Blennerhassett Wedding

Welcome and Prayer

Do you give your daughter rebekah away to be married to bailey today.

Welcome everyone, please stay standing as we ask for God’s blessing on this day;

Let us pray.

Father God, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as Bailey and Rebekah’s, and we give thanks for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit.

We ask that the words spoken today are directed by your Holy Spirit, that they give you Glory and those that might not know you will be touched by a conviction of your love in order to turn from their ways and toward you, a loving and affectionate God.

Lord Jesus, we ask that you Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May being here today in this celebration of love and commitment between Bailey and Rebekah, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to our relationships with each other that we cherish.

May we see your hand at work as we celebrate you today and give you all the glory for this relationship, In your mighty name, we pray, Amen.

You may all be seated.

Message 1

Bailey and Rebekah, this is one of the most exciting times of your lives, and for everyone else, what a privilege it is for you to join them as we commit their lives to God in the covenant of Marriage. So let me encourage you in a world full of distractions and “what’s next” to stop and ask the question; "What's here now" - God's business is the future, the past is gone, and we are given every moment as a gift by God so let’s enjoy this one with Bailey and Rebekah.

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to unite Bailey Blennerhassett and Rebekah Ivey in the sacred bond of marriage.

Marriage is an honourable commitment between a man, a woman, and God, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but with deep reverence and a profound awareness of the awe of God who has allowed us, through His grace to be here today.

Today, Bailey and Rebekah will receive one of God’s greatest gifts; another person to serve Jesus with, share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with and to stand with as one flesh when trials and tribulations enter their lives.

Marriage is a covenant of two people who commit to loving each other the way Jesus has loved us for the purpose of furthering God’s Kingdom. When we think of love, our hearts are drawn to the profound truth that love is patient and kind, as described in first Corinthians. It embodies the selfless sacrifice of Christ, who demonstrated the greatest love by laying down His life for us. This divine love connects us to one another, fostering unity, grace, and a deep sense of belonging in our relationships. The bond of marriage carries with it a sacredness and unity that is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations. It is a covenant between a male, a female and God. A marriage's purpose is to reflect the Gospel, it gives us a picture of sacrificial love between two people - When someone looks on at a Marriage it should remind them and point them to the love that Christ has for us, it should be a picture of Christ and the Church.

I would like to invite claire up now to read a passage of Ephesians, which outlines the roles within a marriage and the importance of Marriage in furthering God.s Kingdom.

Cousin to read the ephesians verse. Ephesians 5:22-32.

Ephesians 5:31 ESV

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

The Bible gives us this picture of marriage as two people who become one flesh because they can effectively serve the kingdom of God better together than they can apart. You are making the commitment today to love one another the way that God has loved us, to allow God’s love to flow through you to one another and to walk side by side with your eyes fixed on Jesus serving Him throughout your life together.

Charge

Bailey and Rebekah, let me encourage you both to remember that your future is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest human relation in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime. To remind each other that no one can love you like Christ, and to remember that it is only through His love that you can love one another. To remember that Christ is 1st in your life and to build your life on the firm foundation of His Love, His Truth and His Way which will give life to your marriage. You are about to commit to laying down your lives for each other, and for Christ as you seek His Will for your marriage and attempt to love each other the way Christ has loved you.

It is your duty, Bailey, to be to Rebekah, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, lead and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to lay down your life for her the way Christ did for the Church; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

It is your duty, Rebekah, to be to Bailey, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to love Him the way that Christ has loved you; to give to him the unfailing pieces of evidence of your affection; and to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live.

If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, to enter into a biblical marriage which will honour God, to lay down your own needs for the needs of each other, will you now unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.

I would like to invite Norm up to pray a blessing over Bailey and Rebekah before we move forward.

Formal Responses

Bailey, do you take Rebekah to be your Wife? (“I do”)

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and remaining devoted to her for the rest of your life? (“I do”)

Do you promise to always put God first in your marriage, lead well and attempt to love Rebekah the way Christ loved the church? (“I do”)

Rebekah, do you take Bailey to be your Husband (“I do”)

Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and remaining devoted to him for the rest of your life? (“I do”),

Do you promise to always put God first in your marriage and attempt to love Bailey the way that Jesus has loved you? (“I do”)

Personal Vows

The couple will now exchange vows as promises to God and to each other for their lives together.

Rings

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of the lifelong commitment and abiding love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other.

Jack can we have the rings

Bailey, please place the ring on Rebekah’s finger, and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. May this ring serve as a constant reminder of our covenant and my promise to love you all the days of our lives.

Jack second ring

And Rebekah, please place the ring on Bailey’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. May this ring serve as a constant reminder of our covenant and my promise to love you all the days of our lives.

Message 2

John 3:16–17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God first, but in our rebellion to Him that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Through a commitment with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Jesus rose from the dead, we are saved and brought into His eternal Kingdom. It is through a commitment made with their mouths and a love in their hearts that Bailey and Rebekah have entered into a covenant of Marriage with each other today, before God and for His Glory.

May You Bailey and Rebekah share this love with each other as you allow God to operate through your lives and through your marriage. May you always remember that God gave us grace, and so you too can show each other grace. May God’s love shine through you and His will for your marriage operate within you.

Prayer

Let me pray a blessing over each of you and your marriage.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We know that we can only be obedient because of your Holy Spirit within us - May you help Bailey and Rebekah to fulfill the promises they have made here today and reflect the Gospel in their marriage. May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in their marriage every day, may they constantly turn from following the flesh and turn to follow your Spirit. May they seek first their love from you, so that they can love each other the way you are calling them to. Lord Jesus, we set apart tihs marraige for your Glory, we ask for your spiritual protection upon it, and what you have put together, let no man seperate. May this be the beginning of a life long commitment which serves you, honours you and pushes the kingdom of God forward for you. We pray that they will continue to grow in the things of you as they abide in you.

We know Lord that we can only love each other because you first loved us - May Bailey and Rebekah’s gaze always be transfixed on you, may they be reminded constantly of the sacrifice you made on the cross for them and will you Lord, pour out your mercy and grace on this union today. We pray today that this marriage will give you glory, that it will honour you and that your name will be exalted above every other name because of the gift you have given us of this marriage today.

In Jesus Mighty name, Amen.

Close

Bailey and Rebekah, having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are here today, by the authority invested in me by our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!

Signing of the Certificates

Presentations and recession

Made for More - Danny

Let me give you these words of encouragement;

A good marriage must be created.

A strong marriage is built on Christ, so keep Him first and continue to build your love on His firm foundation.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger, forgive quickly, forget quicker and always remember the forgiveness God has given you.

You have been placed here on purpose, by our Lord Jesus and this marriage is a result of His faithfulness and sovereignty.

Marriage is built on the commitment that “Love” is reflected by what we do, more than by what we say.

Let me encourage you then, to do the “little things” that add up over time as the “doing” of your love which includes;

Speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways

Laying down your lives for each other, and putting each other's desires before your own

Reminding each other to look up, toward Christ, eternity and away from guilt and condemnation.

Creating time for each other, never being “too busy” to stop and appreciate the gift that you are to each other.

Standing together, creating moments together and worshipping our Lord and Saviour Jesus together.

It is remembering for every day until you get to eternity, that in the messy middle that is this life, God has gifted you, by His Grace, another person that perfectly compliments you to serve His Kingdom with, to stand with through trials and tribulations, to love, to be loved all while growing deeper in Christ, together.

May God pour His blessing upon you both.

Confetti . Throw it up. Before they get to you.

I now present to you, for the first time, Mr and Mrs Bailey and Rebekah Blennerhasset.

—-

Notes;

Everyone is invited to ceremony and reception.

Family stay behind for photos | Grazing table and soft drinks on the lawn from 4:00pm – 7:00pm – Games and drinks. Bride and groom 6:30 reception start.

Dinner 7:15pm

Seated by 3:00pm | No photos or videos | Family only on the front.

Josh Alcorn = Welcome Usher.

Rehearsal Friday 3:00pm | The timing and the walk. How to stand at the front.