Wedding – Ceremony
1.God’s Word and Covenant:
Ua mau, ke ea o ka aina, ika pono. God’s word, that rises up in all the earth, stands in righteousness. These words were spoken by a King of Hawaii many years ago, when the Kingdom was returned to its’ rightful heir and sovereign. And today, ua mau, ke ea o ka aina, ika pono, are the words that cover the State of Hawaii as our official seal.
Indeed, it is the Word-of-God that created the heavens and the earth, and it is God’s Word that holds all things together. The oceans roar, the earth trembles, the mountains sing and the heavens shout to the glory of God. And in His image and for His glory, God created THIS COUPLE, and now you are here, in God’s beautiful creation, to be united, IN AGREEMENT WITH God’s Word, in holy matrimony.
MARRIAGE IS AN HONORABLE ESTATE INSTITUTED BY GOD IN THE TIME OF MAN’S INNOSENCE, MARRIAGE SIGNIFIES THE MYSTICAL UNION THAT IS BETWEEN CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH. IT IS TO BE ENTERED INTO SOBERLY AND REVERENTLY, AND IT IS Into this holy covenant, this couple now comes to be joined.”
Prayer #1: Father, I give you this time. Holy Spirit, guide this event, that all present come under your covering, and that your great joy fills our hearts for this couple, as they enter into your covenant of love.
In Jesus name, Amen.
2.The Commitment:
I charge you, in the presence of God, and before each other, to mean what you say, and say what you mean. A covenant is a legally binding agreement for a set duration. And so today, for the rest of your lives you are binding yourselves to one another, and to the work of the Holy Spirit as He knits you together into one person. THIS IS GOD’S EQUATION AT WORK HERE WHERE ONE AND ONE MAKE ONE. After this ceremony, it will be legally and morally binding upon you to love and care for one another, to be faithful to each other, and to build your life together . . . BOTH IN PROSPERITY AND ADVERSITY, regardless of circumstances, feelings, or changes.
3. Exchanging of Vows:
“do you ____ have this woman, ____,to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? do you pledge to GIVE of YOUR LIFE FOR HER, comfort her, LOVE, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keeping yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live? ‘I DO.’”
“do you ____ have this man, ____, to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? do you pledge to PUT YOUR TRUST IN HIM, cherish him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keeping yourself only unto him, as long as you both shall live? ‘I do.’”
4.Exchanging of Rings:
“WHEN YOU EXCHANGE RINGS, YOU ARE PLACING A VALUE ON THE LOVE YOU SHARE…A LOVE THAT DOES NOT RUST OR TARNISH, YOUR LOVE WILL ONLY INCREASE IN BEAUTY AND VALUE OVER TIME. THE CIRCLE OF THE RING REPRESENTS A LOVE THAT DOES NOT END. And so THESE RINGS ARE THE OUTWARD AND VISIBLE SIGN OF THE INWARD AND SPIRITUAL BOND WHICH UNITES THIS MAN AND WOMAN IN ENDLESS LOVE.”
“As a pledge / and in token / of the vows we have made /
with this ring I thee weD
You may place the ring
Prayer & Pronouncement:
Prayer #2: Father, you are faithful and Your love endures forever. We rely on your power to keep this couple close by your side and to each other. And by Your greatness we recognize the effect that this couple will have upon the world for goodness and righteousness. And may their union be a testimony to your truth and your word. In Jesus’Name. Amen.
“For as much as THIS COUPLE have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and each other, and have given and pledged themselves to one another, and have declared the same by joining hands AND giving and receiving rings; by the authority vested in me as a minister of God’s Church and by the State of Hawaii, I pronounce that this couple is now husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” - you may kiss your bride.”
Marital Insights
1Take the time to invest in what will help your marriage last a lifetime. For example attend marriage seminars, talk to other successful couples about their secrets, and read books. Here are some suggestions:
oThe Two Sides of Love by Gary Smalley and John Trent
oMarriage Builder by Larry Crab
oThe Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
oHomeBuilders Couples Series compiled by Family Life (I haven’t reviewed these 9 books, but I’ve heard very positive things about this series)
2Take time every week to be with the one you love. Draw boundaries around a day or night and enforce those boundaries. This should not change after having children. The marriage must continue to be primary for the child’s security.
3Every couple experiences conflict. One main difference between couples that stay together or break apart is how they handle the conflicts that do arise. So . . .
oShut the door and throw away the key to thoughts of divorce . . . NOW. Couples that leave that door open never have true relational peace. To use the threat of divorce in conflict – like a trump card – only cheapens and undermines whatever commitment may remain.
oTreat your spouse the way you would like to be treated – with tenderness, respect, courage and love.
oGuard your tongue. It has a great deal of power and can either build up or destroy any relationship. Always speak the truth and let love determine the words and the way those words are spoken.
4Come into agreement on key issues (like money, children, and religion). A united front, or lack thereof, on these issues can often make or break a relationship.
5If you haven’t already, start a relationship with the Lord. Go to a good Bible-believing church and practice your faith.