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Introductory Remarks
We have come
together at the invitation of (bride) ___________ and
(groom) ___________ to celebrate the uniting in Christian
love, their hearts and lives. This is possible because of
the love God has created in them, through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I am
come that they might have life and that they might have it
more abundantly." This abundant life, for many people, is
an impossible dream, yet God wants us all to have this
abundant life and proved His love for us by giving His
Son, that we might have this life.
Another way that
God provides for this "full" life is creating those who
will love us. (Groom) ___________ has found such a one in
(bride) ___________ hearts and spirits were drawn together
before today by the Lord of all creation. Two lives are
not united by ceremony, but only in the power, love, and
grace of God.
(Groom)
___________ and (Bride) ___________ are here to publicly
declare that because of Jesus Christ's love, they too can
truly love one another. As God demonstrated His love in
Jesus, our Lord, (Groom) ___________ and (Bride)
___________ will demonstrate this God given love by giving
themselves to one another and one for the other.
They have not
reached this place alone, each has been given life by
their parents. These, who gave to them life love,
provision, are and will be, a vital part in their
continued lives. Their love has borne fruit in (Groom)
___________ and (Bride) . Love and respect for these will
continue as they grow in their own love made possible by
their parents.
Giving Away of Bride
Who then has
prepared this woman for marriage to this man?
Father replies --
"Her Mother and I."
(Bride, Groom,
Best Man, Matron of Honor, Pastor, all move up the stairs,
front of pulpit area.)
Wedding Vows
Pastor to Bride
and Groom -- ___________ and ___________ , no other human
ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than
these you are about to assume. You are entering into that
holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience,
and which is the very sacrament of divine love.
Pastor to Groom:
___________, will you have ___________, to be your wedded
wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy
estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor
and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all
others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both
shall live?
Groom -- "I will."
Pastor to Bride --
___________ , will you have __________ to be your wedded
husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the
holy estate of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him,
honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and
forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him so long
as you both shall live?
Bride -- "I will."
(Pastor can say a
few words before vows.)
Pastor - (have
Groom take Bride by her right hand)
Pastor asks groom
to repeat his vows to his bride.
Pastor asks bride
to repeat her vows to her husband.
Ring Vows
Pastor to Groom --
___________, what symbol do you bring as a pledge of that
sincerity of your vows?
Groom -- "A ring."
Pastor to Bride --
Please remember, a ring is more than a symbol of your
marriage. It is a seal of the vow you have made to one
another. The circle of the ring is, as far as human eye
can see, a perfect circle--with no beginning or end--so
God too, has perfect love for you and wants you to love
one another in His grace--never, never ending. This ring
is made of precious metal. You also are precious in God's
sight and now in the life of (Groom) ___________ . When
you are absent one from another, the presence of the ring
reminds you to be faithful and to fulfill your vows to
(Groom) ___________.
Rings have
historically been the sign of authority--used to seal
documents and proclamations, you now accept this authority
in your life.
Pastor to Groom --
You may now place your ring on your Bride's finger.
Pastor to Bride --
_____________, what symbol do you bring as a pledge of
that sincerity of your vows?
Bride -- "A ring."
Pastor to Groom --
___________, this ring is a seal of ___________ vow to
you. She presents this to you as a token of her submission
to you in Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of leadership and
privilege. God has placed you as head of the family. You
must lead in worship, works and fellowship. As the weaker
vessel she depends upon you for strength.
Pastor to Bride --
You may now place your ring on your Bride's finger.
Pronouncement
For as much as
(Groom) ___________ and (Bride) ___________ have consented
in holy wedlock, and have thereto confirmed the same by
giving and receiving each one a ring; by the authority
committed unto me as a minister of the Church of Jesus
Christ, I now declare you husband and wife, according to
the ordinance of God, and the laws of the state of
___________; in the name of the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Prayer
Solo
Candle Lighting
Ceremony
Groom helps Bride
up and goes to top of alter
Pastor -- The two
outside candles have been lighted by the parents to
represent (Groom's) ___________ and (Bride's) ___________
lives to this moment. They are two distinct lights, each
capable of going their separate ways. To bring bliss and
happiness to (Groom's) ___________ and (Bride's)
___________ home, there must be a merging of these two
lights into one light. This is what the Lord meant when He
said, "On this account, a man shall leave his father and
mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be one
flesh." From now on their thoughts shall be for each other
rather than for their individual selves. Their plans shall
be mutual, their joys and sorrows shall be shared alike.
As they take a candle and together light the center one,
they will extinguish their own candles, thus letting the
center candle represent the union of their lives into one
flesh. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall
their lies be divided but a united testimony in a
Christian home. May ;the radiance of this one light be a
testimony of their unity in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pronouncement
Presentation
Embrace
Benediction
Introduction
Ladies and
Gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. & Mrs. ___________
Recessional
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