Ceremony 4
Sermon
Wedding Sermons And Marriage Ceremonies
The Prologue
Pastor: Dear Friends, today (Groom) and (Bride) have come to this moment with love in their heart. (Bride) and (Groom), you have been drawn together with an attraction that should continue throughout your life time. No longer will you be looking with separate visions for life but rather with one vision. You will retain your individuality, but you will discover unity of purpose for each other. You are performing an act of faith in each other, and in God who has brought your love together. (Groom), you are to be to (Bride) protector, caregiver, mate, and, most sacred, husband. (Bride), you are to be to (Groom) an inspiration, sustainer, mate, and, most sacred, wife.
If your life is to be successful, it will be done as God is asked to control and guide it. Allow God to mold your lives together to form a beautiful duet of love. Human imperfections will appear where dating bliss first blurred your sight. Remain unmoved in your love for each other. Imperfection and faults can be overcome with time, patience, and devotion to one another. Let God be the perceptible presence in your home. Also, allow your home to be a harbor of rest and repair from the pressures of the world.
Special Music: "How Beautiful" (The Benson Co., Nashville, Tennessee, 1990)
Pastor: (Prays extemporaneously)...
Pastor: (To Father) Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Father: Her family who loves her. We welcome (Groom) into our family and we pledge to love them both. Our family covenants to support them with our love and prayers, and help when appropriate. (Father gives bride a kiss and then joins the hands of bride and groom.)
The Exchange Of Vows And Rings
Pastor: Now, (Groom) and (Bride), we are coming to the solemn moment when you exchange vows and make a covenant of love to each other.
These vows are important because they are set in the context of God and his people. Covenants are binding and not to be entered into lightly or irreverently. There will be times of doubt and insecurity, but stand steady - your love for each other and God will hold your love tightly together.
Are you willing to continue the taking of these sacred vows?
Couple: Yes, we are. Let the vows be binding upon us for the rest of our lives.
Pastor: (Groom), please place the ring upon (Bride's) finger and repeat these vows after me.
Pastor (Groom Repeats): I, (Groom), take you, (Bride), as my dearly beloved wife. I covenant before God, to care for you as long as we both shall live. I will place your well--being at the head of my personal agenda. I pledge my love for you in front of these people, this minister, and God. I shall pray that our lives will become one together. I will do my best to pursue God's will and purpose for our journey together.
Pastor: (Bride), please place the ring upon (Groom's) finger, and repeat these vows.
Pastor (Bride Repeats): I, (Bride), take you, (Groom), as my beloved husband. I covenant before God, to care for you as long as we both shall live. I will place your well--being at the head of my personal agenda. I pledge my love for you in front of these people, this minister, and God. I, too, shall pray that our lives will truly become one together. I will do my best to pursue God's will and purpose for our journey together.
Pastor: (Groom) and (Bride), your families, friends, and God have witnessed these moments of commitment and given their blessings to this union. You together have pledged your undying love to one another. Therefore, upon the authority of the church and the state I declare you husband and wife.
(Groom) and (Bride), you may seal your marriage with a kiss.
I have the great privilege to introduce for the first time (First Name) and (First Name) (Last Name).
What God has joined together let nothing destroy!
Benediction
Pastor: May the God who has given you the miracle of marriage, guard your future and fill the days with joy, happiness, and hope with each other and the God of holy marriages. Go in peace and love!
Pastor: Dear Friends, today (Groom) and (Bride) have come to this moment with love in their heart. (Bride) and (Groom), you have been drawn together with an attraction that should continue throughout your life time. No longer will you be looking with separate visions for life but rather with one vision. You will retain your individuality, but you will discover unity of purpose for each other. You are performing an act of faith in each other, and in God who has brought your love together. (Groom), you are to be to (Bride) protector, caregiver, mate, and, most sacred, husband. (Bride), you are to be to (Groom) an inspiration, sustainer, mate, and, most sacred, wife.
If your life is to be successful, it will be done as God is asked to control and guide it. Allow God to mold your lives together to form a beautiful duet of love. Human imperfections will appear where dating bliss first blurred your sight. Remain unmoved in your love for each other. Imperfection and faults can be overcome with time, patience, and devotion to one another. Let God be the perceptible presence in your home. Also, allow your home to be a harbor of rest and repair from the pressures of the world.
Special Music: "How Beautiful" (The Benson Co., Nashville, Tennessee, 1990)
Pastor: (Prays extemporaneously)...
Pastor: (To Father) Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Father: Her family who loves her. We welcome (Groom) into our family and we pledge to love them both. Our family covenants to support them with our love and prayers, and help when appropriate. (Father gives bride a kiss and then joins the hands of bride and groom.)
The Exchange Of Vows And Rings
Pastor: Now, (Groom) and (Bride), we are coming to the solemn moment when you exchange vows and make a covenant of love to each other.
These vows are important because they are set in the context of God and his people. Covenants are binding and not to be entered into lightly or irreverently. There will be times of doubt and insecurity, but stand steady - your love for each other and God will hold your love tightly together.
Are you willing to continue the taking of these sacred vows?
Couple: Yes, we are. Let the vows be binding upon us for the rest of our lives.
Pastor: (Groom), please place the ring upon (Bride's) finger and repeat these vows after me.
Pastor (Groom Repeats): I, (Groom), take you, (Bride), as my dearly beloved wife. I covenant before God, to care for you as long as we both shall live. I will place your well--being at the head of my personal agenda. I pledge my love for you in front of these people, this minister, and God. I shall pray that our lives will become one together. I will do my best to pursue God's will and purpose for our journey together.
Pastor: (Bride), please place the ring upon (Groom's) finger, and repeat these vows.
Pastor (Bride Repeats): I, (Bride), take you, (Groom), as my beloved husband. I covenant before God, to care for you as long as we both shall live. I will place your well--being at the head of my personal agenda. I pledge my love for you in front of these people, this minister, and God. I, too, shall pray that our lives will truly become one together. I will do my best to pursue God's will and purpose for our journey together.
Pastor: (Groom) and (Bride), your families, friends, and God have witnessed these moments of commitment and given their blessings to this union. You together have pledged your undying love to one another. Therefore, upon the authority of the church and the state I declare you husband and wife.
(Groom) and (Bride), you may seal your marriage with a kiss.
I have the great privilege to introduce for the first time (First Name) and (First Name) (Last Name).
What God has joined together let nothing destroy!
Benediction
Pastor: May the God who has given you the miracle of marriage, guard your future and fill the days with joy, happiness, and hope with each other and the God of holy marriages. Go in peace and love!
