Weddings [Special Events]

Special Weddings at His Life -- SNIPPET only  (see full actual below --- scroll down) 

Prelude
Preparatory Song
Lighting of Candles
Processional
Bible Bearer
Ring/Coin Bearer
Junior Bride’s Maid
Maid of Honor
Flower Girls
 
PLEASE ALL STAND in honor of the BRIDE
 
Bride with Father


Introduction
The Pastor:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the face of these witnesses….

Invocation:

Declaration of Intent
The Pastor:
GROOM, will you take BRIDE to be your wife, and will you be faithful to her, love her, honor her, live with her and cherish her, according to the commandments of God in Holy Marriage?

GROOM:
Yes, I will

The Pastor:
BRIDE, will you take GROOM to be your husband, and will you be faithful to him, love him, honor him, live with him, and cherish him, according to the commandments of God in Holy Marriage?

BRIDE:
Yes, I will

Please be seated . . . . . (The Couple)

Word of God for the Couple
Pastoral Counsel (MESSAGE)
-    MAKING things RIGHT
-    ENGAGEMENT IS NOT ENOUGH
-    BROKENNESS TO WHOLENESS
-    THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL
-    The GOSPEL is practical … it touches even our MARRIAGES and AFFECTS positively             all our HUMAN CONCERNS and WELFARE

>>>>>sample message <<<<<
There are 4 MUSTS for MARRIAGES:
Found in Genesis Chapter 2
“for this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother,
and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.”

(1)    A man shall leave his father and mother [parent-child source]   SEVERANCE
(2)    And shall cleave to his wife [irrevocable permanent bond]   PERMANENCE
(3)    And they shall become one flesh [growing unity; team]   UNITY
(4)    And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed [no hang-ups; embarrassments; fears]  [physically; mentally; emotionally; financially]   INTIMACY                       

Exchange of Marriage Vows
The Pastor:
Christian marriage is a total commitment of a man and a woman to each other for a life time. GROOM and BRIDE will you now pledge your faith to each other before God and in the presence of these witnesses?

GROOM: GET READY with the VOW … look BRIDE in the EYES.

Blessing of Rings
The Pastor:
May I have their rings please. (Thank you —– )

Reader:
Gold, most precious among metals, fittingly represents the precious ties that unite husband and wife. The ring is the outward and visible sign of all inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of GROOM and BRIDE in Holy Matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

These rings, endless until broken by outside force are fit symbols of the unbroken partnership of marriage that should continue until broken by death. Let them be your constant reminders of your obligations to each other and mute incentives to their fulfillment. To strengthen the bond. May the Lord bless the giving of these rings that they who wear them may abide in His peace and continue living in His presence.

Giving of Coins
Pastor:
May I have the coins please. (Thank you —– )


Reader:
The coins symbolize the sufficiency of material possession. May the Lord bless the giving of these coins, that they who possess them may abide in His peace and continue living in His presence.

GROOM giving coins to BRIDE:
I give you these coins — as a pledge of my total dedication — and constant concern — for your welfare, — in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

BRIDE accepting coins from GROOM:
I accept these tokens of your love and devotion — and will treasure them — as a good steward of the material blessings — that God may provide our life together — as we are faithful to TITHE — and give our OFFERINGS to Him with thanksgiving and delight.

Presentation of the Bible
Pastor:
May I have the Bible please (Thank you —– )
Accept this Bible which is the Word of God. Read it, examine it, and understand it.

Reader:
All Scriptures are written by the inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly versed in all good deeds.
Keep this in your heart so that, you may go forth in peace, because the Sword of God is the Spirit of life, a Lamp to your feet and a light to your path.

Responsibilities of the Sponsors
(Call the Sponsors to Come and Make a Semi-Circle for Blessing)

The Pastor:
From among the many friends and relatives of GROOM and BRIDE, you have been chosen to become a special part of their life as sponsors. You are bonding into a special relationship today. By your presence, you are pledging your support and declaring that it is your desire that this union should flourish.

From this day onward, you are GROOM and BRIDE’s second set of parents. You will share in their joys, pains, triumphs and failures. When they come to you, welcome them as if they were your own.

Do you then, as sponsors of GROOM and BRIDE pledge that in times of difficulties, happiness, trials and victories, you will be there to admonish them, comfort them, rejoice with them, assist them, pray with and for them, and live a life above reproach to serve as their life-long model?

If so, please answer, “I will”.

Sponsors:
I will. (Sponsors extend or lay their hands upon the couple as the prayer of Dedication is said).

Prayer of Dedication from the Sponsor
(then Sponsors may return to their seats)

Communion
Their first meal together as a couple.
God must in the midst of their marriage for it to be Christian.
(Please Stand During This Time)

Lighting of the Unity Candle

The Pastor:

Light symbolizes the life of God. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. He who follows me will not walk in darkness.”

UNITY CANDLES
Both GROOM and BRIDE testify that they have acknowledge Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Therefore, the Life of God abides in them individually. They have also expressed a desire to make Christ the head of their family and now in a new way Christ will abide in them jointly. This is part of the symbolism of the two flames joining into one new flame.

Benediction

May God’s joy which the world cannot give and which the world cannot take away, be yours today and tomorrow and in all life’s tomorrows. In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Please face the ASSEMBLY …

Presentation of the Couple / Newly Weds

The Pastor:
It is my pleasure and joy to introduce to you this morning / afternoon / evening.

— Mr and Ms ___________________


Recessional