Kevin L Stewart

Processional

Invocation

Family and friends, we are gathered here in the presence of God as we celebrate the marriage of Ethan and Cheyenne. Marriage was instituted by God, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, upheld by his apostles, and is to be honored by all people through all time.

Jesus affirms the words in Genesis when he says, ''a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'' Today you leave your families and begin a new family. Let us remember that God established marriage for the sake of our happiness and welfare. Other than raising children, a successful and lasting marriage is the most rewarding and fulfilling relationship we can have with another human being.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we ask you to prepare Ethan and Cheyenne for their life together. Enrich them with your grace that they may enjoy the comforts and endure the trials that life will surely bring. Bless their marriage and remind them of their vows. We pray for this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Declaration of Intent

Ethan, do you promise to have Cheyenne as your wedded wife, to live with her according to God’s commandments in the holy bond of marriage? And do you promise to love her, honor, and cherish her, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? (I do)

Cheyenne, do you promise to have Ethan as your wedded husband, to live with him according to God’s commandments in the holy bond of marriage? And do you promise to love him, honor, and cherish him, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live? (I do)

Homily

What a beautiful day, and a beautiful couple. Today is the picture-perfect day for your wedding.

This wedding is a wonderful and joyful event orchestrated by family and friends to celebrate the love and commitment of these two wonderful people that are so dear to us and to each other. Getting married is fun, stressful, exciting, and sometimes scary.

Looking back on how you got here, from that first “swipe-right”. Imagining your futures together, road trips, house hunting, adventures, starting a family, and never losing that loving feeling.

That is a dream to be admired, and it can become reality. You obviously love each other very much. However, you must also be willing to put in the work. A lasting and successful marriage requires love and work. Both are equally important. A working marriage without love is an empty shell without affection and care. A loving marriage without work is an emotional rollercoaster of disappointment and regret.

The work of marriage lies in the time, effort, patience, and humility you must each provide. This allows you to listen, trust and forgive each other. When combined with love, this work will create a marriage of kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness.

In his Epistle to the Colossians, Paul explains:

Scripture Reading

Colossians 3:12-17 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In this letter, Paul explains the importance of peace, love, and forgiveness in our relationships. He further explains that by letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and remembering the message of Christ, and to do all in the name of Christ, we will accomplish the work that God expects of us, according to His plan.

So, that covers the work, but what about love?

To understand love, we must look to God’s love for us. This is the very foundation of our faith in God. God’s love for us makes it possible for us to love each other.

Remember the first marriage between Adam and Eve? Not such a great start, right? It was basically a total disaster that left a lasting effect on all of humanity. Their choice to disobey and live apart from God has broken our relationship with God, leaving us to follow after them, trying to live our own way, apart from God. The penalty for this rebellion is death.

However, because God loves us so much, because of His mercy and grace, He sent His own Son to die in our place, so that our relationship could be restored. God’s love is so generous, that he has forgiven all or our sins, past, present, and future. The blood of Christ is complete.

Because of God’s generous love for you, and because Jesus lives in you, you may also love generously. Because of what Christ has done in your life, you can freely and generously love and forgive one another. You can put up with each other’s faults, you can meet each other’s needs, and you can look out for each other’s interests. You can joyfully serve one another.

This is possible, not because you are good people and can just will yourself to do the right thing, but because Jesus made you holy and righteous. He has united the two of you together in an inseparable bond. Jesus will give you the strength and the courage to love generously.

Going back to Paul’s letters, he explains the awesome power of love in his first letter to the Corinthians.

Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIV

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. 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. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

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

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray that this gospel of love will transform the hearts of Ethan and Cheyenne. We pray that it will fill them to overflowing that they may share it with one another and to those around them. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

Exchange Vows

Ethan and Cheyenne will read the vows they have prepared.

Knot ceremony – The Cord of Three Strands

Today, Cheyenne and Ethan are going to tie God’s knot, or the cord of three strands. It symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship.

Marriage takes three: both of you and God. It is God who teaches us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.

As you can see here, there are three different colored cords that Cheyenne and Ethan are going to tie together.

The gold strand represents the divinity of God. The covenant of marriage is initiated by Him. Your marriage will be built under His authority, and is intended to glorify him.

The purple strand represents Ethan. As the husband loves his wife and submits himself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will demonstrate His great love in the marriage relationship.

The white strand represents Cheyenne. The purity of the bride is represented in white. As the wife honors her husband and submits herself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will nurture and strengthen the marriage relationship.

Exchange Rings

A Wedding Ring is a constant reminder of your devotion to each other, the giving and receiving aspects of marriage, and a symbol of the abiding love you will share as long as you live. Do you have these rings?

Ethan, place this ring on the third finger of Cheyenne’s left hand and repeat after me: This ring I give you Cheyenne, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love.

Cheyenne, place this ring on the third finger of Ethan’s left hand and repeat after me: This ring I give you Ethan, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love.

Pronouncement

By the authority given to me, according to the ordinance of God, and the law of the State of Idaho, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. Ethan, you may kiss your bride.

What God has joined together, let no man rend asunder.

Benediction

May the blessings of God rest upon you. May God’s peace abide in you. May God’s presence illuminate your hearts now and forever.

Introduction of the Newlyweds

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Ethan and Cheyenne Gordon.

Recessional