Michael Frederick Fite

Pastor Michael

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of GOD, and this company, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted by GOD, blessed by our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and declared by Saint Paul to be honorable among men. It is not, therefore, to be entered into without Holy advice, or lightly, but reverently, soberly, advisedly and in the fear of GOD. Let us, therefore, under the seriousness of this act, Invoke Divine Presence upon this occasion.

Pastor Michael - Opening Prayer

(Please remain standing as we go before the LORD in prayer)

Our most gracious Heavenly Father, from whom proceedeth all power and dominion, both in heaven and on earth we humbly beseech THEE to look with favor upon thy servants, this man and this woman. Be Thou the honored guest at this wedding to turn the water into the wine of joy. Grant unto them the assurance that they have been brought together by Thy Providence so that they may be truly and eternally joined together by the Holy Spirit, we pray in JESUS name Amen. (Please be seated)

Welcome to the Marriage Ceremony

The marriage union is the closest relationship that can exist between two human beings. When a man and woman decide to join together in marriage, they should do so with full realization of their responsibilities. Marriage is a serious business.

When two born-again believers know it is GOD’S will for them to marry, they come together before GOD, with ministers and witnesses to join their hearts and lives. They make a public profession of their mutual love and devotion, pronouncing vows and pledging their lives to each other.

As they pronounce the marriage vows in faith, the power of GOD goes into operation and a miracle takes place. They are united by GOD and become one in HIS sight. The union is threefold: They are joined together spiritually by GOD, legally by the contract they enter into and physically when the marriage is consummated.

A husband and wife are joined together as JESUS is joined to the Church. It is a Miraculous union.

Pastor Gloria – Charge

As I read scriptures from Ephesian 5, I want you both to pay very close attention to the words stated here. These are GOD’S Words that the HOLY SPIRIT will honor as we stand on them in faith.

The world has the idea that marriage is simply a legal contract. It is a legal contract (we don’t make light of that). But at the same time, it is a spiritual contract. When words of faith are spoken, according to the Word of GOD, between two born-again believers, the power of GOD goes into operation. A miracle takes place when the faith of these two people is released in GOD’S power. GOD honors their faith and brings the two of them into a union.

With these thoughts in mind, listen very carefully to these words:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the LORD. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto CHRIST, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands love your wives, even as CHRIST also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleans it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherishes it, even as the LORD the church: For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning CHRIST and the church (Ephesians 5:22-32).

Pastor Michael - Charge

Now, upon this public profession of your faith, you have made known to all men that JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth is your LORD and SAVIOR.

I make this announcement before this congregation and these witnesses: Wen two people join themselves to the LORD JESUS CHRIST by faith, according to GOD’S own words, they stand cleansed – as clean before GOD as Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden before they sinned. This is not just a forgiveness of sin. The Bible says any man who is in CHRIST is a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new.

A miracle took place when you made JESUS the LORD of your life. The HOLY SPIRIT used the very power of GOD – HIS creative power – to cause your spirit to be reborn. It is the same power GOD used when HE raised JESUS from the dead, and HE joined you to JESUS by that power.

When two born-again believers come before GOD to be joined together as husband and wife, the Apostle Paul calls it “a mystery” and says, “… but I speak concerning CHRIST and the church.” When you made JESUS the LORD of your lives, you were joined to HIM. 1st Corinthians 6:17 says you are one spirit with HIM. Ephesians 5:30 says you have become one flesh with the LORD.

Your spirits will be joined together, and you will become one. You will not be one in the eyes of the law only. There is something much more powerful that happens. The very creative power of GOD will join you together – the same power that joined you with JESUS when you made HIM your LORD.

Don’t ever tamper with that union. The love of GOD doesn’t say, “ I love you, but do you really love me? The love of GOD says very simple, “I love you.” That’s all it ever says. Don’t ever tamper with that miracle. Don’t ever let the sun go down on your wrath. Something holy, something beyond reproach, will take place by the SPIRIT of GOD inside your bosom. And it is a precious thing.

Pastor Gloria – Marriage Vows – To The Man

Trenton do you take this woman to be your wedded wife? And do you earnestly promise, before God and these witnesses, that you will love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and that, forsaking all others for her alone, you will perform unto her all the respect that a husband owes to his wife, until God by death, shall separate you?

Man: “I Will.”

Pastor Michael – Marriage Vows – To The Woman

Shalise, do you take this man to be your wedded husband and do you earnestly promise, before God and these witnesses, that you will love him, comfort him, honor and obey him, in sickness and in health, and that forsaking all others for him, will perform unto him all the duties that a wife owes to her husband, until God, by death, shall separate you?

Woman: “I Will.”

Pastor Michael – Say to the Man and the Woman

Therefore, since it is the agreement of Trenton and Shalise to be husband and wife, please join right hands and repeat after us, before God and these witnesses, the Marriage Vow.

The Marriage Vow

Pastor Gloria – Say to the Trenton – Repeat after me

I, Trenton take thee Shalise to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness, in health, and to love and to cherish till death do us part, according to God’s Holy ordinance; and thereto, I pledge thee my faith.

Pastor Michael – Say to the Woman – Repeat after me

I Shalise, take thee, Trenton , to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s Holy ordinance; and thereto, I pledge thee my faith.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Pastor Michael – May we please have the Rings

Pastors Michael and Gloria take both rings and join hands raising rings to GOD

Pastor Michael

A ring is a very precious thing – a token of your faith and love. The ring is made from precious metal. It is a never-ending circle that indicates the continuing love of GOD – A love that never fails, never presents itself arrogantly nor is it puffed up. Remember the love of GOD and your faith in GOD will cause HIS power to move in your lives.

Wear these rings as a continual reminder of your faith in GOD, a continual reminder of the confession of your covenant you both have made to each other and to GOD.

Pastor Michael - Prayer

Let us Pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in peace and continue in thy favor, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rings are now given to the Bride and Groom as they face each other

Pastor Gloria – Trenton, take Shalise Left Hand and repeat after me

In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Pastor Michael – Shalise, take Trenton Left Hand and repeat after me

In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Pastors Michael and Gloria joined their hands with the

Trenton and Shalise

Pastor Michael

Forasmuch as Trenton and Shalise have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings:

** Trenton & Shalise Moves to Light the Unity Candle **

Pastor Gloria – Lighting of the Unity Candle

The two outside candles have been lighted to represent both your lives in this moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going their separate ways. As you join now in marriage, there is a merging of these two lights into one light. This is what the Lord meant when He said, "On this account a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be one flesh."

From now on your thoughts shall be for each other rather than your individual selves. Your plans shall be mutual, your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. As you each take a candle and together light the center one, you will extinguish your own candles, thus letting the center candle represent the union of your lives into one flesh. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall your lives be divided but a united testimony in a Christian home. May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of your unity in the Lord JESUS CHRIST.

Pastor Gloria

Love is a force more difficult than any other. It cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment and offer you more joy than any material possession ever could. But although this love joins you together as one, remember the gift of your individuality. Cherish and affirm your differences as you love each other. Be supportive of your strengths, and tender towards your weaknesses. Laugh together, cry together, be comforted by each other's presence, and secure in each other's absence.

Pastor Michael - DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

We pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen

Pastor Gloria – SALUTE THE BRIDE

Trenton You may now! Salute your Bride

Pastor Michael - PRAYER OF BLESSING

Eternal God, Creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all Spiritual Grace the author of everlasting life; send thy blessings upon this man and this woman, whom we bless in your Name, that they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant made between them, and that they will always remain in perfect love and peace together and live according to your laws. Look upon them FATHER with your abiding love, equip them even the more to honor and cherish each other, to live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true holiness that they may in the life to come reap eternal joy and blessing through our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, Amen.

Pastor Gloria Presentation of the Couple

I present to you: Mr. & Mrs. Trenton Matthews