Wedding | Brendon Lake and Isabel Trueba

SERVICE OF MARRIAGE

Prior to Service:

Enter Notes Below:

Pre-Service Announcement:

In just a few moments, the wedding ceremony will commence. At the request of the bride and groom, please silence your cell phone and any other devices, and please refrain from taking photos and video during the ceremony. We invite you to enjoy this special time with Brendon and Isabel. Thank you!

Invite ALL to Stand for the Bride

(congregation seated)

Words of Welcome:

To congregation:

On behalf of Brendon and Isabel, I want to extend to all of you here today a very warm welcome.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 NLT

Who gives this bride to be with this man?

We have gathered together in this most beautiful place in the presence of our Heavenly Father to witness Brendon Lake and Isabel Trueba become joined together in sacred marriage, an institution ordained by God, and to be honored by all people.

Brendon and Isabel, may I express on behalf of your family and friends gathered here with you today that we feel such a deep and profound sense of joy to celebrate the formation of this sacred union between you.

Word of Explanation:

Through the witness of Scripture, we learn that God instructs all of those who enter into this marriage covenant to cherish one another with a mutual love; to share in the infirmities and weaknesses of one another; to comfort one another in sickness, trouble, and sorrow; to provide for one another; and, most important, to partner with one another and the Holy Spirit to bless the world through the formation of a new family.

This kind of union - truly, this kind of love - now demands from both of you the highest form of human co-operation and sharing. This marriage covenant is binding until the day that death shall separate you.

Prayer:

Would you pray with me:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the real life and real love that you gave to us through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. We praise you, and we give you our gratitude, Lord, as we align our hearts and our wills to you.

Thank you for Brendon and Isabel. Thank you for the love that you have formed between them. Lord, thank you for the company of these friends and family members gathered here today. Remain with us now and always. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we make this prayer, Amen.

Declaration of Intent:

Brendon and Isabel, before God and this gathering of family and friends, I am going to ask you to declare your intent to enter into this marriage covenant:

Brendon, will you have Isabel to be your wife, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to her for so long as you both shall live? If so, then answer, “I do.”

Isabel, will you have Brendon to be your husband, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage; will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him for so long as you both shall live? If so, then answer, “I do.”

Now, to your witnesses gathered here with you today, do each one of you promise to support Brendon and Isabel in their marriage together, honoring them, encouraging them, and praying for them? If so, then answer with an enthusiastic, “We do!”

Message Scripture Reading:

I would like to read a collection of short passages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church that teach us about the essential values of marriage. He wrote:

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one Body. In your anger do not offend. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. 4:25-26

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ, God forgave you. 4:29-32

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 5:1-2

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. 5:8-10

Wedding Homily:

Brendon and Isabel, I want to offer both of you and your witnesses gathered here today a simple, yet profound charge: Serve one another.

In the passages that I just read, carefully hear these words: ‘be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’

Truly, this kind of instruction demands the highest form of servanthood from both of you equally … for the sake of the other… rooted in faith… and draped in humility.

As you grow in your marriage and relationship with Jesus, remember that he did not hold onto his rights and privileges as the Son of God, but in humility, Jesus made himself… a servant.

Jesus gave up his ‘everything’ - his prestige, his wants, his desires, and his very rights as the Son of God - for the sake of the world whom he loved… for the sake of his bride, the church... and for the sake of each one of you… Brendon, Isabel, and your witnesses gathered here today… and he calls all of those who enter into this sacred marriage covenant to do the very same.

If both of you strive to lose yourselves for the sake of the other and make your mission in marriage to serve your spouse, then ironically - and truly, this is the great secret of marriage - your needs will always be met. And the two of you will discover a rare kind of joy in marriage that only a few ever find.

Therefore, I implore both of you to make your “marriage mission” all about serving the another.

Brendon, your marriage mission is to serve Isabel. Isabel, your marriage mission is to serve Brendon.

Only the two of you know what serving the other really means, and I am confident that you know in your heart how to do so based on your demonstrated self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Hold onto those unique qualities that make up the foundation of your relationship, for God has graciously formed them between you and has given you the opportunity to bless others through your marriage.

Bearing one another in love means remaining with each other through every argument, every illness, and every joy.

Bearing one another in love means always choosing your spouse - always choosing your spouse - ahead of yourself, no matter what person or thing, attempts to drive a wedge between the unity of your marriage.

Therefore, as you begin the first day of your marriage and build a new family for God’s glory, keep your eyes front and center on these three values from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

First is ‘hope.’

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

I think every married couple here would agree that finite disappointments, grudges, and conflicts can feel like an eternity in the moment. But in reality, they only last as long as you let them. You decide when conflicts and grudges end. Cherish the kind of hope that’s infinite, and let that be your perspective.

Another value is ‘unity.’

Remain together no matter what!

Both of you are well acquainted with challenges. And from what I know about both of you, neither one of you fear them. Rather, your security is found in Christ alone, who aligns your hearts and minds to his will and one another.

So in the midst of whatever challenge either one of you face, always remain united to God, each other, your community - your family and friends - and your church.

And finally, always forgive.

Brendon and Isabel, Forgive one another, just as in Christ, God has forgiven you.

Forgiveness requires the most complete commitment to humble servanthood. A joy-filled marriage begins with forgiveness.

Brendon, you are to forgive Isabel just as in Christ, God has forgiven you.

Isabel, you are to forgive Brendon just as in Christ, God has forgiven you.

Family and Friends, you are to forgive one another just as in Christ, God has forgiven each one of you.

Isabel, submit to Brendon, respect him and honor him in all that you do. Humbly serve him, bear with him in love, cherish the source of your hope, maintain your bond of unity, and always forgive him when he falls short.

Brendon, love Isabel and sacrifice for her in the same way that Christ sacrificed himself for the church. The full charge and responsibility of marriage goes to you, my friend. Feel it, receive it, and keep your marriage holy, set apart, and engaged on mission for the glory of Christ in the world!

Humbly serve Isabel, bear with her in love, cherish the source of your hope, maintain your bond of unity, and always forgive her when she falls short.

Keep after the heavenly vision for your marriage, and let your past experiences and present learnings continue to shape your life in Christ, together.

Would you pray with me?

Exchanging of Vows:

We have now come to the moment when Brendon and Isabel will exchange their vows to one another. Please face each other and join hands:

Brendon, please repeat after me:

I, Brendon,... take you Isabel,... to be my lawfully wedded wife,... to have and to hold... from this day forward,... for better or for worse,... for richer, for poorer,... in sickness and in health,... to love and to cherish,… from this day forward... until death do us part... according to God's holy ordinance... and thereto... I pledge thee... myself to you.

Isabel, please repeat after me:

I, Isabel,... take you Brendon,... to be my lawfully wedded husband,... to have and to hold... from this day forward,... for better or for worse,... for richer, for poorer,... in sickness and in health,... to love and to cherish,… from this day forward... until death do us part... according to God's holy ordinance... and thereto... I pledge thee... myself to you.

Exchanging of Rings:

The wedding ring symbolizes the unending love and commitment made by Brendon and Isabel to each other, as well as the unending love and commitment made by God to us.

Brendon, please repeat after me: With this ring,... I pledge my life... and my love to you.

Isabel, please repeat after me: With this ring,... I pledge my life... and my love to you.

Unity Candle

In their first act as a married couple, Brendon and Isabel will express the unity of their love in the form of a candle, symbolizing their separate lives merging into one inseparable flame.

Prayer of Blessing

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father, who created love and is defined by love, thank you for establishing marriage for the welfare and joy of humanity. You have said, "it is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helpmate for him." Now our joys are doubled since the happiness of one is now shared with another. Likewise, our burdens now have been halved since the troubles of one is now shared with another. Father, bless Brendon as he becomes Isabel’s husband. May his strength be Isabel’s protection; his character be her boast and pride. May Isabel find in Brendon her haven and security. Lord, may you bless Brendon and continue growing his heart toward your grace and peace.

Father, bless Isabel as she becomes Brendon’s wife. May her tenderness be Brendon’s honor; her love be his boast and pride. May Brendon find in Isabel his respect and care. Lord, may you bless Isabel and continue growing her heart toward your grace and peace.

May you grant them humility toward each other. Unite their hands together to serve you. Father, as they seek your kingdom and righteousness, may all other things be added to them. May they come to know that perfection alone belongs to you, Father. Give them wisdom to minimize each other’s weaknesses, boldness to praise each other’s strength, and clarity to see each other through your kind and patient eyes. Lord, may they never take one another for granted, but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, "out of all this world, you chose me." Lord, we invite your Holy Spirit to unite them together in the holy covenant marriage and bless them in your service from now until they join you forever in your Kingdom!

This we ask in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, the great lover of our souls... Amen

Pronouncement:

Brendon and Isabel, today before your Heavenly Father, each other, your family, and your friends, you made a sacred covenant together, pledging your lives to one another and committing your joint relationship to God. As your community, we have witnessed both of you exchange your solemn vows, give rings, and forever join hands.

By the privilege vested upon me by God, I now pronounce you, husband and wife.

Kiss : (step to the side)

Brendon, you may know kiss your bride.

Benediction:

I would like to invite all of you to stand with Brendon and Isabel and join hands together as we pray a final ancient blessing over them.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.

Amen

Presentation:

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you for the very first time,

Mr. and Mrs. Lake!