Second Marriage Ceremony for Widow and Widower

Shirley Parker and Frank Valicenti

October 4, 2003

Prelude

Minister, groom and best man enter

Processional

Service

(Audience may be seated.)

Love originates with God. God is love and love comes from God, according to the Holy Scriptures. From beginning to end, the Bible is a love story. There we read of God’s love for His people, of the love that sent Christ to the cross, of redeeming love for the sinner, of abiding love for the redeemed. We read also of the love of man and woman: of Jacob’s love for Rachel, of Mary pledged to Joseph, of Ruth and Boaz, and the marriage of Cana.

When God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, Adam was lonely. With the same divine, creative act that brought Eve into existence, God ordained marriage. Jesus Christ reminds us about this act and said, “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.”

God loved us and created us to love others. Our lives find completion only as we love and are loved in return. Together, we can become what we could never be separately. Marriage is of God.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Father: My sister and I.

Party Goes To Platform

Shirley and Frank, this company has gathered here this afternoon to witness your vows of marriage. Your family and friends approve and support your life-long choice, as shown by their presence. But, most importantly, remember that today, you bond yourselves to each other in the presence of the Almighty God. Your willingness to do this comes from the fact that you first bonded yourselves to Him in salvation.

Shirley and Frank, you have been a part of Apostolic churches in the area for many years. Shirley, since you have attended First Apostolic Church a number of years ago, we have been blessed by your faithfulness and loyal support. You have demonstrated to all the marks of a true Christian, and we are thrilled with your happiness that God has granted you today. Frank, in the short time you’ve been here, we have grown to love and appreciate you. You have a way of making people smile and God has given you a gift of encouragement that you freely share with others. Most of us know that both of you have gone through dark days of grief and loss. But out of the midst of your dark clouds, you have become the silver lining for each other. We marvel at the ways God unfolds his plan for our lives.

So, today, Shirley and Frank, you begin married life again. Although you have known each other for a long time in very different roles, you still must rely on wisdom from above in your new life together. I want to remind you both that success in marriage finds its greatest insurance in your shared commitment to God. When you repented of your sins, were baptized in the matchless name of Jesus Christ and were filled with God’s glorious Spirit, you enjoyed a new birth. You must cherish this common experience and keep it alive and vibrant in your individual lives. When challenges and difficulties come, retreat into the presence of God and his word. In him, you will always find the strength to survive and prosper.

Declaration of Intent: Frank Valicenti, will you have Shirley Parker to be your wife; to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live? If so, answer, “I will.”

Shirley Parker, will you have Frank Valicenti to be your husband; to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live? If so, answer, “I will.”

Song: “I See Jesus In Your Eyes”

Vows: Repeat after me.

I, Frank Valicenti, take you, Shirley Parker, to be my wife; to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better for worse; for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish until we are separated by death; as God is my witness, I give you my promise.

I, Shirley Parker, take you Frank Valicenti, to be my husband; to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better for worse; for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish until we are separated by death; as God is my witness, I give you my promise.

And now, Frank, having made your vows of marriage to Shirley, what symbols do you now give to her that you will faithfully fulfill these vows?

Frank: This ring.

Please repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you; in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Reverend Jonathan Perry, Pastor of New Life Pentecostals in East Toledo, and Frank’s pastor for nearly thirteen years will now share his thought and offer the marriage prayer.

Pronouncement:

Shirley and Frank, you have expressed your desire to be husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by giving a ring. I, therefore, pronounce that you are husband and wife, according to the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, and the law of the State of Ohio; In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. What God has joined together let not man separate.

Frank, you may now kiss your bride.

Ladies and gentlemen, For the very first time, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Frank Valicenti.

Recessional

Announcement: On behalf of Shirley and Frank, I want to thank you for coming to share this happy occasion with them. They are now waiting for you to congratulate them personally in a receiving line in the vestibule. Please exit the sanctuary through the aisle to my right. Thank you very much.