Wedding Ethan and Brittany

We have gathered here today in this wonderful place in the presence of God and in front of all these witnesses to give thanks for the gift of marriage and to share in the joy of joining together of Ethan and Brittany. Marriage is a way of life given by God so that the husband and the wife may provide each other companionship, help, comfort, joy, and love. Marriage is a promise that endures all things. It must, therefore, not be entered into lightly, for by God’s Word, we are commanded to hold it in honor at all times. Ethan and Brittany, this is your day and we are honored to be a part. I hope that every person here helps you become everything that God intends for you to be.

Let’s Pray

God, we open up our hearts and minds

Families strength as they are actively releasing

Give Ethan and Brittany strength as they commit

You may be seated

Brittanies oldest son, Iran escorted her today.

Ethan escorts Brittany up

They come up and face me

Message

Ethan and Brittany first met through Jamie who played an instrumental role in encouraging Brittany to take steps forward to find a solid relationship and so Jamie introduced Brittany to Ethan. Brittany was very proud say that she took Ethan on their official first date at Outback steakhouse, because she paid.

When I asked Brittany when she knew Ethan was more than a friend she said when he honored her with his words and always spoke straight to the point.

You’re a good man Ethan.

When I asked Ethan how he knew Brittany was the right person for him, he said, “She started cooking for me.” But also, felt her love through her grace.

In preparation for the rest of their lives together, I had the opportunity to lead them in premarital counseling, and it was clear that they longed for a deep connection to each other and God.

During our time together, I had the privilege of getting to know them on a deeper level and it because clear to me that God has created and gifted each of them uniquely.

Ethan, you are like a Bear. At times big, strong, and loud especially when protecting those you love. But you are also caring and gentle. Ethan, my prayer for you is that you use your God given gifts to lead your family to the LORD

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous runs into it and is safe.

Brittany, you are a caring woman with great insights and wisdom to share, and I encourage you to continue to grow, by the power of the Holy Spirit, into the strong woman God has created you to be. Brittany my prayer for you is that you are emboldened by Christ’s love and stand strong alongside Ethan.

Psalm 34:5 ESV

5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

During our time together, Each of them spoke of their love for each other and I encouraged them that as they each fall more in love with God the relationship resembles a triangle. . .

And we know that Marriage is designed by God on the first page of the Bible Gen 1:26-27, for one Man and one Woman to become one under Him. In Matthew 19 Jesus reaffirms this by saying

Matthew 19:4–6 ESV

4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

We talked about the aspects of life that test our commitment to marriage. This included leaving friends and family and coming together as one, and we talked about working together in areas such as personal finances, decision making, and communication. And like any marriage, their relationship will be tested in the everyday-ness of life.

But, never forget that the Bible both describes and displays true love.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 13 the Apostle Paul describes love by saying:

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NIV

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

This definition and description of love is a helpful guardrail to know if you are staying on track on with love. We can begin to replay situations in life and compare our inner thoughts to this standard.

· Was I patient?

· Did I become easily angered?

· Did I rejoice in the Truth?

But the Bible doesn’t only describe about love it shows it.

The Apostle John, one of Jesus’ closest friends tells us in 1 John 4, that God is love. He goes on to say.

1 John 4:9–12 NIV

9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

God is love, and shows his love by what he has done for us. In Genesis, he showed us love by the creation of the world. When God separated the land and seas, he created space for us and showed us love. When God united Adam and Eve, as unique individuals, he showed us love. When Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a servant, that was God showing us the most perfect image of love. Jesus’ servanthood and sacrifice is the image of love that every marriage strives for.

The Apostle Paul, put it this way in Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

When each person in a marriage completely gives self-less-ly and positions themselves as Jesus did, it makes the relationship work in a Godly way.

This means you Ethan put the needs of Brittany above your own.

And Brittany you put the needs of Ethan above your own needs.

When both of you do this the foundation of the marriage becomes unshakable and the beauty of love is on full display.

But I warn you this is no easy task.

Brittany you will not always have as much time to get ready for the day as did you today… Your appearance will not always be as on point as it is right now and at times you might not even want to be seen.

Ethan, you will not always be as excited to spend time with Brittany as you are right now. You may want to even avoid her.

The pressures of this world can come on each of you so strong at times that you will show aspects of yourself that you would rather no one see, and aspects that you may not even be aware of yet. As time unfolds you will continue to develop and change, but just as Jesus sacrificed himself for his bride (the church) so also each of you will have to sacrifice yourself for your spouse. There will be times when you don’t feel the joy being with each other, but if you chose to love one another as imitators of God, then his love and the power of the Holy Spirit can grow and mature you in beautiful ways. (like a fragrant offering)

Marriage is a way of life that God gave us to use to help us understand true selfless love. So, as we take the vows and exchange the rings we are formally and publicly declaring that Ethan and Brittany are in a lifelong covenant.

Not a contract with buy out options. But a covenant before God and everyone here to imitate Christ in your marriage. I know each of you will love the other, comfort the other, honor the other as long as you both live.

Are you ready to make this lifelong covenant with a Vow?

Vows

The vows said today are not to be taken lightly because they are before God - and your family and friends, who are here to encourage you and lift you up along the journey.

Brittany and Ethan, join hands and face each other as we read the vows.

Ethan – Repeat after me

I, Ethan, take you Brittany, to be my wedded wife,

to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,

for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish, till death do us part,

according to God’s holy law, and to you I pledge my love.

Now Brittany repeat after me…

I, Brittany, take you Ethan to be my wedded husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,

for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish, till death do us part,

according to God’s holy law, and to you I pledge my love.

Ring Ceremony

The symbol that reminds us of these vows is a ring.

Ethan, may I see the ring for Brittany?

Rings are exchanged and worn every day as a symbol of the lifelong commitment of marriage. It is a symbol in our culture that indicates to us and others that we are exclusively dedicated to our spouse.

The shape of the ring reflects the all-encompassing nature of life's most important human relationship.

Your spouse is your best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. And this requires a daily commitment to be vulnerable in every aspect of life - physically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. The ring is also made of precious metal to indicate the significance of daily choosing to give your spouse the most valuable part of yourself.

To place a seal on the vows you have made to each other, we will now exchange these rings.

Ethan, please place this ring on Brittany’s finger and repeat after me:

“With this ring,

I choose you Brittany.

And with all my love and devotion,

I give to you,

before God and our family and friends.

I take you to be my wife.”

Brittany, please place the ring on Ethan’s finger and repeat after me:

“With this ring,

I choose you, Ethan.

And with all my love and devotion,

I give to you,

before God and our family and friends.

I take you to be my husband.”

Communion

It is only because of Christ that we know and understand love and

as their first action as a married couple before God, I will lead them in communion and pray for them.

Charge

So now let me speak to your hearts, I charge you both as you hope for happiness in your married life to remain faithful to the vows you have made to each other and remember the ring on your finger is a daily choice to love each other and God.

Your lives will now take on greater responsibilities, but you will be stronger as you share in life’s ups and downs with each other. There will be difficult times but let Christ be your example and give selflessly. Be willing to say I am sorry and look for the good in each other. Reflect on this day and on the love of Christ.

Pronouncement

And now, having heard you make these vows and wearing the symbols of your love, I do by the power of this state Pronounce you Husband and Wife no longer two but one, in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

You May Kiss Your Bride

Turn and face your friends and Family

Allow me to present to you, for the very first time, Mr. & Mrs. Hernandez

Time to take those photos

Instructions for the crowd:

The Bride and Groom will take some photos and then head to the tent to celebrate. Those of you who have already been asked to be in photos, please remain here – while the rest of us get to go to the tent to celebrate.

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