A Wedding Ceremony

Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today in the presence of almighty God to unite this lovely couple in marriage.

The word of God says that marriage is a lifelong relationship between a man and a woman that are totally committed to each other.

From the very beginning God ordained and blessed the sanctity of marriage.

He saw that it was not good for man to be alone and there was not found a suitable helpmate for man. So he caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam and God removed a rib from him and created the woman eve.

-the bible declares that marriage is an honorable thing, *Hebrews 13:4

-prov.18:22 says; ’whosoever finds a wife finds a good thing.’

To our Lord and savior Jesus Christ marriage between a man and a woman is a very special occasion;

-The very first miracle that Jesus did was at a wedding where he turned water into wine.

- Christ compares his church to a bride that he is coming to receive to himself one day.

-He compares the white dress of the bride to the righteousness of the saints.

-He compares himself to the groom ready to swift the bride off her feet.

- The bible tells us about the marriage super of the lamb where the bride and the groom are going to be joined for ever.

Marriage is a life time commitment. People don’t honor that anymore, it should not be so with you.

-marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman that love each other. And the two should do everything in their power to honor and protect that sacred covenant.

-.Marriage is also a process. Whether you know it or not God has been preparing you both for this day all of your life.

-there will be good times and also bad times. Make sure that the good always outweigh the bad. Learn to build each other up instead of tearing down.

The Bible has much to say about the relationship between spouses.

-To the wife God says; treat your husband with respect above all else.

-To the husband the bible says to love your wife as Christ loves the church. Treat her as the weaker vessel.

-Respect each other and remember to keep Christ at the forefront of everything you do and your marriage will be a success.

We are here today because of your love and commitment for each other.

- Notice those two words. Love and commitment

- Without commitment love is only a word that people use to manipulate each other.

- I Corinthians 13:4-13 shows us what love is and also what love is not;

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends;… So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”.

-Dedicate your home to the Lord and let His word be your guide in everything that you do.

- Also devote some of your time to the Lord’s Church which is the pillar and foundation of the truth and live your life as His willing servants. If you do these things, your marriage will truly be a success.

(Say a prayer and move on to the vows)

(Then to the wedding rings) The rings are a symbol and a reminder of the covenant between the husband and his wife. Any time that each look’s at his or her ring it reminds them of that sacred covenant that they made to each other and it is also a symbol of purity whether silver or gold and of the unending commitment that they have made to each other in the presence of God.

(Light the unity candle) this again is symbolic of what is taking place. The two outer candles that at this point are lighted are a symbol of two separate lives that are being joined. Each takes one candle and lights the middle candle together and as they are doing that have them repeat after you Ruth 1:16; “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God”.

(Declare them husband and wife)

(Declaration of the union)

(Prayer)

(Benediction)