Tommy and Sophia Wedding

Prelude

Music playing Processional

Everyone walks in Bridal Entrance

Sophia walks in Give Away Welcome & Opening Prayer

Welcome

Hello friends, my name is Clint. I'm a friend of the Westerlund's and a pastor. On behalf of Sophia, Tommy and their families, welcome and thank you for coming and for being a part of this very special day. We are here today to honor God, and to rejoice in the special love that Sophia and Tommy have found in one another. Please join me in prayer as we ask God to bless our time together.

Holy Spirit, we welcome your presence right now. Father, we are grateful to you for the blessing of marriage. Lord, we thank you so much for the way that you love us, and that you’ve given us people to share that love with. So here we are today to celebrate Sophia, Tommy’s love and as, their family and friends bless their marriage. Lord, I ask that you would bless this day, fill it with your love. Bless this couple who stands before you today, strengthen them, and let them draw closer to you, and closer to each other, every single day of their lives. We ask for this in your Holy Name. Amen

Focus Them

Hi guys, how are you doing? You made it, you are finally here. I want you to take a deep breath. Seriously guys take a deep breath. Take a look around at everyone. All these people are here because they love you and they recognize that you two have found something special. Everyone here is for you, we are all here to celebrate you guys and cheer you on. Now look back at each other. Savor this moment and be present. This is one of the most important days of your lives, and it goes fast. Soak each and ever moment in.

Charge to Couple & Declaration of Intent

Tommy and Sophia are here before all of us and before God to join their hearts and lives together for the rest of their days. This Is a public declaration of their love and devotion to one another.

All right you two. Marriage is a very good thing, but it’s a big commitment. Marriage isn’t just a contract you sign, it’s not just a way to get some tax breaks, but marriage is designed as a covenant. Yes, it has legal ramification, but it’s much deeper than that. When you enter into this covenant you two in a very real way become one. Every part of your lives is now intertwined, you are no longer your own person but you belong to your spouse. And don’t get me wrong, it’s great, it’s a good thing, and it’s a big deal. No one should make this commitment on a whim, but with seriousness, and in great Joy. I’m pretty sure that’s why you guys are here, but just to make certain, I’m going to ask you some questions. At the end, if they sound like it’s something you’re up for, respond with “I Do”. Sound good? Alright, Tommy, you go first:

Declaration of intent

Tommy, do you take Sophia to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live? If so respond with I do

I do.

Sophia, do you take Tommy to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live? If so respond with I do

I do.

Reading-Wendy

At this time I'd likemto invite up Aunt Wendy. She is going to be sharing a reading with us.

“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Message

Intro

Alright Guys, you made it, you are finally here! Sit back, relax and just take everything in. This is your moment, enjoy it. 

Today you are starting the first day of the rest of you lives together. I firmly believe that next to your relationship with God, your marriage is the most important thing in your life, and anything you can do to make it healthy and strong is a good thing. Your marriage will be amazing at times, and crazy hard at other. Together you two will go an amazing adventures together, and overcome obstacles. Your marriage will help you thrive and will help you grow into the people you were created by God to be.

I’ve been a pastor for almost ten years, and married for almost nine, and I’d love to pass on to you guys a piece of scripture that really paints a beautiful picture of what a healthy marriage looks like.

So I’m going to read this verse, and I’ve got four things out of it for the two of you. After I share those for things, will do vows and rings and what not, and then you guys will be officially married and we can all go celebrate, sound good?

The verse comes out of the book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 4, verses nine through twelve. It says:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Two are better than one- You’re a team

Point number one, Two are better than one, you two, you are a team.

In each other you have found a companion that will be by your side for the rest of your life. You will be with each other no matter what happens. When one of you wins, you both win. When one of you is hurting, you are both hurting.

When life gets difficult, remember that you two are better together. It’s never you versus each other, instead it’s the two of you verses the problem. You each have amazing gifts and talents that you are brining into your marriage. The are meant to build each other up, to help the other person thrive.

So always remember to be a good teammate. Cheer the other person on, pick them up when they are hurting, and face whatever life throws at you together. Because life will throw stuff at you, unexpected stuff. Which brings us to the next part of that verse

Help the other up (Set the right tone)

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up

If the last couple of years have taught is anything its that we have way less control over our circumstances that we think we do. You guys aren’t going to get to choose all the stuff that comes at you guys, there will be hard times and amazing times, but no matter what, you get to choose the attitudes of your marriage. Create a marriage where you pick each other up, a marriage where you champion the each other, where you encourage each other to take risks, to step outside your comfort zone, knowing that someone is there for you no matter what.

Today, you are making a decision and commitment to love and protect one another fully and completely, to always believe the best about each other and to guard each other.  When you know that you are safe, protected, and that someone really believes in you; that’s an easy environment to flourish in, provide that for each other.

Keep each other warm- Stay Connected

Number 3, Keep each other warm. When I read this verse, I think of Connection. So, stay connected to one another

We would like to think that the two of you could ride off into the sunset and be forever romantic, ice fishing at your favorite spot in Mille Lacs, Jamaican Honeymoons, but the truth is there will be some hard times. I am challenging both of you right now to stay emotionally engaged with each other. Don’t let go. Fight for your marriage, and fight for each other. The commitment you are making to each other today, it’s for life. There is no back door. That’s scary, but it should also make you feel safe. The two of you can be one hundred percent open and honest with each other, truly transparent. That is what intimacy is. No walls, no barriers, no back door, just each other. You each have found someone who will love you unconditionally. Don’t ever lose that. Stay connected to one another.

Chord of Three is not easily broken- Pursue your spiritual side together

Stay connect to each other, and, last point here, stay Connected to God. A chord of three strands is not easily broken.

It’s not just the two of you in this, but Jesus desires to be at the center of your marriage. As a couple, continue to pursue your spiritual side together.

The only way you will continue to fit together this well throughout your lives is to stay connected and surrendered to Jesus. I encourage you both to invite Him into the good times, and the hard times of your relationship. Cherish and cultivate your relationship with Jesus just as you cherish and cultivate your relationship with each other.  

Wedding Party

But this commitment, this marriage, goes beyond yourselves. I believe God has created us for community and that goes beyond just some BBQ’s and high fives.   We need to share real life with one another.  So, to the wedding party. You’re not up here because of tradition, or to make Sophia and Tommy look good. You’re up here because you have invested in their lives; you have made an impact on who they are. Now I simply ask that you don’t stop investing in them. I’m calling on you to fight for their marriage with them. I am asking you to celebrate the good times, and encourage them in the hard times, to always be praying for them, laughing with them, and crying with them. They will come to you when life is good, and when it’s tough. Please, invest in them as a couple, just as you invested in them as individuals

Family and Friends

And to Tommy and Sophia’s friends and family, you aren’t here by accident. I ask you to help these two make their marriage the best, the strongest that it can be.

Transition

Tommy

Tommy, I want you look at Sophia. What a beautiful bride, she’s your bride. She is God’s Unique Gift to you. There’s no other woman in the world with her unique blend of beauty, grace, and gifts. As she has grown up, God has been preparing her to be your wife.

So Tommy, never take this beautiful woman for granted. She is your partner, your person, and your best friend. She is God’s gift to you for your very own.

Sophia

He looks pretty good all dressed up doesn’t he? Sophia, Tommy is the man God has prepared to be your husband. He will be able to meet your needs, encourage you to pursue you dreams, be with you through life’s storms and in life’s moments of greatness.

Don’t ever take him for granted. He is God’s special gift to you for your very

Exchanging of the Rings

Can I have the rings Please?

The wedding ring is an ancient tradition that dates back at least 3000 years. The circular band represents a love that is eternal. It is a symbol that Sophia and Tommy  will wear as an outward expression of the Vows they are making today.

Sophia, take this ring, place it on Tommy’s finger and say this to him

With this ring, I thee wed. It is a sign of my love for you. With this ring, I seal our marriage.

Tommy, take this ring, place it on Sophias finger and say this to her

With this ring, I thee wed. It is a sign of my love for you. With this ring, I seal our marriage.

Exchanging of the vows

When you enter into a marriage you are making a promise. This isn’t a one time thing, this is a promise you renew each and every day. I’m now going to ask you to make that promise, what we call vows, for the first time. These Vows will be like the True North of your marriage, they will be the thing that keeps you heading in the right direction.

Tommy, you get to make this promise now for the first time. Look at Sophia, and repeat after me

I Tommy take you Sophia, to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. Today I pledge you my faithfulness.

Alright, Sophia, now it’s your turn

I Sophia, take you Tommy, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. Today I pledge you my faithfulness.

Pronouncement

Alright, are you guys ready?

May the light of friendship guide your paths together. May laughter always grace the hallways of your home. May the joy of living for one another bring a smile to your face, And when eternity beckons, at the end of a life heaped high with love, May the good Lord embrace you with the arms that have nurtured you every day of your life.

Tommy, Sophia, with the blessing and support of your family and friends, by the vows you have made to one another, by the strength of your covenant, and in the presence of All Mighty God, it is my honor to now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may Kiss the Bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen it is now my honor to present to you for the very first time Mr and Mrs. Guist?

Recessional

Run away

Once again on behalf of the Happy Couple, thank you so much for being here and celebrating this special day.