August 10, 2005
Kevin Higgins
Woodlawn Baptist Church
On behalf of Bill Ausmus and Martha Killough, I want to welcome each of you. We have been invited here to share with them in a most important time in their lives. In the time they have been together, their love for one another has grown and their desire to be together has developed. Now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.
Would you bow with me as we ask the Lord’s blessing on our time together tonight?
“Our Father in heaven, Creator, Savior, and Designer of marriage, we turn to you in this moment to ask that you be glorified by what takes place. We pray that this ceremony would honor you, reflect the seriousness of the vows to be spoken, that it might serve as a reminder to us who have spoken similar vows, and be instructive for those who might be considering making them. We pray that this ceremony would be a fitting beginning for Bill and Martha as they commit themselves together to pursue a Christ-centered life together. We ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen
Would you please join hands?
Bill, Martha, there are no obligations on earth sweeter or tenderer than those you are about to assume. There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form. This was in fact the first institution created by God, and remains the holiest of all earthly relationships. The state of matrimony is based upon this deep, invisible union of two souls who seek to find completion in one another and who desire to share their love for one another.
One of the most beautiful expressions of love ever written is found in Genesis. The Bible says that Jacob loved Rachel and served her father 14 years to gain her hand in marriage. And the Bible says concerning those years, “They seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had for her.”
It is that kind of love that has brought men and women together in marriage since the beginning of the human race. Of course Christ is the greatest example of love, and He has allowed us the wonderful opportunity to demonstrate His love for one another in this union called marriage.
Inasmuch as you have expressed a desire to be united in marriage, I am going to ask you take a vow – a vow that is made not only in the presence of your family and friends, but also in the presence of God. He is our unseen guest today, and we can be sure that He takes great delight in the marriage of two Christian people such as we have here today.
Do you, Bill, take Martha to be your lawfully wedded wife, and do you promise before God and these witnesses, to love her, to comfort her, honor her in sickness and in health? Will you live together according to the intention of God for your lives together in Jesus Christ? Will you listen to her inmost thoughts, be considerate and tender in your care of her, and stand by her faithfully, preferring her above all others and accept full responsibility for her every necessity as long as you both shall live?
Martha, will you have Bill to be your lawfully wedded husband, and do you promise before God and these witnesses, to love him, to comfort him, honor him in sickness and in health? Will you live together according to the intention of God for your lives together in Jesus Christ? Will you listen to him, his inmost thoughts, be considerate and encouraging of him, and stand by him faithfully, preferring him above all others and accept full responsibility for his every necessity as long as you both shall live?
Bill, what do you give as a token of your love for Martha?
I want you to take the ring, place it on the third finger of Martha’s left hand, and as you place it there repeat after me, “I, Bill, take you, Martha, to be my wedded wife…to have and to hold…from this day forward…for better or for worse…for richer or for poorer…in sickness and in health…to love and to understand…till death shall part us…according to the design of God…and I commit myself completely to you. With this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father…and the Son…and the Holy Ghost…Amen.”
And, Martha, what do you give as a token of your love for Bill?
I want you to take the ring, place it on the third finger of Bill’s left hand, and as you place it there repeat after me, “I, Martha, take you, Bill, to be my wedded husband…to have and to hold…from this day forward…for better or for worse…for richer or for poorer…in sickness and in health…to love and to understand…till death shall part us…according to the design of God…and I commit myself completely to you. With this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father…and the Son…and the Holy Ghost…Amen.”
Prayer
Now by the power vested in me by the state of Texas and as a minister of the gospel, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Bill, you may now kiss your wife.
