Tony Lee Willis, Jr

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to witness a joyous occasion - the union of Brooke and Jerrod in Holy Matrimony.

The sacred covenant of marriage was established by God from creation and must not be entered into lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and advisedly, with God’s guidance and blessing.

We rejoice today as Brooke and Jerrod receive one of God’s greatest gifts – a loving partner to grow with, to share life’s joys and challenges with, to build a family with, and grow old with, and to journey with in faith throughout all of their days.

So let us pray, asking for God’s blessing on this marriage.

Heavenly Father, bless this couple as they give themselves to one another in this holy bond of marriage. Guide them with patience and love, lighting their path brightly as they walk together in your Spirit. Bless this union with a love that is pure, and a desire to live in strong faith and dedication to You and to one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

Presentation of the Bride

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Scripture Reading

The Bible references marriage from Genesis to Revelation. Throughout scripture, God uses the institution of marriage to represent both His divine plan for humanity to be fruitful and multiply as well as to symbolize Christ’s love for the church. Marriage is the fundamental building block of the family, and when built on a foundation of Godliness, reflects God’s love for all humanity.

The passage we will be reading from the book of 1 Corinthians perhaps best defines what God’s love should look like in our daily walk, and in our relationships with one another, particularly in marriage. The passage reflects 2 things love is and 8 things love isn’t. And it shares 4 other virtues of love that Charles Spurgeon referred to as “love’s four sweet companions”. The scripture reads:

'If I speak in the tongues 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. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.'

As you begin your life together and establish your family, love is the foundation that it must be built upon. Love for one another and love of God. In the Greek of this text the word used to convey love is “agape”. It is different from other uses of the word love in that it is a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love, driven by a desire for the well-being of the beloved, regardless of their actions or worth. It's a love of choice, a conscious decision to act in ways that benefit others, rather than a feeling. It’s based on action and choices made in everyday life that strengthens your relationship if you remain steadfast in this love for one another.

The text says, love is patient (even when it’s hard to be). It is kind (showing compassion). Those are the two things love is. And the things love is not are: It does not envy or boast and isn’t proud (it doesn’t puff up one over the other). It’s not rude or self-seeking (but is selfless). It’s not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs (it doesn’t harbor resentment). One version says, “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” These are the 4 virtues of selfless love. And then the greatest promise is, Love NEVER fails.

Paul summarizes his passage with 3 things that remain: faith, hope, and love. “But the greatest of these is love.” Faith will be fulfilled when we see God face to face. Hope will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to claim His bride the church. But we will always love the Lord and each other, and that love will grow throughout eternity.

And as your love has grown over the years you’ve been together, let it continue to grow in this way as you build your lives together as one.

Exchange of Vows

Now, as you stand here before friends, family, and God, I ask you to declare your intentions to join in the sacred covenant of marriage through the exchanging of your wedding vows.

Turn and face one another and join hands. At this time, though you’re standing in front of friends and family, focus only on each other and enjoy this moment together as you profess your love and commitment to one another through these vows. I’ll ask each of you to repeat these vows after me.

I, Brooke, take you Jerrod to be my lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others as long as we both shall live.

I, Jerrod, take you Brooke to be my lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others as long as we both shall live.

Unity Ceremony

As they were being seated at the beginning of the ceremony, the mother of the bride and mother of the groom each lit a single candle representing the families being joined together today. As they guided Brooke and Jerrod with love and support throughout their lives as individuals, they will continue to love and support them as they build their own family together.

In the creation story in Genesis 2, God, after creating Adam, looked at him in the garden and said it is not good for man to be alone. So he caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep, and removing one of his ribs, He created Eve and brought her to Adam. And looking at the woman he said, “This at last is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Brooke and Jerrod will now symbolize their joining together as one with the lighting of the unity candle.

The two outside candles represent your lives at this moment. Each one represents your own unique, complex, individual identity. And the same Creator who gave each of you your individuality and uniqueness, is now giving you to each other. The two shall become one flesh in the eyes of God. From now on, what each of you have been individually , you will become together: one heart, one life, forever.

As each of you take a candle, carry the flame to the center candle, and extinguish the small candle, thus letting the center fire represent your new life as one. As the center light cannot be divided, neither can your lives. May the One in whose name you are joined, who worked in your lives as individuals, continue to walk with you in your life together.

Exchange of Rings

Jerrod and Brooke will now exchange rings as a symbol of their commitment to one another. The circular shape of the ring, without beginning or end, represents the eternal and unbroken bond between the two of them and is worn as a constant reminder of their vows made and their commitment to love and fidelity in marriage.

Jerrod, place the ring you’ve chosen on Brooke’s hand and repeat after me:

With this ring, I promise you my unwavering love, commitment, and loyalty for the rest of our lives.

Now Brooke, place the ring you’ve chosen on Jerrod’s hand and repeat after me:

With this ring, I promise you my unwavering love, commitment, and loyalty for the rest of our lives.

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, bless this marriage and grant your mercy and grace on Jerrod and Brooke as they build a life together built on love, compassion, devotion, and your eternal wisdom. It is written in Genesis that “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And so it is today, with Jerrod and Brooke.

Let them be a comfort to each other, and bless them with patience, so they may always find strength and endurance to fulfill the promises they have made here before You and all those gathered here to witness this joyous occasion. Let us as family and friends offer our unending love and support to help them in their new lives as husband and wife.

Most of all, God, may they honor and rely upon you as the giver and sustainer of all things, and the cornerstone of the life they will build together.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Pronouncement of Marriage

Brooke and Jerrod, having witnessed your marriage vows in the eyes of God and before all who are assembled here, and by the authority invested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce to you for the first time Mr. & Mrs. Jerrod