Wedding (Kamil and Carly)

BEGINNING

Come up with KAMIL from side

Before we begin the ceremony, the couple would like for you to be present in the moment, and to please refrain from using your cell phones for pictures and videos. Professional video and pictures will be available at a later date, thank you very much.

Ask to stand after flower girls

Who presents this woman to be married to this man - her mother and I

WELCOME

Welcome family and friends. Today, we gather to join in celebrating the union of KAMIL DREZEK and CARLY AYDAN MITZEFELT in the God given bond of marriage.

PRAYER

SERMON

Marriage is ancient promise between two people and God

Many people don’t realize its design is to paint a beautiful picture

Ephesians 5:22 ESV

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Many hear "submit” and think of oppression and treating women like objects

That is a misuse of God’s design

It’s important to know that it says, “as to the Lord.”

This is because marriage between a man and a woman represents the bond between Christ and His Church

We should ask a question, “How does the church love the Lord?”

SACRAFICIALLY

LOVINGLY

RESPECTFULLY

OBEDIENTLY

That’s a tall order, but when two people truly love each other, it’s not dangerous

We should also realize, Paul doesn’t stop there

Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

We should then ask, “How does Christ love the church?”

SACRAFICIALLY

PURELY

PASSIONATELY

EVEN TO THE POINT OF DEATH

Being ordered to love like Christ is actually the much more challenging position

Marriage is not about mistreatment, ownership or selfishness

It’s about sacrifice, putting the other person’s needs above your own, and displaying God’s love to the world

This idea of marriage, is one of the earliest God created

Beginning – God creates

LIGHT

HEAVENS

EARTH

PLANTS

THE STARS

SUN AND MOON

SEA CREATURES AND BIRDS

LAND CREATURES

MAN

Scripture says it was VERY GOOD

Then suddenly, the words NOT GOOD appear for the first time

You might think of serpent tempting Eve, but its something else

Genesis 2:18: Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

First thing that was “not good” was man being alone

Anyone who’s seen a bachelor’s apartment knows it’s not good for men to be alone

God quickly repairs by making Eve – a helper

Genesis 2:23 ESV

23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Adam spent his whole life until this point hanging out with animals

Now he sees a woman for the first time

And he is excited! Yes, at last! Great work God this is quite the upgrade!

He doesn’t say, “It’s about time, now go make me a sandwich!...

No, he values her, treasures her, find relief in her

Sometimes in our culture, we see “helper” as a bad thing – it’s not!

Hebrews 13:6: So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

1 John 2:1: But if anyone does sin, we have a helper in the presence of the Father—Jesus Christ, the One who does what is right.

John 14:26: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Notice how each of those passages refers to either the Father, Son or HS:

They are all called “helpers,” just like the word used for a wife

CARLY, your role is to emulate God in how you love KAMIL

Just as it is KAMIL’s role to love you as Christ loves the Church

Christ made a covenant with us – we accept His gift of sacrifice and love, becoming obedient and sacrificial ourselves, and we will be with Him for eternity

That promise has always been God’s plan

From the beginning, God created a foreshadowing of this promise in marriage

God used the joining of man and woman to represent Christ and church – the body of believers that He died for

So, as KAMIL and CARLY stand here today, we are witnesses to their covenant

As witnesses, we are called here today to hold these two accountable

We must stand by them when they are challenged

Going back to the original marriage (Adam and Eve)

You’ll notice the next part of the story – the serpent does arrive

I don’t believe this is a coincidence

The enemy sees something wonderful, and want to destroy it

KAMIL and CARLY, I do give you a warning – Satan is not happy with you today!

Satan sees your promise to each other as a threat to his realm

It would be wise to expect attack

Marriage is not easy – it is wonderful, but not easy

I encourage you to seek God diligently always

And He will protect from the enemy

Today begins an adventure for you both

Your partner will have the privilege of seeing you at your worst

You will likewise see them at theirs

You will each make mistakes, you will hurt each other, you will find yourselves irritated by things that are unimportant

Even the things you used to find charming...

You know what’s great about that? That is your opportunity to love like Christ...

To show love when it is undeserved, to show kindness when it’s easier to be cruel, to sacrifice yourself when you’d rather smother them with a pillow - - that is CHRIST

It is Christ because it is expression of your love for each other

AND a love for God!

Because just like our relationship with Christ, a marriage only works if it is based on:

PATIENCE

SACRIFICE

OBEDIENCE

INVESTING IN EACH OTHER

AND OF COURSE, LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:4-8: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

And so today, we celebrate this together today

Two people becoming one under our God

CANDLES

At this time, the mothers will come forward

They will take their candles, and use them to light others

This symbolizes a mother passing life to their children

Genesis 2:24 ESV

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

As KAMIL and CARLY bring their light together

You will see a picture of the two becoming one flesh together

CANDLES

As KAMIL and CARLY transition to the basin, they have opted to being married life together by washing each others feet

In the first century, foot washing was an act of humility and service

When the woman at the well came to Jesus, she was thoroughly grateful for His kindness

She elected to wash His feet with her tears, because she was forgiven much

Later, Jesus used that same action with His own disciples - but they didn’t want Him to

They couldn’t understand why their master would do such a lowly act

But Jesus said this:

John 13:13–15 ESV

13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Today, KAMIL and CARLY will do this for each other

To show humility, kindness and servanthood to each other

VOWS

As KAMIL and CARLY come together, we should remember the purity of God’s holy ordinance

Instituted before the fall of mankind, marriage is a remnant of a time that was undefiled

Something never to be taken for profit or property

Something never to be taken unadvisedly, wantonly or lightly

But instead, with reverence, discretion, sobriety and in the fear of God

Therefore, if anyone has any reason that these two should not be joined together

Let them speak now, or forever hold your peace (look around)

At this time, KAMIL and CARLY will each be expressing their own vows to one another

RINGS

Collect and hold rings

The rings that you give each other are representative of your lasting bond. They are made of the finest metals and stones to represent the purity of your love. They are also circles which have no end, serving as a reminder that your dedication, love and commitment are also never ending.

KAMIL take this ring and place it on CARLY’s finger:

With this ring I seal my promise - - to be your faithful and loving husband - -with God as my witness - - I give you this ring as a sign of my love - - and with all that I have - - I honor you and take you for my wife.

CARLY take this ring and place it on KAMIL’s finger:

With this ring I seal my promise - - to be your faithful and loving wife - -with God as my witness - - I give you this ring as a sign of my love - - and with all that I have - - I honor you and take you for my husband.

ANNOUNCEMENT

What God has joined together, let no man separate. And because KAMIL and CARLY have consented together to participate in the union of holy marriage, in the presence of this gathering and before God, by the power invested in me by the state of Illinois and more importantly as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is my great pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife. KAMIL, you may kiss your bride.

KISS

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you the new Mr. and Mrs. DREZEK!

CLOSING

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the ceremony this evening

KAMIL and CARLY want you to have some fun! Please, explore the grounds, play games under the pavilion, frolic in the vineyard, or whatever you wish.

Just understand the new couple will be making their entrance at the pavilion at 6:00pm, so try to be there 10 minutes early.

Thank you all for coming, and God bless