Marriage Ceremony for
_______and _______
Who gives this woman to be married? Her mother and I.
Thank you can be seated.
Dearly beloved we are gathered here in the sight of God and the presence of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted by God, blessed by the Lord Jesus Christ and declared by the Apostle Paul to be honorable among all men. It is not therefore, to be entered into lightly but reverently, soberly, and in the fear of God.
Prayer - God our Father upon this two young people, Hunter and Kyla we pray your blessings. Grant that these moments may be so filled with sacred meaning that they will be able to look back on them through all the years ahead and know that without a doubt this was a good hour. Amen
I want to direct your attention to 1 Corinthians 13. It not only is a very beautiful passage of Scripture but it contains some great advice for those who are entering a marriage relationship. I am not going to mislead you a good marriage requires work.
“Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, 5 never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. 6 It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. 7 If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them... true love never dies.”
(1 Cor 13:4-8 - Living Bible)
Although 1 Corinthians 13, is often called “The Love Chapter” - the love that is being described is not romantic love. The New Test-ament was written in Greek, a rich language that has four different words that describe four different types of love. The word used in 1 Corinthians 13 is the word “agape,” and is best described as “unconditional love.” The love of which Paul speaks is not just an emotion but rather a behavior we exercise even when we do not feel loving or lovable.
I want to examine just a few of the ideals that Paul presents concerning love.
First, he says, “Love is patient, love is kind.” Sometimes you will be stressed out. Some-times you will be frustrated. Sometimes you might want to give harsh criticism when your spouse does some-thing foolish or hurtful. But remember “Love is patient and kind.”
Second, Paul tells us that “Love is not jealous or boastful.” Sometimes we try to make our-selves look better than we really are. We may even criticize and put down our partner in an effort to make us feel better about our-selves. Such selfish behavior in a marriage will prove to be unproductive, even destructive.
May I suggest an alternative that is much more worth-while and enjoyable? Be proud of each other; never expect of each other the perfection that belongs to God alone. Learn to minimize each other’s weaknesses and praise and magnify each other’s strengths.
Paul’s next advice is to “avoid arrogance and rudeness.” Paul knows that sometimes we treat those we love with less courtesy even than a total stranger. We may take our spouses for granted. Occasionally we may be rude to them in private. Paul would urge that we strive to treat our spouse with reverence and respect just like we would want them to treat us.
Perhaps the hardest to practice of all the ideals that Paul holds up before us is, “Love does not insist upon its own way.” Now, _____ and ___, I’m going to assume there will be times in your relationship with each other, that one or both of you will insist on having your own way.
Such behavior is present in most relationships. But it is not helpful. Marriage is intended to be a journey in which “Me” and “My” are replaced by “Us” and “Ours.”
Paul then tells us that love “is not irritable or resentful.” Most of us struggle with this reality. Rather than being pleasant, we are sometimes easily irritated or angered. Rather than politely answering a simple question of a spouse, we may respond with by being sharp or defensive.
Paul sums up his beautiful description of love with these words, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” In other words, love never gives up. It hangs in. It holds on. You can count on it. This is the type of love you are to have for one another - love that can be trusted.
My prayer for the two of you is that you will continue to grow in love - love for one ano-ther and love for God. If you do this, you will not only have a blessed marriage, you will have a blessed life.
______ and _____ I now charge you both as you stand in the presence of God and this wit-nesses that you remember that the faithful observance of the marriage vows are required as the foundation of successful marriage and the establishment of a happy and enduring home. Without these there can be no real marriage and the home you endeavor to establish will be a vain effort. Keep the solemn vows that you are about to make, live with tender consideration for each other, conduct your lives in honesty and place Christ at the center of your lives and your marriage will last and your home will endure. The marriage bond will be a blessing to you and you will be a blessing and testimony to others. This should be remembered now as you declare your vows.
Since it is your desire to take each other as husband and wife please listen carefully to the marriage vows you are about to make.
Marriage Vows
The Man
______ do you joyfully receive _____ as God’s perfect gift in your life and do you promise that you will do all in your power to love her, comfort her, honor her and defend her and be a faithful husband to her as long as you both shall live?
RESPONSE: I DO!
The Woman
______ as God’s perfect gift in your life and do you promise that you will do all in your power to love him, comfort him, honor him and defend him and be a faithful wife to him as long as you both shall live? RESPONSE: I DO!
The Ring Ceremony
Do you have rings?
The wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.
The Woman
_____ will you receive this ring from _____ as a token of his affection, sincerity and fidelity toward you and will you wear it proudly as a symbol of your abiding love?
RESPONSE – “I WILL!”
_____ will you place the ring on _____ finger.
The Man
______ will you receive this ring from ______ as a token of her affection, sincerity and fidelity toward you and will you wear it proudly as a symbol of your abiding love?
_____ will you place the ring on ______ finger.
Family Prayer - Invite the family to come to the platform
For as much has _____ and ______ have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and these witnesses by the exchanging of vows and the giving and receiving of rings, I declare by the authority committed to me as a minster of the Gospel that they are husband and wife according to God’s word and the laws of this state. What God has joined together let no man put asunder.
You may kiss the Bride.
It is with great joy that I introduce to you Mr and Mrs ____________.
