Zach and Barbie (Hales)

Processional - Guy and Zach

Bride’s Entrance - Song

Welcome

On behalf of Zach and Barbie, it’s my pleasure to welcome you.

Of all the relationships known among people, the most precious and perfect of all is that of a husband and wife. It is therefore fitting that we should be gathered here in the sight of God to witness the vows of this man and this woman, and by our presence and prayers to bless their union.

Today they are ready to make a fresh start and commit to loving each other through thick and thin, unconditionally and for life, as Christ loves his church.

Prayer

Father God, we come before you today on this holy occasion with our hearts filled with the spirit of love and thanksgiving. We praise and worship you as the giver of life and creator of all good things. As we begin this service, we particularly give you thanks for marriage, the first and most sacred institution you established. We pray for your presence here today and for your blessing on Zach and Barbie as they begin their new life together. Above all else, we thank you for Jesus, who gives meaning, direction, and hope for all human relationships. We pray this in his name. Amen.

Please be seated.

Father of the Bride

Who gives this woman to be the bride of this man?

Love Mini

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

God is the author of love. The Bible teaches that God is love, and that love comes from God. From the beginning to end, the Bible is a love story. In the Bible we read of God’s love for his people, of the love that sent Christ to the cross, of the redeeming love he has for the sinner, of the never-ending love he has for the redeemed.

We also read of the love of men and women: of Jacob’s love for Rachel, of Mary’s pledge of love for Joseph, the love of Solomon for the Shulamite woman.

In the beginning, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. So out of his wisdom and love, he gave to him woman, to be his companion in a union so intimate that they were to be regarded no longer as two, but as one flesh.

Although the road may be bumpy, God can lead us to our life’s companion. Abraham prayed that God would find a wife for his son, Isaac, and God answered that prayer. When Abraham’s servant found Rebekah, the servant bowed and worshiped, praised God.

God has guided Zach and Barbie to this moment and my prayer now is they will together seek God to guide them as a married couple.

Since the union of marriage is of God, it must never be taken lightly.

Therefore, please turn and face each other and join hands.

Intent of Vows (I Will)

Zach, will you have Barbie to be your wife, and will you pledge your life to her, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to love her and cherish her, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage? (I WILL)

Barbie, will you have Zach to be your husband, and will you pledge your life to him, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to love him and cherish him, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage? (I WILL)

Personal Vows

Zach and Barbie to each other.

Exchange of Rings

And now you are privileged to further seal these vows by giving and receiving the wedding rings. The wedding ring is a symbol of wedded love. It should always symbolize the purity of the love that binds your hearts together.

As an endless circle it should remind you of the unending love that unites your lives. Wear these rings with great honor and as a reminder of this moment when your lives were united. An may you always set your mind to keep your vows.

Zach, will you now take this ring and repeat after me as you place it on your bride’s finger: “With this ring I thee wed, and upon the union of our hands and hearts, I pray the blessing of the Almighty God.”

Barbie, will you now take this ring and repeat after me as you place it on your bride’s finger: “With this ring I thee wed, and upon the union of our hands and hearts, I pray the blessing of the Almighty God.”

Pronouncement

You have come before us and before God and have expressed your desire to be husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by giving and receiving rings.

I, therefore, pronounce that you are husband and wife. May God bless you and keep you and give you his peace. Amen.

What God has joined together let no man separate.

Zach, you may kiss your bride.

Ruth 1:16 ESV

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. ()

By the authority committed to me as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the state of Pennsylvania, it is my privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Zach Hales.

Recessional - Song