Testa/Ickes Wedding

PROCESSION

WELCOME/PRAYER

Tate and Emily, Look around. This is your cloud of witnesses. We love you.

Marriage is not what brings us together today. To quote a famous theologian: “I don’t think it means what you think it means.” Anyone can get married and then become unmarried. We have been invited here today to share with Tate and Emily and their families a celebration that marks the beginning of their new life together as husband and wife. What the Scripture calls a union. Today, they will promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead.  What you promise today must be renewed every day.  A loving union extends beyond the warm feelings, excitement and romance to caring about the needs and interests of the other more than yourselves.  To this life long covenant you are entering into today.

PRAYER

INTENTION/GIVING AWAY OF BRIDE:

Parents, are you willing, now and always to support and strengthen this union with your prayers, encouragement, love, and support? (Respond: We will)

Who entrusts Emily to be united with Tate?

(Move to platform)

SCRIPTURE READING

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

VOWS

Do you Tate take Emily to be your wife, and in doing so, give your life to her only, putting her interests above your own in times of prosperity and times of need; and living with her in the commitment of faith, the security of hope, and the joy of love as long as you both live?

I DO

Do you Emily take Tate to be your husband, and in doing so, give your life to him only, putting his interests above your own in times of prosperity and times of need; and living with him in the commitment of faith, the security of hope, and the joy of love as long as you both live?

I DO

SCRIPTURE READING  

Colossians 3:12–15 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

MESSAGE

It has been a privilege to have spent the past months with you as you’ve prepared not for this day but for your union.

You have done the important and sometimes hard work each in your own unique way. That’s good because it doesn’t stop here.

In this passage the mood changes from negative to positive; like driving out of fog to finally see sunlight.

There’s something else here too: an invitation to let go of old ways and take hold of new ways (therefore). Mostly, a new way of being human as God’s chosen and loved people set apart to him and for him.

The first time it was given is told in Genesis 2, where Moses spends a lot of time showing how male and female together reflect God’s image. What is that image? Partnership (Father, Son, Spirit). What we read describes how the loving union of man and woman is to reflect/ to the world who God is.

Wedding clothes. Appropriate for today and the role you will take in each others’ lives and together into all your relationships and the world. While Paul isn’t talking about wedding clothes here, the metaphor works: A symbol for the kind of character this new way of life is being put on as loved people of God made to look like him: a deep sensitivity to the needs of others shown in kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience.

All these things are buttoned up/zipped up by love. It pulls it all together and will look stunning on you.

But it’s not just for you. You get to practice on each other but here’s the thing: as you grow in these things together, you will have a tangible effect on everyone around you.

Let’s talk about how we see compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiveness, gratitude in you now - God’s word living in you - in different and complementing way already showing up in you:

You bring together Dedication and idealism

Working as a team

a Smooth and steady

Supportive and loyal (Emily)

Persevering and unwilling to settle for mediocre (Tate)

You also have a bag full of tools to help you take advantage of other opportunities to wear this stunning character ensemble:

Resolving issues

Communicating honest feelings and listening well

Dealing with change

Making decisions

Managing conflict

The difference between an ok union and a thriving, flourishing union is the time and energy you both put into cultivating your life in Christ and his way of living. The more you cultivate this kind of life, the more you will contribute to the world than what either of you could by yourselves.

God brought you together not just for your own sake but to also help those around you see the way he intended life to be.

But don’t take yourselves too seriously. Love God fiercely, enjoy God. Love others fiercely. Enjoy them. Your joy will be attractive and infectious.

RINGS

I, Tate take you Emily, to be my wedded wife; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or worse, for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and cherish; till death do us part; according to God’s holy ordinance.

I Emily take you Tate to be my wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or worse, for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and cherish; till death do us part; according to God’s holy ordinance.

BLESSING AND PRONOUNCEMENT

Tate and Emily, May the Father keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may stay with you and be always in your hearts.

Amen

May your children bless you, your friends console you, and all people live in peace with you.

Amen

May you always bear witness to Gods Kingdom, it’s Gospel, and Christ’s love in this world, so that all will find in you generous friends.

Amen

And may you experience the deep blessing and joy of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen

As you have committed yourselves to union with one another before God in the presence of family and friends, I pronounce you husband and wife.

KISS

BENEDICTION

May your marriage always honor God who loves you, bring joy to one another, and blessings to your family for many generations to come. May love and laughter fill your hearts and your home for all at the days of your lives. May you face every challenge hand-in-hand and side-by-side knowing that with God’s grace, you’ll thrive through all obstacles together. May the world be forever a better place because of your union. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

INTRODUCTION OF COUPLE

RECESSION