Marriage

The First Institution

We are here today to share and witness the marriage of Levi Samuel Brown and Kristen Ann McCullough

Of all the institutions in our world - marriage and Family was the first ordained by God

Before there were churches or governments God created the family.

All through the Bible we see out side of our relationship with our Creator there is no greater relationship.

Matthew 19:4–5 CSB

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female, and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

It is a Covenant not a contract

It is a lifelong commitment

it is more than a promise

It is an oath to keep my vows even when the other is not pulling their weight

It is a picture of the love of Christ for us who are called His bride

So when the bible says that the bride should submit - it not in subservience - it is in support

When the bible says husband love your wife as Christ loved the church - it is sacrifice as He did for us

This is what we are a part of today

Let’s pray

Who gives this bride to be married.....

Levi and Kristen have prepared vow for each other

Levi then Kristen

Levi do you take Kristen to be your wife: will you commit yourself to her happiness and self fulfilment; and will promise to love, honor, trust, and serve her in sickness and in health, in adversity and prosperity, and to be true and loyal to her, so long as you both shall live .

Kristen do you take Levi to be your husband: will you commit yourself to his happiness and self fulfilment; and will promise to love, honor, trust, and serve him in sickness and in health, in adversity and prosperity, and to be true and loyal to him, so long as you both shall live.

The ring is a symbol of marriage in at least two ways: - the purity of the metal symbolizes the purity of thye love you have for each other, and the unending circle symbolizes the unending vows you are taking. As token of these vows you will and receive rings.

Levi - Kristen with this ring I pledge my life and love to you, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Kristen - Levi with this ring I pledge my life and love to you, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The couple has just sealed their relationship with the exchange of vows and the giving and receiving of rings. Today their relationship is further symbolized by the tying of a fisherman's knot; a true lover’s knot, for it is the strongest there is; its bond will not break, becoming ever stronger under pressure.

These two cords represent each of you as individuals - as the unique and special gifts you bring to your marriage. As you fasten your pieces together, these actions represent the joining of your two lives into one common purpose. The completed knot represents your future, secure in the knowledge your relationship will continue to be strong, despite the inevitable changes life brings.

Although the fisherman's knot is one of the simplest to tie, it is also one of the sturdiest. As stress is applied, the knot becomes ever stronger. It is the goal of marriage to achieve a blending of hearts and lives, but like the spaces between these cords formed by the knot, let there also be spaces in your new life together, so each may encourage and nurture the individual growth of the other.

​I ask that you now pull on this rope to see it strengthen under pressure while still allowing us to see the individual cords - just as your support of one another as beautiful and blessed individuals strengthens your union. As you hold one another in mutual concern and shared respect, may you continue holding each other tightly in your hearts and form a strong bond, now and forever. Let this knot indicate the strength of your love and be a symbol of your unity from this day forward.

Will you both repeat after me:

Ruth 1:16 CSB

But Ruth replied: Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

Since they have made these committeemen before God and this assembly,

And you are still sure, last chance,

By the authority of God and the laws of this state I declare Levi and Kristen, husband and wife.

Matthew 19:6 CSB

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

You may kiss your bride.

It is my great honor and blessing to present to you for the first time Mr and Mrs Levi Brown