durability of your family and friends’ support for you standing by you throughout life. And we pray that the symbol of tea will draw you to meditate with God and to engage in loving fellowship and conversations with others.

Benediction

            Let us pray. Dan and Lauren, may you experience companionship in your lives together,

            so that if one feels let down with disappointments, one may pick the other up;

            so that if one is cold in a Philly winter, one may give the other warmth;

            so that if one is laughing about how you paid for a whole meal with loose change that you rolled up, one may share in the laughter;

            so that if one is dreaming about having a home or starting a new venture, one may share in the dream.

            You came as friends; you leave as friends.

            You came as two, you leave as one. In the name of Jesus Christ who made us one with God, we pray. Amen.

            Now, in the name of God the Creator, Christ the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter, I affirm that Lauren and Dan are joined in holy matrimony. Through the pledging of their love for each other, the giving and receiving of rings, they are now united as one.

            It is with joy and my personal blessings that I present to you for the first time: Lauren and Daniel Kushner!

Recessional

            Mauret’s Rondo from Masterpiece

We invite you to the Reception inside to greet one another. The Wedding Party will be taking some pictures and thereafter formally greet you during Dinner.

Postlude

            Handel’s Allegro Maestoso from Water Music Suite