A Christian Marriage Service (CC)
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[HYMNS AND LITURGY
AUTHORIZED BY THE
WISCONSIN EV. LUTHERAN SYNOD
IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
A LUTHERAN HYMNAL]
LOVE YOU.
[ALL TEXT USED IS TAKEN FROM
THE HOLY BIBLE
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
1973, 1978, 1984,
USED BY PERMISSION OF
ZONDERVAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS]
[A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE SERVICE
OF SARAH AND BRANDON 6/20/2015
AT ZION EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA]
WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE ORDER
OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE ON
PAGE 140. PLEASE RISE.
[REV. JAMES SHEROD, OFFICIANT]
WE BEGIN OUR WORSHIP
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND
OF THE SON AND OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CAME AS
AN INVITED GUEST TO THE
WEDDING OF CANA, AND WITH HIS
GRACIOUS PRESENCE, HE BROUGHT
JOY AND GLADNESS TO THOSE WHO
WERE THERE. JESUS IS ALSO WITH
US HERE WHO HAVE GATHERED IN
HIS NAME TO CELEBRATE WITH
THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER THE
MARRIAGE OF BRANDON AND
SARAH. WE ARE ASSURED OF
GOD'S GRACIOUS HELP AND
GUIDANCE IN THESE WORDS FROM
THE PSALMS:
M: GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD,
FOR HE IS GOOD.
C: HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.
M: THE LORD IS GRACIOUS AND
COMPASSIONATE, SLOW TO ANGER,
AND RICH IN LOVE;
C: HE IS GOOD TO ALL.
M: GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND
STRENGTH,
C: AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN
TROUBLE.
M: HE IS OUR GOD FOREVER AND
EVER.
C: HE WILL BE OUR GUIDE EVEN
TO THE END.
M: MAY GOD BE GRACIOUS TO US
AND BLESS US
C: AND MAKE HIS FACE SHINE ON
US.
M: LOVING FATHER, WE ARE
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR GOODNESS IN
PERMITTING US TO GATHER AS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BRANDON
AND SARAH TO SHARE THEIR JOY
ON THIS SPECIAL DAY.
LOOK ON THEM WITH FAVOR,
STRENGTHEN THEIR CONFIDENCE
IN YOUR FIRM PROMISES, AND
ASSURE THEM OF
YOUR ABIDING LOVE. AS YOUR SON
JESUS
GRACED THE WEDDING OF CANA
WITH HIS PRESENCE, SO MAY HE
BE WITH US WHO PRAY IN HIS
NAME.
C: AMEN.
WE CONTINUE WITH THE HYMN 603
WHICH IS ACCORDING TO THE
THE TUNE OF "NETTLETON".
PLEASE BE SEATED.
[ALISHA SABROWSKY,
MUSICIAN PLAYING INTRO TO
HYMN 603: "HEAR US NOW, OUR
GOD AND FATHER"
[ALL SING] HEAR US NOW,
OUR GOD AND FATHER;
SEND YOUR SPIRIT FROM ABOVE
ON THIS
CHRISTIAN MAN AND WOMAN
WHO HERE MAKE THEIR
VOWS OF LOVE.
BIND THEIR HEARTS IN TRUE
DEVOTION ENDLESS
AS THE SEASHORE'S SAND,
BOUNDLESS AS THE
DEEPEST OCEAN,
BLESSED AND SEALED BY YOUR
OWN HANDS.
GIVE THEM JOY TO LIGHTEN
SORROW; GIVE THEM HOPE TO
BRIGHTEN LIFE.
GO WITH THEM TO FACE
THE MORROW; STAY WITH THEM
IN EV'RY STRIFE.
AS YOUR WORD HAS
PROMISED, EVER FILL THEM
WITH YOUR STRENGTH
AND GRACE SO THAT
EACH MAY SERVE THE OTHER
TILL THEY SEE YOU
FACE TO FACE.
OUR FIRST
LESSON FOR THIS MORNING IS
FROM THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS
CHAPTER 5, VERSE 21
THROUGH 33:
SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER
OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST.
WIVES, SUBMIT TO YOUR HUSBANDS
AS TO THE LORD.
FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF
THE WIFE AS CHRIST IS THE
HEAD OF THE CHURCH, HIS BODY,
OF WHICH HE IS THE SAVIOR.
NOW AS THE CHURCH SUBMITS TO
CHRIST, SO ALSO WIVES
SHOULD SUBMIT TO THEIR
HUSBANDS IN EVERYTHING.
HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES,
JUST AS
CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH AND
GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR HER
TO MAKE HER HOLY, CLEANSING
HER BY THE WASHING WITH WATER
THROUGH THE WORD, AND TO
PRESENT HER TO HIMSELF AS A
RADIENT CHURCH, WITHOUT STAIN
OR WRINKLE OR ANY OTHER
BLEMISH, BUT HOLY AND
BLAMELESS.
IN THIS SAME WAY, HUSBANDS
OUGHT TO LOVE THEIR WIVES
AS THEIR OWN BODIES. HE WHO
LOVES HIS WIFE
LOVES HIMSELF. AFTER ALL,
NO ONE EVER HATED HIS OWN
BODY, BUT HE FEEDS AND CARES
FOR IT, JUST AS CHRIST DOES
THE CHURCH -
FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS
BODY.
FOR THIS REASON A MAN WILL
LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER
AND BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE, AND
THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH.
THIS IS A PROFOUND MYSTERY -
BUT I AM TALKING ABOUT CHRIST
AND THE CHURCH.
HOWEVER, EACH ONE OF YOU ALSO
MUST LOVE HIS WIFE
AS HE LOVES HIMSELF, AND THE
WIFE MUST RESPECT HER HUSBAND.
OUR SECOND READING FOR THIS
MORNING IS FROM THE EPISTLE
OF THE FIRST CORINTHIANS,
CHAPTER 13, VERSES 4
THROUGH 7 AND VERSE 13:
LOVE IS PATIENT,
LOVE IS KIND. IT DOES NOT
ENVY,
IT DOES NOT BOAST, IT IS NOT
PROUD.
IT IS NOT RUDE, 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.
AND NOW THESE THREE REMAIN:
FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.
BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS
LOVE.
AND OUR
LAST READING THIS MORNING IS
ALSO THE BASIS OF OUR SERMON.
IT'S FROM LAMENTATIONS,
CHAPTER 3,
VERSES 22 THROUGH 26:
BECAUSE OF THE LORD'S GREAT
LOVE WE ARE NOT CONSUMED,
FOR HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER
FAIL.
THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING;
GREAT IS YOUR
FAITHFULNESS. I SAY TO MYSELF,
"THE LORD IS MY PORTION;
THEREFORE I WILL WAIT FOR HIM."
THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE
WHOSE HOPE IS IN HIM,
TO THE ONE WHO SEEKS HIM. IT
IS GOOD TO
WAIT QUIETLY FOR THE SALVATION
OF THE LORD.
[MARRIAGE RITE]
DEAR FRIENDS:
WHEN GOD IN LOVE CREATED THE
WORLD, HE MADE MAN AND WOMAN
IN HIS OWN IMAGE AND BONDED
THEM TOGETHER
IN MARRIAGE. THROUGH THIS
BLESSED UNION
OF HUSBAND AND WIFE, GOD
ESTABLISHED THE FAMILY,
PROVIDED FOR THE PHYSICAL AND
SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF CHILDREN,
AND FOSTERED THE PEACE AND
STABILITY OF SOCIETY.
GOD INTENDED MARRIAGE TO BRING
LOVING COMPANIONSHIP
TO THE PEOPLE OF HIS WORLD.
BUT BECAUSE OF SIN,
THE JOY OF MARRIAGE WAS SOON
OVERCAST
WITH SORROW, AND THE HARMONY
OF FAMILY LIFE
WAS SHATTERED BY STRIFE. OUT
OF LOVE
GOD SENT HIS SON JESUS TO DIE
ON THE CROSS
TO TAKE AWAY THE SINS OF ALL
PEOPLE.
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS
RECEIVES FORGIVENESS
AND IS ENABLED BY THE HOLY
SPIRIT TO LIVE IN PEACE
AND JOY. GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU IS
BOUNDLESS.
HE COMMANDS YOU, IN RESPONSE
TO HIS LOVE,
TO LOVE EACH OTHER. LOVE IS
FORGIVING
AND ENDURING. LOVE SHOWS
ITSELF
IN TRUTH AND FAITHFULNESS, IN
THOUGHTFULNESS
AND UNDERSTANDING, IN PATIENCE
AND KINDNESS.
MARRIAGE FURNISHES A UNIQUE
OPPORTUNITY
TO PUT THIS LOVE INTO
PRACTICE.
THE PATTERN FOR CHRISTIAN
MARRIAGE IS THE INTIMATE UNION
OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH,
WHICH THE APOSTLE PAUL DEPICTS
IN EPHESIANS 5. AFTER URGING
BELIEVERS TO "SUBMIT TO ONE
ANOTHER OUT OF REVERENCE FOR
CHRIST," HE MAKES THIS
APPLICATION FOR CHRISTIAN
SPOUSES. "WIVES, SUBMIT
TO YOUR HUSBANDS AS TO THE
LORD. FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE
HEAD OF THE WIFE AS CHRIST IS
THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH ...
HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES,
JUST AS CHRIST LOVED
THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF
FOR HER."
IT IS REVERENCE FOR CHRIST ON
THE PART OF HUSBAND AND WIFE
THAT LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE.
YOU HAVE COME HERE TO BE
UNITED IN MARRIAGE,
WHCIH CONSISTS IN YOUR MUTUAL
CONSENT, SINCERELY AND
FREELY GIVEN. YOU ARE NOW
INVITED TO DECLARE THIS INTENT
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND
THESE WITNESSES.
MINISTER: BRANDON,
WILL YOU TAKE SARAH TO BE YOUR
WIFE?
WILL YOU BE GUIDED BY THE
COUNSEL AND DIRECTION GOD HAS
GIVEN IN HIS WORD AND LOVE
YOUR WIFE AS CHRIST LOVED
THE CHURCH? WILL YOU BE
FAITHFUL TO HER, CHERISH HER,
SUPPORT HER, AND HELP HER IN
SICKNESS, AND IN HEALTH
AS LONG AS YOU BOTH SHALL
LIVE? IF SO,
ANSWER, "I WILL."
BRANDON: I WILL.
MINISTER: SARAH, WILL YOU TAKE
BRANDON TO BE YOUR HUSBAND?
WILL YOU BE GUIDED BY THE
COUNSEL AND DIRECTION GOD
HAS GIVEN IN HIS WORD AND
SUBMIT TO YOUR HUSBAND
AS THE CHURCH SUBMITS TO
CHRIST? WILL YOU
BE FAITHFUL TO HIM, CHERISH
HIM, SUPPORT HIM,
AND HELP HIM IN SICKNESS AND
IN HEALTH AS LONG AS YOU BOTH
SHALL LIVE? IF SO, ANSWER, "I
WILL."
SARAH: I WILL. M: JOIN YOUR
RIGHT HANDS
AND MAKE YOUR PROMISES TO EACH
OTHER:
[THE GROOM AND BRIDE SAY IN
TURN:]
I, BRANDON
TIMOTHY GIERACH, "I, BRANDON
TIMOTHY GIERACH,"
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND
THESE WITNESSES,
"IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND
THESE WITNESSES,"
TAKE YOU, SARAH ELIZABETH
SHEROD,
"TAKE YOU, SARAH ELIZABETH
SHEROD," TO BE MY WIFE.
"TO BE MY WIFE." I PROMISE TO
BE FAITHFUL TO YOU
"I PROMISE TO BE FAITHFUL TO
YOU" AS LONG AS WE BOTH SHALL
LIVE. "AS LONG AS WE BOTH
SHALL LIVE."
I, SARAH ELIZABETH SHEROD, "I,
SARAH ELIZABETH SHEROD,"
IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND
THESE WITNESSES, "IN THE
PRESENCE OF GOD AND THESE
WITNESSES," TAKE YOU, BRANDON
TIMOTHY GIERACH, "TAKE YOU,
BRANDON TIMOTHY GIERACH,"
TO BE MY HUSBAND. "TO BE MY
HUSBAND". I PROMISE TO BE
FAITHFUL TO YOU "I PROMISE TO
BE FAITHFUL TO YOU" AS LONG AS
WE BOTH SHALL LIVE. "AS LONG
AS WE BOTH SHALL LIVE."
[EXCHANGE OF RINGS]
[PREPARING TO EXCHANGE RINGS
CONTINUES WITH
THE WEDDING PARTY ASSISTING]
M: EXCHANGE RINGS AS A SYMBOL
OF THE LIFELONG COMMITMENT AND
ABIDING LOVE WHICH YOU AS
HUSBAND AND WIFE
HAVE PROMISED EACH OTHER. [THE
GROOM AND BRIDE SAY IN TURN:]
M: SARAH, RECEIVE THIS RING -
B: "SARAH, RECEIVE THIS RING
AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND
FAITHFULNESS.
B: "AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND
FAITHFULNESS."
[BRANDON PLACES HIS RING ON
SARAH'S FINGER]
M: BRANDON, RECEIVE THIS RING
AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND
FAITHFULNESS. S: "BRANDON,
RECEIVE THIS RING AS A SYMBOL
OF MY LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS."
[SARAH PLACES HER RING ON
BRANDON'S FINGER]
M: BY THEIR PROMISES, BRANDON
AND SARAH HAVE BOUND
THEMSELVES TOGETHER IN
MARRIAGE BEFORE GOD AND THESE
WITNESSES. I DECLARE THAT THEY
ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE, IN THE
NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE
SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THOSE WHOM GOD HAS JOINED
TOGETHER, LET NO ONE SEPARATE.
[MARRIAGE BLESSING] M: GOD THE
FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD
THE HOLY SPIRIT PRESERVE YOU
IN FAITHFULNESS, AND
STRENGTHEN YOU IN LOVE, AND
GUIDE YOU TO LIFE'S END.
WE CONTINUE WITH THE SINGING
OF HYMN ...
OH YES, THAT'S RIGHT.
OKAY -
[THE SERMON MESSAGE]
DEAR FRIENDS,
FAMILY, AND ESPECIALLY BRANDON
AND SARAH:
GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU FROM
GOD OUR FATHER AND FROM OUR
LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
AMEN.
HERE WE HAVE WORDS FROM A
FAITHFUL PROPHET OF GOD
WHO LIVED IN A VERY DIFFICULT
TIME. THE PROPHET JEREMIAH
WITNESSED THAT GOD'S PEOPLE
WERE
UNFAITHFUL TO GOD, TURNING
AWAY FROM HIM.
THE ONE WHO HAD CALLED THEM TO
BE HIS OWN CHOSEN PEOPLE
AND HAD REVEALED HIMSELF TO
THEM OVER AND OVER
AND SAVED THEM FROM THEIR
ENEMIES. SO NOW IN JEREMIAH'S
TIME, GOD GAVE THEM OVER INTO
THE HANDS OF THEIR ENEMIES,
THE BABYLONIANS, AND
JERUSALEM,
THE CITY THAT GOD HAD CHOSEN,
OUT OF ALL THE CITIES IN THE
WORLD, TO BUILD HIS TEMPLE.
THE CITY WHERE HE HAD SAID:
I WILL DWELL AMONG YOU FOREVER
IF ONLY
YOU WILL FOLLOW ME. GOD LET
THAT CITY BE TOTALLY DESTROYED
BY THE BABYLONIANS.
AND GOD'S WRATH HAD BOILED
OVER
AND GOD LET THE PEOPLE WHO HAD
TURNED AWAY FROM HIM TO
WORSHIP IDOLS AND THEIR OWN
DESIRES
BE CARRIED AWAY INTO CAPTIVITY
AND DESTROYED.
BUT THIS IS NOT MERE HISTORY,
AS YOU KNOW BRANDON,
A HISTORY MAJOR, AND BILL AND
OTHERS WHO LOVE HISTORY.
FOR HISTORY, UNFORTUNATELY,
REPEATS ITSELF.
AND WE KNOW THAT THE WRITER TO
THE HEBREWS WROTE:
"SEE TO IT THAT YOU DO NOT
REFUSE HIM WHO SPEAKS.
IF THEY DID NOT ESCAPE WHEN
THEY REFUSED HIM WHO
WARNED THEM ON EARTH, HOW
MUCH LESS WILL WE,
IF WE TURN AWAY FROM HIM WHO
WARNS US FROM HEAVEN?"
THESE WORDS ARE TRUE FOR YOU,
BRANDON AND SARAH,
NO LESS THAN ALL OF US WHO ARE
GATHERED HERE THIS MORNING.
THE LORD WILL JUDGE THOSE, WHO
REJECT HIM
AND TURN AWAY FROM HIS LOVE
AND FORGIVENESS,
WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO HIM.
AND ON THE LAST DAY HE WILL
SAY TO THEM, "DEPART FROM ME,
YOU WHO ARE CURSED, INTO THE
ETERNAL FIRE PREPARED FOR THE
DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS." AND YET
IN THE MIDST
OF ALL THE DESTRUCTION THAT IS
THE BACKGROUND OF THE
TEXT THAT WE HAVE FOR TODAY,
WE SEE SURPRISING
WORD OF COMFORT FROM GOD. THE
MESSAGE
IS SO SHOCKING THAT JEREMIAH
REVERSES
THE NORMAL WORD ORDER OF THE
HEBREW. PUTS A NOUN PHRASE AT
THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE
WHICH IS VERY STRANGE.
AND HE SAYS, "THE COVENANT
LOVE OF THE LORD."
THE COVENANT LOVE OF THE
LORD - BECAUSE OF THIS
WE ARE NOT UTTERLY CONSUMED.
[SINGS] "LOVE. ALL YOU NEED IS
LOVE." THAT'S WHAT THE BEATLES
WROTE. RIGHT?
BUT WHAT KIND OF LOVE DO WE
REALLY NEED?
YOU'RE STARTING OUT ON A NEW
LIFE TOGETHER AS HUSBAND AND
WIFE. BUT IF YOUR RELATIONSHIP
IS BASED MERELY ON
PHYSICAL OUTWARD ATTRACTION, I
DOUBT VERY MUCH
IT WILL SURVIVE.
GOD'S LOVE IS MORE THAN
OUTWARD APPEARANCE.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE IS TRUE
IF YOU DEFINE IT AS
THE FAITHFUL COVENANT LOVE OF
GOD. THE COVENANT
LOVE OF THE LORD GOD WRITTEN
IN THE NIV
WITH CAPITAL LETTERS TO
DISTINGUISH IT AS
THE SPECIAL FAITHFUL COVENANT
GOD. HE'S THE ONE
WHO REVEALED HIMSELF TO MOSES
ON MT. SINAI AS HE PASSED
BEFORE HIM SAYING "The LORD,
The LORD, THE COMPASSIONATE
AND GRACIOUS GOD, SLOW TO
ANGER, ABOUNDING IN LOVE AND
FAITHFULNESS, MAINTAINING LOVE
TO THOUSANDS
OF GENERATIONS, AND FORGIVING
WICKEDNESS, REBELLION
AND SIN." [EXODUS 34:6-7]
BRANDON AND SARAH:
IN YOUR LIFE, THE BILLS WILL
PILE UP.
YOU'LL EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES
IN RAISING
YOUR CHILDREN. ONE OR BOTH
OF YOU MAY BECOME VERY ILL OR
SICK.
AND TROUBLES MOUNT UP IN LIFE.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN THOSE
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, OR THOSE
PHYSICAL PROBLEMS HIT?
OR WHEN YOU HAVE TROUBLE
FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER?
REMEMBER THE WORDS OF OUR
TEXT TODAY:
"IT IS BECAUSE OF THE FAITHFUL
COVENANT LOVE OF GOD
THAT WE ARE NOT UTTERLY
CONSUMED."
AFTER ALL, JEREMIAH EXPLAINS
IN LAMENTATIONS
CHAPTER 3, VERSE 39: "WHY
SHOULD ANYONE COMPLAIN
WHEN PUNISHED FOR THEIR SINS?"
WE KNOW, WE ALL KNOW, HOW
SINFUL WE ARE.
WE'RE SINFUL IN OUR THOUGHTS,
IN OUR WORDS,
IN OUR DEEDS. AND THE
SINFULNESS WILL BE ALL THE
CLEARER TO YOU AS YOU LIVE
TOGETHER AS HUSBAND AND WIFE
DAY IN AND DAY OUT. BUT IN
SPITE OF OUR SINFULNESS,
GOD LOVES US. AND JEREMIAH
JUST THINKING ABOUT THE
FAITHFUL COVENANT GOD'S LOVE
THAT IS NEW TO US EVERY
MORNING, COULDN'T HELP BUT
EXCLAIM: "GREAT IS YOUR
FAITHFULNESS!"
AND THE WORD THAT HE USES TO
DESCRIBE 'NEW' IS LIKE:
A NEW THING, OR A NEW HOUSE,
OR A BRAND NEW SONG OF PRAISE.
WE CAN GET UP EVERY MORNING
AND EXCLAIM WITH JEREMIAH:
"GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS!"
BECAUSE IN SPITE OF OUR DAILY
SINS, GOD WASHES THEM OVER
WITH HIS FORGIVENESS. LIKE NEW
FALLEN SNOW ON THE GROUND,
HE COVERS OVER OUR SINS WITH
HIS ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
HE WELCOMES US INTO HIS LOVING
ARMS
REASSURING US THAT WE ARE HIS
BELOVED CHILDREN.
AND THAT WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
THROUGH THE BLOOD JESUS SHED
ON THE CROSS TO COVER OVER OUR
SINS.
AND BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US,
WE NOW LOVE HIM.
AND WE LOVE EACH OTHER.
AND WE CAN FORGIVE EACH OTHER
AS HE
FORGAVE US. HOW DID GOD
FORGIVE US?
WHEN WE WERE REBELLIOUS
SINNERS AGAINST GOD, GOING OUR
OWN WAY,
GOD SENT HIS SON INTO THE
WORLD TO LOVE US TO DIE
FOR OUR SINS. WHILE WE WERE
STILL LIVING A LIFE
OF REBELLION AGAINST GOD,
WHILE WE WERE CHRIST'S
ENEMIES, HE RECONCILED US TO
HIM THROUGH
THE DEATH OF HIS SON. HE
FORGAVE THE DEBT OF OUR SINS.
HE COVERED IT COMPLETELY.
AND HE DIDN'T WAIT FOR US TO
TAKE THE FIRST STEP.
GOD CAME TO US. AND THAT WILL
BE THE LOVE
THAT HE SHOWED US. IT WILL
GLUE YOUR MARRIAGE
TOGETHER. WHEN YOUR PARTNER
SINS, THE POWER TO
FORGIVE AND FORGET AS GOD DOES
WON'T COME
FROM YOUR OWN WILL. YOU CAN'T
PSYCH YOURSELF
INTO DOING IT. IT COMES FROM
REMEMBERING HOW MUCH GOD HAS
FORGIVEN US.
YOU'LL HAVE GREAT TIMES IN
YOUR MARRIAGE,
AS ALL MARRIAGES DO. BUT
YOU'LL ALSO HAVE
DISCOURAGING TIMES. AND IN
THOSE DISCOURAGING TIMES,
WE, LIKE JEREMIAH, NEED TO
REMIND OURSELVES
TO PRAISE GOD ALSO DURING
THOSE TIMES.
HE SAYS: "MY SOUL SAYS, 'The
LORD is MY PORTION,
THEREFORE I WILL WAIT FOR
HIM.' "
WHEN GOD DIVIDED OUT THE LAND
OF CANAAN, AS THEY WERE
ENTERING IN, THE HIGH PRIEST
AARON AND HIS FAMILY,
DIDN'T RECEIVE AN INHERITANCE
WITH THE OTHER ISRAELITES.
BUT THE LORD REMINDED HIM:
"I AM YOUR PORTION." NO MATTER
HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE
THE LORD DEIGNS TO GIVE TO YOU
IN YOUR LIFE HERE ON THIS
EARTH AS YOU LIVE TOGETHER AS
HUSBAND AND WIFE,
YOU KNOW THAT the LORD is YOUR
PORTION.
AND HE, IN HIS GREAT WISDOM
WILL
GIVE YOU WHAT HE KNOWS YOU
NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT
BECAUSE HE LOVES US AND HE
SUPPLIES FOR OUR NEEDS AS A
FATHER SUPPLIES HIS CHILDREN'S
NEEDS.
BECAUSE the LORD is YOUR
PORTION YOU CAN WAIT FOR HIM
AND TRUST IN HIM. HE SAYS:
CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETIES ON ME,
BECAUSE I CARE FOR YOU.
The LORD is MY PORTION,
THEREFORE
I WILL WAIT FOR HIM. OUR TEXT
ENDS WITH THE WORDS: "The LORD
is GOOD TO THOSE WHOSE HOPE
IS IN HIM, TO THE ONE WHO
SEEKS HIM; IT IS GOOD TO WAIT
QUIETLY FOR THE SALVATION OF
the LORD."
WHETHER THAT SALVATION IS FROM
DELIVERANCE FROM AN EARTHLY
TRIAL THAT HITS YOU,
OR WHETHER IT IS THAT FINAL
DELIVERANCE WHEN THE LORD
BREAKS THROUGH THE CLOUDS AND
TAKES US TO BE WITH HIM FOREVER
IN HEAVEN, WE LOOK FORWARD TO
THE SALVATION OF OUR LORD. AS
OUR WEAK BODIES FALL AWAY,
AS GOD GIVES US GLORIFIED
RESURRECTION BODIES
FIT FOR ETERNAL LIFE,
THEN THE TRUE SONS OF GOD WILL
BE REVEALED.
HIS HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
ALL BELIEVERS,
WILL BE REVEALED AS THE BRIDE
OF CHRIST, WITHOUT ANY
SPOT OR WRINKLE OR BLEMISH.
HOLY AND BLAMELESS, ADORNED
WITH THE ROBE OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.
MEANWHILE, WE EAGERLY SEEK THE
LORD.
WE SEEK HIM BY TURNING TO HIS
SCRIPTURES EVERY DAY
READING GOD'S WORD. AS WE,
LIKE THE BEREANS,
EAGERLY EXAMINE THE SCRIPTURES
EVERY DAY TO SEE IF WHAT PAUL
SAID WAS TRUE. SO WE ALSO,
DAILY TURN TO GOD'S WORD
FOR STRENGTH AND COMFORT. AND
AS WE DO SO WE'RE BEING
TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS
WITH EVER-INCREASING GLORY,
WHICH COMES FROM THE LORD,
WHO IS THE SPIRIT.
MAY YOUR MARRIAGE BE BLESSED, BLESSED TO BE
STRENGTHENED BY GOD'S WORD. THE FAITHFUL COVENANT
LORD WHO HAS PROMISED
TO BE WITH YOU AND REASSURE
YOU OF HIS GREAT LOVE. AND MAY
YOU ALWAYS KEEP TOGETHER
IN THE TRUE FAITH TO THE END.
AMEN.
THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY,
"COME!" LET HIM WHO HEARS
SAY, "COME!" WHOEVER IS
THIRSTY, LET HIM COME;
AND WHOEVER WISHES, LET HIM
TAKE THE FREE GIFT OF
THE WATER OF (ETERNAL) LIFE.
[REVELATION 22:17]
AMEN.
WE CONTINUE WITH THE SINGING
OF HYMN
467.
[INTRO PLAYING FOR "THE
MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOR" -
HYMN 467 AND THE
CONGREGATION JOINS IN SINGING]
MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST
MY SAVIOR LIVE IN ME
FROM DAY TO DAY,
BY HIS LOVE AND POW'R
INSPIRING ALL I
DO OR SAY.
MAY THE WORD
OF GOD DWELL
RICHLY IN MY HEART
FROM HOUR TO HOUR.
SO THAT ALL MAY SEE
I TRIUMPH ONLY
THROUGH HIS POW'R.
MAY THE PEACE OF GOD
MY FATHER
RULE MY LIFE IN
EV'RY THING, THAT I
MAY BE CALM TO
COMFORT SICK AND
SORROWING.
MAY THE LOVE OF JESUS
FILL ME AS THE
WATERS FILL THE SEA,
HIM EXALTING,
SELF ABASING -
THIS IS
VICTORY!
MAY I RUN THE RACE
BEFORE ME, STRONG AND
BRAVE TO FACE THE FOE,
LOOKING ONLY UNTO
JESUS AS I
ONWARD GO.
MAY HIS SPIRIT
LIVE WITHIN ME
AS I SEEK THE LOST
TO WIN,
AND MAY THEY FORGET
THE CHANNEL, SEEING ONLY
HIM.
LET US RISE FOR
PRAYER.
ETERNAL GOD,
SOURCE OF LOVE, HELP BRANDON
AND SARAH TO FULFILL
THE PROMISES THAT THEY
HAVE MADE HERE TODAY AND TO
REFLECT YOUR STEADFAST LOVE IN
THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.
GIVE THEM KINDNESS AND
PATIENCE, AFFECTION AND
UNDERSTANDING, HAPPINESS AND
CONTENTMENT.
USE THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
TO SUPPORT THEM
IN DIFFICULT DAYS, THAT THEIR
LOVE FOR EACH OTHER MAY
CONTINUE TO GROW AS LONG AS
THEY LIVE. GRACIOUS
FATHER, IN YOUR GOODNESS YOU
BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
INTO FAMILIES AND ENRICH THEIR
LIVES WITH ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
RENEW THE LOVE OF HUSBANDS
AND WIVES, PARENTS
AND CHILDREN, THAT THEY MAY
STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT EACH
OTHER ON THE WAY THAT LEADS TO
OUR HEAVENLY HOME,
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD.
AMEN. WE CONTINUE BY PRAYING
THE LORD'S PRAYER,
THE MODERN VERSION, FOUND ON
PAGE 143
ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE.
OUT FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED
BE YOUR NAME,
YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL
BE DONE
ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US
TODAY
OUR DAILY BREAD. FORGIVE US
OUR SINS,
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN
AGAINST US.
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,
BUT DELIVER US
FROM EVIL. FOR THE KINGDOM,
THE POWER,
AND THE GLORY ARE YOURS NOW
AND FOREVER.
AMEN. [THE BLESSING]
M: THE LORD
BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. THE
LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON
YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU.
THE LORD LOOK UPON YOU WITH
FAVOR AND GIVE YOU HIS PEACE.
C: AMEN.
WE CONTINUE WITH THE LAST HYMN
HYMN NUMBER 334.
[INTRO TO "PRAISE GOD,
FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW"
- HYMN 334]
PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM
ALL BLESSINGS
FLOW;
PRAISE HIM, ALL CREATURES
HERE BELOW;
PRAISE HIM
ABOVE YE HEAV'NLY
HOST;
PRAISE FATHER,
SON, AND HOLY
GHOST!
AMEN.
AMEN.
THE CONGREGATION
MAY BE SEATED. I HAVE JUST A
COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THE BRIDE AND GROOM REQUEST
THAT YOU REMAIN
SEATED UNTIL THEY USHER YOU
OUT. ALSO, PLEASE NOTE
THAT THERE ARE DIRECTIONS TO
THE RECEPTION IN THE NARTHEX
BY THE GUEST BOOK. SO YOU CAN
USE THOSE TO GET THERE.
AND NOW, I PRESENT TO YOU,
FOR THE FIRST TIME:
MR. AND MRS. BRANDON GIERACH!
[APPLAUSE]
[THE RECESSIONAL]
[MR. AND MRS. BRANDON GIERACH
WALKING DOWN THE AISLE]