Mark's Remarks 8/10

At the 11:00 service we’re celebrating all of the individuals who’ve been married for fifty years or longer. We have 38 couples who’ve achieved this milestone. Over half will be in attendance with their families today. When these couples were married, the liturgy still included the word “obey!”
At any wedding, who is in attendance? The families, the community of friends and God are all there. Therefore, the wedding is no mere social nicety. High and holy worship happens. The earth is changed. Two tribes have united and a new one is created. A marriage is certainly a big event!
Life is complicated, and sometimes painful. That is undoubtedly one reason God has given us marriage--to give us someone to help us share life's burdens. Marriage is the norm for most people.
In an old Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown says to Schroeder, "My Grandpa and Gramma have been married for 50 years!" The friend replies, "They're lucky, aren't they?"Charlie Brown answers. "Gramma says it isn't luck--it's skill!" We honor the golden couples this morning because great marriages don't just happen. They do require skill and work, they require communication, they require a shared commitment to God. Congratulations to all these folk who’ve done so well and are tremendous examples to the rest of us!

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATION
Today we celebrate our Golden Wed couples who have been married 50 years or more as of
December 31, 2008. Not listed are the many men and women in our congregation who celebrated 50 years of marriage prior to the death of their spouse. We honor that milestone in your marriage as well.

Clarence and Helen Keller
October 14, 1940

George and Alice Johnson
April 17, 1941

Lee and Betty Rardon
April 24, 1944

Bob and Joan Signor
September 16, 1944

Albert and Fern Wood
November 11, 1945

Lou and Margaret Frazee
April 27, 1946

Marion and Janie Rhoads
June 25, 1946

Bob and Anne Emery
August 3, 1946

Charles and Peggy Thompson
March 24, 1947

Robert and Bonnie Estes
September 6, 1947

Frank and Elizabeth Elser
December 13, 1947

E.W. and Edna Whiteman
May 27, 1948

Melvin and Jean Blevins
September 22, 1949

Hugh and Marjorie McClelland
September 17, 1950

Burt and Lee Wagenknecht
March 17, 1951

Billy and Rose Anna Williams
October 14, 1952

Bill and Pat Moorefield
November 11, 1952

Robert and Shirley Briggs
April 5, 1953

Gordon and Eleanor Williams
September 5, 1953

Jack and Carlida Wymore
December 24, 1954

Jock and Judy Garden
May 6, 1955

Don and Virginia McCullough
May 27, 1955

Calvin and Doris Phillips
August 7, 1955

Ray and Donna Silvey
August 19, 1955

Glenn and Maxine Liechti
November 26, 1955

Carl and Bethella Pollard
February 5, 1956

Alvin and Hildred Williams
December 20, 1956

Jerry and Wanda Kephart
February 15, 1957

Jay and Nancy Leclere
June 16, 1957

Lynn and Sara Robison
June 16, 1957

Harold and Dorothy Clough
October 20, 1957

Bess and Richard Henderson
November 9, 1957

John and Marilyn Cox
May 18, 1958

Phillip and Mary Young
June 21, 1958

Ted and Mae Hepner
July 19, 1958

Ray and June O’Dell
August 8, 1958

Conrad and Carole Smith
August 30, 1958

Bill and Ann Grace
December 30, 1958