INTRODUCTION:
Marriage is a journey toward an unknown destination -- the discovery that people must share not only what they don’t know about each other, but what they don’t know about themselves. Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, we know that you are never an unwanted guest, that you do not come where you are not wanted. We can choose to live our life and marriage with or without you. Father, at this time we invite you into this family. We are here to celebrate the love of Jerry and Regina. We know that you have brought them together. We pray that you will be the foundation and bond of their love. Help them to grow in their love for one another and for you with every day that passes, accepting one another as a love gift from you. Help them now to sense your presence and to savor these moments. We ask that you be a part of this ceremony, that you look with favor upon it and bless this marriage. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen
We are here to celebrate holy matrimony of two of our own – Mr and Mrs Name-Here. God is always pleased when we rededicate our lives and our homes to Him. I don’t know when you first met each other, or the circumstances involved. But I am sure that much has happened since that day. Obviously, during this time you have learned to love & appreciate each other.
There have been acts of thoughtfulness & words of encouragement. You have gained a respect for each other’s qualities, strength of resolve, trustworthiness, & kindness.
During this time you have grown & matured in your relationship with each other. And if you remain faithful to the vows you are about to make, your life together will be a blessing both to you & to those around you.
The ring which you have exchanged is made of a metal that dose not tarnish and is most enduring. It is in the form of a circle which is unbroken, having no beginning and no ending. It symbolizes the relationship that is to exist between the two of you.
As Adam and Eve came from the same flesh, the two of you are to be one and help each other. One is not take charge of the other, but as a couple you are to work together as you tackle life’s challenges.
The relationship of husband and wife is most scarred when it is made up of the union of two lives, of two natures and of two hearts that beat as one.
There are many kinds of love -- just as there are many kinds of vitamins. If you want well-balanced diet, you don’t say "Well, I’m getting so much Vitamin A, I don’t need any Vitamin C."
So it is with love in marriage. It isn’t enough to have a lot of one kind of love. You need a good balance of the right kinds of love.
Unfortunately the English language has just one word for love. The same word is used to describe everything from the highest act of sacrifice to the most polluted form of lust. The New Testament was written in Greek, and it uses three different words for love. They are: eros, philia, and agape: meaning physical love, emotional love, and spiritual love. Every good marriage needs all three.
Eros is physical or romantic love. It is inspired by the biological structure of human nature. sensual expression. heart pounding. inspires the longing to hold the other person.
Philia is the second love of marriage. It is emotional or friendly love. It is motivated by common interests and goals. It is they "like" each other. rather be doing nothing, fun to be with. You are to be more than lovers; you are also to be best friends.
The third essential love in marriage is agape. Agape is a spiritual love the self-giving, unconditional love. It is a love that finds its motivating power, not in the loved but in the lover. love that you can either "fall" into or out of. It is not something that happens to you; it is something you make happen. It is a decision.
The other two loves are a "because of" kinds of love: They say "I love you because -- you are attractive, or because you make me laugh, or because of how I feel when I’m with you." To be sure, there is nothing wrong with this.
But Agape love is an "even though" kind of love. It says "I love you even though you hurt me, or even though I’m not attracted to you right now, or even though I don’t like how you make me feel when I’m around you." It is the ultimate in unconditional, tenacious, sacrificial love. And its source comes from God.
It is like the Energizer Rabbit; it’s a love that keeps on going and going and going, even when your partner is not being particularly lovable.
This is the love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13. It says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Candle lighting and story.
Romance in marriage is the passion, which makes an ordinary relationship extraordinary. It is a compelling desire to meet your mate’s needs. Today we celebrate marriage and the commitment you are making. Just as this candle radiates warmth,/ I want you/ to enjoy the warmth of each other’s love./ Today I want you to know that you know/ that the flame of this relationship will never be fade.
Let us prayer for this couple:
O God, our Heavenly Father, protect and bless this union. Deepen and strengthen this love for each other day by day. Grant that by Thy mercy neither of them will ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct their faults, and make them constantly to forgive one another should one of them unconsciously hurt the other. Make them and keep them sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, devout in spirit. O Lord, grant them each to rise to the other’s best. Then we pray Thee add to their common life such virtues as only Thou canst give. We would ask now that as they begin their lives together as a married couple that you would be the unseen partner in their marriage. For as a rope with only two strands of cord is weak, and one with three is strong we ask that you would be the strength of the marriage. And finally, Father we ask your blessing upon the food that we are about to partake….may it strengthen our bodies for your work. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
