Processional of Wedding Party
1. Pastor and Groom enter from side
Begin Processional Music
“Heaven” by D J Sammy
2. Groomsmen and Bridesmaids:
Jonathan Gandy & Elizabeth Wilson,
Brandon Creek & Amber Bradford,
Brandon Sabella & Jennifer Burnell,
Michael Marin & Christina French,
Robert Burnell & Jocelyn Wilson.
3. Maid of Honor and Best Man:
Lewis Burnell & Autumn Horton
4. Ring Bearers
Jonathan Watson & Brandon French
and Flower Girls:
Jasmine Bailey & Malia Alvarez
Music: "From this Moment"
by Shania Twain
5. Bride Enters with Fathers
Michael Horton and Landon Wilson
(Bride's mother stands as signal for all to stand)
Giving Away of the Bride.
Introduction and Welcoming of Family and Friends:
Pastor: We are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses to unite Rebecca & Bradley in holy matrimony. As believers in Jesus Christ, they recognize that it was God who instituted marriage, and who said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." The God who made and redeemed them also instituted this relationship they are about to enter. Giving away the bride: Who is it that brings this woman to this man? Let us Pray together.
Prayer by Rev. David Linkletter
Pastor: Rebecca, Bradley, and their families have a rich Christian heritage. Bradley's grandmother, Leah Davenport, is one of the first members of this church, and Bradley was even dedicated as a baby at this very alter. Rebecca and Bradley invite everyone here who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to share the Lord's Supper with them.
Communion: Servers: Lewis & Robert Burnell, Brandon Creek and Jonathan Gandy
J. Craig Gandy: Today Rebecca & Bradley's families, relatives and closest friends have gathered together to witness their new beginning as they take holy marriage vows and to celebrate their union together as husband and wife. As we share the Lord's Supper with them I ask that you take a moment to make a commitment to God to be an encourager to Rebecca and Bradley and their marriage. Marriage is not easy. Marriage is a perfect vow made before God by two imperfect people, only God can make it work. Eccl. 4: 9-12 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broke." The strongest marriage is woven like a rope with three cords twined together to help support and strengthen the one. In a Christian marriage a man and a woman weave themselves together with Christ as their third entity to make a strong marriage that can not be easily broken by the trials and storms of life. How much stronger their marriage bond will be if we, as family and friends join Rebecca and Bradley by encouraging, strengthening and praying for their marriage.
(Isaiah 15b-21)
In the old testament verse we read that God could not find anyone that was righteous, so He had to send His own son to come to Earth to save us. Sometimes we make wrong decision but Jesus gives us hope when we turn to Him. God will be there through all our paths. He gives us a fresh new start through His Son.
Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." On the night before Jesus was crucified, He was eating the Passover Meal with His Disciples. And as they were eating, He took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body," (pass the communion trays of bread to the ushers). Then Jesus took the cup, (hold cup up) and when He had given Thanks He gave it to them and they drank of it. And He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Wedding Vows:
Pastor:
Rebecca and Bradley, today is the most special day in your life. Three years ago you began your journey in life together by dating. Last year, on this date, you committed yourselves one to the other by an engagement celebration. Today you are taking holy marriage vows before God, your family and your friends. You are committing yourselves exclusively the one to the other for as long as you both shall live. This vow is the most sacred between two people. As God's children by faith in Jesus Christ, the relationship of marriage is especially meaningful. God, Himself instituted and ordained marriage at the very beginning of human history. God created marriage, designed it and He defined it's parameters. Your home will never be what God intends for it to be if you leave Him out of your relationship. Success in marriage does not depend on spouses committing themselves to each other as much as it does to your committing yourselves to marriage.
Rebecca and Bradley love has brought you here today. A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, and it is also a declaration of love. People change and people are imperfect but the institution of marriage is constant; it never changes. If you want a successful forever marriage, commit yourself to one another and to the institution of marriage. It will become your center of gravity and help keep you solid. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians. I believe it is a true model of love and it is a model of love I hope you pursue in your marriage:
Scripture Reading 1 Corinthians 13
"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them."
Wedding Party Moves to Platform
(Bride and groom faces one another)
Rebecca and Bradley have written vows to one another:
(Brad says his vows)
“Rebecca, Today I announce and declare my love for you for as long as the sky and my eyes are blue. My love for you will never fade and I will cherish you in every way. I will thank God every day for this prayer I prayed. I will share your joy as well as your sorrow for each and every tomorrow. I promise to love all of you always.”
(Rebecca says her vows)
If ever two were one than surely we…
Exchange of Rings
Pastor: I understand you have brought rings as a token of your vows:
Prayer: Bless O God, this ring, that the one who gives it and the one who wears it may ever abide in thy peace, living together in unity, in love and in happiness, and doing your will. Amen.
These ring is a symbol of the unbroken unity of truth now to be symbolized in your married life.
Pastor: Will you repeat after me:
I, Bradley take thee Rebecca to be my wife. To love and to cherish from this day forward.
And I pledge you my faith, with this ring I thee wed, may it ever be to us a symbol of our love.
I, Rebecca take thee Bradley to be my husband. To love and to cherish from this day forward. And I pledge you my faith, with this ring I thee wed, may it ever be to us a symbol of our love.
Song:
“From This Moment" by Shania Twain. (recorded)
Prayer: Pastor:
Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Rebecca and Bradley's wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to always honor one another in their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Walk beside Rebecca and Bradley throughout all of their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name; Amen
Lighting of Unity Candle
Rebecca and Bradley, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle. The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.
Rose Ceremony
Words of the Rose Ceremony:
"Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose. In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife.
In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
Rebecca and Bradley, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that This will be a marriage based on love. In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by those we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
Charge to Couple
Rebecca & Bradley , if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure."
Pronouncement as Husband & Wife
Rebecca and Bradley so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in holy matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, and in giving these rings, I now declare you to be husband and wife in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those that God has joined together, let no one divide.
The Kiss You may kiss your bride.
Introduction Pastor - It is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Burnell.
Recessional · Bride and Groom
· Matron of Honor and Best Man
· Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
· Flower Girls and Ring Bearers
· Groomsmen/ushers return for honored guests who are escorted out in reversed order of their entrance.
· Ushers may dismiss rest of guests or usher them out row by row.