9/20 Justin and Madalene Wedding

Parents ushered in-

Procession of wedding party-

Bridal march

Dear Friends, we are here assembled in the presence of God to unite Justin and Madalene in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is to be a permanent relationship of one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (kjv)

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Who gives the bride to be married?

WE are gathered here to worship God and to be a witness to your wedding vows.

In the beginning, God saw that it was not good for a man to be alone, so He took part of the man and created a helpmate to be at his side to love, encourage and strengthen in every test and circumstance in life. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen 2:21-24)

Marriage is a COVENANT which means it is the death of two wills and the birth of one. The covenant that you make today will be for the good of the other, just as Christ’s covenant for us in salvation. Keeping your individuality, this is the last time for you to be individuals. From this night forward, God sees both of you, or He sees neither of you. From this point forward, you are a unified whole. God himself said, “These two shall become one flesh”

-the Hebrew word is “betweeness”-a formal agreement between to parties assuming some obligation.

-A covenant is imposed by a greater power upon a lesser one—God upon you.

-A covenant is an agreement by which two parties commit themselves to the rights and responsibilities demanded by their relationship and their agreed course of action.

Marriage is a COMMITMENT—commitment to:

-Endure-not contingent on circumstances. Regardless of obstacles, difficulties, challenges, sickness,finances.

An ENDURING marriage is one of refuge and encouragement, originated in one’s confidence in God’s character. God will not allow your circumstances to outweigh His encouragement.

-Forgive-marital intimacy is vulnerability. When you are deeply intimate, you can be deeply hurt. Forgiveness is not a denial of emotions, but to speak the truth in love, forgiving as you have been forgiven.

-Grow—in this marriage, you can make a decision to plateau or commit to a process of growth and development with one another. Your growth can be in expressions of affection and romance; grow in expressions of support for one another, showing affirmation and appreciation.

-Love—1 Cor 13

1)Marriage is Permanent- it was established by God. “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder’(Mark 10:9)

2)Marriage is to be Sacred- a relationship before and under God, as well as human.

3)Marriage is to be Intimate- most intimate of all relationships—leaving one’s family of origin and cleaving to one’s spouse. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.(Gen 2:23-24)

4)Marriage is to be Exclusive-

Justin, Your role is that of a prophet, a priest, provider and as the initiator of love in this human relationship. God holds you responsible for this home. By His enablement, your strength must be Madalene’s protection, and you must so live that she will find in you the have for which the heart of a woman truly longs.

Madalene, it is God’s purpose that you be a loving wife, that you respond to Justin’s love in tenderness with a deep sense of understanding and faith. You are saying tonight by this covenant that you submit yourself to the leadership of Justin, as you both walk and live after the heart of God. It is God’s desire that you have that inner beauty of soul that never fades.

Join Hands

Justin, this woman whom you hold by the hand is to be your wife. She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven—a woman’s love. You may bring her great joy or sorrow. The person you have shown her as her lover has won her heart and will keep her heart.

Madalene, this man whom you hold by the right hand is to be your husband. On your life, your love and devotion he will lean for strength and inspiration. He will come to you for encouragement, cheerfulness, and confidence.

REPEAT VOWS:

TO GROOM: I, Justin, take you, Madalene, to be my wife. I commit to love you as Christ loves the church I will lead you by serving you I will forgive you as Christ has forgiven me I will care for you with humility and kindness I will choose to put your interests above my own I will honor you with my purity I will cherish you as a Child of God And by the grace of God, I will be faithful to this covenant as long as we both shall live.

TO BRIDE: I, Madalene, take you, Justin, to be my husband I commit to love you as Christ loves the church I will trust you by submitting to you I will forgive you as Christ has forgiven me I will care for you with gentleness and patience I will choose to put your interests above my own I will honor you with my purity I will cherish you as a Child of God And by the grace of God, I will be faithful to this covenant as long we both shall live.

-Ring Vow—“With this ring, I thee wed, all my love and my life I pledge to you in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Ruth 1:16 (Repeat after me)

Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

ENCOURAGE PARTICIPANTS TO PRAY FOR THEM

Pronounce Husband and Wife—

Ask the children to come forth—share God’s view of family

Recessional