Wedding: Zack & Katie Davis

Prelude

(Music will be playing prior to service)

Seating of Mothers

(Music will initiate the seating after the guests are seated)

The order is as follows:

1. Mother of the Bride (lighting unity candle).

2. Mother of the Groom: escorted in with father following (lighting unity candle).

3. Groom: enters and stands before pastor.

4. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: escort each other to the front (maid of honor and best man are last).

5. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer: ring bearer will walk before the flower girl (the best man will hold the rings in his palm and the pastor will pick them up individually when asking for them).

Processional

(Music will initiate)

(Father and Bride will come to the altar and remain standing before the pastor)

Welcome

Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of this company to witness the union of Zack and Katie in marriage. Knowing of their love for each other, I have great confidence that there is a bright future before them.

Giving in Marriage

In God's most amazing act of creation, He created beings in His own image. We read of this astonishing event in the first chapter of Genesis: "So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female" (v. 27). Being made in the image of the triune God, the male was not complete when he was alone, so God created the perfect complement for the male: the female. She was to be his life companion, his co-laborer in fulfilling the creation mandate of God: "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it" (v. 28). In the time of man's innocence, God instituted the estate of matrimony between the first man and the first woman. Marriage was consecrated by God, not only for mutual help and comfort, but also as a means of procreation. In marriage, God gave His creatures, man and woman, the ability - and the mandate - to create life like themselves, life in the image of God. It is into this holy estate that Zack and Katie have chosen to enter. Not knowing any just reason that these two should not be married, I ask, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"(The couple will now come together and face the pastor)

Invocation

Let us pray: Father, we thank you for your wondrous and gracious creation of mankind in your image. We thank you for the heavenly character of love - especially when your love exists between a man and a woman. We thank you for your institution of marriage and of the joy and the sense of completion that it brings. We thank you for our redemption in Jesus Christ, as we are made new creatures in Him. We ask now that you bless the union of Zack and Katie, that they may grow to conform to the image, Jesus Christ. We ask you to enable this couple to bless you in their lives and in their marriage in all the days ahead. For it is in your name alone that we pray. Amen.

Statement of Marriage

Zack and Katie, you are about to pledge the most sacred vows that one person makes with another. As you stand before the witness of God and this company, it is important that you give careful consideration to that which you are promising, for you are accountable to both your mate and to God for that which you pledge. It is advisable, therefore, that you soberly examine the vows you are about to make. These vows are timeless principles that are found in God’s Word. In these few moments, we will examine the things that you are vowing to do for your mate, regardless of life's circumstances, for as long as you live. The Apostle Paul gave very simple instructions for the marriage in . He writes, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, . . . so that he might present the church to himself in splendor . . .. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ . . . let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” You will notice that Paul does not state that a spouse is to wait until the other spouse is fulfilling these commandments; rather, each person is to simply obey these commands. Therefore, you are to fulfill these commands without condition, even when you feel that your mate does not deserve it.

Vows

Zack and Katie, you have listened to this sobering explanation of the meaning of the vows you are about to make. These vows are as binding in adversity as they are in prosperity. They should be broken only by death. If you are prepared to make such a serious commitment, will you now turn, face one another, and join hands. Zack, in taking Katie to be your wife, do you so promise to honor, to love, and to cherish her in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, in hardship as in blessing, until death alone shall part you? (Groom responds: "I do."). Katie, in taking Zack to be your husband, do you so promise to honor, to love, and to cherish him in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, in hardship as in blessing, until death alone shall part you? (Bride responds: "I do.").

Exchange of Rings

You will now seal your vows, "to honor, to love, to cherish," by the giving and receiving of rings. The unbroken circles of these rings symbolize a union between husband and wife with God that cannot be broken. This is in accord with God's creation plan, and it brings honor to the One who created you to glorify Him. The precious glistening gold of these rings symbolizes all that is pure and holy in the marital bond. As these metals were refined to fashion these beautiful rings, may God ever refine and purify you both as new creations in Christ Jesus. As you wear these rings, may they ever remind you of your love and of the commitment you have made this day.(Taking the ring from the best man) Zack, place this ring on Katie’s finger and repeat after me: "I Zack, take you, Katie, to be my wedded wife to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone."(Taking the ring from the best man) Katie, place this ring on Zack’s finger and repeat after me: "I, Katie, take you, Zack, to be my wedded husband to have and to hold, from this day forward. I pledge before God and these witnesses to place your good above mine, now and always, no matter the circumstances. I promise to honor you, to love you, and to cherish you until death do us part. Joyfully and willingly, I commit myself to you, and to you alone."

Prayer

Let us pray: Gracious Father, thank You for creating us in your image. Because of this, we are able to know you and to know what true love is. We see in this couple a deep and abiding love for each other and for you. We have witnessed the giving of vows and rings in this sacred hour. Through your power and blessing, we ask you to enable these two to keep their vows, to be renewed daily in their love and commitment, to walk in mutual faith, to build a strong and lasting marriage, and to live by confidence in your grace. As they grow in conformity to Christ's image, may you receive glory through the lives and marriage of Zack and Katie. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Unity Ceremony

Zack and Katie, together as you light this candle of unity, you symbolize the flame of your own individual selves joining to ignite the partnership of marriage.

Zack and Katie, together as you light this candle of unity, you symbolize the flame of your own individual selves joining to ignite the partnership of marriage.

You also bring the warmth, strength and wisdom of your family’s fire as kindling for your own.

As BRIDE and GROOM, your flames are separate, yet they feed the same fire.

From this day onward, may you bask in the beauty of the light of your love, may its light shine bright and steady upon your path together and may its heat keep you warm through all the days of your lives and beyond.

Declaration of Marriage

Zack and Katie, we have witnessed the pledging of your love and commitment to each other. We have seen the sealing of your solemn vows of marriage by the giving and receiving of rings. It is, therefore, my joy and privilege to declare you husband and wife. Zack, you may kiss your bride.

Introduction of Newlyweds

Family and friends of the bride and groom, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Davis.

Recessional