Travis Reed and Lindsey Beveridge

Introduction and Welcome

On behalf of the families of the bride and groom, welcome those who have come to witness the wedding.

Prayer

Our Father, we come before you on this holy occasion with our hearts filled with the spirit of love and thanksgiving. We praise and worship you as the giver of life and creator of all good things. As we enter into this service, we most particularly give you thanks for the holy union of marriage, the most sacred of all human relationships. We pray for your presence here today and your blessings upon Travis and Lindsey as they enter their new life together. Above all else, we thank you for Jesus, who gives meaning, direction, and hope to all human relationships. We pray in his name. Amen.

Please be seated.

Statement of Purpose

God is the author of love. The Bible teaches that God is love, and that love comes from God. From beginning to end, the Bible is a love story. There we read of God’s love for his people, of the love that sent Christ to the cross, of redeeming love for the sinner, of abiding love for the redeemed.

The Word of God tells us what love is like and what love does:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love is what we are celebrating here today.

God has guided Travis and Lindsey to this moment, and has blessed their love for each other and brought them together to enter into holy union of marriage.

Declaration of Consent

Travis, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live? If so, answer, “I will.”

Lindsey, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live? If so, answer, “I will.”

Homily/Sermon

Travis and Lindsey, the ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is the first and oldest ceremony in all the world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of God. Marriage is a gift of God, given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify its joys. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one. Your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the state, nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but rather it must stand by the strength of your love; it must stand by your devotion to one another in good and bad times. Finally it must stand because of God’s participation in your relationship. Marriage can be the greatest human relationship you will ever experience; however, in order for marriage to reach its full potential, you must allow God to play a primary role in your relationship. He knows your thoughts and your needs; he understands your hearts and your love for one another. In fact, it was God who created the love and excitement you are experiencing at this very moment. We can easily say God knows you better than you know yourself. If you include him, he’ll help keep that delightful awareness of each other. It is often said that the ideal marriage is like an eternal triangle, with each of you at the bottom of the triangle and God at the top. In that triangle, the closer you get to God, the closer you become to one another. Certainly, you want your new life to be perfect. You have visions of an eternity of joy. But let me caution you, it won’t be that way all the time. Unfortunately, sadness and heartache find their way into every life. However, if that eternal triangle remains unbroken, no problem is too great. Keep communication open between you and life will be sweet. Travis, love Lindsey as your wife with all your being, as Christ loved the church, and your wants and needs will always be met. Lindsey, likewise if you will respect, love, and honor Travis as your husband, he will love you and care for you all the days of your life. Finally, let me say to both of you, remember the eternal triangle. Keep your spiritual eyes and ears open to God, the source of love, and fulfillment will be yours. I promise you, he will lead you into capacities you never dreamed you possessed!

The Marriage Vows

Travis, Lindsey, please face each other join hands now to express your vows of love and devotion.

Travis, repeat this vow to Lindsey after me: I, Travis, take you, Lindsey, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part; as God is my witness, I give you my promise.

Lindsey, Likewise, repeat this vow to Travis after me: I, Lindsey , take you, Travis , to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part; as God is my witness, I give you my promise.

The Exchanging of Rings

Having this kind of love in your hearts, you have chosen to exchange rings as the sign and seal of the vows you are making today. (Take rings from best man.)

While holding the ring(s), say:

Though small in size, these rings are very large in significance. Made of precious metal, they remind us that love is not cheap nor common; indeed, love may cost us dearly. Made in a circle, their design tells us that love must never come to an end; we must keep it continuous. As you wear these rings, whether together or apart for a moment, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises that you are making today.

Travis, will you take your ring and place it upon Lindseys left hand, and repeat after me this promise:

Repeat: I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lindsey, will you take your ring and place it upon Travis’s left hand, and repeat after me this promise:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer for Marriage

Let us pray.

Our Father, we come today as family, friends, those who are physically present and those whom we love who are now with you, asking your blessing upon these two lives and this home being established. You have made us so that we are incomplete without the other so that we yearn for someone whom we can love and whose love we can receive. We are thankful for the love we see here, and even more, for the love we feel from you. May we never take your love for granted. We pray that your love will be the shield and stay for Travis and Lindsey. When joy comes, may they share it together. When sorrow threatens, may they bear it together. In gladness or in tears, in sunshine or shadow, may they ever draw closer to each other and nearer to you in that eternal triangle. Grant them patience, gentleness, forbearance, and understanding. Protect their home from those forces that would break it apart. We ask for health, for long life, for the fulfillment of every good dream. May their love continue through life and, finally, blend into the life eternal. We pray these things in confidence in the strong name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pronouncement of Marriage!

You have come before us and before God and have expressed your desire to be husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by the giving and receiving of rings.

I, therefore, pronounce that you are husband and wife. May God bless you and keep you and give you his peace. Amen.

What God has joined together, let no man separate.

TRAVIS, YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE!

“Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

Ladies and gentlemen, It is my privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Travis and Lindsey Reed !

Recessional

Wedding party files out.