Untitled Sermon (10)

Procession

Boys up front before girls come down

Presentation

“Who gives this woman to this man?”

Welcome

We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Jarrod Edwards and Casey Webb in marriage.

To Jarrod and Casey: Marriage is a gift that God is giving to you and that you are giving to each other.

The words of two famous, ancient Romans are fitting for this ceremony. The first from Maximus Decimus Meridius, also known as Russell Crowe in Gladiator, “What we do in life echoes to eternity.”

But second, a partial correction to the first, are the words of the Apostle Paul, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13).

Jarrod and Casey: Yours is a generous, giving, friendly, and even romantic love. Jarrod thinks Casey is a beauty, and, Jarrod, we agree. Casey thinks Jarrod is a ruggedly handsome man, and, Casey, we forgive you for that.

To the audience: Jarrod and Casey want you to know that marriage is but a picture of the relationship that God wants to have with you. In marriage, they pledge faithfulness to each other until death do they part. In Jesus Christ, God has proven his faithfulness to us that not even death can overcome.

Marriage involves not only faithfulness but also forgiveness, and that, too, is something God wants to give you.

If you would, today, picture this invitation coming not from me but from Jarrod and Casey who asked me to give it—if someone today were to trust in Jesus and find in him a faithful and forgiving God—that would be the best wedding present for this couple.

Are you two ready? Audience, are you ready?

Exchange of Vows/Rings

The bride and groom have chosen to give traditional vows as they exchange rings.

Casey, do you have a ring for Jarrod? You may place it on his finger. And Jarrod, do you have a ring for Casey? You may place it on her finger.

Do you Casey, take Jarrod to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health? *I do*

And do you Jarrod, take Casey to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health? *I do*

Proclamation of Marriage

Then, by the authority of the God and man, I declare you husband and wife. Jarrod, you may kiss your bride.

Closing Remarks and Blessing

Well, there is one final vow to take, which is for you, the audience. Do you, those gathered together today, take Jarrod and Casey to be lawfully wedded, and do you pledge to love and cherish their marriage from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, and to support them in sickness and in health? *We do*

Then please join me in praying for the new couple:

Father, thank you for this day and this couple. Please give Jarrod and Casey the wisdom and power and love they need to remain ever faithful and forgiving in marriage. Thank you that we have all we need in Christ. We ask that you would bless this marriage, and God, we give it our blessing, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

You are all invited to remain for a reception in honor of the bridge and groom.