Sermon Tone Analysis

1. Processional

Ask audience to be seated

2. Opening words from me

2. Opening words from me

2. Opening words from me

"Welcome Friends and Family, we are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses, to join BLAINE and TAYLOR in holy matrimony, which is a COVENANT ordained by GOD and be held honorably among all people; and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly.

Into this holy COVENANT these two persons present now come to be joined as one flesh, no longer living for themselves but for each other.

If any person has any reason these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join (Name) and (Name) in matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly.

Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined.

If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

Who gives this woman to this man?

3. Opening prayer and story

Story of Blaine looking for blinker fluid

4. Definition of Marriage

Marriage is a covenant between two people and God.

It is a sacred vow that is not to be entered into lightly.

From the beginning God’s design was for man and woman to be together to be co-laborers over His creation.

Genesis 1:27-

“Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’”

God has brought these two people together and gifted them to compliment one another to fulfill the call of mission on their lives.

God has brought these two people together and gifted them to compliment one another to fulfill the call of mission on their lives.

God has brought these two people together and gifted them to compliment one another to fulfill the call of mission on their lives.

God has brought these two people together and gifted them to compliment one another to fulfill the call of mission on their lives.

Ecclesisastes

Marriage is a beautiful picture of the love of Christ for His people.

The picture of Christ’s self-sacrifice is no more evident than in the covenant of marriage

Ephesians 5:23-

5. Wedding Vows

Because marriage is a sacred covenant, we commit the ordinance with vows.

These vows are made to God, to each other, and in the presence of witnesses.

"I, Blaine Alexander Stephens, take you Taylor Nicole Odom, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

"I, Taylor Nicole Odom, take you Blaine Alexander Stephens to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

6. Ring Exchange

Though we have heard the vows shared between BLAINE and TAYLOR, words once spoken can be forgotten in the trials of everyday life.

The vows you have just said before God and these witnesses are powerful and not to have been made lightly.

At times you may need reminding of the vows.

Therefore, the wedding ring is a visible symbol of the promises that have been made here today.

Throughout human history, when a pledge is made it is good to have a token for a reminder of that pledge

These rings are the appropriate reminder for this task.

They are circles never-ending, like the promises you have made to each other today

They are made of precious metal, never to be tarnished, like the love and commitment you have expressed today before GOD and these witnesses.

The rings are that reminder:

The rings please:

"I, Blaine Alexander Stephens, give you, Taylor Nicole Odom this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you.

With this ring I thee wed."

"I, Taylor Nicole Odom, give you, Blaine Alexander Stephens this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you.

With this ring I thee wed."

7. Unity Cross

At this time Blaine and Taylor will assemble the Unity Cross, a beautiful sculpture they will display in their home to remind them of the Covenant they are making today.

In Genesis chapter 1, we read that God created man in His own image.

That means that He created man bold, strong, to be a leader, to be a protector of his wife and family.

Holding the groom’s piece of the Unity Cross, the pastor says

The outer form of the Unity Cross represents the strength, leadership, and protection of the man.

The book of Ephesians reminds husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, totally and completely giving himself for her.

Hand the piece to the groom and allow him to place it in the base

Holding the bride’s piece , the pastor says:

As well, Genesis 2:20-23 tells us that the woman was taken from the man.

The Bride’s piece of the Unity Cross represents the beauty and the many capabilities of the woman , designed with intricate, beautiful detail and is placed inside the protection of the Groom’s Cross, completing the sculpture and representing Two Becoming One.

Hand the Bride her piece and she places it in the center of the man’s cross

To complete the sculpture, representing the couple’s covenant, we are placing three pegs to hold it together.

The pegs represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, showing God’s place in this covenant and the security and completeness that only our Heavenly Father can give.

At this time the three pegs will be placed into the Unity Cross

Matthew

8. Closing

Prayer

“By the power vested in me by God and the State of Texas, I now pronounce you Husband and wife.....You may kiss the bride!”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Stephens!”

Dismiss Guests to reception area - FAMILY MEMBERS stay for pictures