Wedding #1 Series

The Marriage of

Kurt Ulman & Lori Allen

March 5th, 2005

INTRODUCTION

The First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan as well as the Bride and Groom would like to welcome you all to this most joyous occasion.

We are here today because of our belief in the principals from the Holy Scriptures that surround marriage.

We believe that our God wishes a covenant relationship not just between a man and woman, but a covenant which includes Him.

For we know, that through Jesus Christ all things are possible, but if we remove God from the institution in which He created, that institution can not succeed.

SCRIPTURE READING ON MARRIAGE

Matthew 19:4 – 6 (Jesus tells us in scripture)

“Haven’t you read? In the beginning the Creator made them male and female, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Just as God brought Eve to Adam, and Rebecca to Isaac, so it is with Lori and Kurt.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP

We have watched as Kurt and Lori’s relationship has developed, building on the foundation of Christ and at all times through their relationship staying pure and keeping God’s word.

And because of their devotion to the word of God and their ability to keep their relationship pure, God will surely bless both them, and this union of which He has always been the center.

THE GROOM APPROACHES

At this time I will ask the groom to approach the altar of God.

“Kurt, are you prepared for this covenant between yourself and God?”

BRIDAL MARH BEGINS

THE BRIDE APPROACHES

“Lori, have you prepared yourself for this covenant between yourself and God?”

SCRIPTURE READING ON LOVE

I will now read God’s definition of what love is from 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13

“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.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. “

PRAYER & BLESSING

Let us pray;

"Father in heaven, you ordained marriage for your children, and you gave us love. We present to you Kurt and Lori, who come this day to be married.

May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment.

We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength;

when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness;

if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love.

Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING ON COMMITMENT

The scriptures give us insight for happiness in marriage.

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

GROOM’S VOWS

I will now ask Kurt and Lori to face each other on this altar of God before the Lord, the Holy Spirit and this congregation as witness.

Please repeat these vows before God as a covenant.

I, Kurt

Do take you, Lori

To be my wife

Placing only God before you

Keeping Christ our foundation

And following the Holy Spirit in this marriage

I commit before our God

To love you always according to scripture

And to perform my duties as a man of God according to scripture