PAGE WEDDING RENEWAL CEREMONY
MINISTER:
Friends, we are here this day to share with Cody Page and Joshua Page a most important day in their lives. In places like this beautiful setting, they have learned to know and love each other. Now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.
We have been invited to hear Cody and Joshua as they promise to face the future together as a married couple, accepting whatever may lie ahead. These surroundings were not chosen by chance. In places like this they have learned to know and love each other.
Marriage is an institution of God. All our thinking on the subject has its basis in the Holy Scriptures. God Himself was the originator of it when He said, "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to this wife and the two will be one flesh." It is apparent that our Master instituted marriage as an experience of love, to provide his own idea of a proper social order and to provide that through well-ordered families truth and holiness might be passed from one generation to another.
We learn from the Scriptures that Jesus honored a marriage festival with His presence, and I think that it is significant that He chose this occasion to begin His miracles, when He turned the water into wine. I think it is not out of order, either, that the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul selected the symbol of husband and wife as an emblem of the union that binds together Christ Himself and His own blood-bought, ransomed church.
SPEAKING TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO BE MARRIED, THE MINISTER SHALL SAY:
A relationship that is thus consecrated should not be formed without thought and with reverence, but in fear of God, knowing that He, as the Author, ordained and blessed matrimony.
And now, I charge you both that if there be any cause that should prevent your lawful marriage, you must now speak.
MINISTER:
Who brings this woman to be married to this man?
[Father will answer her mother and I] Father takes his seat.
Minister instructs Cody and Joshua to face each other and to join hands.
MINISTER:
Cody and Joshua, nothing is easier than saying words, and nothing is harder than living them day after day. What you promise today must be renewed and rededicated tomorrow, and each day thereafter. At the end of this ceremony you still must decide every day that stretches out before you, that you want to be married.
Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. But real love is looking outward in the same direction, together. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them; it make joys more intense, because you share them; it makes you stronger, so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.
MINISTER:
It is time to state your intentions in this marriage:
Joshua, will you take Cody to be your wife? Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her and give her your trust? Will you faithfully stand by her for the rest of your life, whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you two can share a harmonious life?
[Josh will answer "I will. "
Cody, will you take Joshua to be your husband? Will you love and respect him? Will you be honest with him and give him your trust? Will you faithfully stand by him for the rest of your life, whatever may come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you two can share a harmonious life?
[Cody will answer "I will."]
No person should ever attend a wedding without giving thanks to God for the institution of marriage, and renewing in his or her heart the vows that are being taken on this day.
MINISTER:
I will ask you now to seal the vows you have made by the giving and receiving of these rings. Gold is the symbol of all that is pure and holy. Gold is used in wedding rings because it is least tarnished, and eternally enduring. It symbolizes how lasting and imperishable is the faith of your marriage. The circle is the emblem of eternity. Our prayer is that your love and your happiness will be as unending as these rings.
MINISTER received Cody’s ring from Maid of Honor and hands it to Joshua, who places it on Cody’s hand and holds it in place as he repeats after minister:
Cody,....as I place this ring on your finger.....I pledge my life... and my love...to you alone, ...in the name of the Father, ...and the Son,... and the Holy Spirit.
MINISTER received Josh’s ring from Best Man and hands it to Cody, who places it on Josh’s hand and holds it in place as she repeats after minister:
Josh,....as I place this ring on your finger.....I pledge my life... and my love...to you alone, ...in the name of the Father, ...and the Son,... and the Holy Spirit.
MINISTER:
Having pledged your lives to each other and exchanged the bands of love let us ask God’s blessing on your marriage.
No person should leave a marriage ceremony before praying that God’s blessing may truly rest upon this man and this woman all the days of their lives.
PRAYER by Minister.
UNITY SAND CEREMONY (DJ Plays song)
MAID OF HONOR READS SCRIPTURE
MINISTER:
Cody and Joshua, now let me speak to your hearts.
MINISTER: Cody and Joshua, We have heard you promise to share your lives in marriage. We recognize and respect the covenant you have made. It is not a minister standing before you that makes your marriage real, but the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here before your friends and family and in the sight of God. On behalf of all those present, I take your hands and acknowledge that you are husband and wife.
Your marriage is special, in that you share a beautiful son. Mattyx is precious, and you have an awesome responsibility to raise him together in the fear and love of God. You are a family.
Joshua, guard well this bride who is now entrusting her life into your keeping. Provide for her and your children to the best of your ability. Let no word or deed of yours make her brow to wrinkle with concern, or cause a tear cloud her eyes.
Cody, it will be your responsibility to strive to maintain the loveliness and grace that won Josh’s heart and respect.
And to you BOTH, let not your voices or attitudes lose those tender tones that shone forth in courtship’s happy days.
MINISTER’S BLESSING: Please bow your heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father, let your blessings flow forth in this newly created couple, home and family. Bless them with growing wisdom and love. We ask financial blessings to flow in this home. Most of all, we ask your bless them spiritually. Be real in their hearts and lives, and guide them with your love. These things we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Kiss: JOSHUA, YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE.
