Joy/McTaggart Wedding

Pastoral Greeting

What an amazing opportunity to be gathered together for such a time as this.

I want to be the first to thank you all, those who are family and friends of Anna and Conner, for joining in on a day that will be a major milestone in the life they will soon declare to live together.

Before we do anything else, I feel as it is not only my role as pastor, but my responsibility as a follower of Jesus to go before God the Father in prayer- asking that He might bless this time, hear our prayers, and ready our hearts for what we are about to witness together...

Would you bow your heads as I ask the Father to bless this time together...

Father, in this moment we ask that your Spirit would fill this room. We thank you for the provision you have given both Anna and Connor leading up to this very second. We take seriously the moment in which we stand. Your hand of grace and mercy extends beyond our comprehension. We can do nothing apart from you, Father. You have given us a purpose and identity that far exceeds anything this world can offer. I thank you, Lord, for saving Anna. I thank you for saving Connor. We come before you right now to seek your blessing over this time together, that it may glorify and lift high the mighty name of Jesus! It is in His name that I pray..

And all of God’s people said… AMEN.

Giving of the Bride

At this point, I would like to ask, “Who gives their blessing for this woman to be married to this man?”

Her mother and I.

Charge to the Couple

Before we begin, I think it is best that we all take a moment to consider the journey these two have taken that leads up to this very moment.

I sent them questions asking about their story. Both of them were tasked to answer my questions, but they weren’t allowed to read each other’s responses.

Trust me, reading these were fun…

Anna and Conner originally met in middle school! However, it wasn’t until college when they connected and begin hanging out.

Conner said Anna was beautiful, but also very popular- which really intimidated him! This made him nervous to talk to her, but as he got to know her, he found her to be just as kind and genuine as he thought she was!

Anna said Conner was always kind and humble- a gentlemen, the best out of their friends every time.

The first time they went on a date alone, Conner took Anna to a Mexican restaurant. He said he was pretty nervous but thinks he played it cool… That is for Anna to confirm later… But what Anna really wants us to know is that she is the one who slid into his DM’s first!

I want to give credit to Conner though. He later took her to see The Greatest Showman in theaters. In his words, it was an ideal date because he didn’t have to entertain her the whole time…

Wait for it….

He was just so excited to have the opportunity to just sit by here… Now that is sweet.

I asked them to share about some embarrassing moments they experienced together. They both said that there hasn’t been too many embarrassing moments… Conner does remember a time he spent days trying to accomplish this challenge on a game he was playing. After completing the challenge, he invited Anna over to flex his skills. As Anna watched, he completely failed, bringing about some serious embarrassment.

But like the Anna we all know, she just encouraged him on and Conner got back up on his feet…

Conner, Anna wrote about the MANY times in college when you would pick her and her friends up from the bar- you would let them take over the radio and blare some T-Swift on blast. She said you were so patient… She knew that if you loved her then, she might have something special…

My man you wrote about the time you knew she really loved you… you wrote about that one valentines day where you chose to not get her something under the assumption she probably wasn’t getting you anything… and then she did… and then it was awkward… Remember that?

Yeah, I don’t either…

But she never held it against you! And that’s when you realized the kind of woman she was!

You both are the opposite of each other…

Conner, you are quiet and reserved. Anna… You don’t meet strangers! Conner loves that about you. He wrote about his love for your charisma, your strong will, your determination, and above all, your desire to love the Lord.

Anna, I love how you described Conner. You wrote about your love for his patience, humility, and discernment.

This is what she wrote, “I wish I could be more like Him in many ways.” According you Anna, you truly embody the attributes of a Christ like man.

It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know the both of you. I know that this day is a huge milestone for the both of you…

As we near the time of making this thing official, I really wanted to take the next few moments to share with you the real reason for this ceremony that, prayerfully, speaks louder than the decision you both are making.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul closes with a chapter that speaks to the relationship between and man and a woman. One built on respect, love, and support, Paul is urging to look at marriage through the lens of service and order, not one built on your own abilities! This is why he says, “Husbands, love your wives… wives submit to your husbands…” This is less of a role to be played and more of an order a structure to follow.. But listen- Paul ends the passage making sure our eyes understand the point of it all… He says, “The mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church!”

His explanation of the relationship between the husband and wife is less about the dynamics of your intimacy and strides, but really about the reflections it offers of our relationship with King Jesus!

We can all agree we live in a broken world… you both have already had your struggles. You have both been vulnerable is seeking to work them out and to strengthen your marriage.

There will always be storms that come… Matthew 7 says gives us insight into this life we live! The wind blows and the rain fells… But, the house that stood strong in the midst of the storm was built on THE ROCK- Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Many people want leadership lessons, self-help, and practical applications that lead to a better life, a stronger mind, and healthy habits.

Here is the deal, you two…. You will never find complete satisfaction in your jobs, your interests, your relationships, or really in each other. It is in Christ that we find our complete joy.

Our broken world is a result of our sin nature, a nature that seeks what we want before anyone else.

Jesus came to expose that nature and to offer a way of life that brings what we need… His ways are the best ways. So how do we experience this life with complete joy and satisfaction?

We wake up every morning, we trust God’s word, and stand on his ways being the best ways.

My wife and I have this saying that we frequently say in times of struggles and hardships…

Can God sin? No. If God can’t sin, will He sin against me? No! If God can’t sin against me, then does that means God wants what is best for me? YES!

Anna and Conner, trust the Lord. Trust His ways. Let your marriage be a representation of the relationship with have with King Jesus.

One day, Jesus will return to earth to establish His kingdom, one free of suffering, hardship, and pain. And just like you, Anna, when you walked down the isle in your beauty and splendor, so then will the church walk into the presence of Jesus.

The difference is, there will be no hardship in their future, and everything will be made right.

I want to take this time to invite all of us here to consider this fundamental truth, not simply because I am a pastor standing before you, but because Anna asked if we would make this known to all…

In your life filled with hardship and struggle, have you considered trusting God’s way as the best way for you? This truth is not just for the two of them, but it is for all of us present today…

Anna, Conner, if I can leave you with one thing that encompasses the gospel, marriage, and the pursuit of glorifying the Father… It is this truth that my marriage is built upon…

Wake up every morning to out serve each other. Our problems are rooted in our selfishness. If you wake up to serve and love each other more than yourselves, your marriage will grow in strength and will glorify the Father for the rest of your life…

Love you both dearly, and am excited for your future!

Wedding Vows

Now, we approach this sacred time of making your wedding vows. In the vows, you commit to each other a life that seeks to serve and glorify the Lord together.

Conner, I will start with you...

I, Conner

take you, Anna,

to be my wedded wife,

to have and to hold,

from this day forward,

for better or for worse,

for richer or poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and cherish you,

as long as we both shall live.

Anna, if you would repeat after me:

I, Anna

take you, Conner,

to be my wedded husband,

to have and to hold,

from this day forward,

for better or for worse,

for richer or poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and cherish you,

as long as we both shall live.

Exchanging of Wedding Rings

The wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual commitment, signifying to the world the union of you both, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Conner, place the ring on Anna’s finger and repeat these vows...

With this ring,

I thee wed,

As a token of my love for you,

In the name of the Father,

And of the Son,

And of the Holy Spirit.

Anna, place the ring on Conner’s finger and repeat after me:

With this ring,

I thee wed,

As a token of my love for you,

In the name of the Father,

And of the Son,

And of the Holy Spirit.

Time of Prayer

At this time, I want to invite the immediate family members of Anna and Conner to join them up here as we take a moment to spend time in prayer.

Declaration of Marriage

Conner and Anna, it is my prayer that:

The Lord will bless you and keep you, that the Lord will make His face to shine on both of you

and be gracious to you;

I pray that the Lord turns His face toward you

and may He always give you peace.

Together, as family and friends, 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 of rings.

It is, therefore, my joy and privilege to declare you husband and wife.

Conner, you may kiss your bride!

Presentation of the Couple

Friends and family of the bride and groom, it is my privilege to present to you

for the very first time

Mr. and Mrs. Conner Joy!

Recessional

Anna and Conner

Conner’s Brothers

Conner’s Parents

Anna’s mom and brother

Anna’s Dad

Closing Remarks

The bride and groom have requested for immediate family only to gather near the entrance of the celebration garden for family photos. Everyone sit tight!