From CJ's Planned Comments
The Actual Spoken Words Were Different.
1. Call to Worship
CJ: Dearly beloved family of Luke and Alex, we are gathered in this place, in the sight of our Creator and members of our families to witness the first of 2 gatherings in which we shall bless their union in marriage. Marriage is honorable. It is instituted of God. It is therefore, a serious undertaking. Into this holy estate Alex and Luke come now to be joined. No other human tie or vows are more sacred than these you are about to assume.
2. Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
I believe that Luke and Alex are referring to this first gathering as the “Legal” ceremony. However, I know that as we acknowledge the presence of God, and His rightful place as the Author of Marriage, we override any “Contract” or “Legal Obligation” or “Government Sanctioning” with the Divine decree. What God declares as joined, let no one claim otherwise.
Let’s invite Jesus into this place.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
“Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.
4. Declaration of Intent
CJ: Luke, Are you ready? Have you considered the privilege and the responsibility you are preparing to undertake?
Luke – I have.
CJ: Alex, Are you ready? Have you considered the privilege and the responsibility you are preparing to undertake?
Alex – I have.
CJ: It should both delight and terrify you here that you really have no idea the extent of either the privilege or the responsibility.
Luke and Alex, Is it your purpose to establish a Christ-Centered home, where the Word of God is read and obeyed, and prayer becomes a central part of your relationship?
Alex and Luke – It is.
Agreement from Family:
CJ: To Luke’s family: Do you approve of this union, and will you commit to care for and encourage the new family created here?
Luke’s family: We will.
CJ: To Alex’s Family: Do you approve of this union, and will you commit to care for and encourage the new family created here?
Alex’s Family: We will.
5. Scriptural Message for Alex and Luke
Marriage is the foundation for your love.
So, what is love? 1 Corinthians 13
• Love is patient
• love is kind and
• is not jealous;
• love does not brag and
• is not arrogant,
• does not act unbecomingly;
• it does not seek its own,
• is not provoked,
• does not take into account a wrong suffered,
• does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
• but rejoices with the truth;
• bears all things,
• believes all things,
• hopes all things,
• endures all things.
You can’t rely on love to sustain anything. So don’t. Love is the appropriate and necessary response to your commitment.
And we all are here, together with you, in support of you, at the moment your commitment starts.
That’s today. Right now.
CJ: Let’s make this official . . .
7. Charge to Couple
Luke and Alex, If the solemn vows which you are about to make are kept permanently, and if you genuinely seek to do the will of God, your life will be full of peace and joy, and the home which you are establishing will abide through every change.
Psalm 128: How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table. 4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD
8.Exchange of Vows:
Luke do you take Alex whom you now hold by the Hand to be your lawful wedded wife?
Luke: “I Do”.
Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?
LUKE says, “I Do”.
ALEX do you take LUKE whom you now hold by the hand to be your lawful wedded husband?
ALEX says, “I do”.
Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live?
ALEX says, “I do”.
Do you mutually promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?
ALEX and LUKE say, “We do”.
9. Wedding Pledges and Vows – Luke to Alex:
Luke: I, Luke take you, Alex to be my Wife.
To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.
Alex: I, Alex take you, Luke to be my Husband
To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.
10. Exchange of Rings
Luke: This ring I give you as pledge of my commitment to you, and my love for you.
Alex: This ring I give you as pledge of my commitment to you, and my love for you.
11. Pronouncement
CJ: So in keeping with the Biblical example:
Ruth 4:13 "So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife."
Gen 24:67 "Then Isaac took Rebekah and she became his wife."
In as much as Luke and Alex have pledged to each other their fidelity and love in the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you are husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the law of the state of Texas: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Whom God has joined together, let no man separate.
12. Scripture Reading – Proverbs 18:22
"He who finds a wife, finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord."
Without a courthouse . . .
13. Benediction
14: The Kiss
CJ: Luke, you may now kiss your Bride.
15: Presentation of the Newlyweds
CJ: It is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Luke Coolidge
Afterwards, at McCormick and Schmick's:
CJ signs the official documents pre Mexico.
