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Today's psalm, which __________ and __________ chose, is both a blessing and an admonition. That is appropriate to a wedding. Everyone present needs to remember what is going on here, as well as wish __________ and __________ well. Why are we here today?
For one thing, we gather to witness their marriage. We come to hear their promises. Maybe someday, as friends and family, we may want to remind them of these vows. And then, maybe we need to rehearse those vows ourselves.
For those of us who are married, these are the promises we made, or ones similar, and it is good for us to hear them again. For those who are not married, they are commitments you may someday utter. At the very least, they are basic to the assurances of marriage that affect all of us in one way or another. Today especially, this is the character of __________ and __________ relationship that they are putting before the entire community. They are going public with their intentions for their life together.
We gather to support that relationship. We are backing you, __________ and __________! We are for you in your marriage. This is very important. We all need support from time to time, and it is especially good to get support for something so important as a marriage.
We also gather to pray. In the presence of God and God's people, we recognize that this joyous occasion is also holy work. God is at work here, bringing two people together and

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uniting them as one. In that unity there is a vision of life that is Godly.
How is this marriage Godly? That will be up to __________ and __________, and up to us who are a part of their lives, and up to the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. It all works together. When it does not work together, it does not work at all.
Part of the Godly nature of their life together is some basically religious activity, beginning with this wedding. This is a Christian ceremony, in a Christian setting, not just a romantic ceremony in a sentimental setting. We ask God to be present in this relationship. The scriptures we read tell us of the need for God to be a main ingredient in our life together. God is the source of true joy.
A good portion of the Godliness of this relationship is not classically religious. It is instead, everyday life. __________ and __________, how you live will be informed by what you believe. It is important for you to realize that everything you have, including yourselves and each other, is a gift of God. It is a sign of God's love for you.
Now, hopefully, this will lead you to a life of thanksgiving ... a life that recognizes that everything about you can and must be turned over to God. In that way, ''the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.''
Why do you want your heart and mind in Christ Jesus? Why do you want the peace of God? Because marriage without it is a drag! Marriages without God fall apart. Why? Because as much as we love each other in our relationships, we will not always agree. We will not always feel very loving toward each other. We will not always enjoy the company of our spouse. There will be times when we will wonder why and how we ever got ourselves in this situation in the first place. We may be tempted to stray or be distracted by other people, jobs, family, friends, recreation, vices, illness ... all because of sin. We will sin against each other.

Now you may never sin against your spouse, but I guarantee you, your spouse will sin against you. Seriously, that is sometimes the way we see it. When things are broken, we place blame, and usually we place it anywhere but on ourselves. But blame does not help. What we need is forgiveness. The love that includes forgiveness is a gift that comes only from God. It is most completely displayed and given through Jesus Christ, and it is the most Godly activity you can bring to a relationship.
When we put Christ into our lives, sin loses its power to destroy us. We see ourselves, as well as others, as sinners who need God in order to live life in peace and joy. We need to love and to be loved, and love is expressed most deeply in our deepest need: to forgive and to be forgiven.
So here we are. The body of Christ, the church, is gathered together to put this marriage in the context of God in Christ Jesus, for there is our peace and there is our joy.
''The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.'' Amen.

John V. Carrier is Lutheran campus pastor of Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota.