The Golden Anniversary

Dick and Pat

50th Anniversary Vow Renewal

Shiloh Bible Church

PRELUDE

PROCESSIONAL

WELCOME TO GUESTS

You may be seated.

Welcome to the 50th anniversary celebration for Dick and Pat. The golden anniversary is one of the most celebrated wedding anniversaries. And rightly so! Investing half a century in a loving relationship with one person is a wonderful statement about the gift of married life.

On behalf of Dick and Pat’s family, I want to thank you for joining them on this momentous occasion. We will begin by hearing a solo from Kaitlyn, Dick & Pat’s granddaughter, followed by a reading from Daniel and Sandra, Dick and Pat’s son and daughter-in-law.

SOLO

READING

MESSAGE

50 years. Much transpires in half a century—particularly for a husband and wife who have built a life together.

In the Bible, there are 2 psalms that speak to this—the stages of married life. They are found in the Psalms of Ascent. I’m referring to Psalm 127 and Psalm 128.

The first stage of a marriage is …

1. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOME

That is found in Psalm 127:1-2: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Dick and Pat established their home on this very day 50 years ago—March 7, 1959. Consider some of these statistics: In 1959 …

• United States population: 177 million—half of what it is today

• World population: 3 billion—half of what it is today

• Dwight D. Eisenhower was President and Richard M. Nixon was Vice President

• Alaska became the 49th state & Hawaii became the 50th state

• Average cost of new house: $12,400

• Average yearly wages: $5,010

• Cost of a gallon of gas: 25 cents

• Average cost of a new car: $2,200

• Movie ticket: $1

• Loaf of bread: 20 cents

• Cost of a first-class postage stamp: 4 cents

• At the annual Toy Fair in New York City, Ruth Handler introduces “Barbie,” a new doll named for her daughter Barbara

I think you would agree with me that much has changed since 1959 when Dick and Pat established their home!

After the establishment of the home comes the second stage of marriage:

2. THE EXPANSION OF THE HOME

I find this in Psalm 127:3-5: “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”

In these verses we find the home expanding—children are being added. And Dick and Pat saw their home expand with the birth of a daughter, Kerry, and a son, Daniel.

I especially like what verse 3 says about children: they are a reward from God. They are not a problem to be avoided or a nuisance to be tolerated or an economic drain to be endured. They are a reward from God. And that’s how Dick and Pat viewed their children—as a reward from God. Now, I dare say there were times when they wanted to return the reward! But all in all, I’m sure they viewed both Kerry and Dan as God’s gift—His reward.

But we don’t stop here. There is one more stage of married life. And that is:

3. THE EXTENSION OF THE HOME

The very next psalm—Psalm 128—describes this stage. The psalm states: “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. 5 May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, 6 and may you live to see your children’s children.”

“And may you live to see your children’s children.” This psalm is describing the golden years together. And the stage in life in which you witness the birth and development of your grandchildren.

Dick and Pat have lived to see the birth of their three grandsons: Michael, Matthew and Christopher and their granddaughter, Kaitlyn.

God has allowed Dick and Pat to experience the establishment of their home, the expansion of their home, and the extension of their home. And we trust that God will give them many more wonderful years together.

At this time, Kerry, Dick and Pat’s daughter will share with us, followed by a song from her daughter, Kaitlyn.