Order of Service

Pre-Service:  Ken will arrive at: 12:00

Preservice music will begin at: 12:30

Ken will move to front 1:00

Formal Seating (Stuck on You plays)

  • Grandma Carol w/Tim escorting
  • Grandma Geri w/Josh escorting
  • Nana Judy w/Noah escorting
  • Mother of the Bride w/Jaguar escorting
  • Mother of the Groom w/Andrew escorting
    • Andrew walks up and takes place to the right (stage left)

Wedding Party enters  (Wanted Instrumental Plays)

  • Tim and Christina
  • Josh and Amber
  • Noah and Mercedes
  • Ring Bearers – Adam and Tony
  • Flower Girls – Angela and Amanda

Entrance of the Bride with Papa Rob  (Amazed Instrumental Plays)

(Ken’s Mic) Giving Away: “Who Gives this woman to be married to this man?”

Wedding Ceremony

  • Words of Welcome

“Good Afternoon.  Thank you for being here today.  We are here to witness and to bless the joining together of Andrew and Alexis in marriage. It is my privilege to join you in celebrating with them on this most joyous and serious occasion.

         In the first book of the Bible we find that the culminating work of all of God’s creation was the establishment of marriage.  Adam had named all the animals but for Adam, scripture says, there was “not a helper fit for him.”  And the Lord said, “It is not good that man should alone.”  And he created Eve.  And Adam said “This AT LAST” is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Now there is a little nuance in the Hebrew in this text – and I don’t want to get to technical but we aren’t exactly sure if Adam said “woman” or “WHOA- MAN” But what we do know is that she was a delight to Adam and was a good gift from God Himself.  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Proverbs says “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”  What do you think Andrew – good?  Alexis? 😊

God agrees! Marriage is not only good but it is meant to be a picture of the love God has for his children.  It pictures His covenant-keeping love and faithfulness for His bride.  And for this reason marriage is to be held in high regard.  It is a gift from God for your encouragement and joy.  God is the author of marriage and he has designed it for the flourishing of human life.

Today’s ceremony is a sacred time in the presence of God.

Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

  • Prayer of Invocation (Inviting the presence and witness of God to this solemn and joyous occasion – Grateful for gift of marriage and for Andrew and Alexis)
  • Declaration of Intent

“Andrew and Alexis, you have been counseled and instructed from the Scriptures concerning marriage.   I ask you now, in the presence of God and this congregation to declare your intent.  

Andrew, will you have Alexis to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage?  Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live? Answer with “I will”

Andrew answers, “I will.”

“Alexis will you have Andrew to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage?  Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?  “I will”

Alexis answers, “I will.”

  • Charge to the Groom and Bride (Personal!)

Eph 4:29-32 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 

I want to focus on these last four statements Paul gives us in this passage – Be Kind, Be Tenderhearted, Forgive each other, remembering how God in Christ has forgiven you. I chose this passage because I know from my own experience how essential they are to a rugged marriage – And When I say rugged I mean the kind of marriage that endures through every difficulty and delight and is instead of being driven apart by the obstacles you will face is forged together into a bond that is lasting.

  • Be Kind (gracious, gentle, goodness of heart)

Andrew as I was leaving the rehearsal dinner last night I was walking to my car in the dark and I heard some voices call out “Ken! Ken!” and it was your sisters in van.  So I walked over and their eyes were shinning with excitement about the wedding and then _____________ said to me “I’m going to miss Andrew” and she began to describe how kindly and gently you have treated them.  Their affection for you was overflowing. 

Kindness – Graciousness – Gentleness – Goodness of Heart these words describe the character of healthy interactions with each other as man and wife.  Andrew the tenderness you have shown your sisters will serve you well in your relationship with Alexis.  She needs your strength and your kindness.  Your protection and your gentleness. 

Alexis – I know Andrew is a tough hard-working guy but he too will need your strength soaked in kindness.  There will be many days he will rely on your encouragement and tenderness towards him.

This will not always be easy – sometimes – many times it may well be difficult. Because we are not perfect.  We are human beings and our natural tendency is to be self-centered, arrogant, demanding, and angry when we don’t get what we want.  But call of scripture remains – be kind to each other.

  • Tenderhearted

A friend mine is extremely sensitive to any injury or sight or sometimes even the thought of blood.  For example they recently had a child and the doctor just mentioned at the check up that there would be blood at the delivery and my friend passed out on the floor of the doctor’s office.  Now I don’t recommend this approach, Andrew, when you guys have kids – but it does give a picture of what this word means. 

The word literally translated (and this is not a joke) means Healthy Intestines another passage translates the word as “Pitiful” It is describing a deep feeling of compassion – empathy – longing for the good of the other – full of feeling for the other’s interests.)  Scriptures calls us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

Scriptures call for your marriage is to consider the other above yourself.  To seek Andrew’s needs and Andrew to consider Alexis’ needs above your own.

And again, I say to you, this is not easy. It goes against our natural tendencies.  And yet it is right and good and necessary for a healthy marriage.

  • Forgiving each other

Any arguments yet? There may some days in your marriage where there are some … we will call them “frank discussions.”  There may be some days where kindness and tenderheartedness are the last words you would use to describe your last interaction with each other.  Now you have violated two of the things told to you on your wedding day – what shall you do. 

By design the culminating instruction Paul gives here is Forgive each other.  When you see you have been in the wrong be the first to say “I’m sorry.”  When the other comes to you and admits I was out of line – Don’t critique their apology – Don’t weigh whether or not they have suffered enough yet – cultivate a heart that eagerly forgives.  I mentioned to you as we were preparing for today – to keep short accounts with each other.  That means don’t let grievances and irritation and anger store up INSTEAD have a heart for each other that eagerly and quickly admits wrong and forgives the other.  This is one of the beautiful things in marriage.  Confession and forgiveness are essential to a rugged marriage.

But… You know what I’m going to say.  This is not easy.  If fact I would say all three of these things – Kindness, Tenderheartedness, Forgiveness at the level scripture calls us to are impossible for you to do…. On your own.

  • HOW??

by remembering and trusting in the grace of God. The passage says “as God in Christ has forgiven you.  Grace has been freely given you – undeservedly.  You didn’t earn it. We are sinners and yet God has shown us kindness.  We have gone our own way and yet Christ pursued us in tenderheartedness – becoming one of us.  He has given to each of you forgiveness of all your sins in the past and in the future. As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed them from you.  This gospel message of what God has done for you is the only message that can radically change you – so that you can demonstrate true biblical kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness to each other.  Point each other to hope you have in Christ. At the center of a healthy marriage is a constant looking to Jesus.  It is not just Andrew and Alexis against the world.  Jesus is with you!  In seasons of joy HE is with you and in seasons of sorrow and difficulty HE will never leave you.  Look to Him! Look to Him Look to Him!

  • Vows –  (*sound discuss with Ken)
    • “Are you ready now to take your vows? Andrew and Alexis have written personal vows to each other.  (Handheld Mic for Vows)
  • Sand Ceremony – And the two shall become one

At this time Andrew and Alexis would like to picture the biblical reality of marriage that two individuals become one – united in covenant with each other.  They are going to demonstrate this by pouring different sands together.

Ephesians 5:25-32 (ESV)

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  

  • Giving of Rings

As a sign of their vows, Andrew and Alexishave chosen to give each other a ring as symbols of their love. Rings are given to demonstrate the beauty and value of the other. And they are given to represent the commitment to a new and glorious reality “I am yours and you are mine!”  It says with great joy I have reserved myself for you only.” 

To Andrew – Do you have the ring? (get from ring bearer)

Andrew, take this ring and place it on Alexis’ finger and repeat after me:

“This ring I give you – in token and in pledge, – of our constant faith and abiding love

To Alexis – Do you have the ring? 

Alexis take this ring and place it on Andrew’s finger and repeat after me:

“This ring I give you – in token and in pledge – of our constant faith and abiding love.

  • Prayer of Commitment/Benediction (Ask for congregation to stretch out hands)
  • Declaration of Marriage

“Andrew and Alexis we have seen you give yourselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings.  As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: I now pronounce you man and wife. 

May The LORD bless you and keep you;

May the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; May the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26 ESV)”

  • The Kiss
    1. “Andrew You may kiss your bride”
  • Presentation
    1. “It is my joyous privilege to present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mansfield
  • Recessional (exit as entered) (Music “Happy”)
  • Instructions for Guests? (Other music?)
  • Wedding Certificate Signing – Andrew, Alexis,     Tim, Christina, Ken
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