Sermon Tone Analysis

Opening

It is with joy and happiness that we gather on this occasion to celebrate the union of Richard Moore and Brandy Denkens in the holy bond of marriage.

Who gives Brandy to be married today?

Prayer

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family and friends to unite Richard and Brandy in holy matrimony.

Marriage is an honorable estate, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, advisedly, soberly and with God’s blessing.

Today, they will receive God’s greatest gift; another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with and to stand with as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives.

It is fitting, therefore, that we should on this occasion begin by asking for God’s blessing on this marriage.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate Your gift of love, and its presence among us.

We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another.

We praise You, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as Richard and Brandy’s, and we give thanks for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts.

Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit.

Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of Your love so that we may embrace others with that same love.

May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish.

In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, and in Your loving arms we pray, Amen.

You may all be seated.

DEFINITION OF COMMITMENT

Marriage is the oldest and most sacred of all the social institutions among men.

Ordained by God in His infinite wisdom, in the Garden of Eden.

Its sanctity has been made known to all the human race, on the pages of His Holy Word.

Rightly regarded, marriage is the highest and happiest of human relationships, the preserver of true love, the foundation of the home and the deepest root of moral society.

In marriage there is twice as much joy and happiness with each of you adding.

On the other hand, problems are half as big because you have to carry only half of the burden, and that is Christ’s.

After making man in his image and putting him in the Garden of Eden, God saw it was not good for man to be alone but he could not find a suitable helpmeet for him.

In we read, “So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh.

Then the Lord God made a women from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “women” for she was taken out of man.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The man and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame.”

Marriage is a joyous occasion.

It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives.

Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations.

Richard and Brandy, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence and affection.

It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.

It is your duty, Richard, to be to Brandy, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

It is your duty, Brandy, to be to Richard, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing evidences of your affection; to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare and establish, both with God as the sustainer and between one-another.

The vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live.

WEDDING VOWS

If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.

Richard - You may read your vows.

Brandy - You may read your vows.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Are there rings to be given as tokens of this union?

God has given us many types of symbols that we should remember His promises.

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign or symbol of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.

Richard, will you take Brandy’s ring and put it on her finger then repeat after me.

I give this ring to you Brandy, as a constant reminder….of

my devotion of love….

I dedicate myself in righteousness… to the pursuit of…our mutual good and happiness…and I willingly and gladly…share with you…all that I possess….till

death shall part us.

Brandy, will you take Richard’s ring and put it on his finger then repeat after me.

I give this ring to you Richard, as a constant reminder….of

my devotion of love….

I dedicate myself in righteousness… to the pursuit of…our mutual good and happiness…and I willingly and gladly…share with you…all that I possess….till

death shall part us.

For as much as Richard and Brandy have consented together and pledged their faith to each other in holy wedlock, and have witnessed their vows before God and this company of friends and loved ones, and have sealed the same by giving and receiving rings, I therefore, by the authority vested in me as a ministering servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and that state of Arizona, pronounce that they are husband and wife!

Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Final Prayer and Blessing

Shall we pray.

Our Father bless this young couple as they face life together in a sinful world that is full of many temptations.

Bless Richard as he assumes the duties and privileges pertaining to his role as a Christian husband.

Give him manly strength, energy and virtue that he may fulfill the task that You have planned for him.

Give him wisdom for the great decisions of life that are before him and his family.

May Your special blessings be with Brandy as she accepts duties and privileges pertaining to her role as a Christian wife.

Grant her strength of body, mind and spirit that she may fulfill her task that you have planned for her.

Give her the wisdom to be a role model in establishing a loving, caring Christian home for her family.

Lord, may they find peace and joy and Christian purpose in their family.

As they go from this place may they never go from Your presence.

Bless them and keep them; make Your face to shine upon them, be gracious unto them, lift up Your countenance upon them and give them peace.

We ask it of thee in the name of Your Son, who is the price of peace and Lord of Love.

AMEN

Richard, you may kiss the bride.