Dick and Pat
50th Anniversary Vow Renewal
Shiloh Bible Church
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL
WELCOME TO GUESTS
You may be seated.
Welcome to the 50th anniversary celebration for Dick and Pat. The golden anniversary is one of the most celebrated wedding anniversaries. And rightly so! Investing half a century in a loving relationship with one person is a wonderful statement about the gift of married life.
On behalf of Dick and Pat’s family, I want to thank you for joining them on this momentous occasion. We will begin by hearing a solo from Kaitlyn, Dick & Pat’s granddaughter, followed by a reading from Daniel and Sandra, Dick and Pat’s son and daughter-in-law.
SOLO
READING
MESSAGE
50 years. Much transpires in half a century—particularly for a husband and wife who have built a life together.
In the Bible, there are 2 psalms that speak to this—the stages of married life. They are found in the Psalms of Ascent. I’m referring to Psalm 127 and Psalm 128.
The first stage of a marriage is …
1. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOME
That is found in Psalm 127:1-2: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.”
Dick and Pat established their home on this very day 50 years ago—March 7, 1959. Consider some of these statistics: In 1959 …
• United States population: 177 million—half of what it is today
• World population: 3 billion—half of what it is today
• Dwight D. Eisenhower was President and Richard M. Nixon was Vice President
• Alaska became the 49th state & Hawaii became the 50th state
• Average cost of new house: $12,400
• Average yearly wages: $5,010
• Cost of a gallon of gas: 25 cents
• Average cost of a new car: $2,200
• Movie ticket: $1
• Loaf of bread: 20 cents
• Cost of a first-class postage stamp: 4 cents
• At the annual Toy Fair in New York City, Ruth Handler introduces “Barbie,” a new doll named for her daughter Barbara
I think you would agree with me that much has changed since 1959 when Dick and Pat established their home!
After the establishment of the home comes the second stage of marriage:
2. THE EXPANSION OF THE HOME
I find this in Psalm 127:3-5: “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”
In these verses we find the home expanding—children are being added. And Dick and Pat saw their home expand with the birth of a daughter, Kerry, and a son, Daniel.
I especially like what verse 3 says about children: they are a reward from God. They are not a problem to be avoided or a nuisance to be tolerated or an economic drain to be endured. They are a reward from God. And that’s how Dick and Pat viewed their children—as a reward from God. Now, I dare say there were times when they wanted to return the reward! But all in all, I’m sure they viewed both Kerry and Dan as God’s gift—His reward.
But we don’t stop here. There is one more stage of married life. And that is:
3. THE EXTENSION OF THE HOME
The very next psalm—Psalm 128—describes this stage. The psalm states: “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. 5 May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, 6 and may you live to see your children’s children.”
“And may you live to see your children’s children.” This psalm is describing the golden years together. And the stage in life in which you witness the birth and development of your grandchildren.
Dick and Pat have lived to see the birth of their three grandsons: Michael, Matthew and Christopher and their granddaughter, Kaitlyn.
God has allowed Dick and Pat to experience the establishment of their home, the expansion of their home, and the extension of their home. And we trust that God will give them many more wonderful years together.
At this time, Kerry, Dick and Pat’s daughter will share with us, followed by a song from her daughter, Kaitlyn.
COMMENTS
SOLO
RENEWAL OF VOWS
At this time, I will invite Dick and Pat, and those whom they’ve asked to serve as witnesses with them, to stand and take their places.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Dick, I want you to listen to the question I am about to ask, hearing it completely, and then answer as you feel persuaded in your heart:
Dick, 50 years ago you pledged to take Pat as your wife. Do you today reaffirm your pledge to live with your wife after God’s teachings? Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with and faithful to her? Will you stand by her and comfort her through both good and difficult times? Will you deny yourself, if necessary, in order to assure her happiness and well-being? If so, please answer, “I will.”
Pat, in the same way I want you to listen to the question I am about to ask, hearing it completely, and then answer as you feel persuaded in your heart.
Pat, 50 years ago you pledged to take Dick as your husband. Do you today reaffirm your pledge to live with your husband after God’s teachings? Will you love and respect him? Will you be honest with and faithful to him? Will you stand by and comfort him through both good and difficult times? Will you deny yourself, if necessary, in order to assure his happiness and well-being? If so, please answer, “I will.”
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
Dick, please hold Pat’s hands and repeat after me:
I, Dick, promise to you, Pat, / my undivided loyalty. / I will continue to love you / for better or for worse, / for richer or for poorer, / in sickness or in health, / as long as we both shall live.
And now, Pat, as you hold Dick’s hands, repeat after me:
I, Pat, promise to you, Dick, / my undivided loyalty. / I will continue to love you / for better or for worse, / for richer or for poorer, / in sickness or in health, / as long as we both shall live.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Let us pray.
Lord, we thank you for Dick and Pat. We thank you for their home, and how they have honored the Savior and His Word in it. We thank you for the wonderful example they have been to their children and grandchildren. Thank you for the many friendships they have forged through the years.
We are grateful for the opportunity that we have had here today to witness the renewal of their vows and commitment to one another. Help them once again to keep true to the promises that they have made.
Father, you have established their home, you have expanded their home, and you have extended their home. We ask now that you would grant them many more joyful years of married life together.
In Jesus name we ask this. Amen.
RENEWAL KISS
Dick, you may kiss your bride.
SOLO
RECESSIONAL
