Introductory
Remarks
Dearly
Beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of
God to join this man and this woman in holy
marriage. Marriage is one of the oldest and most
sacred institutions of God. It was established in
the garden of Eden, graced by the personal
presence of Christ at Cana of Galilee, likened by
the Apostle Paul to the mystical union which
exists between Christ and the Church, and is
declared in Holy Scripture to be honorable before
all men.
Our Savior
has declared that a man shall forsake his father
and mother and cleave unto his wife. By His
eternal Word, He has instructed those who enter
into this relation to cherish a mutual esteem and
love; to bear with each other's infirmities and
weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness,
trouble, and sorrow; in honesty and industry to
provide for each other in the things which pertain
to God; and, to live together as the heirs of the
grace of life.
Giving away
of Bride
Pastor --
Who giveth this woman in marriage?
The one
giving away the bride replies
Ceremony
Listen to
the words of Holy Scripture as recorded in
Ephesians chapter five, verse twenty-two through
thirty- three.
Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, be subject to
your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23
For the husband is the
head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of
the church, He Himself being the Savior
of the body.
24 But as the
church is subject to Christ, so also the wives
ought to be to their husbands in
everything.
25 Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ also loved the
church and gave Himself up for her;
26
that He might sanctify
her, having cleansed her by the washing of water
with the word,
27 that
He might present to Himself the church in all
her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such
thing; but that she should be holy and
blameless. 28
So husbands
ought also to love their own wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;
29
for no one ever
hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes
it, just as Christ also does the church,
30
because we are
members of His body.
31
For this cause a man shall leave
his father and mother, and shall cleave to his
wife; and the two shall become one flesh.
32
This mystery is great; but
I am speaking with reference to Christ and the
church. 33
Nevertheless
let each individual among you also love his own
wife even as himself; and let the wife
see to it that she respect her husband. (NASB)
Forasmuch
as these two persons have come hither to be made
one in this holy estate, if there be any here
present who knows any just cause why they may not
lawfully be joined in marriage, I require him now
to make it known or ever after hold his peace.
I charge
both of you, before God, the Searcher of all
hearts, and before the Lord Jesus Christ, who shed
His precious blood to redeem you from all sin,
that if either of you know any impediment why you
may not lawfully be joined together in marriage,
you do now confess it. For, be well assured that,
if any persons are joined together otherwise than
as God's Word allows, their union is not blessed
by Him.
Prayer
Wedding Vows
Pastor to
Groom -- ___________, do you take ___________ whom
you hold by the hand to be your lawfully wedded
wife, and do you covenant to be true to her, to
love, cherish, and protect her, in sickness and in
health, in poverty or in wealth, until death do
you part?
Groom -- I
do.
Pastor to
Bride -- ___________, do you take ___________ whom
you hold by the hand to be your lawfully wedded
husband, covenanting to be true to him, to love,
cherish, and honor him, in sickness and in health,
in poverty or in wealth, until death do you part?
Bride -- I
do.
Ring Vows
Pastor:
What token do you give in pledge that you will
faithfully perform these vows?
(Ring
silently passed to the officiating minister.)
Pastor --
May this ring henceforth be the chaste and
changeless symbol of your evermore pure and
unending affection.
(Officiating minister passes the ring to the groom
who places it on the finger of the bride.)
Pronouncement
Pastor --
As a minister of the gospel, and by the authority
invested in me by the State of __________, I
pronounce you to be to each other, husband and
wife. Whom therefore God hath joined together, let
no man put assunder.
Prayer of
Commitment and Benediction
Embrace
Introduction
of Bride and Groom
May I
present to you, Mr. and Mrs. __________.
Recessional
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