Kris and Dina Wedding

WEDDING CEREMONY

Dina Joles & Kris Grimm

Approximately 20 Minutes

PROCESSIONAL

(Music plays as the wedding party enters. Once Dina is in place, allow the moment to settle before beginning.)

OPENING PRAYER

Would you pray with me?

Father, we thank You for this beautiful day.

We thank You for every person gathered here, for family, for friends, and especially for Kris and Dina.

We thank You that You are the author of love, the creator of marriage, and the God of covenant.

Today, as Kris and Dina stand before You and before these witnesses, we ask that Your presence would fill this place.

May this be more than a ceremony.

May this be more than a tradition.

May this become a holy moment that they remember for the rest of their lives.

Lord, bless their marriage.

Bless their home.

Bless their future.

Give them wisdom when decisions are difficult, grace when life becomes challenging, joy in the ordinary moments, and faith to trust You through every season.

Most importantly, may Jesus Christ always remain at the center of the life they build together.

We dedicate this ceremony and this marriage to You.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

WELCOME

You may be seated.

Family and friends, welcome.

We have gathered here today to celebrate something incredibly special:

the marriage of Dina Joles and Kris Grimm.

And Kris and Dina, before we go any further, I want you to take just a moment and look around this room.

Look at these people.

These are people who love you.

These are people who have walked through different chapters of your lives with you.

Some have known you for years.

Some have watched this relationship grow.

Some have prayed for you.

Some have encouraged you.

Some have laughed with you, cried with you, celebrated with you, and today they have come to stand with you as witnesses.

And that word—witnesses—is important.

Because today is certainly a celebration.

But marriage is more than a celebration.

It's more than a beautiful dress.

It's more than flowers.

It's more than photographs.

It's more than rings.

And it's more than a reception.

Today is about covenant.

Today, Kris and Dina are making promises to one another before God and before all of us.

They are saying:

“I choose you.”

Not only for today.

Not only when life feels easy.

Not only while everything is exciting and new.

But for the life they will build together from this day forward.

And that makes what happens here today sacred.

RELEASE OF THE BRIDE

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Response: ___________________________

Kris, you may receive your bride.

(Kris takes Dina's hand. Give them a moment to get settled.)

THE MESSAGE

Covenant: Choosing One Another Again and Again

Kris and Dina, one of the first things Scripture teaches us about marriage is found in Genesis 2:24:

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

God's description of marriage is fascinating.

He doesn't simply say two people will love each other.

He doesn't simply say they will live together.

He says:

“The two shall become one.”

Today two lives are being joined.

Two different histories.

Two different families.

Two personalities.

Two stories.

Two sets of experiences.

Two sets of dreams.

Two sets of strengths.

And, because you're both human, two sets of weaknesses.

And God takes those two lives and begins building something new.

Not simply Kris.

Not simply Dina.

But:

Kris and Dina.

One marriage.

One home.

One future.

One team.

That doesn't mean you stop being individuals.

It means that beginning today, there is another question added to your life.

Before marriage, we naturally ask:

“What do I want?”

But marriage requires another question:

“What is best for us?”

That transition from me to we is one of the most important parts of marriage.

Because marriage isn't simply sharing a house.

It is sharing a life.

LOVE IS A DECISION

We live in a culture that talks constantly about falling in love.

And falling in love is wonderful.

But strong marriages are not built simply because two people fell in love.

Strong marriages are built because two people decided to stay in love.

Because feelings change.

Circumstances change.

Seasons change.

Life changes.

There will be days when marriage feels incredibly easy.

There will be laughter.

There will be inside jokes nobody else understands.

There will be trips.

Celebrations.

Late-night conversations.

Answered prayers.

Victories.

Quiet mornings.

Family traditions that don't even exist yet.

There are memories waiting for you that you haven't made yet.

But there will also be difficult seasons.

There will be misunderstandings.

There will be disappointments.

There will be moments when one person is strong and the other person is tired.

There will be moments when somebody says something the wrong way.

There will be financial decisions.

Family decisions.

Unexpected circumstances.

And occasionally there may be moments when you wonder:

“How did we turn something this small into something this big?”

Welcome to marriage.

But that is where covenant becomes powerful.

Because covenant says:

“I choose you when I feel like choosing you—and I choose you when choosing you requires sacrifice.”

Today you choose each other publicly.

Tomorrow you'll choose each other privately.

You'll choose each other when nobody is clapping.

You'll choose each other when nobody takes photographs.

You'll choose each other on ordinary Tuesdays.

You'll choose each other in difficult conversations.

You'll choose each other after disagreements.

You'll choose each other five years from now.

Twenty years from now.

And the marriages that become truly beautiful are usually not marriages that never encountered difficulty.

They're marriages where two people kept deciding:

“We are going through this together.”

CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH

Ephesians 5 gives us one of Scripture's most powerful descriptions of marriage.

Paul writes:

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

Later he says:

“Let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

And right in the middle of the passage Paul says something remarkable.

He says marriage is actually a picture of Christ and His Church.

Think about that.

God designed marriage so that the relationship between a husband and wife could reveal something about God's covenant love.

That means your marriage has the opportunity to preach a sermon without either one of you ever standing behind a pulpit.

When people see patience in your home—

they see something about Jesus.

When they see forgiveness—

they see something about Jesus.

When they see faithfulness—

they see something about Jesus.

When they see sacrifice—

they see something about Jesus.

When they watch two imperfect people keep extending grace to one another—

they see something about Jesus.

Marriage isn't about two perfect people finding each other.

That would make marriage nearly impossible.

Marriage is two imperfect people deciding to love each other with the grace they themselves have received from God.

CHARGE TO KRIS

Kris, Scripture places a tremendous responsibility on the husband.

It says:

“Love your wife, as Christ loved the church.”

That's a high standard.

How did Christ love the Church?

Sacrificially.

Faithfully.

Patiently.

Protectively.

Jesus served.

Jesus forgave.

Jesus remained faithful.

And ultimately, Jesus laid down His life.

So biblical leadership in marriage is not about demanding your way.

It's not domination.

It's not control.

Christlike leadership means being willing to go first.

Go first in sacrifice.

Go first in humility.

Go first in prayer.

Go first in forgiveness.

And sometimes—

go first in saying:

“I was wrong.”

That one will serve you well.

Kris, make it your mission that Dina never has to wonder whether she is loved.

Not simply because you told her on your wedding day.

But because your life continually demonstrates it.

Protect her heart.

Listen to her.

Encourage her.

Celebrate her strengths.

Cover her weaknesses with grace.

And when difficult seasons come, be a man who says:

“We're going to trust God, and we're going through this together.”

CHARGE TO DINA

Dina, Scripture also talks about the incredible power of honor and respect within marriage.

Never underestimate the influence your words can have in Kris' life.

You can build confidence into him.

You can encourage him when he is weary.

You can remind him of who he is when life has temporarily made him forget.

Walk beside him.

Pray for him.

Encourage him.

Dream with him.

Laugh with him.

Challenge him when he needs challenging.

And become the kind of wife who makes home a place of peace rather than another battlefield he has to survive.

Honor doesn't mean pretending everything is perfect.

It means deciding that even when you disagree, you will protect the dignity of the person you love.

And together, build a marriage where grace is louder than criticism.

CHARGE TO BOTH OF YOU

Kris and Dina, protect this marriage.

Great marriages rarely happen accidentally.

They happen intentionally.

Never stop dating one another.

Never stop talking.

Never stop laughing.

Never stop learning one another.

People change as they grow.

The person standing in front of you today will continue growing.

So keep discovering each other.

Ask questions.

Listen.

Pay attention.

Protect your friendship.

Because one of the strongest foundations for a lifelong marriage is genuinely liking the person you're married to.

And don't allow pride to make temporary problems permanent.

You will both occasionally be wrong.

Sometimes one of you will know you're wrong.

Sometimes one of you will eventually discover you were wrong.

And sometimes you may both be wrong simultaneously.

Learn these words:

“I'm sorry.”

Learn these words:

“I forgive you.”

And maybe one more:

“You were right.”

Use that one carefully.

(Pause for laughter.)

But seriously, forgiveness will become one of the greatest protections your marriage has.

Because you don't forgive because the other person is perfect.

You forgive because you understand grace.

Colossians 3:13 says:

“As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

That means the grace God gives us becomes the grace we extend to one another.

PUT JESUS IN THE CENTER

And above everything else:

Keep Jesus Christ at the center of this marriage.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says:

“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Today we see two people standing here.

But the strongest marriage you can build isn't simply:

Kris + Dina.

It is:

Kris + Dina + Jesus.

Pray together.

Worship together.

Find a church and plant yourselves in it.

Serve God together.

When life is wonderful, worship Him.

When life is confusing, trust Him.

When decisions are difficult, seek Him.

And when you cannot see the next step, hold each other's hands and keep walking toward Jesus.

THE GOSPEL

The Greater Covenant

And because Scripture tells us marriage is a picture of Jesus and His Church, I don't believe you can truly talk about Christian marriage without talking about Christ.

In just a few moments, Kris and Dina are going to receive communion together.

And that communion reminds us of the greatest covenant ever made.

Today Kris chooses Dina.

Dina chooses Kris.

But the Gospel tells us something even more incredible:

God pursued us before we ever pursued Him.

John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Christianity doesn't teach that good people eventually earn their way to God.

Actually, Scripture says:

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Every one of us.

Pastors.

Families.

Bride.

Groom.

Everyone in this room.

Every one of us has sinned.

Every one of us has fallen short.

And sin separates us from a holy God.

But the Gospel is good news precisely because God did not leave us separated.

Romans 5:8 says:

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Notice that.

Not after we fixed ourselves.

Not after we became religious.

Not after we cleaned everything up.

While we were still sinners.

Jesus came for us.

He lived the life we could not live.

He went to the cross.

He carried our sin.

He paid the price for our rebellion.

And three days later, Jesus rose from the grave.

That means forgiveness is available.

Freedom is available.

Grace is available.

A new beginning is available.

And eternal life is available.

Not because you're good enough.

But because Jesus was.

Ephesians 2:8–9 says:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

So while today is absolutely about Kris and Dina, I would miss one of the greatest meanings of Christian marriage if I didn't tell everyone gathered here:

God desires covenant with you too.

Maybe you've known Jesus for decades.

Maybe you're unsure what you believe.

Maybe somebody had to practically drag you to a wedding where a pastor was going to talk.

That's okay.

You're here.

And maybe somewhere along the way you believed that Christianity was about becoming religious.

It's not.

It's about being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus died.

Jesus rose.

And Scripture says:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Jesus isn't asking you simply to admire Him.

He's calling you to follow Him.

To turn from sin.

To trust Him.

To surrender your life to Him.

And there could be no better reminder of covenant than what we are watching today.

Kris and Dina are about to publicly declare:

“I choose you.”

And the cross is God's declaration to humanity:

“I have loved you.”

COMMUNION

Their First Act of Worship Together

Kris and Dina have chosen to do something very meaningful today.

Instead of lighting a unity candle, they are going to receive communion together.

And I love this.

Because communion makes a powerful statement about what they want at the center of their marriage.

Before they exchange rings—

before I pronounce them husband and wife—

they are going to stop and remember Jesus.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11 that on the night Jesus was betrayed, He took bread.

And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said:

“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

And then He took the cup and said:

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”

That word again:

Covenant.

The bread reminds us of the body of Jesus given for us.

The cup reminds us of His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sin.

So Kris and Dina, today, before you enter your covenant with one another, you remember the covenant Jesus made with you.

Your marriage will not survive because you are perfect.

It will thrive because you continually come back to the One who is.

Today you are declaring:

Jesus is the foundation of this home.

When we succeed, we will honor Jesus.

When we struggle, we will run to Jesus.

When we don't know what to do, we will seek Jesus.

When we hurt each other, we will remember the grace Jesus gave us and extend that grace to one another.

And before Kris is Dina's husband—

he belongs to Christ.

Before Dina is Kris' wife—

she belongs to Christ.

That's the proper order.

Because the closer each of you grows toward Jesus, the stronger the foundation of your marriage becomes.

THE BREAD

Kris and Dina, take the bread.

This represents the body of Christ, broken for you.

As you receive this together, remember that the foundation of your marriage is not merely your love for each other.

It is the love of Jesus for both of you.

Take and eat.

(Allow them to receive the bread.)

THE CUP

Now take the cup.

This cup represents the blood of Jesus Christ, poured out for the forgiveness of sin and the establishment of the New Covenant.

As you drink this together, remember the grace you have received.

And make the decision throughout your marriage to extend that same grace to one another.

Take and drink.

(Allow them to receive the cup.)

PRAYER OVER THEIR MARRIAGE

Let's pray.

Jesus, thank You for the cross.

Thank You for Your body that was broken.

Thank You for Your blood that was poured out.

Thank You for grace.

Thank You for forgiveness.

And now I pray over Kris and Dina.

Let this communion become a marker in their marriage.

Years from now, when they remember their wedding day, may they remember that before anything else, they stopped and honored You.

Be the Lord of their home.

Be present in their decisions.

Be present in their conversations.

Be present in their celebrations.

Be present in difficult seasons.

May the home they build together be a place where the presence of God is welcomed, the Word of God is honored, and the love of Christ is visible.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Kris and Dina, you will now make promises to one another.

These are simple words, but they carry tremendous weight.

I ask you to answer from your heart.

KRIS

Kris, do you take Dina to be your wedded wife,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,

to honor and remain faithful to,

forsaking all others,

until death separates you,

according to God's holy design for marriage?

Kris: I do.

DINA

Dina, do you take Kris to be your wedded husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,

to honor and remain faithful to,

forsaking all others,

until death separates you,

according to God's holy design for marriage?

Dina: I do.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

May I have the rings?

The wedding ring has long been used as a symbol of covenant.

It has no obvious beginning and no obvious end.

And from this day forward, when you look at these rings, they will remind you of more than this ceremony.

They will remind you of the promises you made.

They say to the world:

“I belong to someone.”

And they remind each of you:

“I chose someone.”

KRIS → DINA

Kris, place the ring on Dina's finger and repeat after me:

Dina, I give you this ring

as a symbol of my love,

my faithfulness,

and my covenant with you.

I choose you above all others.

I promise to walk beside you,

to pray with you,

to encourage you,

and to love you faithfully.

Your joys will become my joys.

Your burdens will become my burdens.

Your victories will become my victories.

Where life takes us,

I will walk beside you.

With God as my witness,

I give you my heart,

and I give you my life.

DINA → KRIS

Dina, place the ring on Kris' finger and repeat after me:

Kris, I give you this ring

as a symbol of my love,

my faithfulness,

and my covenant with you.

I choose you above all others.

I promise to walk beside you,

to pray with you,

to encourage you,

and to love you faithfully.

Your joys will become my joys.

Your burdens will become my burdens.

Your victories will become my victories.

Where life takes us,

I will walk beside you.

With God as my witness,

I give you my heart,

and I give you my life.

FINAL BLESSING

Kris and Dina, Numbers 6 gives us this blessing:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

May the Lord bless your marriage.

May your friendship become stronger with every passing year.

May you never become so busy building a life that you forget to enjoy the person you're building it with.

May your home be filled with laughter.

May it be filled with prayer.

May it be filled with hospitality.

May it be filled with peace.

May forgiveness come quickly.

May offenses leave quickly.

May faith remain strong.

May you celebrate one another's victories and carry one another through disappointment.

May you still hold hands when you're old.

May you still make each other laugh.

May you still choose one another.

And decades from now, may you look back over the story of your marriage and say:

“Through every season, God was faithful.”

PRONOUNCEMENT

Kris and Dina,

you have publicly declared your commitment to one another.

You have honored Jesus through communion.

You have exchanged vows.

You have exchanged rings.

And before God and these witnesses, you have entered into the sacred covenant of marriage.

Therefore, by the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

it is my privilege to pronounce you…

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

In the name of the Father,

the Son,

and the Holy Spirit.

Kris…

you may kiss your bride!

(STEP ASIDE so you are not in the kiss photo. Allow applause.)

PRESENTATION

Ladies and gentlemen, would you stand with me?

It is my tremendous honor and privilege to introduce to you for the very first time…

KRIS AND DINA GRIMM!

(Music begins and the newly married couple exits.)