Wedding – Ceremony
Ua mau, ke ea o ka aina, ika pono.
God’s word, that rises up in all the earth,
stands in righteousness. These words
were spoken by a King of Hawaii many years ago, when the Kingdom was returned
to its’ rightful heir and sovereign. And
today, ua mau, ke ea o ka aina, ika pono, are the
words that cover the State of Hawaii as our official seal.
Indeed, it is the Word-of-God that created the heavens and the earth, and it is God’s Word that holds all things together. The oceans roar, the earth trembles, the mountains sing and the heavens shout to the glory of God. And in His image and for His glory, God created THIS COUPLE, and now you are here, in God’s beautiful creation, to be united, IN AGREEMENT WITH God’s Word, in holy matrimony.
MARRIAGE IS AN HONORABLE ESTATE
INSTITUTED BY GOD IN THE TIME OF MAN’S INNOSENCE, MARRIAGE SIGNIFIES THE
MYSTICAL UNION THAT IS BETWEEN CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH. IT IS TO BE ENTERED INTO SOBERLY AND
REVERENTLY, AND IT IS Into this holy
covenant, this couple now comes to be joined.”
Prayer
#1: Father, I give you this time.
Holy Spirit, guide this event, that all present come under your
covering, and that your great joy fills our hearts for this couple, as they
enter into your covenant of love.
In Jesus name, Amen.
I charge you, in the presence of God, and before each other, to mean
what you say, and say what you mean. A covenant is a legally binding agreement
for a set duration. And so today, for the rest of your lives you are binding
yourselves to one another, and to the work of the Holy Spirit as He knits you
together into one person. THIS IS GOD’S
EQUATION AT WORK HERE WHERE ONE AND ONE MAKE ONE. After this ceremony, it will be legally and
morally binding upon you to love and care for one another, to be faithful to
each other, and to build your life together . . . BOTH IN PROSPERITY AND
ADVERSITY, regardless of circumstances, feelings, or changes.
3. Exchanging of Vows:
“do you ____ have this
woman, ____, to be your wedded wife, to
live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? do you pledge to GIVE of YOUR LIFE FOR HER,
comfort her, LOVE, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking
all others, keeping yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live? ‘I DO.’”
“do you ____ have
this man, ____, to be your wedded husband, to live together after
God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? do you pledge to PUT YOUR
TRUST IN HIM, cherish him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in
health; and, forsaking all others, keeping yourself only unto him, as long as
you both shall live? ‘I do.’”
“WHEN YOU EXCHANGE RINGS, YOU
ARE PLACING A VALUE ON THE LOVE YOU SHARE…A LOVE THAT DOES NOT RUST OR TARNISH,
YOUR LOVE WILL ONLY INCREASE IN BEAUTY AND VALUE OVER TIME. THE CIRCLE OF THE RING REPRESENTS A LOVE THAT
DOES NOT END. And so THESE RINGS ARE THE
OUTWARD AND VISIBLE SIGN OF THE INWARD AND SPIRITUAL BOND WHICH UNITES THIS MAN
AND WOMAN IN ENDLESS LOVE.”
“As a pledge / and in token / of the vows we have made
/
with this ring I thee weD
You
may place the ring
Prayer & Pronouncement:
Prayer
#2: Father, you are faithful and Your love endures
forever. We rely on your power to keep this couple close by your side and to
each other. And by Your greatness we
recognize the effect that this couple will have upon the world for goodness and
righteousness. And may their union be a
testimony to your truth and your word. In Jesus’Name. Amen.
“For as
much as THIS COUPLE have
consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and
each other, and have given and pledged themselves to one another, and have
declared the same by joining hands AND giving and receiving rings; by the
authority vested in me as a minister of God’s Church and by the State of
Hawaii, I pronounce that this couple is now husband and wife, in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” - you may
kiss your bride.”
Marital Insights
1
Take the time to invest
in what will help your marriage last a lifetime. For example attend marriage
seminars, talk to other successful couples about their secrets, and read books.
Here are some suggestions:
o The Two
Sides of Love by Gary Smalley and John Trent
o Marriage
Builder by Larry Crab
o The Five
Love Languages by Gary Chapman
o HomeBuilders
Couples Series compiled by Family Life (I haven’t reviewed these 9 books, but
I’ve heard very positive things about this series)
2
Take time every
week to be with the one you love. Draw boundaries around a day or night and
enforce those boundaries. This should not change after having children. The
marriage must continue to be primary for the child’s security.
3
Every couple
experiences conflict. One main difference between couples that stay together or
break apart is how they handle the conflicts that do arise. So . . .
o Shut the door and throw away
the key to thoughts of divorce . . . NOW. Couples that leave that door open
never have true relational peace. To use the threat of divorce in conflict –
like a trump card – only cheapens and undermines whatever commitment may
remain.
o Treat your spouse the way you
would like to be treated – with tenderness, respect, courage and love.
o Guard your tongue. It has a
great deal of power and can either build up or destroy any relationship. Always
speak the truth and let love determine the words and the way
those words are spoken.
4
Come into
agreement on key issues (like money, children, and religion). A united
front, or lack thereof, on these issues can often make or break a relationship.
5
If you haven’t
already, start a relationship with the Lord. Go to a good Bible-believing
church and practice your faith.