Pearson/Bennett Wedding

JOHN BENNETT and TORI PEARSON

ENTRANCE

GREETING

Pastor to people:

We are gathered here to worship God and to witness the marriage vows of John Bennett and Tori Pearson. Let your light so shine before people that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Let us worship God.

DECLARATION OF INTENTION

Pastor to the persons who are to marry:

John and Tori, marriage is an honorable estate whose bond and covenant was instituted by God in creation. Our Lord Jesus Christ adorned and beautified this holy estate by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his church. And the Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people. Therefore, no one should enter this state of life unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained.

Pastor to the man:

JOHN, will you have TORI to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage?

Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health,

and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

Man: I will

Pastor to the woman:

TORI, will you have JOHN to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage?

Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health,

and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

Woman: I will.

RESPONSE OF THE FAMILIES AND THE PEOPLE

Pastor to people:

Who presents this woman to be married to this man?

Presenter(s): I (We) do

The marriage of TORI and JOHN unites their families, they ask for your blessing.

Do you who represent their families rejoice in their union and pray God's blessing upon them?

We do.

Family may be seated.

Pastor to people:

Will all of you, by God's grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for these two persons in their marriage?

People: We will.

PRAYER *

Let us pray. Lord God our father, creator of all that is.

You gave us Jesus to be the way the truth, and the life.

Show us your way today.

We pray especially for Tori and John today.

That your grace would be thick.

That your forgiveness would be cherished.

That your wisdom would be known.

That your power would be seen.

That your love would be realized in their life.

Together. For all to see and give you Glory.

Sustain them with your Holy Spirit.

We pray this through faith in your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

(NLT)

Genesis 2:18–24 NIV84

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’ ” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

(NLT)

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 NIV84

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

(NLT)

Matthew 5:13–16 NIV84

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

(NLT)

1 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,

Ephesians 5:21–33 NIV84

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

(NLT)

21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Colossians 3:12–17 NIV84

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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. 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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(NLT)

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

1 John 4:7–12 NIV84

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

(NLT)

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Song of Solomon 8:6–7 NIV84

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

(NLT)

6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.

7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.

SERMON OR OTHER WITNESS TO CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

*****

INTERCESSORY PRAYER *

Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all life, Author of salvation, Giver of all grace:

Bless and sanctify with your Holy Spirit

JOHN and TORI, who come now to join in marriage.

Grant that they may give their vows to each other in the strength of your steadfast love.

Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and with one another all their days, that they may reach out in concern and service to the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MARRIAGE

EXCHANGE OF VOWS

The woman and man face each other, joining hands. The pastor may prompt them, line by line.

Man to woman:

In the name of God,

I, JOHN, take you, TORI, to be my 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, until we are parted by death.

This is my solemn vow.

Woman to man:

In the name of God,

I, TORI, take you, JOHN, to be my 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, until we are parted by death.

This is my solemn vow.

BLESSING AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS

The pastor, taking the rings, may say one of the following:

These rings are the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace,

signifying to us the union between Jesus Christ and his Church.

These rings are the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace,

signifying to all the uniting of JOHN and TORI in holy marriage.

The pastor may bless the giving of rings or other symbols of the marriage:

Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may live in your peace and continue in your favor all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

While placing the ring on the third finger of the recipient's left hand:

Man to Woman:

TORI, I give you this ring as a sign of my vow,

and with all that I am,

and all that I have, I honor you;

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

TORI to JOHN:

JOHN, I give you this ring as a sign of my vow,

and with all that I am,

and all that I have, I honor you;

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

The wife and husband join hands. The pastor may place a hand on their joined hands.

Pastor to husband and wife:

You have declared your consent and vows before God and this congregation.

May God confirm your covenant and fill you both with grace.

The couple may turn and face the congregation.

Pastor to people:

Now that JOHN and TORI have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, and the giving and receiving of rings,

I announce to you that they are husband and wife; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. Amen.

Sand/Candle/Etc.

BLESSING OF THE MARRIAGE *

Most gracious God,

we give you thanks for your tender love in making us a covenant people through our Savior Jesus Christ and for consecrating in his name the marriage covenant of JOHN and TORI.

Grant that their love for each other may reflect the love of Christ for us and grow from strength to strength as they faithfully serve you in the world.

Defend them from every enemy.

Lead them into all peace.

Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their heads.

Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their lives and in their deaths.

Finally, by your grace, bring them and all of us to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

The pastor's hands may be extended in open invitation.

And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray:

The pastor may raise hands.

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING *

Pastor to wife and husband:

God the Eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home.

Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.

Pastor to people:

Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

JOHN, you may kiss your bride.

Family, friends, it gives me great pleasure to present to you AS HUSBAND AND WIFE, Mr. JOHN BENNETT and Mrs. TORI PEARSON.