Let us all remain standing as we pray:
Father God, our most gracious heavenly father, we thank You for making us in your image. For when you made us in your image you also gave us the very essence of who you are – love.
This afternoon we shout praises to the you our LORD. On this special occasion we are joyful and come in to worship you LORD who placed these two special people together. We declare today that you are our Lord oh God. We belong to you and we are your people. God you are good and we know that your love and faithfulness will last forever. Bless this day Oh lord for today we bring you Derek and Solange for you to join together in marriage.
Amen
Congregation may be seated
Who gives this bride in marriage?
Response from father/person giving the bride: I do
Well (HIS NAME) and (HER NAME) I know you have been waiting a long time to be here and we are finally here.
ADAM AND EVE
Now most ministers would start the wedding message by taking a look at the institution of marriage. When God united Adam and Eve…. I am going to do the same but only because it means I can tell a quick joke….Adam and Eve had an ideal marriage. He didn’t have to hear about all the men she could have married, and she didn’t have to hear about the way his mother cooked.
I thought I’d begin with “The Top Ten Lines” that may have been used by Adam when he courted Eve.
10. You know you’re the only one for me.
9. Do you come here often?
8. Trust me, this was meant to be! (I tried this one out on Beth when we were dating – it didn’t work real well!)
7. Look around, baby. All the other guys are animals!
6. I already feel like you’re a part of me!
5. Honey, you were made for me!
4. You’re the girl of my dreams! (See Genesis 2:21)
3. I like a woman who doesn’t mind being ribbed!
2. You’re the apple of my eye!
1. Why don’t you come over to my place and we can name the animals?
Well the moment has finally arrived. I know (his name) and (her name), you have been almost panting towards this day for a long while now.
DESPITE FRIENDS AND FAMILY – STAND APART FROM ALL BEINGS - CIRCLE
Well now you are surrounded by your family and friends and they have all come to share this special day with you.
But despite them being here, you stand apart from all other beings today. You stand within THE BEAUTIFUL CIRCLE OF YOUR LOVE.
This beautiful circle is only for the two of you. Only the two of you can enjoy and rejoice in this very special circle.
The love that you have however comes from only one place. I may have spread the petals in a circle around you, but that’s just symbolic of the one that has draw the circle in Love. God is love. Without him encircling your love, your love is incomplete. It always a joy to join people who know that the circle has been placed there by God himself and the circle he has placed around you is quite unique. No other circle of love is or will be the same as the one into which you two step today. He planned he knew the shape of it and he knew that for the circle to be complete for (his name), (her name) had to be in it. And for the circle to be complete for (her name), (his name) had to be by her side.
So as we celebrate with you today, know that from now and forever more, this circle is yours. And should only ever be yours. Jointly you have been called by God to protect, manage and uphold that circle of love. No one else can make this circle work. Only the two of you with the one who created the circle for you. From this day forward its up to you.
Now many times you will go to a wedding and you will the scriptures about marriage read. The age old favourite of Ephesians 5. “Wives be in subjection to your husbands and husbands love your wives as your own body” - you know the scripture. Well all those scriptures and there are many more, are valuable tools that the two of you will discover to help maintain that circle.
Derek, you are the maintenance man on this circle. You make sure that the walls of this circle or never breached. You make sure that the circle remains in tact at all times. You are the strength of this circle. The effort you put into maintaining this circle is selfless. You will not reap from your own labor. You will not benefit from your maintaining this circle. But because of you nurturing this special place that God has put you in with (her name), the blessing will come from (her name). For you see as you lead this circle of love, what it will prompt (her name) to do is love you deeper every moment of every day. What greater reward could any man ask for. That scripture in Eph 5 in the message reads as follows:
Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church--a love marked by giving, not getting. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing.
In the same way (her name), as you selflessly love (his name) and submit to his leadership, and as you do this, know too that your blessing will not come from own hands. For as you do as the scripture reads in Eph 5, (his name) will be prompted to do his part in loving you and caring for in ways that not even you could do for yourself.
Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ.
You see it’s a circle. Not a vicious circle. But as you do (her name), (his name) will do for You. And (his name) as your do, (her name) will do for you. It’s the age old Do unto others, circle of love. Only this time its your circle.
Now some never get to understand this circle of love. The write Paul here to the Ephesians didn’t even understand it.
This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church.
And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.
All I know is Christ love the church so much that his death would not even stand in the way of that circle being broken.
So when hardships strike and they will. When angers flare, toothpaste tubes get used from the top down, toilet seats don’t get left down, duvets get small and remote controls are unavailable, it should all be inconsequential, because we don’t have to at that point go to the cross. But we would if we had to.
Today you have both stepped into this circle. You have stepped in knowing that the other has faults. (his name) and as beautiful as (her name) looks today she does not hold perfection..
“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.”
The only thing within this circle that is perfect is Gods love that is the very line that makes this circle. So today to stand here and say that (her name) is the perfect person for (his name) is quite true. And (his name) you are the perfect person for (her name). Despite neither of you being perfect. What is missing through your love of each other and fro God, God himself will fill.
What God has drawn the circle of his love around in marriage, let no one break that circle from within or without.
(her name) from today you will wear a special ring. The first ring that (his name) bought you is the diamond. The engagement ring. The gem of this ring is you.
But (his name) bought you a special ring. The gem ring is sandwiched between two bands.
God is the love the foundation – the first ring….. DO
Then. (his name) made a promise, to you his gem. He promised he would marry you and today he has proven a man of his word. He gave this gem to represent how he felt about his true gem. He gave as a promise, but he gave it out of love. So with a foundation of God, the gem of his love firmly on your finger already. Today he brings you the last part of your ring. He brings you himself as your husband.
(his name) you will receive only one ring. But that is all Eph 5 asks of a wife. It asks for her love.
Stand proud of your circle – or ring of love. Stand honored that God has given you that ring, that he given you that circle of love.
Be blessed that there is work to be done, but by Gods love you can achieve the greatest blessings a man and woman could ever enjoy.
God looks upon you this moment with joy. Today He wants you to be aware of your blessings that He has given you today as well as the ones that He will give you in the circle of your love.
God makes this circle possible through Christ Jesus.
DECLARATION OF FAITH
(HIS NAME) HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOUR?
Wait for response
(HER NAME) HAVE YOU ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOUR?
Wait for response
WHEN YOU JOINED YOURSELF TO CHRIST JESUS, YOU WERE CLEANSED, FORGIVEN AND BECAME A NEW CREATION IN HIM.
THE VERY SAME CREATIVE POWER OF GOD THAT JOINED YOU WITH JESUS WHEN YOU MADE HIM YOUR LORD, WILL JOIN THE TWO OF YOU TOGETHER THIS DAY IN MARRIAGE.
LEGAL INTERACTION AND PROFESSION OF VOWS
THE GROOM
DO YOU (HIS NAME) ANDREW WALLACE DECLARE THAT AS FAR AS YOU KNOW THERE IS NO LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT TO YOUR PROPOSED MARRIAGE WITH (HER NAME) ANGE’LE MARTIN HERE PRESENT AND THAT YOU CALL ALL HERE PRESENT TO WITNESS THAT YOU TAKE (HER NAME) ANGE’LE MARTIN AS YOUR LAWFUL WEDDED WIFE?
Wait for response
DO YOU PROMISE TO SUPPORT AND LOVE HER FOR LIFE AND DO YOU SOLEMNLY PLEDGE BEFORE GOD AND THESE WITNESSES THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL TO HER FOR THE REMAINDER OF YOUR LIFE?
Wait for response
THE BRIDE
DO YOU (HER NAME) ANGE’LE MARTIN DECLARE THAT AS FAR AS YOU KNOW THERE IS NO LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT TO YOUR PROPOSED MARRIAGE WITH (HIS NAME) ANDREW WALLACE HERE PRESENT AND THAT YOU CALL ALL HERE PRESENT TO WITNESS THAT YOU TAKE (HIS NAME) ANDREW WALLACE AS YOUR LAWFUL WEDDED HUSBAND?
Wait for response
DO YOU PROMISE TO LOVE HONOUR AND OBEY HIM AND DO YOU SOLEMNLY PLEDGE BEFORE GOD AND THESE WITNESSES THAT YOU WILL BE HIS FAITHFUL WIFE FOR THE REMAINDER OF YOUR LIFE?
Wait for response
THE CONGREGATION
SHOULD THERE BE ANYONE AMONGST US WHO OBJECTS TO THE JOINING OF THESE TWO IN HOLY MATRIMONY THIS DAY SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE.
THE GROOM
DEREK PLEASE FACE (HER NAME) AND REPEAT AFTER ME:
I LOVE YOU (HER NAME).
AND TODAY IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
I PLEDGE MYSELF TO YOU.
I REAFFIRM MY FAITH IN CHRIST
AND DEDICATE OUR MARRIAGE TO BE CHRIST CENTERED.
I WILL LOVE YOU AS CHRIST HAS LOVED THE CHURCH,
GIVING MY LIFE FOR YOURS.
I WILL LEAD AND PROTECT YOU
AS WE SHARE OUR LIVES WITH GOD,
WHO GAVE US ONE ANOTHER.
I PROMISE BEFORE THE LORD
TO HONOUR AND CHERISH YOU.
AS GOD ENABLES ME
I WILL PROVIDE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS AND DESIRES.
I LOVE YOU.WILL YOU BE MY WIFE?
THE BRIDE
I LOVE YOU (HIS NAME)
AND I HAVE LONGED FOR THIS DAY.
I PROMISE TO MAKE YOU A HOME
WHERE THERE IS PEACE FOR YOUR SOUL
AND JOY FOR YOUR HEART.
MY GOAL IS TO BE A GODLY WOMAN
AND TO HELP FULFILL OUR GOALS AND DREAMS.
I NOW SUBMIT MYSELF TO YOU
AND GIVE YOU YOUR PLACE
AS THE HEAD OF OUR HOME
I WILL RESPECT YOU,
LOVE YOU AND BELIEVE IN YOU.
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD I NEED YOU.
I AM PROUD TO BECOME YOUR WIFE.
READ PSALM 100
SONG
CANDLE CEREMONY
As a candle can burn on its own, two candle can be united with God.
(her name) and Derek you have been carrying your own light. Today you join that light with with each others.
Jointly however that light may fade and grow dim if not for the love of God. Join now your light with Him.
THE RINGS
(his name) the time has come to complete the ring that you have given (her name). She wears the foundation and the gem already. Lets complete that ring.
The circle of Gods love is never ending. Neither is the ring that represents your love to her.
THE GROOM
Please place the ring on the top of (her name)’s finger and repeat after me:
WITH THIS RING
I DO THEE WED
I GIVE YOU MY LOVE
I PLEDGE YOU MY FAITH AND TRUST
FOR AS LONG AS WE LIVE
RECEIVE IT AS A SYMBOL
OF OUR ENDLESS UNION
AND UNBROKEN LOVE.
(HIS NAME) YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILTY BEFORE GOD TO BE THE HEAD OF THIS MARRIAGE LET THIS RING THAT YOU HAVE HAVE (HER NAME) IN ITS THREE PART COMPLETENESS BE A REMINDER TO YOU THAT YOU ARE TO LOVE PROTECT AND PROVIDE FOR YOUR WIFE AS JESUS DOES FOR US.
THE BRIDE
Please place the ring on the top of (his name)’s finger and repeat after me:
WITH THIS RING
I DO THEE WED
I GIVE YOU MY LOVE
I PLEDGE YOU MY FAITH AND TRUST
FOR AS LONG AS WE LIVE
RECEIVE IT AS A SYMBOL
OF OUR ENDLESS UNION
AND UNBROKEN LOVE.
(HER NAME) YOU HAVE A GOD GIVEN TASK TO LOVE (HIS NAME) WITH ALL YOUR HEART. SUPPORT HIM AND RESPECT HIM. MAY THIS RING BE A SYMBOL OF YOUR LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO HIM.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
PLEASE JOIN RIGHT HANDS
AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST, BEFORE THE ALMIGHTY GOD AND IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, OF HIS SON JESUS AND BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU ONE TOGETHER. YOU ARE NOW HUSBAND AND WIFE.
I DECLARE THAT (HIS NAME) ANDREW WALLACE AND (HER NAME) ANGE”LE MARTIN HERE PRESENT HAVE BEEN LAWFULLY MARRIED.
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
BLESSING:
THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPONE YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU. THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE BOTH NOW AND FOREVER MORE.
NOW YOU MAY KISS THE BRIDE.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF COUPLE
PLEASE TURN AND FACE THE CONGREGATION
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME
MR AND MRS (HIS NAME) AND (HER NAME) WALLACE.
