Jeremiah Hester & Hannah Wedding

THE PRELUDE

THE SEATING OF THE MOTHERS

(Before the groom’s mother is seated, she and the groom’s father will set their vial of sand next to the empty vial. Likewise, before the bride’s mother is seated, she and the bride’s father will do the same.)

THE PROCESSIONAL

THE WELCOME

Dear 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 Jeremiah Earl Hester (groom) and Hannah Cathleen Fowler(bride) in Christian marriage. Marriage is a holy estate given by God to fulfill us as individuals and as a couple and to conform us, as believers, into the image of Christ.

THE GIVING IN MARRIAGE

In God’s incredible act of creation, he created us in his own image. We are not only made to reflect his image, but we were made in his image. We read of this important event in the first chapter of Genesis:

Genesis 1:27 KJV 1900

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Being made in the image of the triune God, man was not complete when he was alone, so God created the perfect complement for man: a woman. She was to be his life companion, his co-laborer in fulfilling the creation mandate of God:

Genesis 1:28 KJV 1900

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

In the time of man’s innocence, God instituted the estate of matrimony between the first man and the first woman. Marriage was consecrated by God for mutual help and comfort and as a means of procreation. In marriage, God gave man and woman the ability—and the mandate—to create life, life in the image of God. Not only this, but God also gave this first couple a taste of redemption for mankind, as marriage symbolizes the union that exists between Christ and his bride, the local church.

It is into this holy estate that Jeremiah(groom) and Hannah (bride) have chosen to enter. Not knowing any reason why these two should not be married, I ask, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

Father responds: “Her mother and I do.”

(Alternate: Father and mother respond: “We do.”)

THE 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 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 Jeremiah (groom) and Hannah(bride) that they may grow to conform to the image of their Lord and Savior, 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.

THE STATEMENT OF MARRIAGE

Jeremiah(groom) and Hannah (bride), you are about to pledge the most sacred vows that one person makes with another. As you stand before the witness of God and this company, you must give careful consideration to that which you are promising. You are accountable to your precious mate and to God for that which you pledge. It is advisable that you soberly consider the vows you are about to make.

These vows, which you have selected to represent your commitment, are timeless in the earnest promises they reflect. In these few moments, we will examine the three things you are vowing to do for your mate, regardless of life’s circumstances, for as long as you live.

Your first promise is to honor your mate. What does “to honor” mean? As Christians, we look to God’s Word for instruction. We find that honor is a Biblical term for respect, esteem, high regard, and reward. Honor is the respect paid to superiors, such as God, Christ, those in authority, church officers, the elderly, or parents. Honor can also be something bestowed as a reward for virtuous behavior, such as honoring God or serving Christ and manifesting wisdom, discipline, or righteousness.

To honor someone or something is to acknowledge and show respect for the authority or worthiness of the object of one’s honor. This is the connotation of “to honor” one’s mate. Showing honor to your mate involves an affective side (that is, a feeling of respect for your mate) and outward manifestations (that is, your actions toward or regarding your mate). As you make your vows to each other, you pledge to acknowledge and show respect for your mate’s worthiness. Tragically, there are too few marriage partners who consistently keep this vow. This lack of honoring one’s mate contributes significantly to troubled and failed marriages. Too often, marriage partners fail to realize the value and worthiness of the one they profess to love. Instead, they tend to elevate their own selves or others to the demotion of their mate.

There is one other aspect of honoring your mate that you should be aware of. In the Bible, love is sometimes used as a synonym for honor. This is seen when Paul tells the Romans

Romans 12:10 KJV 1900

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

If you genuinely love each other, Jeremiah (groom) and Hannah(bride) will desire to honor each other. We see also in Scripture the highest example of such honor. It is the example of Christ. In washing the disciples’ feet, he paid them the honor of service, subjecting his own priorities to their interests. Jeremiah (groom) and Hannah (bride), do you really love each other enough to honor each other as Christ would have you do? Are you prepared to follow Christ’s example by subjecting your personal priorities to the other’s best interest and serving the other all the days of your life?

Next, you will promise to love and cherish your mate. These promises sound easy enough to keep for two people like you, who are so deeply in love. Yet many start out “in love” when they marry but apparently no longer “cherish” their mate enough to stay married for a lifetime. We hear the statistics; we see the marital casualties of our day. Do not despair; you can build a stable and loving relationship that will withstand the storms of life. How is that possible?

You must make Christ the center of your marriage. You must seek only His wise counsel on marriage and follow His example as a role model of loving and cherishing each other. God’s Word, in 1 John, describes His perfect example:

1 John 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Incredibly, God Almighty chose to adopt us as his children—not his servants—his family members! This lavish love is unconditional and blind to sinful shortcomings. As you are about to “adopt” this new family member, your mate, remember to express godly, unconditional love for your mate. This is much more than simply saying I love you every day. The Holy Spirit continues in the book of First John saying,

1 John 3:18 KJV 1900

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 John 4:7 KJV 1900

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:16 KJV 1900

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

These verses explain that God is not only the source of love; He is love. If you are to live all your married days “in love,” then you must do as the verse says,

“…he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

It cannot be with your words or even your well-intentioned vows that you proclaim your love to and for your mate. Your words must be clothed in action, day after day, from the little things to the big things of life. It involves a total commitment of your life—to live in God, allowing Him to live in you—so that your relationship to him and to your mate reflects his love. This means your focus cannot be on attaining the perfect house or the great job but rather on maintaining the humble posture of a loving servant who is willing to serve his God and serve his mate … for life! Then—and only then—can you begin to understand what cherish means.

In this insightful book of the Bible, we find:

1 John 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Jeremiah(groom) and Hannah (bride), you must lay down your lives—your selfish desires, passions, ambition, and pride—for each other. You must cherish the other more than you cherish your own self. Your mate now comes first—before yourself, your parents, your friends, your job, your leisure activities, and your caring for your own exhaustion and needs at the end of a hard day. You must serve each other as Christ did. Then and only then will you truly fulfill your vow “to love and cherish.” And all of this wonderfully ties into honoring your mate.

THE VOWS

Jeremiah and Hannah have written their own vows.

Jeremiah(groom) and Hannah (bride), you have listened to this sobering 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.

Jeremiah (groom), in taking Hannah (bride) 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.”

Hannah (bride), in taking Jeremiah (groom) 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.”

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS

You will now seal your vows, “to honor, to love, to cherish,” by the giving and receiving of these rings. These rings symbolize all that is pure and holy in the marital bond. The unbroken circles of these rings represent a union between husband and wife with God that cannot be broken. This is in accord with God’s plan, and it brings honor to the One who created you to glorify him. May they ever remind you of your love and the commitment you made this day as you wear these rings.

Jeremiah (groom), place this ring on Hannah’s (bride’s) finger and repeat after me:

Groom: “I, Jeremiah (groom), take you, Hannah (bride), 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.”

Hannah (bride), place this ring on Jeremiah’s (groom’s) finger and repeat after me:

Bride: “I, Hannah (bride), take you, Jeremiah (groom), 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.”

THE SONG

(Song to be sung as the bride and groom kneel in prayer.)

THE PRAYER

(The bride and groom will continue kneeling in prayer.)

Gracious Father, thank you for creating us in your image. Because of this, we can know you and know what true love is. We see in this couple a deep and abiding love for each other. 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, be renewed daily in their love and commitment, walk in mutual faith, build a strong and lasting marriage, and live by confidence in your grace. As they grow in conformity to Christ’s image, may you, O Lord, receive glory through the lives and marriage of Jeremiah (groom) and Hannah (bride). In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

(The bride and groom will stand.)

THE POURING OF THE UNITY SAND

Jeremiah(groom) and Hannah (bride), your parents have a separate vial of sand for each of you. They symbolize your individual lives and the families from which you come. Your lives have been a blessing to your parents, who have received immeasurable joy in seeing you grow and mature over the years. Your individual lives have been a blessing to those who have known and loved you.

As you pour out the sand, be reminded that marriage does not eliminate your separate identities. You are made in the image of your heavenly Father; nevertheless, you are each unique. God has created you as such for his purpose and his glory. Together you will pour out your sand to symbolize your union in marriage. Together you assume a new identity—as one with each other and the Lord. Today, God has created anew in you a union that will enable you to fulfill his mandate to serve him in the world and establish a family.

THE SONG

(Song to be played or sung during pouring of the sand.)

THE DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

Jeremiah (groom) and Hannah (bride), 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. Jeremiah (groom), you may kiss your bride.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEWLYWEDS

Friends and family of the bride and groom, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah and Hannah Hester.

THE RECESSIONAL

THE POSTLUDE

Henry, Jim, and Marilyn Jeffcoat. The Two Shall Become One: A Wedding Manual. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print.