1,207Chapter One Hundred Eighty-one
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Wedding Joy Continues…
Pastor Joseph Canfield opened his Bible and began to address the Bridal couple and quests.
"Nathan and Elizabeth have chosen these Scriptures because they speak of two being joined together as one in love. When Reverend Huntley informed me of these song requests I marveled at how this dear couple had thought in tandem. They are now on the same road, committed to walk their journey of life together."
"Some of you know that it wasn't always that way. There were fears and choices that became obstacles and both have been deeply touched by loss. There were the challenges of Nathan's job and Elizabeth's grief. There was injury and illness. They were both parenting their dear children as single individuals. One had established Hope Valley as home, never wanting to leave, while the other felt he had no choice and had to depart. One offered love and the other turned to someone else in denial. One requested a second chance and the other was hesitant to trust again, needing to protect his heart."
"Yet from their earliest meetings, there was a spark and, in spite of challenges, they developed a deep friendship. Their connection was buried for a time, but through practicing forgiveness, perseverance, confession, and prayer, God worked a miracle and here we are celebrating a truly beautiful love story."
"Some time ago, I came across a story from Asian folklore which says that sometimes there is an unseen cord that connects two people. The cord may stretch, twist, or tangle, but it will not break. I believe this is the God-given connection that Nathan and Elizabeth share."
"This dear couple have sought God's guidance, as they marry and establish their home. Their family is readymade and precious to many of us and they will now give an earthly mother to Allie and an earthly father to Jack."
"Nathan and Elizabeth, you have also extended your little family to encompass so many others and I pray you will continue to do so, thereby blessing others with your love."
"Your story is one of God turning difficulties for good and for God's glory, for no one can look at you and not marvel at what God has done. I commend both of you, for persevering through the hard times. As the Scripture states, 'a threefold cord is not easily broken' and we know that God is that third part of the cord connecting you. I commend you for your steadfast faith and for the beautiful character visible in each of you that has been refined by fire and has emerged as gold. It is our privilege and honor to witness your devotion and your vows today."
"Now, Nathan and Elizabeth, remember that love is both a feeling and something you do. As we read in First John chapter three, verse eighteen, 'Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.'"
"I commend you for your example of forgiveness and service we witnessed as you washed each other's feet. I charge you to continue to love each other, even as Christ has loved the church and given Himself for it. Continue to seek God first, to pray together daily, to practice forgiveness, both willingly given and gratefully received. And do not let the sun set with a disagreement between you. Give thanks and sing, and raise your family to know and love God."
Ellwood Huntley voiced his "Amen."
"At this time, I believe you have words to share with each other?" Joseph nodded to the Groom, "Nathan, you may begin."
Nathan lifted their joined hands and held them against his chest, then spoke clearly.
"My sweet Elizabeth, you have brought me so much joy, so much delight and my heart overflows with thanksgiving to the Lord for His gracious gift of you. Because of you, my heart, my life, my days are full and our love is beyond what I could dream."
"God brought you to me in His perfect time and I will be forever grateful that from a foundation of friendship, our love grew to bring us here today. Thank you for your patience as I struggled to trust you again, my Love. I do trust you wholeheartedly. I am grateful for your love, strength, encouragement, and support."
"Still, I know I have never stopped loving you, not for a single second. I adore you, dearest Elizabeth. I promise to treasure you, to cherish you in my heart forever. My words cannot fully express my love, but I offer you all that I am, for I am yours. You are my love and my life and I give you all of my heart, for always."
Nathan raised her hands to his lips as he whispered, "I love you."
"Elizabeth?" Joseph quietly invited her to speak.
"Nathan." Her voice was strong and clear. "How I love you for your beautiful words, your heart for God and your love for Allie, Jack, and for me."
"Thank you for opening yourself to me, for sharing your innermost thoughts, your memories of the past and its dear ones, and your hopes for the future. Thank you for loving me so well. I am truly blessed that God answered my prayers and I am so grateful for God's gift of you. Know that I accept your precious heart and promise to hold you with the utmost reverence and care."
"Today, I offer you all of my heart. I give it to you wholly and completely, willingly and knowingly."
"You are the joy of every sunrise, my prayer of thanksgiving as I gaze at the moon and stars above, and my dream come true. Your love fills me with hope and I belong to you, Nathan. You are my love, my life, my joy, and I give you all of my heart, for always."
Nathan took a handkerchief out of his pocket, gently drying Elizabeth's escaped tears, then returned to hold her hands as they locked their eyes once again.
"Please, repeat after me?" Stepping forward, Ellwood guided as Nathan made his vows.
"I, Nathan Thomas Grant, take you Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
For richer and for poorer, For better and for worse, In sickness and in health
To love and to cherish from this day forward, as long as we both shall live."
Ellwood looked at Elizabeth, "Please repeat after me?"
"I, Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, take you Nathan Thomas Grant,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
For richer and for poorer, For better and for worse, In sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish from this day forward, as long as we both shall live."
"Nathan and Elizabeth, with what tokens do you pledge your love?" asked Ellwood.
Zachary handed the rings to Ellwood and patted Nathan on the back.
Ellwood held up the rings. "Nathan and Elizabeth? These wedding bands are a symbol of your love and pledge to each other for the rest of your lives. These rings are formed in a circle as a symbol of your marriage vows that encircle your life together. They are formed of gold which will not tarnish and they join you as one, committed to, and set apart to each other alone in a bond never to be broken."
Ellwood handed the golden band to Nathan who began to slip it onto Elizabeth's ring finger.
"Nathan, please repeat after me?"
"Elizabeth, this ring is a symbol of my covenant. With this ring I thee wed and all my worldly goods I thee endow. With my body, I thee worship. With my heart, I thee cherish. With all that I am I give my promise to be faithful always and only unto thee."
"Nathan, do you take this woman, Elizabeth, as your lawfully wedded wife in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?"
"I do," Nathan stated softly, but clearly. Lifting her left hand to his lips, he gently kissed her ring, then slipped her engagement ring back to her left hand moving it to rest above the shiny new wedding band. Nathan lifted her hand and now kissed both rings.
"Elizabeth, please repeat after me?" Ellwood continued.
"Nathan, this ring is a symbol of my covenant. With this ring I thee wed and all my worldly goods I thee endow. With my body, I thee worship. With my heart, I thee cherish. With all that I am I give my promise to be faithful always and only unto thee."
"Elizabeth, do you take this man, Nathan, as your lawfully wedded husband in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?"
"I do." Elizabeth responded quietly. She looked at the ring on Nathan's finger and tears began to form. When she raised her eyes to Nathan, she saw his tears as well. Taking his hand Elizabeth held it close to her heart and, for a few moments they stood, oblivious to those around them.
Joseph stepped forward, placing his hand over those of the bride and groom. "Let us pray."
"Dear Lord, our God,
We thank You for the gift Elizabeth and Nathan are to us and to each other. We ask for Your continued blessing on them as they join their lives together today. May they always give You first place and remember that You hold all things together.
Lord, go before them. Go with them and go behind them as their rear guard.
Bless their daughter, Allie, and their son, Jack, and any other children You choose to give them, and may this new family always bring You glory."
Continuing, Joseph requested, "Let us all join together in praying the Lord's Prayer."
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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, for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen."(*106)
As the organist began to play the hymn on the piano, Joseph invited those present to join them in a closing Psalm of prayer and thanksgiving, "The King of Love my Shepherd Is."
"The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never.
I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth;
and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me;
and on his shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill, with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still, thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spreadst a table in my sight; thy unction grace bestoweth;
and oh, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days, thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may we sing thy praise within thy house forever." (*107)
Joseph spoke, "Amen," and stepped back so Ellwood could again stand before the couple.
"Nathan and Elizabeth, you have come before God and before us, your witnesses, and have pledged your lives to each other, to become husband and wife. You have shown your love by joining hands and making promises of faith and devotion each to the other, and you have sealed your vows by the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, as a minister of the Gospel and by the power invested in me by the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, I now pronounce you man and wife. 'What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.'" (*103)
Smiling, Ellwood joyfully pronounced, "It is my joyful privilege to present to you today, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Grant!"
Quietly he spoke words the couple had been longing to hear. "Nathan, you may now kiss your Bride."
Nathan placed his hands on either side of Elizabeth's neck, tilting her face towards his, while looking lovingly into the sapphire depths of her adoring eyes. He whispered low, "I love you," then gently kissed her smiling lips. Holding their kiss for a few moments, they then parted and Nathan wrapped his arms around his bride as Ellwood prayed.
"Thank you, Lord for these sacred moments and this wonderful day. Thank you for Nathan and Elizabeth. I commit each of them, along with their precious daughter and son, Allie and Jack, into Your loving care."
'May the Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.'" (*108)
In unison everyone agreed saying, "Amen."
From outside the church, the drone of a bagpipe began and was quickly joined by the organ as they played the song 'Highland Cathedral.' (*109)
Nathan and Elizabeth looked at each other surprised, one voicing "You?" to the other. When both shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders you could not miss their joy at this recessional.
Allie held out Elizabeth's bouquet to her having carried the bride's and her own when she entered the sanctuary.
As Elizabeth received it she let go of Nathan's hand to hug Allie. "I love you, Allie," Elizabeth whispered.
"I love you too, Mom," Allie responded, her eyes shining with happiness.
Having seen Elizabeth turn to Allie, Nathan squatted to receive a hug from one very happy little boy. "I love you, Jack."
"I love you, Daddy…"
Nathan guided Jack to take Allie's hand and stand behind their parents. Threading Elizabeth's hand in the crook of his arm, Nathan whispered, "Are you ready, Mrs. Grant?"
Almost breathless to hear her new name, Elizabeth could only nod and they proceeded up the aisle towards the back of the church, a beautiful couple glowing with joy.
Allie and Jack followed with a bashful Jack walking as close as possible to his sister when he realized everyone was looking at him!
Zach stepped back as the other groom's men accompanied the bridesmaids, and were followed by both pastor's. Stepping forward to the first row, Zachary stopped and took a mother on each arm to escort them from the sanctuary, followed by William and Archie walking side-by-side, grinning like Cheshire cats!
The family gathered in the back of the church enveloping the Bride and Groom in teary hugs until Reverend Huntley joined them and collected the signatures required on the marriage certificate.
The wedding guests exited and took note of the Mounties with their red and white flagged-topped lances standing at attention at the bottom of the steps. The men formed two lines facing each other, in the prearranged order, bordering the outside path.
Circulating among the guests outside, the Mountie wives spread the news that something special was coming, so unaware of Mountie traditions, the Hope Valley guests milled around enjoying the bagpipes!
Quickly, the photographer ushered the bridal couple, their children, and parents to the front of the sanctuary for a few posed photographs, then hurried outside to record the Lance Arch. The grandparents hustled the children outside to a good viewing spot, turned and waited.
The first in the formation standing behind the Commissioner was Constable Zachary Grant, accompanied by Chief Superintendent Tim Stewart. Drill Sgt. George Maxon stood opposite Sgt. Jon Samuels, while Sgt. Keaton Moore, was across from Sgt. Adam Dunne. Next in line was Sgt. Doctor Wes Murphy, who stood facing Constable Gabriel Kinslow. The final men, standing closest to the church doors were Sgt. Josiah Blake and Retired Inspector Bill Avery, looking proud and standing tall in his restored uniform.
When Commissioner Peter Collins lifted his sword, he voiced the command, "Salute to the front and present arms."
The guests watched, fascinated as the Mounties lifted their lances high above the path to meet overhead and form a tunnel.
Unaware of what awaited them, Nathan pulled Elizabeth to the side just inside the open doors, whispering, "You are beautiful, Lisbeth," before kissing her.
Nathan and a blushing Elizabeth stepped down and towards the Mounties' formation only to be surprised when Josiah and Bill lowered their lances to prevent them from entering the tunnel.
Commissioner Collins spoke, "A kiss is required for passage."
Grinning, Nathan and Elizabeth kissed and the lances were raised yet only until the next two Mounties, Gabriel and Wes, lowered their lances.
Again, the Commissioner gave the order, and the Bride and Groom kissed.
With his crooked smile, Nathan winked and whispered, "I could get used to this!"
Each pair of Mounties lowered their lances for a kiss and raised them for Nathan and Elizabeth to proceed forward. Finally, Tim Stewart and Zachary lowered theirs and with a gleam in their eyes waited for the kiss.
When they didn't raise the flags as the others had done, Nathan and Elizabeth were confused and kissed again. Finally, Peter spoke up, "The Bride must kiss her Mountie."
"Ah hahhh!" Nathan grinned, standing tall to make Elizabeth stand on her tiptoes to kiss him.
"Welcome to the Mounties, Mrs. Grant!"
As the guests applauded, the Commissioner motioned his sword to guide and escort the Bride and Groom to the vehicle where Hudson waited to chauffer them to the Hotel. To give them some private time to converse and snuggle, he drove via a very long way around Regina also guaranteeing they would arrive after their guests had gathered in the Ballroom.
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(*106) The Lord's Prayer, The Gospel of Matthew 6: 9-13
(*107) "The King of Love my Shepherd Is" H.W. Baker, 1868, Public Domain
(*108) Numbers 6: 24-26, King James Version, Public Domain
(*109) Highland Cathedral with bagpipe and organ.
Please note: Because I love the piece, I am using Author's privilege as this piece was composed in 1982 by Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb.
AN: For online listening I recommend a beautiful arrangement entitled "Highland Cathedral by Roever/Korb (bagpipes and organ) Christ & St, Luke's"
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AN: Please note that additional wedding day chapters will be added soon!