Untitled Sermon (13)

Welcome and Prayer

Introduction – I am Ps. Mat Carlsson – Authorised Celebrant in Western Australia – Officiating this wedding.

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to unite Caio Narcizo De Moura and Alexendra Shephard in holy matrimony. Estamos reunidos aqui na presença de Deus, família e amigos para unir Caio Narcizo De Moura e Alex Shepherd no sagrado matrimônio.

Marriage is an honourable commitment between each other and God, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, advisedly, soberly, and with God’s blessing. Today, they will receive one of God’s greatest gift; another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with, to stand with as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives and to Serve Jesus with. It is fitting, therefore, that we should on this occasion begin by asking for God’s blessing on this marriage. Let us pray.

Father God, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as Caio and Alex’s, and we give thanks for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit.

Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In your mighty name, we pray, Amen.

You may all be seated.

Message 1

Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations. It is a covenant between a male, a female and God.

The Bible gives us this picture of marriage as two people who become one flesh because they can effectively serve the kingdom of God better together than they can apart. It’s a covenantal bond between each other, and between yourself and God – You are making the commitment today to love one another the way that God has loved us, to allow God’s love to flow through you to one another and to walk side by side until death do you part.

Charge

Caio and Alex, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of each other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.

It is your duty, Caio, to be to Alex, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

It is your duty, Alex, to be to Caio, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing pieces of evidence of your affection; and to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live.

If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.

Formal Responses

Caio, do you take Alex to be your Wife? (“I do”)

Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore? (“I do”)

Do you promise to always put God first in your marriage, attempt to love Alex the way Christ loved the church? (“I do”)

Alex, do you take Caio to be your Husband? (“I do”)

Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore? (“I do”),

do you promise to always put God first in your marriage and attempt to love Caio the way that God has loved you? (“I do”)

Personal Vows

[Personal Vows]

Rings

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of the lifelong commitment and abiding love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other.

Caio, please place the ring on Alex’s finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. To have and to hold you, to love you and to always be loving and kind.

And Alex, please place the ring on Caio’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. To have and to hold you, to love you and to always be loving and kind.

Message 2

John

Jesus Said “A new commandment I give you; that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” - Love is not what God does, it is who He is - Everything that Jesus stood for was Love - and I pray that at the core of your marriage there will always be love for one another, selflessly and sacrificially as you commit to each other.

May You Ciao and Alex share this love with each other as you allow God to operate through your lives and through your marriage. May you always remember that God gave us grace, and so you too can show each other grace. May God’s love shine through you and His will for your marriage operate within you. Long after this day, may you know that love is a doing word, from this day forward may you grow closer together and find happiness in each others embrace.

Prayer

Let me pray a blessing over each of you and your marriage.

Father God, help Caio and Alex to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness, and contentment. May their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live. May this be the beginning of a lifelong commitment that honours you and serves you as long as they both shall live. May their love for one another remain strong, their faithfulness continue to grow and may they turn to you in times of trouble. We pray for your spiritual protection over their marriage and their home and we pray for your blessing on their lives. We pray that they will continue to grow in the things of you and become deeper in their relationship with you and each other.

In Jesus Mighty name, Amen.

Close

Caio and Alex having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me, Eu agora os declaro marido e mulher.

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss the bride!

Signing of the Certificates

Presentations and recession (Music? How to Present? Instructions for Guests)

Let me give you these words of encouragement;

A good marriage must be created. In marriage the “little” things are the big things. It is never being too 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 standing together and facing the world. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner

I now present to you, for the first time, Caio and Alex De Moura.