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Homily
Pastor Peikang
Dai came all the way from China just for our
wedding. Midori and I feel very fortunate that he
was able to join us together in this way, as it was
through his ministry and service at Knox
Presbyterian Church in Toronto that we met. The
homily that Pei Kang Dai delivered at our wedding
is presented here below:
The Love that
Knows No Boundaries - Rev. Peikang
Dai
We gather here
today from all around the world to celebrate this
international wedding, the wedding of Eric Eugene
Fandrich and Midori Yamada. We celebrate their
union, their commitment, their love for each other,
and their love for God who has brought them
together.
Dear friends,
let us love one another, for love comes from
God.
The Love
that has brought Midori and Eric together knows
no boundaries.
The Love that has gathered all of us here
together knows no boundaries.
The Love that sustains and nourishes His people
knows no boundaries.
It is only the Love of Christ that makes this
celebration possible.
It is only through the Love of Christ that all
our lives become meaningful.
For God is
Love.
I knew Eric when
he was a volunteer at Knox Presbyterian Church in
Toronto:
- He devoted
himself to the Knox library ministry, developing
their computer program.
- He played the
piano and lead Bible studies at the
International Student meetings.
- He sang with
the Praise and Worship team for Sunday evening
services.
- He helped
manage the church with the Board of
Managers.
I used to watch
him and draw strength from his dedication for my
work and seek advice from his wisdom and learn to
wait for the timing of God.
It was also at
Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto where I met
Midori at the Monday night meeting for the
international students. She came through our
advertisement in the Nikka Times Newspaper.
- She was
polite but quiet
- She was
pleasant but reserved.
- She liked to
be in our home but didn't do much talking.
We all liked her
but didn't really know who she was. It was when we
had the Bible studies however that we saw changes
in her. She was fascinated by the story of the good
Samaritan; God's word spoke directly to her heart
and she could see herself in that story: it became
real to her. She was touched by the generous love
within the Christian community even though we were
all strangers. Until then she had only known the
love shown her by her parents.
Eric and Midori
chose the scripture from Colossians as a theme for
their wedding because they want to remember God's
instruction to them as they start their new life
together. They would also like to share God's word
with you, their friends and family, so that you too
might be blessed by God.
Eric and Midori,
as you have both committed yourselves to serving
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you must live
together as God's chosen people, holy and dearly
loved. Today you wear a smart suit and a beautiful
dress, but for the rest of your lives clothe
yourselves with the following virtues:
When one or
another of you is in trouble, show compassion
Whenever you have the chance, show kindness
When you may be wrong, show humility
When you teach each other, show gentleness.
When you are under stress, show patience.
Above all and at all times, put on love
- As two
imperfect people living in this imperfect world,
you will face trials, disappointments, and
temptations. Amidst the turmoil, let the peace
of Christ rule in your hearts. Let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts.
- As you face
the unknown and the unexpected, be thankful
because He is always the lamp to your feet. Be
thankful.
- As you live
and grow, let the word of Christ be your daily
nourishment as you read God's word together. Let
the word of Christ dwell in you
richly.
- As you join
your voices in song, make a joyful noise and
sing praises to the Lord your God. Sing with
gratitude in your hearts to God.
- As you come
to spend the rest of your life together,
whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it
all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through Him. Give thanks to
God the Father.
The Love that
binds you together knows no boundaries. May you
both live with an unconditional love for one
another, and share the Love of Christ with whomever
God brings into your lives. God bless you two as he
joins you together.
Let us now sing
praises to our LORD
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