Wedding Ceremony
Prelude/Light Candles/Seat Mothers/Processional
Presentation of the Bride/Welcome/Call to worship
We are here today with family and friends, in the presence of God, to participate in a most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, by acknowledging the marriage of _________&_________.
Marriage was established by God, and endorsed by the Apostle Paul as an honorable state among men; and so not to be entered into casually or by chance, but entered into, in love and reverence of the Lord.
Giving of the Bride: Who presents this woman to be married to this man?
Congregation Seated
Declaration of Intent: __________, do you take __________ to be your lawful wedded wife, Do you promise to love, honor, and protect her? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep her in sickness and in sorrow? To be faithful only to her, and live according to the commandment of God in holy marriage, forevermore?
________: I do
________, do you take________ to be your lawful wedded husband, Do you promise to love, honor, and protect him? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep him in sickness and in sorrow? To be faithful only to him, and live according to the commandment of God in holy marriage, forevermore? __________: I do
Prayer-Thanking God for miracle of marriage that you established, for _________&__________, & their love & commitment to each other.
Ascend platform while Mark sings
Message: ___________&____________, this is one of those special moments in life, & we are all here, your family & friends to celebrate with you. Today I’d like to share a few thoughts with you about marriage, specifically a marriage centered on God-because I know that is what the two of you desire to have.
To really understand the meaning of marriage, we need to go back to the beginning, and look at Gen 2, where God established marriage “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” …..So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman, ’ for she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
3 things about marriage that I want to highlight from this passage.
It was not good for the man to be alone-this was the only time in the whole account of creation where we see God say that something was not good. We were not created to live in isolation, we were created to live in community-So God said he would make a “helper fit for him.” Couple of interesting things about that phrase. The word translated as helper there implies that it would be someone who would assist and encourage him. Someone who provides support for what is lacking in the one who needs help. And then the second part of that phrase “fit for him.” completes the idea that this is not just anyone who could help, but it is someone specifically created to be his counterpart, his companion, the one who completes him.
Eve was created from Adam, not dust-When God provides the one to be Adams counterpart, it is a special moment of creation, instead of taking the dust as He had done with the animals, He took a piece of the man and used it to create a companion for him. And immediately Adam knew that only with her would he be complete.
Finally vs. 24 says that the man will “be united w/ his wife” carries the idea of committed faithfulness, whatever comes we will face it together. The word translated “united” is a person directed word & as such the Faithfulness it implies involves a positive commitment from both of you to the freedom, maturity & growth of the other.
All three of these things are illustrated very well in a poem that you shared with me during the process of planning this ceremony, called “The Art of Marriage”. It says:
The little things are the big things. It is never being to old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; and courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
_________, one of the things that you shared w/ me during your pre-marital counseling was that while you were dating one of the things that always fascinated you about _________ was his hands, particularly because they were so big, and the fact that he could hold both of your hands in one of his was very comforting to you. So with that in mind, _______ would you please face _________ & hold his hands, palms up, so that you may see the gift they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands that you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
Now, __________, if you would hold ___________ hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
-God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of dissillusinment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May Ruston and Jessica see their four hands as healer protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in Your name, Amen
Vows: Now, __________, if you will repeat after me:
I, _______,/ in the presence of God/ and our family & friends/ take you ____________/ to be my wife & friend,/ to have and to hold / from this day forward,/ I promise to love & comfort you/ honor & keep you/ and forsaking all others/ I will be yours alone/ as long as we both shall live.
Now, __________, if you will repeat after me:
I, ____________,/ in the presence of God/ and our family & friends/ take you ___________/ to be my husband & friend,/ to have and to hold / from this day forward,/ I promise to love & comfort you/ honor & keep you/ and forsaking all others/ I will be yours alone/ as long as we both shall live.
Giving of Rings: ________&________what token do you give of your love?
Together: A ring.
These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
___________, as you place the ring on her finger repeat after me:
_____________, I give you this ring /in token and in pledge /of my constant faith/ and abiding love /with all that I am, /and all that I will become./ With this ring I thee wed.
_________, as you place the ring on his finger repeat after me:
__________, I give you this ring /in token and in pledge /of my constant faith /and abiding love /with all that I am, /and all that I will become. / With this ring I thee wed.
Prayer for unity/Pronouncement
Forasmuch as ________&________have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God, family & friends, and in so doing have given and pledged their vows to each other, and have declared the same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I now pronounce them husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Kiss: _________&_________, when you first began dating you decided to wait until your wedding day to kiss for the first time, so now Ruston, it is my privilege to say to you-you may now kiss your bride!!
Presentation of Couple: It is now my honor to present to you for the very first time Mr. & Mrs. _______________________
Recessional
