Michael & Sandra Williams

Address Family & Friends

At the day and time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come,  the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, the Minister shall say:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

Charge to Michael & Sandra

And also speaking unto the both of you to be married, the minister shall say:

I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God’s Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful.

Intent

The Minister shall say to the man:

Michael, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

The man: I will.

Then shall the Minister say unto the woman:

Sandra, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

The woman: I will.

Then shall the Minister say:

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

Father’s reply: Her mother and I do.

Vows

Then shall they give their faithfulness to each other in this manner: the minister, receiving the woman at her father’s hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as followeth:

I Michael take thee Sandra to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faithfulness.

Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister:

I Sandra take thee Michael to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my faithfulness.

Presentation of the Ring(s)

Michael ring barrier Ricky will give the Minister the ring.

Sandra ring barrier Sabrina will give the Minister the ring.

Then shall they again loose their hands; and the man shall give unto the woman a ring on this wise: the Minister, taking the ring, shall deliver it unto the man, to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman’s left hand. And the man holding the ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say:

Bless, O Lord, this ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in Thy peace, and continue in Thy favor, unto their life’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With this ring I thee wed: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Bless, O Lord, this ring, that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in Thy peace, and continue in Thy favor, unto their life’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

With this ring I thee wed: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

WASHING THE FEET UNITY CEREMONY & BIBLE READING

OFFICIANT TO RECEPTION

Michael and Sandra will now demonstrate their devotion and commitment to each other through a simple act of service - washing each other's feet. For those of you who don't know, this tradition has been performed for thousands of years as a symbol of true Christian love.

In John 13, we're told that Jesus knelt down before his Disciples and washed their feet so that they would be clean. The King of Kings! The Bible says he washed their feet and he said to them,

"'Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.'"

Through this simple act of service, Jesus shows us how to live a life of humility, how to walk a path of selfless and unconditional love each day, and in union with each other.

In marriage, you vow to help each other as equals, giving of yourself without pride or expectation of return. Giving only with love. Living in faith, Bathed in God's love.

In marriage, you vow to serve your spouse, to care for them, to sit with them, to eat with them, to kneel before them, to speak to them with humility.

You vow never to back away pridefully from the work of marriage, or deny help to each other when it's needed. In marriage we are never too good to serve each other, to love each other. In weakness, in struggle, you vow to live in Jesus's name and by His example, with compassion, patience, love, and faith.

OFFICIANT TO Sandra

Sandra, please be seated. Michael, please kneel beside your love.

· Sandra SITS AND REMOVES HER SOCKS AND SHOES, AND Michael KNEELS.

· Michael THEN LIFTS Sandra FEET INTO THE BOWL, POURS A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER OVER THEM, AND WASHES THEM GENTLY.

AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE OFFICIANT CONTINUES.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER Michael

Michael, let this simple act of service be an example for the years to come. As Jesus says, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." As time passes, may you grow to understand the power of loving service in marriage.

· Michael, DRIES Sandra'sFEET.

· Sandra PUTS HER SHOES AND SOCKS BACK ON, STANDS, AND TRADES PLACES WITH Michael.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER Michael

Michael, please be seated.  Sandra, please kneel.

· Michael, SITS AND REMOVES HIS SOCKS AND SHOES, AND Sandra KNEELS.

· Sandra THEN LIFTS Michael, FEET INTO THE BOWL, POURS A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER OVER THEM, AND WASHES THEM GENTLY.

AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE OFFICIANT CONTINUES.

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER Sandra

Sandra, let this simple act of service be an example for the years to come. As Jesus says, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." As time passes, may you grow to understand the power of loving service in marriage. Please dry Michael's feet.

· Sandra, DRIES Michael's FEET.

· Michael PUTS HIS SHOES AND SOCKS BACK ON, AND YOU BOTH STAND BACK IN POSITION.

Prayers

Then the Minister shall say, Let us pray.

Then shall the Minister and the people, still standing on behalf of this man and women.

O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: send Thy blessing upon these Thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in Thy name; that they, living faithfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made (whereof this rings given and received is a token and pledge), and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to Thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration

Then shall the Minister join their right hands together, and say:

Those whom God hath joined together let no one put asunder.

Then shall the Minister speak unto the company:

Forasmuch as Michaeland Sandra have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their faithfulness, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of rings, and by joining hands, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Michael, you may kiss your bride.

Benediction

The husband and wife standing, the Minister shall add this blessing:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you and fill you with all spiritual blessing and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

It is my honor to give to friends and loved ones for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Williams.