A Wedding Message
Delivered by Rev. David Quackenbush
At the Wedding of
Angela Mancini & William Quackenbush
October 16, 2004
INTRODUCTION
Well, Angela….. William… this day as finally arrived. And I am deeply honored to be the one to bring the message today. You see normally when we preachers preach it is to the entire congregation and only one or two listen. But today I get to preach to just the two of you so maybe everyone else will listen in. I want to address the two of you as you prepare to set out on this voyage of life together.
I brought something with me today to help me illustrate what marriage will be like. (A large wooden sailing ship is brought out and displayed) It is a ship that I have christened… “The Good Ship Matrimony.” Now before you let your imaginations run wild, we will not be speaking about marriage being like “White Squall” or “The Perfect Storm,” nor are you setting out for a three hour cruise on the S.S. Minnow. I do however want to illustrate some principles of God’s Word about marriage using the symbolism of the ship.
Keep in mind that today you will make your vows before this congregation of family and friends and the presence of God and when you leave this house of God together you will be married. But marriage is not the destination. You will not have arrived. This wedding today is only a port of departure from which you two shall set sail upon the Good Ship Matrimony and begin life’s voyage together.
Allow me for the next few moments to speak about this journey, the vessel and those aboard, granting me the poetic liscence to couch my words in a nautical manner.
YOU MUST FIRST DISEMBARK
Master William & Mistress Angela … from the day you were born until this day you have sailed through life aboard a ship that has been commanded by someone else.
Master William – I as your Father have been your captain, with your mother as my first mate. Mistress Angela – you likewise have served aboard a ship piloted by your Father and Mother. You have both been trained, disciplined, and become sea worthy hands – loved and welcomed members of our crews.
But, today you declare it is your intention to no longer serve under the captaincy of our vessels. Rather together, you wish to assume the total responsibility of Piloting a vessel all your own.
The scripture says, “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they two shall become one flesh.” Gen 2:24
You cannot be aboard two different ships at one time. If you intend to set sail upon The Good Ship Matrimony, then you must first disembark our vessels – establish your own command – and set your own course. As Captains of our vessels, Angela’s father and I have both discussed this and today we officially give you leave from our crews. Don’t worry, we’re still in the same navy and from time to time our course will cross. At times we may even sail the same direction or take shore leave in the same ports. But what is important and what we must all understand is you are now no longer part of our crews or under our command. You will have your own ship with your own responsibilities. So today you will disembark our ship but it is to walk together to the helm of your own ship. It has been for this purpose and to this end that we have trained and disciplined you aboard our vessels.
You must both remember at all times who is your Commander in Chief.. He is the Lord God Almighty whom you serve and under whose flag you sail. It is under His supreme authority that you will be commissioned, not just the laws of the land. Follow at all times the commands and directives of His dispatches even if at times they don’t seem to make sense to you, knowing this; that He cares more for you then you can ever fathom, and it is His clearly expressed intent to bring you safely home. “For God is not willing that any should perish…”
“Trust in the Lord (your Commander in Chief) with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your course”
As you prepare to assume command of your vessel I bring you the dispatches from our Commander in Chief. (A New Bible Is Presented) In here he has provided everything you need to know to navigate saftely through the open waters of life. He has regulations for the safe operation and maintaining of your vessel as well as the duties and responsibilities you are to fulfill while serving your commission
Regarding Your Duties:
Angela – as First Mate to William aboard the Good Ship Matrimony your commander in chief commands you this day, and every day here after –
“First mates – be subject to your own Captain as to the Lord Commander in Chief. For the Captain is the head of his first mate as the Lord Jesus Christ is head of His fleet the Church. Himself being her Saviour.”
Angela – I charge you this day. There have never been two captains aboard one ship. Your role is that of the First Mate and as such it is no less significant or important than that of your captain. The fulfilling of your duty in the role of First Mate is vital to the well being and continued success of the Good Ship Matrimony. Together you serve to fulfill and accomplish the mission that your ship has been assigned. There can be no success by either of you that is not the success of you both. Heed the commands of your Commander in Chief, follow your Captian well, insure the saftey and integrity of your vessel by combating every whisper or thought of dissention or mutiny among the ranks. Keep your heart loyal and true to your Captain and to your commander in Chief.
William hear the orders of your Commander in Chief.
“Captains love your first mate just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her…”
William – as Captain – outside your love and loyalty to your Commander in Chief, there can be no one or any thing more precious to you than your First Mate and your vessel.
Allow nothing to ever give rise to doubts about your love for Angela and your commitment to the saftey and well being of your vessel. In every way you must demonstrate your love through selflessness, denying yourself for her well being. In so doing, not only will you reassure her of your love and loyalty, but you will be insuring her future loyalty and commitment to you as her Captain, and to your vessel the Good Ship Matrimony.
Be wary of strange ships that would draw near knowing that often on the open seas there are pirates who lay prey upon unsuspecting vessels and their crews. You both must be on the look out at all times. Have someone always in the crow’s nest of prayer. And if by chance some pirate vessel should make way to lay siege upon your vessel, then sound general quarters and muster all hands to battle stations. Fight off the attack of the enemy at all costs… and if need be fire your canons and blast them out of the water. Leave the pirate to flounder.
Nothing is more important to the Captain than his First Mate and his Ship, and nothing more important to the First Mate than defending her Captain.
A Word About Your Ship
The Good Ship Matrimony is a fine ship, the finest ever built. She has been designed and crafted by the Master Ship Builder, the Commander in Chief himself. Others have tried to come up with their own design but all of them are inferior. He has built everything into your vessel to insure you will have everything you need to safely navigate through life together.
But like all good ships the moment you put out to sea you must begin to care and maintain her. It’s all hands on deck! You must never take her for granted. If you do, over time she will begin to show signs of stress and disrepair. (a sure invitation for pirate attacks if there ever was one) Left unattended, your vessel can eventually become totally unseaworthy. Those whose folly it was to allow such to happen have either be left stranded and marooned, or heard their crew holler abandon ship leaving them alone to go down with the ship.
You must constantly work together in order to keep your vessel ship shape. At first it will seem like a lot of work and you will need to intentionally focus on the various tasks that will keep her sea worthy. But as time goes on a good Captain and his First Mate will develop a healthy routing aboard ship and soon it will become a part of the natural rythmn of life aboard ship at times seeming almost effortless.
THE VOYAGE YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED
As to the voyage you will be assigned I cannot not tell you where the Commander in Chief will order you to sail. As Captain of my vessel I have my orders and undoubtedly you will receive yours too.
However Captain William, allow me to be so bold as to suggest to you that when you read your orders do not do as so many others have done to their own folly. Thinking that they only have the knowledge and experience needed to successfully command their ship. No, instead I suggest and strongly urge that you call your First Mate in on everything. Giver her full access to the orders and charts you receive. You see your first mate like yourself has served upon a ship too and she brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge all her own. Added together your combined experience and knowledge will strengthen your ability to understand the intricacies of your orders, chart the best courses to navigate, and to out sail and out maneuver any attacking enemy vessels. Two heads are better than one, so long as one is on the Captain and the other on the First Mate.
During Your Voyage
You will make many journeys to many intersting ports of call. You will see much, and together you will learn much. Along the way you may encounter many things.
First, don’t let a few waves dishearten you. Recognize waves are a natural part of sailing. It takes a few days to get your sea legs but once you do you will want to head out into the open seas at full sail.
Storms too are a common part of life when you sail the open seas. Never fear! Up until now you have looked to the captains of your ships to direct you and calm your fears. But know this, a good captain always keeps in touch with fleet command. Your Commander in Chief has His eye in the sky, and knows at any given moment where you are and what your status is.
Should you fear your ship is at risk due to heavy seas or attack of the enemy all either of you need do is send out a distress signal, the prayer flare and your Commander in Chief will mobilize the entire fleet to come to your rescue.
However William, as Captain you must be wise too. Read carefully the charts and maps in the dispatch of the Commander in Chief. Do not sail in dangerous water. Avoid getting too close to hidden reefs that can sink a ship in a moment of carelessness or sudden change of wind. Know when you need to put into port for fresh supplies and when to sit and wait for better weather. Remember that in the moments of distress you can always drop anchor in Christ Jesus. He will always hold you even in the roughest of times.
Now somewhere along lifes journey, if the Commander should so order; you too will journey to wonderful port of “Conception Bay.” While there, you will be held over many months as you prepare to take on additional crew. At first they will be totally dependant upon you and your first mate for everything. In time though, they will learn of the two of you and they will begin to contibute to the journey. But the main reason the Commander will assign them to your vessel is that you can teach them all you have learned; so they too one day will be able to take command of their own ship.
Conclusion
In just a few moments Admiral Mortelliti (the officiating pastor) will commission you as Captain & First Mate of the Good Ship Matrimony. Be sure you study carefully the orders and maps your Commander in Chief has provided for you. Study them well and commit them to heart. Give heed to all his warnings and council and you can rest assured of His abiding presence.
At this point now I must call upon Captain Pasquale and his First Mate Norma (father and mother of the bride) and my first mate Angela to stand with me, for what I must now say I can not say on my own.
William and Angela, as you parents it is our joy today to dismiss you from our crews and wish you God’s blessing as you receive your commissioning today.
And now we offer this prayer for you….
May the Wind of His Spirit always fill your sails,
May the Glory of His countenance light your way,
And may his abiding presence bring you safely to His harbor.
We salute you both and bid you God’s speed.
