HOAI NAM DUONG
and
ALAN JOHN BRANFORD
MARRIAGE SERVICE
Saturday, 15 June 2019, 3.30 p.m.
ST ANDREWS BY THE SEA UNITING CHURCH
Glenelg, South Australia
Minister
REVEREND ESMOND DOWDY
WEDDING PARTY
Best Man (Hoai Nam): LÊ HOÀNG NGUYÊN
Best Man (Alan John): DAVID GRIMES
Ring Bearer: LÊ THẢO VY
THE BROAD OUTLINE OF THE MARRIAGE SERVICE
The Gathering of the Community
1 Greeting
2 Sentences – the Call to Worship
3 Hymn of praise
4 Prayer
5 Declaration of purpose
The Service of the Word
6 Scripture readings
7 Preaching of the Word
The Marriage
8 Declaration of intent
9 Affirmation by the families
10 Affirmation by the people
11 Prayer
12 The vows
13 Giving of the rings
14 Proclamation of the marriage
15 The blessing of the marriage
Interlude Signing the registers
16 Wedding candle
17 Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
18 Closing hymn
19 Blessing
THE MARRIAGE SERVICE
The Gathering of the Community
The minister lights the Easter Candle.
The minister introduces himself and welcomes the congregation.
The congregation stands for the Procession of the Wedding Party.
Processional Music:
Jeremiah Clarke (1674–1707): “Trumpet Voluntary” (1699) – original title: “Prince of Denmark's March”
Gustav Holst (1874–1934): “Thaxted” (1921), an adaptation as a hymn tune, by the composer, of the stately theme from his orchestral suite “The Planets” – 4. ‘Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity’ (1914)
Once the Wedding Party have all sat, the congregation sits.
The two appointed witnesses, Judith Branford and Dương Thị Thảo, are present in the congregation.
1 GREETING
The minister addresses the congregation.
Friends, we gather today in the presence of God
to witness the marriage of Alan John Branford and Hoai Nam Duong,
to surround them with prayer
and to share in their joy.
The minister gives the following greeting.
13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with all of you.
2 Corinthians 13:13 (New Revised Standard Version)
All: And also with you.
2 SENTENCES – THE CALL TO WORSHIP
The minister calls the people to worship with Scripture sentences.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (New Revised Standard Version)
16 …
God is love,
and those who abide in love abide in God,
and God abides in them.
1 John 4:16 (New Revised Standard Version)
3 HYMN OF PRAISE
All remain seated.
“Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven”
Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847)
Music by Sir John Goss (1800–1880)
No. 134 in ‘Together in Song’, The Uniting Church in Australia Hymn Book
Praise, my soul, the king of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him, praise him, hallelujah,
praise the everlasting king!
Praise him for his grace and favour
to his people in distress;
praise him still the same as ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless:
praise him, praise him, hallelujah,
glorious in his faithfulness!
Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes:
praise him, praise him, hallelujah,
widely as his mercy flows!
Frail as summer's flower we flourish,
blows the wind and it is gone;
but while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
praise him, praise him, hallelujah,
praise the high eternal one!
Angels, help us to adore him,
you behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space:
praise him, praise him, hallelujah,
praise with us the God of grace!
4 PRAYER
The minister says:
Let us pray.
Gracious God,
your generous love surrounds us,
and everything we enjoy comes from you.
In your great love
you have given us the gift of marriage.
Bless Hoai Nam and Alan John as they pledge their lives to each other;
that their love may continue to grow
and be the true reflection of your love for us all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
5 DECLARATION OF PURPOSE
The Declaration of Purpose is a general statement of the Church’s understanding of all marriage.
The minister says:
Marriage is a gift of God
and a means of grace.
In the life-long union of marriage
we can know the joy of God,
in whose image we are made.
Marriage is founded in God’s loving nature,
and in the covenant of love made with us in Christ.
Two people, in giving themselves to each other in love,
reflect the love of Christ for his Church.
In Christian marriage,
couples are called
to live together faithfully,
and to love each other with respect,
tenderness and delight.
The companionship and comfort of marriage
enables the full expression
of physical love.
They share the life of a home
and may be entrusted
with the gift and care of children.
They help to shape a society
in which human dignity and happiness
may flourish and abound.
Marriage is a way of life that all people should honour;
it is not to be entered into lightly or selfishly,
but responsibly and in the love of God.
Alan John and Hoai Nam are now to begin this way of life
that God has created and Christ has blessed.
Therefore, on this their wedding day,
we pray that they may fulfil God’s purpose
for the whole of their lives.
The Service of the Word
6 SCRIPTURE READINGS
John Beiers reads from the Old Testament.
17 A friend loves at all times,
and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (New Revised Standard Version)
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
a raging flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If one offered for love
all the wealth of one’s house,
it would be utterly scorned.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (New Revised Standard Version)
Liz Raymond reads a Psalm.
Psalm 121
Assurance of God’s Protection
A Song of Ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
Psalm 121 (New Revised Standard Version)
Peter Crotti reads from the New Testament Letters.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
1 John 4:7-16 (New Revised Standard Version)
Lynn Shaw reads from the Gospels.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:25-37 (New Revised Standard Version)
7 PREACHING OF THE WORD
Following the Preaching of the Word, the minister presents a Bible to the Wedding Couple. The Wedding Couple stand to receive the Bible jointly, and then they resume their respective seats.
The Marriage
8 DECLARATION OF INTENT
The Wedding Couple stands, attended by their respective Best Men.
The minister asks them:
Hoai Nam and Alan John,
do you believe that God has blessed
and guided you,
and today calls you into marriage?
Each person answers in unison:
The Wedding Couple: I do.
The minister asks Alan John:
Alan John, will you give yourself to Hoai Nam to be his husband,
to live together in the covenant of marriage?
Will you love him, comfort him,
honour and protect him,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him,
as long as you both shall live?
Alan John: I will.
The minister asks Hoai Nam:
Hoai Nam, will you give yourself to Alan John to be his husband,
to live together in the covenant of marriage?
Will you love him, comfort him,
honour and protect him,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him,
as long as you both shall live?
Hoai Nam: I will.
The Wedding Couple and the Best Men sit.
9 AFFIRMATION BY THE FAMILIES
The surviving parents of the Wedding Couple stand together diagonally at the right, so as to face both the minister, with their profiles visible to the congregation.
The minister asks the parents:
Do you, Nguyễn Thị Liễu, Joan Jewell Branford née Cornelius and Neil Leslie Branford
give your blessing to Hoai Nam and Alan John
and promise to support them in their marriage?
Each person answers in unison:
The Parents: I do.
The parents resume their respective seats.
10 AFFIRMATION BY THE PEOPLE
The minister asks the congregation, who remain seated:
Will you, the families and friends of Alan John and Hoai Nam,
who have come to share this wedding day,
give them your blessing and support?
All: I will.
11 PRAYER
The minister offers this prayer.
Gracious God,
you are always faithful in your love for us.
Look mercifully upon Hoai Nam and Alan John,
who have come seeking your blessing.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them
so that with steadfast love
they may honour the promises they make this day,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All: Amen.
12 THE VOWS
The Wedding Couple stand, attended by their respective Best Men, and face each other.
Hoai Nam takes Alan John’s hands and says:
I, Hoai Nam, in the presence of God,
take you, Alan John, to be my husband
All that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you.
Whatever the future holds,
I will love you and stand by you as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow.
They loose hands.
Alan John takes Hoai Nam’s hands and says:
I, Alan John, in the presence of God,
take you, Hoai Nam, to be my husband
All that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you.
Whatever the future holds,
I will love you and stand by you as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow.
They loose hands.
13 GIVING OF THE RINGS
The minister receives the rings from the Ring Bearer and says:
God of steadfast love, by your blessing,
let these rings be to Alan John and Hoai Nam
a symbol of the vows that they have made today;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Ring Bearer returns to her seat.
As Alan John places the ring on the ring-finger of Hoai Nam’s left hand, he says:
Hoai Nam, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage
and of the vows that we have made today.
As Hoai Nam places the ring on the ring-finger of Alan John’s left hand, he says:
Alan John, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage
and of the vows that we have made today.
14 PROCLAMATION OF THE MARRIAGE
The marriage is publicly proclaimed according to law:-
The Wedding Couple joins hands.
The minister places his ecclesiastical stole over the couple’s hands.
The minister asks the congregation to stand.
The minister addresses the Wedding Couple.
Before God and in the presence of us all, you, Hoai Nam, and you, Alan John, have made your solemn vows.
You have confirmed your marriage by the joining of hands
and by the giving and receiving of rings.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
and according to the Laws of Australia and the Rites of the Uniting Church,
I therefore proclaim that you are now married.
Those whom God has joined together
no one must separate.
15 THE BLESSING OF THE MARRIAGE
The minister pronounces the following blessing.
God the Father make you holy in his love;
God the Son enrich you with his grace;
God the Holy Spirit strengthen you with joy.
The Lord bless you and keep you in eternal life.
All: Amen.
The congregation sits.
The Minister presents the newly married Wedding Couple to the congregation.
Interlude THE SIGNING OF THE REGISTERS
The Minister leads the Wedding Couple and the Best Men to the Registry Table. The Ring Bearer and the two appointed witnesses join them.
Occasional music for the Signing of the Register:
Gustav Mahler (1860–1911): Symphony #5 In C Sharp Minor – 4. Adagietto: Sehr Langsam (1902) (Berlin Philharmonic, c. Karajan: 11' 51")
Gustav Mahler (1860–1911): Symphony #9 In D – 4. Adagio: Sehr Langsam Und Noch Zuruekhaltend (1909) (Chicago Symphony, c. Solti: 24' 57")
The Minister leads the Wedding Couple to the Altar. The others return to their respective seats.
16 WEDDING CANDLE
The minister introduces the lighting of the Wedding Candle with the following words, addressed to the Wedding Couple.
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (New Revised Standard Version)
As the Wedding Couple lights the Wedding Candle together from the Easter Candle, the minister says the following.
We light this candle as your marriage is blessed,
from the great candle which the Church lights at Easter
as a symbol of the risen Christ.
We also light candles from it at baptisms
as new Christians go out into the world,
bearing Christ.
Your love is a sign of the victory of God’s love
over the divisions and disputes of humankind.
May this candle remind you of this day,
and the light of Christ be with you always.
The Wedding Couple resume their respective seats, leaving the lit Wedding Candle next to the Easter Candle.
17 PRAYERS
Prayers are offered for the Wedding Couple by the minister.
In peace, let us pray to the Lord:
All grace comes from you, O God,
the source of life and love.
Bless your servants Alan John and Hoai Nam,
that they may faithfully live together
to the end of their lives.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
May they be patient and gentle,
ready to trust each other,
and to face together the challenge of the future.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
Be with them in all their happiness,
and strengthen them in every time of trouble.
Give Alan John and Hoai Nam grace, when they hurt each other,
to acknowledge their fault,
to ask each other’s forgiveness,
and to know your mercy and grace.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
May your peace dwell in their home
and be a sign of hope for peace in the world.
May their home be a place of peace and love,
warm and welcoming to others.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
Through loving one another in Christ,
may they be strengthened to love Christ in their neighbour.
May they be creative in their daily work,
and find fulfilment in the life of their community.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
Grant Alan John and Hoai Nam grace to share their love and faith,
that they may grow together as a loving family.
Bless the parents and families of Alan John and Hoai Nam
that they may be united in love and friendship.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
May all who have witnessed these vows today
find their lives strengthened
and their relationships and commitments renewed.
God, in your love,
All: hear our prayer.
We ask these prayers in the name of Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
This is the contemporary version of the Lord’s Prayer.
All:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
18 CLOSING HYMN
All stand, and remain standing at the conclusion for the blessing.
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
Sung to ‘Blaenwern’, composed by William Penfro Rowlands (1860–1937)
No. 217 in ‘Together in Song’, The Uniting Church in Australia Hymn Book
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown:
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.
Come, almighty, to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
never more thy temples leave:
thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be,
let us see thy great salvation,
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.
19 BLESSING
The minister pronounces God’s blessing on the congregation.
The blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.
All: Amen.
The congregation remains standing for the Recession of the Wedding Party, followed by the families of the Wedding Couple.
Recessional Music:
George Frederick Handel (1685–1759): “Xerxes” (also known as “Serse”) – Largo (‘Ombra mai fu’) (1738), arranged for organ.
Special thanks to …
Musical Director: Hospitality Coordinator:
Kate Spyker Christy Overton
The Wedding Couple also express their appreciation to Reverend Christine Gilbert, the Minister of the Word, and the Council, Office Staff and Congregation of St Andrews by the Sea Uniting Church for the warmth of their welcome