A Wedding Sermon: “Anything is Possible This Side of Heaven”

So. First things first. You look beautiful dear Bride.

Groom, a note from me to you; that’s always a good first thing.

Repeat after me: “You look beautiful…”

Pssst that’s a two-way street, repeat after me; “You look handsome...”

Now, second thing: they say a good public speaker flatters; it’s not just the bride who’s beautiful: Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Sister of the Bride…Sisrer in law of the groom; Nieces...awww heck you all are beautiful!

Now, They say a great public speaker makes people laugh: so in that spirit: Bother of the Bride: do you know how to make a tissue dance?

Put a little boogie in it.

That’s not my joke: it’s your dad’s; may his memory be a blessing...

I’m here today to solemnize your vows because 8 years ago the Bride responded to a instagram post of a mutual friend—go Gusties—I didn’t go to

Gustavus Adolphus College but I know people who did...I also didn’t go to Carleton College either, but I know people who did.

The bride said in the comments section of the insta post, “ummm I think you’re my cousin.”

And well yes, I am.

Actually, my dad was your grandmother’s cousin—may both their memories be a blessing...I flew to Minneapolis 8 years ago because I

wanted to connect with what I consider the origin story of my brand of Malzahn.

I went to a barbecue, I got some good stories, but better I got some sweet, quality time with the Bride.

Groom, you’re a lucky man.

And during that weekend I heard the unlucky dating stories of a bachlorette.

Have you heard them?

It was a little while later during Covid that I heard a different kind of story: “I met someone. He’s handsome. He’s smart. He’s kind. He’s low key funny...” that may be news to you but your dad and brother is witty and quick.

One of the things that likely jumpstarted the Bride and Grooms bonding—besides the world falling apart—was, as I remember it; and if I’m misremembering; just go with it; because it makes for a good story; they took a New York Times quiz that psychologists say bonds people—like instantly and deeply.

The groom is te psychologist, but this sounds like vintage Cousin to me...

and the rest they say, is history...

Or is it prelude?

Meaning are those years of dating, and that time of getting to know one another; as well as the origin story of mothers and fathers; prelude—theback story for what is to come? That’s what scholars would have us believe about the story of Jesus at a wedding in Cana of Galilee; it was an opportunity for Jesus, to give back story—allude to Moses and water; a baby in a basket; a man who struck a rock to make water appear and a leader who crossed a river; literally parted it t actualize freedom...

I know this because I’ve studied it. I’m a Priest.

The Roman Catholics here might wince at that;

Ok. I’m Protestant;

an Episcopal Priest

(uh hem Pastor);

so I should say something about God; and Jesus; and Love for heavens sake.

So hear this; you’re making your vows, before God, in the presence of family; with a Jesus story and a Love reading...you’re making a spiritual home together. Also hear this; even those are still prelude things; I’m here in part because the Bride’s grandmother’s aunt was my dad’s aunt—Lenora, may her memory be a blessing.

Lenora was from Minnesota Lake...

And one day; or a series of days; a long long time ago Lenora decided she wasn’t going to talk anymore...she was done with life; something evennworse happened to her than years of bad dates.

Well, my grandfather, who met my grandmother dancing at a ballroom on the Southside of Chicago brought their 2 year old son, my dad to the farm; and my grandfather brought his 2-year-old because he reasoned, you might not talk to people but you can’t not talk to a baby; and there in Minnesota Lake a miracle that may rival water turned to wine happened.

My dad, as a baby, by the grace of God, retied Lenora’s thread of life to the living...she talked again.

Lenora had a plaque in her house that I think summarized that story....it said, “Home: where each live for each other and all live for God.”

That’s the prelude Bride and Groom and family; there’s some ugly stuff in the back stories of all of us...but want to know how to make people dance?

Put a little boogie in it...

Let the river flow; let the wine run out; and then, then watch the power of God at work; the love of God at work...

In a heartbeat, in the twinkling of an eye; a bond is formed; a baby cries; the lonely speak; a couple falls in love...water becomes wine.

That’s the prelude friends; meaning: this is just the beginning of so much to come.

Thanks for inviting me to your wedding.

So let us dance...boogie...no dance...but after; after you two, in the presence of God; before your families promise the power of love and Grace of God will make us all believe anything is possible this side of heaven...

We may even make a home: a spiritual and physical one, where we each live for each other and all live for God.