Whitaker Wedding

open

walk out at 12:30. Make announcement to as we begin please turn phones off or to airplane mode?? *Check with couple**

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Speak O Lord

At conclusion or when given signal bride is ready, announce: All rise

Wedding March

THE WELCOME

Please be seated.

Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of this company to witness the union of Bobby and Breanna in Christian marriage. Marriage is a holy estate given by God to fulfill us as individuals and as a couple, and to conform us, as maturing believers, into the image of Christ. Bobby and Breanna have chosen to be married in the church, a building dedicated to the worship of God, as a testimony of their faith in God and as a witness to all present that they desire to honor their Lord and Savior in their lives and in their home. May our heavenly Father look down upon this event with his favor. May the Lord Jesus Christ be present and add his blessing. May the Holy Spirit attend and seal these vows in love. Marriage is a biblical blessing and institution. It is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the reverence of God. Into this holy estate, these two have come now to be joined.

THE GIVING IN MARRIAGE

In God’s most amazing act of creation, he created beings in his own image. They not only were made to reflect his image, but they were made in his image. We read of this astonishing event in the first chapter of Genesis: “So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female” (v. 27). Being made in the image of the triune God, the male was not complete when he was alone, so God created the perfect complement for the male: the female. She was to be his life companion, his co-laborer in fulfilling the creation mandate of God: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth” (v. 28).

In the time of man’s innocence, God instituted the estate of matrimony between the first man and the first woman. In marriage, God gave his creatures, man and woman, the ability—and the mandate—to create life like themselves, life in the image of God. Not only this, but God also gave this first couple a taste of redemption for mankind, as marriage is a foretaste of the mystical union that exists between Christ and his bride, the church.

It is into this holy estate that Bobby and Breanna have chosen to enter. Not knowing any just reason that these two should not be married, I ask, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

***FATHER RESPONDS: “HER MOTHER AND I DO.***

***There is usually some sort of exchange between the father and the groom. Like a hug or handshake.***

THE INVOCATION

Let us pray: Father, Creator, we thank you for your wondrous and gracious creation of man- kind in your image. We thank you for the heavenly character of love—especially when your love exists between a man and a woman. We thank you for your institution of marriage and of the joy and the sense of completion that it brings. We thank you for our redemption in Jesus Christ, as we are made new creatures in him. We ask now that you bless the union of Bobby and Breanna, that they may grow to conform to the image of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask you to enable this couple to bless you in their lives and in their marriage in all the days ahead. For it is in your name alone that we pray. Amen.

The couple would like for all us gathered together today to take a moment and worship our God through the singing of a well known hymn. The lyrics will be on the screen. If you are able, would rise and join us in a moment of worship, and sing It is Well.

It Is Well

Lyrics will be on back screen.

please be seated once more.

THE STATEMENT OF MARRIAGE

That song, It Is Well, on the surface, is an interesting choice that this couple made to have included as a part of a wedding ceremony. I’ll spare you all of the finer details, but it lyrics were birthed from a point of great despair in Horatio Spafford’s life. Yet as Spafford was processing through a very difficult time, the refrain left ringing in his ear was that by the grace of God, ultimately all is well in his soul.

For the past few months I have been given the opportunity to really get to know Bobby and Breanna. I have learned that you all have been through quite a lot in your lives. Not so much in your relationship, but on the road leading you all together. One of the most encouraging things that was expressed in our time together, was that before you all met one another, you understood the message of that song. Through all the trials, the heartache, the brokenness, and temporal consequences of sin you all have gone through, you came to understand individually that It is Well in Your Soul because Christ Jesus lived, died, and rose again to reconcile you unto a Holy God and commissioned you to His great purpose.

You come together now understanding that you don’t complete one another, but that Christ has completed you and enabled you to come together to give Him all the more glory. You come together understanding that God has ordained marriage as a great blessing, but that it is a blessing second to that of the gift of grace in salvation.

Bobby and Breanna, you are about to pledge the most sacred vows that one person makes with another.

Take a moment right now and just breathe. Look at all of those around us. Those who have come here to support you in this moment. I know everything in this day seems like a blur. Just for a brief second. Pause, take it all in. *PAUSE*

As you stand before the witness of God and this company, it is important that you give careful consideration to that which you are promising. You are accountable to your precious mate and to God for that which you pledge. It is advisable that you soberly examine the vows you are about to make.

The Vows:

Bobby and Breanna, these vows are as binding in adversity as they are in prosperity. They should be broken only by death. If you are prepared to make such a serious commitment, will you now turn, face one another, and join hands.

Bobby, in taking Breanna to be your wife, do you so promise to honor, to love, and to cherish her in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, in hardship as in blessing, until death alone shall part you?

Bobby responds: “I do.”

Breanna, in taking Bobby to be your husband, do you so promise to honor, to love, and to cherish him in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, in hardship as in blessing, until death alone shall part you? Bride responds: “I do.”

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Who has the rings?

You will now seal your vows, “to honor, to love, to cherish,” by the giving and receiving of rings. The unbroken circles of these rings symbolize a union between husband and wife with God that cannot be broken. This is in accord with God’s creation plan, and it brings honor to the One who created you to glorify him. The precious glistening gold of these rings symbolizes all that is pure and holy in the marital bond. As these metals were refined to fashion these beautiful rings, may God ever refine and purify you both as new creations in Christ Jesus. As you wear these rings, may they ever remind you of your love and of the commitment you have made this day.

Bobby, place this ring on Breanna’s finger and repeat after me:

Groom: “I, Bobby, take you, Breanna, to be my wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone.”

Breanna, place this ring on Bobby’s finger and repeat after me:

Bride: “I, Breanna, take you, Bobby, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone.”

THE PRAYER

Gracious Father, thank you for creating us in your image. Because of this, we are able to know you and to know what true love is. We see in this couple a deep and abiding love for each other and for you. We have witnessed the giving of vows and rings in this sacred hour. Through your power and blessing, we ask you to enable these two to keep their vows, to be renewed daily in their love and commitment, to walk in mutual faith, to build a strong and lasting marriage, and to live by confidence in your grace. As they grow in conformity to Christ’s image, may you, O Lord, receive glory through the lives and marriage of Bobby and Breanna. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

THE DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

Bobby and Breanna, we have witnessed the pledging of your love and commitment to each other. We have seen the sealing of your solemn vows of marriage by the giving and receiving of rings.

let me step aside for a moment, this is all about y'all .

It is, therefore, my joy and privilege to declare you husband and wife. Bobby, you may kiss your bride.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLYWEDS

Friends and family of the bride and groom, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Whitaker.

THE RECESSIONAL - Wedding March Out

Come Praise and Glorify

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RECEPTION

The bride and groom would like to invite you to the reception that will take place downstairs in the fellowship hall. ***ASK COUPLE IF MORE SPECIFIC Instructions are necessary***

**At some point we need to sign the Marriage Certificate**