December 9, 2001

“And They Shall Be One”

to Peter and Stephanie Ferwerda, on the occasion of their re-union

Sunday morning, a special service, you stood before us

a child about to be reborn, your wife standing, smiling, beside you

hands enfolded as Pastor Adrian spoke of the joy of new life

I saw your hands and recalled my own joy at the gift of a loving God

my own true helpmeet beside me, a companion along the way

and rejoiced to see you both, now as God intended, together

united in body and now in spirit, two of one mind, with one goal

almost weeping as you knelt before our God and His people

hearing those immortal words

I baptize you in the name of the Father

and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit

repeated over you to the pouring out of the water

and saw you cleaned, all the deeds of your yesterdays washed away

purified you rose before us prepared for all your tomorrows

weeping as you were welcomed to our family by the one you love best

could your wedding day have been a day more holy

truly heaven’s hosts rejoiced to see you now as God had planned

a man whose strength and glory is to serve his God

may the God whose joy overwhelms your soul today

be your joy in all your days that follow

and may the beauty of His great salvation gift

never cease to give you awe