Hudson Roy & Leanne Ignozzi Wedding, June 5, 2021

Prelude

Seating of the Grandparents & Mothers

Procession of the Wedding Party

Procession of the Bride

Welcome and Declaration of Intent

We are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of this company to witness the union of Hudson Roy and Leanne Ignozzi in Christian marriage. Marriage is given by God to fulfill us as individuals and as a couple, and to conform us, as maturing believers, into the image of Christ. Hudson and Leanne desire to honor their Lord and Savior in their lives, in their home, and in their ministry together. May our heavenly Father look down upon this event with His favor. May the Lord Jesus Christ be present and add His blessing. May the Holy Spirit attend and seal these vows in love.

Giving away of the bride

It is into this holy estate that Hudson and Leanne 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?”

Scripture Readings

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Wedding Sermon

Hudson and Leanne you are about to enter into the most sacred vows that one person makes with another. As you stand before the witness of God and this company, let us look to scripture for direction concerning marriage.

1 Peter 3:7

"Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."

As Christians we experience one of the greatest blessings in life through marriage. This blessing on earth is the “grace of life”

Genesis 2:24

“therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

Marriage is a divine Institution

Ephesians 5:21-33

"21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 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. 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.

This union of man and wife resulting in one flesh is referred to as a mystery. Referring to marriage as a mystery is true on many levels! But the mystery that Paul is speaking of is revealed in verse 32, “it refers to Christ and the church.” The Christian marriage is a parable, metaphor, or copy of the original. The original is God’s marriage to the people or Christ’s marriage to the church. The metaphor, parable, or copy is found in a husband’s marriage to his wife.

In Ephesians 5:25...

Jesus loves the church. (Eph. 5:25)

Ephesians 2:4-5 it says “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.” Jesus loves us even though we have done nothing to deserve it. This undeserved favor is defined as grace.

2. Jesus sacrifices for the Church.

In giving himself up he died on the cross in the place of sinners, saving them from their sins by receiving their punishment in their place.

3. Jesus sanctifies the church.

The church in its relationship with Jesus is constantly being made holy. This process of being made holy is so that the church will be presented to Christ, perfected, as his unblemished bride.

Jesus’ work on the cross secures salvation for everyone who puts their faith in Christ and brings forgiveness for our sins through his substitutionary death on the cross. Today if anyone has come not knowing the love of God in this way and not having trusted Christ by faith...

Hudson & Leanne … today I invite you to follow the pattern of Christ in your marriage. The relationship between husband and wife is based on the relationship between Jesus and the Church. Marriage serves as an example of the gospel portrayed in the relationship between husband and wife. In following the pattern set by Jesus and the Church you each carry out a role for the good of each other and the glory of God.

Hudson

According to Ephesians 5, a husband is the “head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.” This does not mean that a husband is superior to his wife. In marriage the husband is to take the primary responsibility for Christ-like servant leadership, protection, and provision in the home. A husband who loves like Christ bears a unique responsibility for the moral and spiritual growth of his wife and his family. The husband is to be like Christ, he is not Christ. And he is to lead his wife to conform to the image of Christ, not to himself. Practically speaking a husband should turn all of his leading into serving and not be puffed up, but build his wife up in her faith.

Leanne

In Ephesians 5, the wife is to submit to her husband as to the Lord. This submission refers to the divine calling of a wife to honor and affirm her husband’s leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts. This does not imply mental, emotional, or spiritual inferiority in any way. Instead it is a willful inclination of her will and disposition of her spirit to support and affirm his initiatives. A wife is a help-mate, meaning that there is a need for a helper! As he leads and seeks to serve you, it is your responsibility to pray for him and love him, but also to speak truthfully and give him caution as you work together to accomplish God’s will in your marriage.

Both husband and wife serve each other out of reverence for Christ. They are equal in standing before God as seen in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Both husband and wife are submissive to the Lordship of Christ, and in their obedience to his will and word they are mutually submissive to each other. A husband is the servant leader to his wife and the wife is the affirming help-mate to her husband.

Christ loves us while we are still sinners (Romans 5:8). He promises to be faithful to us by continuing the work he began in us until the last days. Today you will make your vows to each other. Promising your lives to one another before God and the witnesses here today. The promise that you make today is a covenant with both God and each other to love each other in the manner of Christ. This love is filled with the grace of Jesus Christ towards one another as the gospel is lived out in your marriage all the days of your life.

(At this time ask them to face one another and hold each other’s hands.)

Vows

Groom:

I, Hudson, take you, Leanne, to be my wife;

and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses,

to be your loving and faithful husband:

in plenty and in want,

in joy and in sorrow,

in sickness and in health,

as long as we both shall live.

Bride:

I, Leanne, take you, Hudson, to be my husband;

and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses,

to be your loving and faithful wife:

in plenty and in want,

in joy and in sorrow,

in sickness and in health,

as long as we both shall live.

Exchange of Rings

(Ask for the rings)

You will now seal your vows 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 today.

Hudson, place this ring on Leanne’s finger and repeat after me:

“I, Hudson, take you, Leanne, 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.”

Leanne, place this ring on Hudson’s finger and repeat after me:

“I, Leanne, take you, Hudson, 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

Pronouncement

Hudson and Leanne, 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. Hudson, you may kiss your bride.

Introduction of Couple

Friends and family of the bride and groom, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Hudson _________ Roy

Recessional

Closing Remarks

At the beginning of our ceremony we recognized that God and this congregation are the witnesses of the vows that Hudson and Leanne have made to one another. Our presence here comes with a responsibility and an opportunity:

1. Your presence here means you have a responsibility to encourage and support Hudson and Leanne in their marriage.

You will always be one of those who were there when they pledged to honor their commitment through the good and the bad. Make a note in your calendar sometime in the next year to let them know you are praying for them, proud of them, and here for them as they pursue to honor the vows they made to God and one another.

2. Your presence here means you have an opportunity to examine your life and marriage and make any necessary adjustments.

God may have you here today just so you can renew your commitment to your spouse.

God may have you here today so that you could be reminded of what kind of wife or husband you are called to be and that you are waiting for. If you are looking for the right person, you should know that the Bible talks a whole lot more about being the right person than it does finding the right person. So, while you wait, make sure you are striving to be the person God calls you to be and your future spouse needs you to be.

God may have you here today so you would know how important marriage is to the gospel we believe and proclaim.

Take advantage of this opportunity God has given you today

- Recommit yourself to the vows you made to the Lord and your spouse… and communicate that commitment to your spouse on the way home today

- Remind yourself that being the right person is the way to marry the right person

- Commit to displaying the grace and love of the gospel in your home and marriage.

Directions for reception

The wedding party and family will be taking pictures immediately following our dismissal and look forward to seeing you at the reception.

Grandparents are going to exit through the door stage right

Guests will exit back through the front doors of the church

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

You’re dismissed