Wedding: Eric & Monica

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

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.

Giving in Marriage

We find the biblical basis and purpose for marriage in the creation narrative of . In the beginning God created all things, and then he created man to exercise dominion over all things created; to be fruitful and multiply. However, God assessed the situation and stated, “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him.” As the man began to perform his duties, “there was still not a suitable helper.” So God put the man into a deep sleep, and removing a rib from the man and closing his side back up, God made the woman. When the man awoke and saw the woman, he said, “WOW,” which is Hebrew for, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. God then said, “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”A man and woman are to become one together that they may work side by side to be fruitful and multiply, and to exercise dominion over the earth.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 of 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 can make with another, and it is therefore important that you give careful consideration to that which you are promising. 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 .Paul writes, “22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 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. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” Prior to this statement, Paul established the principle of Spirit-led submission as an obligation for all Christians, and is now illustrating how that is to be lived out in the home. He called upon wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. This should not be taken to mean that wives are to be doormats, allowing their husband to walk over them; nor are they to be silent partners, wordlessly carrying out their husband’s directives. It means that wives are to willingly support their husband’s leadership—not balking or undermining him. They are to be active participants in the challenging task of running a Christian home. They are to do everything they can to encourage and support their husbands’ leadership in the home, but not blindly or thoughtlessly. When the husband is in error or even in outright sin, it is the wife’s responsibility to lovingly confront him, pointing him back to the lordship of Christ as the ultimate authority. It takes both partners to make a Christian marriage and home.Paul continues, “25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”Paul is now addressing the husband’s role in the care and maintenance of the Christian home. That role is nothing less than over-whelming: to love their wives as Christ loved his church. If the task of submitting to male headship seems burdensome to wives, the obligation to love as Christ did will seem out of reach to husbands. How are men to do that? The same way Christ loves the church: sacrificially, compassionately, gently, and lovingly. Jesus laid down his life for the church; husbands are called to give themselves unreservedly for their wives and children. Headship expresses care rather than control, responsibility rather than rule. Healthy, Spirit-led relationships are not concerned with power, with who’s in control. They are concerned with Christlikeness, with honoring him in their relationship with one another.It is this mutual concern for your lives to be marked by Christlikeness that will establish a beautiful marriage, which will be mutually gratifying to each other, and glorifying to God.

Vows

Zack and Katie, you have listened to the biblical 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, 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 prepare to 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