Rita Reed

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

We welcome all of you here today as we have gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join Archie and Mary in holy matrimony.

Marriage is a gift from God, given to us so that we might experience the joys of unconditional love with a lifelong partner. God designed marriage to be an intimate relationship between a man and a woman.

Archie and Mary, because your deep love for each other comes from God above, this is a sacred moment, and it is with great reverence that I now ask you to declare your intent.

CONSENT

Archie, do you take Mary to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

I do.

And Mary, do you take Archie to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?

Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Today is the beginning of a new continued life together for you. It marks the commencement of your already joined relationships of your families, and your friends, and certainly to each other. You have invited these special guests to share in one of life’s greatest moments as they give recognition to the worth and beauty of your love and add their best wishes to the words that shall unite you today as husband and wife.

God knew your needs when He brought you together. He knew exactly what you needed to make you complete. And now, He wants you to commit yourselves to each other as the one He has chosen to complete you.

Through the ages, man has tried to define “love.” Poems, songs, and books all have been written trying to describe this little four letter word. (LOVE) But the best description I have found comes from God Himself, since He is the Author of love. In His Word in First Corinthians, Chapter 13. It describes the kind of love that must characterize your lives if you are to live in joy and harmony and honor with each other, and also before God and your fellow man.

Listen to what it says:

CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 13

If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

Archie, I believe you are saying to all of us today that you are committing yourself to this woman only, moving toward her in a more open and intimate way, giving yourself to care for her, and promising to love her as she needs to be loved.

And Mary, I believe you are saying to us that you are committing yourself to this man only, moving toward him with increasing openness, tenderness, and respect, giving yourself to him, and trusting him as the head of your home, and, through him, listening to God’s plan for your life together.

And so, (Archie) , if you will love (Mary) as Christ loves the church, and

(Mary), if you will respond to (Archie) as unto the Lord,

your companionship as husband and wife will blossom into a physical, emotional, and spiritual closeness beyond which nothing can compare.

WEDDING VOWS

I, Archie, take thee, Mary, / to be my wedded wife, / to have

and to hold / from this day forward, / for better, for worse, / for richer, for poorer, / in sickness and in

health, / to love and to cherish, / till death do us part. / This is my solemn vow.

I, Mary, take thee, Archie, / to be my wedded husband, / to have and to hold / from this day forward, / for better, for worse, / for richer, for poorer, / in sickness and in health, / to love and to cherish, / till death do us part. / This is my solemn vow.

EXCHANGE OF THE RINGS

The wedding ring serves as a symbol of the promises you have just spoken. It is the outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible love that binds your two hearts together. The wedding ring also is a symbol of what God is. He is without beginning and without end—He is eternal.

As you can see, the ring is without beginning and without end. So I believe this exchange of rings not only reminds us of the unending love you have for each other, but also reflects the eternal love God has for each of you.

May I have the token of Archie's love for Mary?

This ring I give in token and pledge / as a sign of my love and devotion. / With this ring, I thee wed.

May I have the token of Bride’s love for Archie?

This ring I give in token and pledge / as a sign of my love and devotion. / With this ring, I thee wed.

WEDDING PRAYER/BLESSING

Our Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessing upon these two lives and the home they are establishing today. May the love they have for each other grow deeper and stronger because of their love for You.

Lord, You guided them to each other, now guide them in this new journey as husband and wife. As they walk down this path, light their way so they may keep their eyes focused on Your will, their hands holding fast to Your truth, their feet firmly planted in Your Word, and their hearts bound together by Your love. This we pray in Your name. Amen.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Archie and Mary, since you have consented together in holy matrimony, and have pledged yourselves to each other by your solemn vows and by the giving of rings, and have declared your commitment of love before God and these witnesses, It's by the power vested in me, and the AMM, I now pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no man separate.

Archie, you may kiss your Bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Topps.

Let's celebrate them!!!! GOD BLESS THIS UNION!