Wedding #2 Series

The Marriage of

Jon & Wendy

March 10th, 2005

ƒö The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage

Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.

The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

Genesis 1:27 ¡V 28 (Male and female he created them)

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Today we ask God¡¦s blessing on this union as well.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy.

for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

Genesis 2:23 ¡V 24 (A man cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh)

23 The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called ’woman, [k] ’

for she was taken out of man."

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Just as it was with Adam and Eve, so it is here today. Jon and Wendy shall become one flesh.

Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

Into this holy union Jon and Wendy now come to be joined on this Altar of God before their family and friends as well as their beloved children, Amanda, Jon & Jacob.

Let us pray for God¡¦s blessing

Holy Lord, our Father, we pray that you bless this union between Jon and Wendy. We pray that you fill them and their lives with your most Holy Spirit.

We pray that you bless them and their household with your presence and lead them in your will and in accordance to you Holy Scripture.

We pray your continued blessings on them throughout the rest of their lives. Amen

Colossians 3:12-17 (Love which binds everything together in harmony)

12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And 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.¡¨

Love is the bond which causes unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule your unity. Forgiving one another as the Lord has forgiven you.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love is patient and kind)

1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.