Shumate Wedding 2026

Welcome

Welcome Family and friends! We are gathered here today in the sight of God to celebrate the marriage of Kaleb and Haley. I have had the privilege of getting to know this couple over the past few years and I have watched as their relationship has grown along side the growing of their faith in Christ.

Prayer

Message

Marriage is the physical and Earthly image of our relationship to Christ. It is not just an exchanging of vows or wearing rings or changing names, it is a covenant. It is the willingness to lay our lives down for the sake of another.

Haley, as the bride, you are the image bearer of the church. Ephesians 5:22 “22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” This is not a wrestling match, it is not a battle of the will to see who remains as victor, it is a submission of your wants and desires to the love and care of your husband. Just as in your walk with Christ, there will be times that you don’t understand what Kaleb is doing or why. Your job is to trust that what he is doing is for the spiritual growth of your family.

Kaleb, as the husband, you are the image bearer of Christ. Christ does not hold it over us that he is the head of the church, no, he lays his life down for his bride. He stepped out of Heaven to walk with us and ultimately lay his life down on the cross for our good. In the same way, Kaleb your duty as a husband is to lay your life down. Ephesians 5:25–27 “25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”

You are the spiritual leader in your home. Haley is looking to you for guidance. She is trusting that you are praying for her, studying the scriptures, seeking truth in Christ. Don’t hold it over her, walk hand in hand with her as you both grow in faith.

Ephesians 5:31 “31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.””

This is it. After today you are one flesh. There is a spiritual union happening today that should never be broken.

The best piece of advice I have ever recieved, and I want to give to you on your wedding day, “If everyone is looking to meet the needs of their spouse over their own, then everyone’s needs will be met.” This marriage is no longer about how you can be fulfilled, it is how you can love someone else more and more every day, in every way.

I Do’s

KAleb, do you solemnly agree before God and these witnesses to take Haley to be your lawful, wedded wife; to love and respect her, honor and cherish her, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in adversity; and, leaving all others, to keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live? I Do Haley, do you in like manner solemnly agree to receive Kaleb as your lawful, wedded husband; to love and respect him; and to live with him in all faith and tenderness, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and in adversity; and leaving all others to keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live? I Do

Vows

Please join hands and repeat the following lines after me: I, Kaleb, take you, Haley, to be my wedded wife; and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live. I, Haley, take you Kaleb, to be my wedded husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

Rings

The ring, an unbroken circle, represents unending love. As often as either of you look upon these rings, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you have promised to one another. Haley, as you receive this ring from Kaleb, remember that it is a symbol of his love and commitment to you, and wear it as a token of your love and devotion to him. Kaleb, as you receive this ring from Haley, remember that it is a symbol of his love and commitment to you, and wear it as a token of your love and devotion to her.

Family prayer

Please take a few moments to join us in praying for Kaleb and Haley as they begin their lives as husband and wife. *Gabe prays

Pronouncement

By the authority committed unto me as a Minster of the gospel, I, according to the ordinance of God and the law of the state, declare Kaleb and Haley now Husband and Wife. Kaleb, you may kiss your bride *First Kiss Family and friends, I am proud to present Mr. and Mrs. Shumate!

After recessional The couple would like to invite you to join them in the lobby for some refreshments.