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Clyde Thomas Zuber and Martin Clay Fowler you are invited to share in their joy and witness the covenant of their marriage as they publicly exchange vows to one another and to the Lord in confirmation of their private covenant of the past two years on Saturday, the fifteenth of March nineteen hundred and eighty-six at ten o'clock in the morning Metropolitan Community Church 2701 Reagan Dallas, Texas
Reception
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YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER INTO A UNION WHICH IS MOST SACRED AND MOST SERIOUS, A UNION WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED BY GOD HIMSELF.
BECAUSE GOD HIMSELF IS THUS ITS AUTHOR, MARRIAGE IS OF ITS VERY NATURE HOLY. BUT CHRIST OUR LORD ADDED TO THE HOLINESS OF MARRIAGE AN EVEN DEEPER MEANING AND A HIGHER BEAUTY. HE REFERRED TO THE LOVE OF MARRIAGE TO DESCRIBE HIS OWN LOVE FOR HIS CHURCH, THAT IS, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHOM HE REDEEMED BY HIS OWN BLOOD. FOR THIS REASON HIS APOSTLE PAUL CLEARLY STATES THAT MARRIAGE IS NOW AND FOR ALL TIME TO BE CONSIDERED A GREAT MYSTERY, INTIMATELY BOUND UP WITH THE SUPERNATURAL UNION OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH, WHICH UNION IS ALSO TO BE ITS PATTERN.
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TRULY, THEN. THESE WORDS ARE MOST SERIOUS. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO YOUR UNDOUBTED FAITH IN EACH OTHER THAT YOU ARE SO WILLING AND READY TO PRONOUNCE THEM. AND BECAUSE THESE WORDS INVOLVE SUCH SOLEMN OBLIGATION, IT IS MOST FITTING THAT YOU REST THE SECURITY OF YOUR MARRIED LIFE UPON THE GREAT PRINCIPLE OF SELF-SACRIFICE. AND SO YOU BEGIN YOUR MARRIED LIFE BY VOLUNTARY SURRENDER OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL LIVES IN THE INTEREST OF THAT DEEPER AND WIDER LIFE WHICH YOU ARE TO HAVE IN COMMON. AND WHATEVER SACRIFICES YOU MAY HEREAFTER BE REQUIRED TO MAKE TO PRESERVE THIS COMMON LIFE, ALWAYS MAKE THEM GENEROUSLY.
AND SO, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CHURCH, I ASK YOU TO STATE YOUR INTENTIONS.
MARTIN AND CLYDE, HAVE YOU COME HERE FREELY AND WITHOUT RESERVATION TO GIVE YOURSELVES TO EACH OTHER IN MARRIAGE?
YES.
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YES.
SINCE IT IS YOUR INTENTION TO ENTER INTO MARRIAGE, JOIN YOUR RIGHT HANDS, AND DECLARE YOUR CONSENT BEFORE GOD AND HIS CHURCH.
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WE PROMISE TO LOVE, RESPECT AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
WE HOPE TO SUSTAIN EACH OTHER IN A LIFE OF PEACE AND FULFILLMENT.
WE THEREFORE PLEDGE:
TO SHARE OUR LIVES TOGETHER IN JOY AND HARDSHIP;
TO CONTRIBUTE TO EACH OTHER'S PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH;
TO OPEN OURSELVES TO EACH OTHER IN TRUST;
TO BE PARTNERS IN DECISION-MAKING AND FAMILY ROLES;
TO CONSIDER EACH OTHER'S FEELINGS, AND TO SETTLE OUR DIFFERENCES THROUGH SELF-EXAMINATION, DIALOGUE AND COMPROMISE.
YOU HAVE DECLARED YOUR CONSENT BEFORE THE CHURCH. MAY THE LORD IN HIS GOODNESS STRENGTHEN YOUR CONSENT AND FILL YOU BOTH WITH BLESSINGS. WHAT GOD HAS JOINED, MAN MUST NOT DIVIDE. AMEN.
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LORD, BLESS THESE RINGS IN YOUR NAME. GRANT THAT THOSE WHO WEAR THEM MAY ALWAYS HAVE A DEEP FAITH IN EACH OTHER. MAY THEY DO YOUR WILL AND ALWAYS LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE, GOOD WILL, AND LOVE. WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.
CLYDE, TAKE THIS RING AS A SIGN OF MY LOVE.
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GENERAL INTERCESSIONS: (EXCERPTED FROM JOHN BOSWELL'S TRANSLATION OF A GAY MARRIAGE CEREMONY FROM THE NINTH/TENTH CENTURY.)
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WE PRAY TO THE LORD.
THAT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE APOSTOLIC UNITY OF THE SPIRIT MIGHT BE GIVEN TO THEM.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD.
THAT THEY MAY BE VOUCHSAFED UNASHAMED FIDELITY, FAITHFULNESS AND UNFEIGNED LOVE.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD.
THAT THEY MAY BE MADE WORTHY TO GLORY IN THE HOLY CROSS.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD.
THAT THEY AND WE MAY BE SAVED FROM EVERY TRIBULATION, TROUBLE AND DANGER.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD.
OH LORD, OUR GOD, WHO HAST BESTOWED ALL THINGS ON US FOR SALVATION AND HAST COMMENDED US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND TO BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER'S WEAKNESSES, YOU YOURSELF WHO ARE NOW A LOVER OF MANKIND, TO THESE YOUR SERVANTS WHO LOVE EACH OTHER IN THE LOVE OF THE SPIRIT, AND HAVE COME INTO YOUR HOLY TEMPLE TO BE BLESSED BY YOU, GRANT UNASHAMED DEVOTION AND UNFEIGNED LOVE, AND MAY THEY BE UNHATED AND NOT A CAUSE OF SCANDAL ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR LIVES. FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND GLORY. PRAISE TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, GLORY NOW AND FOREVER, WORLD WITHOUT END.
FORGIVENESS OF SINS:
THIS IS THE GOOD NEW OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST: IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND RIGHTEOUS TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WE ARE FORGIVEN.
OFFERTORY SONG: KATHLEEN P. "TREASURES"
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THE LORD BE WITH YOU.
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS.
WE LIFT THEM UP TO THE LORD.
LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD.
IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY LORD, GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT, HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF YOUR GLORY. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST.
THE LORD'S SUPPER:
BLESS AND APPROVE THIS MEAL; MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE TO YOU, AS WE GATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. LET IT BE TO US THE REALITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, YOUR ONLY SON OUR LORD, WHO THE DAY BEFORE HE SUFFERED TOOK BREAD IN HIS HANDS AND LOOKING UP TO HEAVEN, HE GAVE THANKS AND BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO HIS DISCIPLES AND SAID: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT: THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. AND IN LIKE MANNER WHEN THE SUPPER WAS ENDED, HE TOOK THE CUP. AGAIN HE GAVE THANKS, GAVE THE CUP TO HIS DISCIPLES, AND SAID: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT. IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
LET US PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF OUR FAITH:
CHRIST HAS DIED,
CHRIST IS RISEN,
CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.
THROUGH HIM, WITH HIM, IN HIM, IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ALL GLORY AND HONOR IS YOURS, ALMIGHTY FATHER, FOR EVER AND EVER.
AMEN.
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LET US PRAY FOR THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM AS JESUS TAUGHT US.
OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME; THY KINGDOM COME; THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD; AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US; AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
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LORD, WE WHO HAVE SHARED THE FOOD OF YOUR TABLE PRAY FOR OUR FRIENDS MARTIN AND CLYDE, WHOM YOU HAVE JOINED TOGETHER IN MARRIAGE. KEEP THEM CLOSE TO YOU ALWAYS. MAY THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER PROCLAIM TO ALL THE WORLD THEIR FAITH IN YOU. WE ASK THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.
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THE LORD BE WITH YOU.
AND ALSO WITH YOU.
MAY THE LORD JESUS, WHO,WAS A GUEST AT THE WEDDING IN CANA, BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
AMEN.
MAY JESUS, WHO LOVED HIS CHURCH TO THE END, ALWAYS FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH HIS LOVE.
AMEN.
MAY HE GRANT THAT, AS YOU BELIEVE IN HIS RESURRECTION, SO YOU MAY WAIT FOR HIM IN JOY AND HOPE.
AMEN.
AND MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
AMEN.
RECESSIONAL HYMN: "THE SOLID ROCK" (#54)
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MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. MAY THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU. MAY THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.
POSTLUDE: THE REVEREND DANNY RAY, ORGAN