Wedding (Bryan & Anna)

Greeting

You may be seated.

We have come together in the presence of God to witness the joining together of this man and this woman in the covenant of marriage. The sacred covenant of marriage was established by God in creation as the first institution, and is to be between one man and one women for life.

It is commanded in the Scripture to be held in honor by all people.

It is at once one of mankind’s greatest blessings and also one of his most awesome responsibilities. Marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but soberly and deliberately and in reverent fear of God.

Bryan and Anna thank you for joining them and sharing in this very special day.

Giving Away

Who is giving this woman to be married to this man?

Let Us begin this time in prayer.

Prayer

Message

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 CSB

When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.

What a weight, what a glorious weight. The vow, the covenant that you two have gathered here to make is one that in its ultimate fulfillment, is a vow that is greater than yourselves.

You see, the institution called marriage, is not just a thing that God created for the enjoyment of mankind and their flourishing.

As amazing as that is, no marriage’s true purpose is even greater.

Paul, in Ephesians 5, addresses husbands and wives and the heart and conduct they are to have for one another. But Paul, doesn’t just give a list of do’s and don’ts but rather roots the things that we are called to do as husbands and wives in a greater relationship.

Paul roots marriage between a man and a woman in the relationship Jesus Christ has with His Church.

Paul calls wives to respect and submit to their husbands just as the Church does to Jesus.

Paul calls husbands to love their wives like Jesus loves His Church and died their death on a cross and rose again to grant new life.

Paul says this, quoting God’s first institution of marriage saying:

Ephesians 5:31-33

Ephesians 5:31–33 CSB

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

What you have entered into today, the vow that you are about to commit to make, is greater than just uniting together to be one.

You are uniting together to be one as a reflection of Jesus and His Church.

What we have gathered today for is what I would consider a glorious burden.

Brandon, to no longer think first of yourself. But to consider the needs of Becky more important than your own, just as Jesus stepped down from heaven, considering the needs of sinful humanity greater than remaining in heaven.

Becky, to no longer think first of yourself. But to consider the authority and therefore responsibility of Brandon to lead your family just as the Church looks to and trust in Jesus to guide her home.

We can all recognize the state of the world in which we are in,

the seemingly never ending chaos that surrounds us right this very moment.

And if we are honest, this may not be “exactly” the wedding you always thought you would have.

Sure you will look back on this day and speak of it as “perfect” but looking forward, this…looks different than we thought.

Maybe we thought, other people would be here to witness it.

Maybe you thought, it wouldn’t be so bloody hot.

But may this be your first lesson in marriage.

Life is most often not what we planned, not what how we dreamt it, and not the way we wanted things to happen.

But what does that mean?

Does that mean you are building upon an unstable foundation? Does that mean this is doomed to fail, like a bad horoscope?

No. Remember, if your wedding, if your marriage is to be a reflection of Jesus and His church...

I want to remind us of something

The salvation purchased by the blood of Christ, the beautiful moment that we found redemption in Him

That moment was not in the midst of a season of love and joy surrounded by family and close friends

It was in the midst of strife and chaos and violence

And yet in the midst of that, Christ, hanging on our tree…was surrounded by family and friends

Who looked on in the moment most likely thinking

“This wasn’t supposed to be like this”

“I didn’t think this was the plan”

And yet, is that not how we know that the LORD loves us.

That He would put Himself on display for us

I want to do 2 things, before you are united as one.

In thinking of the love of God put on display for us,

I want to give you a Scripture, that in the context of the situation in which our salvation was purchased

is very fitting for you in this moment now

Ephesians 3:17-21

Ephesians 3:17–21 CSB

17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

As amazing as that is, and as challenging as that is. You must know, you are not alone.

Take a moment and look to those who are gathered here with you.

You have family here, to lean on and find comfort in

And listen seriously, this family that is here today, they are in with you for the long haul.

I know it is not a glorious and a large crowd but this is a true crowd.

A crowd true to heart that you may know for certain. These ones are with you. And even to those not here, know that even just behind you, just out of sight, is a multitude spurring you on.

But To those gathered here today, I hope you would take a vow today.

May we, our vow today, be to encourage and strengthen and remind, and hold them to this sacred vow.

Brandon... Becky, are you ready to be reminded of this vow you made before God and man?

Rings

Rings have been chosen as the outward symbol of this covenant.

The ring: its shape, a perfect circle, symbolizing the never ending love and commitment you are to have for one another.

The material: precious metal symbolizing the purity of love you are to have for one another.

But also, a ring of precious metal, something that can be quite evident when it is neglected, and when it is well taken care of. One neglected may not last even one lifetime, but one well taken care of, will last generations.

So to your marriage. One well tended to, leaves a legacy that will extend past your own lifetimes.

I Will’s Brandon

Brandon, placing the ring on Becky’s finger, If you affirm these at the end say “I will”

Do you Brandon take Becky, to be your wife,

knowing in your heart that she will be your constant friend,

your faithful partner in life, and your one true love.

On this special day, Do you affirm to her in the presence of God and these witnesses

your sacred promise to stay by her side as her faithful husband,

in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.

Do you further promise to love her without reservation, honor and respect her,

provide for her needs as best you can, protect her from harm, comfort her in times of distress,

encourage her to achieve her goals, laugh with her and cry with her,

grow with her in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with her,

and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?

Brandon, if you do say.... “I will”

I Will’s Becky

Becky, placing the ring on Brandon’s finger, If you affirm these at the end say “I will”

Do you Becky take Brandon, to be your husband,

secure in the knowledge that he will be your constant friend,

your faithful partner in life, and your one true love.

On this special day, do you affirm to him in the presence of God and these witnesses

your sacred promise to stay by his side as his faithful wife,

in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad.

Do You further promise to love him without reservation, comfort Him in times of distress,

encourage him to achieve his goals, laugh with him and cry with him,

grow with Him in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with him,

and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?

Becky, if you do say .....“I will”

Pronouncement

And now, by the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, and in accordance with the laws of the State of PA to which you were and now also you are…I pronounce you husband and wife.

Bryandon you may kiss your bride.

Presentation

It is my pleasure to present to you, for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Bashore