Wedding Renewal

The Bible begins with a description of the creation. It describes the beginning of Heavens and the Earth, all plant life and animal life…everything.

After each day of creation, the Bible records, “and the Lord saw that it was good.”

But after creating man, God surveyed his new creation, and for the first time in recorded history the Lord said, “It is not good!” “It is not good for man to be alone!”

There was no one to be a suitable companion to share in the joys, sorrows, victories and defeats of life.

So in Gen. 2:21-24 we read: And the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, an he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones

And flesh of my flesh:

She shall be called Woman,

Because she was taken out of man.”

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

____ and ________ your lives have been joined together for ____ years.

Over the years you have learned the meaning of the words "and the two shall become one". You have joined together.

Yet, your individual identities have not been extinguished, but have burned brighter - because in becoming one you also have become more fully yourselves.

Love is like that – it brings to fullness and maturity all that is good - it grants people space to become what God wants them to be.

So you are two - yet you are one. Your hearts and minds are more deeply joined now than you could have imagined they would be ____ years ago.

You know one another - as friends, as lovers, as parents, as comrades, as fellow workers.

I am sure that you can finish each other sentences and anticipate just what the other wants or needs.

As you renew your vows, I urge you to recall those things that have made your relationship succeed, the self-giving, the patience, the making of space, the forgiveness, the encouragement, the prayer, the telling of truth in love, and the willingness to accept and trust one another and to give thanks to God for how He has blessed you.

I ask you to bless God at all times with your thankfulness and your prayers and your future will be even more blessed than your past.

VOWS

RINGS

Do you give this ring as a continuing symbol of the renewal of our vows that we have made this day.

_____ and ______, today you declare publicly before God, family and friends that special love that is you; and are re-making a lasting commitment to journey through life as partners in love and life.

Today you take a significant step in your relationship by declaring once more, that in spite of the difficulties and hardships of life, that with God's help you will continue to love and be faithful to one another.

You again commit yourselves to a love for one another that involves the total giving of yourselves to one another.

You covenant to accept each other totally, creating a safe and loving space for each other to grow as individuals and partners and to mature in faith.

Today, you make this re-commitment in the presence of your families and friends because you do not live alone to yourselves, but as part of a larger community.

The support you receive from your family and friends, like God's love, will help you grow as persons as you seek to grow as partners.

Apache Marriage Blessing

Now you will feel no rain,

For each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold,

For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no more loneliness,

For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies,

But there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,

To enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Before God and this company Dan and Laura have renewed their marriage vows. They have re-confirmed their covenant of marriage by the joining of hands, the exchange of rings and in in a moment by sealing it with a kiss.

Therefore, I declare them to be renewed as husband and wife.

You may kiss your bride!