Mr. and Mrs. William Judy
Notes
Transcript
Order of Service
Order of Service
Prelude
Seating of the Grandparents
Seating of the Mothers
Processional
Bridal Processional
Welcome
Charge to the Congregation
Giving of the Bride
Declaration of Intent
Exchange of Vows
Lords Supper/Prayer
Exchange of Rings
Pronouncement
Recessional
Pastoral Greeting
Pastoral Greeting
Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of His people to witness the union of William and Anna in Christian marriage.
Marriage is a holy estate given by God to fulfill us as individuals and as a couple, to conform us, as maturing believers, into the image of Christ.
In the time of man’s innocence, when God created all things and deemed it good, He instituted the estate of matrimony between the first man and first woman.
In marriage, God gave the first couple a taste of redemption, as marriage is symbolic of the union between Christ and His people, the church, illustrated by using the title “His bride” within the Bible!
It is into this holy matrimony of marriage that William and Anna have chosen to enter.
At this point, I would like to ask, “Who gives their blessing for this woman to be married to this man?”
Her mother and I.
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Message to the Couple
Message to the Couple
William and Anna, I have been so impressed by you both through this process and through our conversations.
Your stories are such a testimony of what matters the most- a life dependent upon Christ.
You both have been waiting on this day for quite some time now!
Remember the day you both met? Coach Camper’s history class in the 11th grade.
Who would’ve thought that you met you future spouse so early!
Let me tell you, your journey to get where we are today does nothing but glorify our sovereign God. Your story is beautiful.
And although it may not be perfect, it has played a huge role in who God has refined you both to be!
Anna, you remember your first impression of William? You thought he was super quiet- that is not the William you and I both know now, is it!
You were especially thankful for him as he did your entire portion of your class project-
William, that’s one way to make your first move! My man!
Anna, he did this because his first impression of you was that you were beautiful, kind, intelligent, and had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
Your first date was to target! From personal experience, that will more than likely be a life-long date place.
William, Anna remembers you both roaming the store and playing with kids toys and just goofing around!
She remembers her love for you just growing as you both continued to share experiences with each other.
Anna, William said he had never felt more comfortable to be his self around anyone else than you.
I asked you both to give me a moment where you both experienced a breakthrough, that after this experience, you knew the other truly loved you!
William, you talked about a time you were really sick during your freshman year of college. In your words, “It got a little messy, to put it politely.”
In the height of desperation, you called Anna. You said Anna flew in to the rescue, so fast that she was wearing two different shoes!
This was a time she saw you at your absolute worst, and she cared nothing more than to help meet your needs.
Anna, you recalled a time when your calculus homework caused you to ugly cry! You said William was so patient and calm, eventually leading you to point of laughter.
You both shared about how the many experiences over the course of your dating years led to the confirmation that God was in the works of an amazing future.
Within a relationship, there are two attributes that create stability: loyalty and sacrificial service!
My word of advice to you, something we have discussed and I have been praying over the both of you: out-serve one another.
If you devote yourself to the mentality of serving one another at all times, not only will you be a blessing to each other, but you will glorify you heavenly Father who sent His Son for you to be a living sacrifice, one who gave His life as the greatest act of service.
Anna, you did this for William during his grad school by writing him notes to open and read at specific times. These little cards were the encouragement William needed in difficult times!
William, Anna has testified to times when you have prayed over her, pointing her to truth during some of the darkest seasons of her life.
You both have talked about the reason for why this relationship is strong and edifying. You have similarities and differences, both of which could be to your advantage when you steward your gifts well.
But there is one commonality that surpasses all things.
It is the bond that holds you both close today and and will forevermore.
It is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Gospel Presentation
Gospel Presentation
Friends and family, William and Anna are unapologetically devoted followers of Jesus.
As we were planning this ceremony and discussing preferences and desires, every single thought was geared to ensuring that the message of hope would be articulated clearly.
William and Anna, you both have been created to glorify the Lord, to enjoy a relationship with Him, and to fulfill a purpose that is far greater than anything in this world can offer...
In the book of Genesis chapter 2, we see the beginning of this truth!
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Now, William and Anna, you both will endure times of difficulty.
Unfortunately, we live in a broken world. The cause of this is what we call sin. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and decided that their desire was of more value than our creators purpose and plan- therefore they ate of the tree that they were forbidden to eat of.
This sin caused separation between man and God. Because of this separation, sin corrupted our world, bringing about suffering, hardship, and pain.
Growing up, you both were raised in such a way that you were in need of being corrected. Our natural inclination is to do what is wrong!
This is the effect of inherited sin. The consequence of this sin is death. This is what separates us from God. And because of our sin, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves or escape this consequence!
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
The bottom line is this- we are in need of saving.
Today, I am thankful to testify to the story of redemption that has happened in both of your lives!
You both have found hope where hope has been offered-
In order that we might be saved from our sin, God sent His Son, Jesus, who was free of sin yet experienced this world, full of its brokenness and hardship.
He gave His life, dying for our sin, promising that He would raise from the dead, defeating death, taking the consequence of our sin on Himself.
Because of your decisions to place your faith in this story, this savior, and this truth, you both live to glorify God and now have receive eternal life !
This is the story of the gospel!
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
All of the troubles in this world will be met with an overwhelming assurance that you are protected, provided for, and have secured your eternal destination.
This is the heartbeat of this couple who we have gathered together to support today.
Fortunately, we share the same desire… That if you have recognized that there is nothing in this world that can bring complete satisfaction...
That what you live for today, the things you chase and pursue, and the things you’ve placed above our Creator, the King of Kings and Lord of all...
Today, you can share in the hope that William and Anna’s foundation is built upon...
If you find yourself in a place where you are in need of that hope, you are unsure of what your eternal destination is, know that today is the best day to gain clarity, understanding, and assurance!
William and Anna believe that this is the most valuable conversation in anyones life.
Not only I, but they would be honored to walk along side those in this room looking for hope.
This is the good news of the gospel.
William…Anna, what you are partaking in is a beautiful illustration of this gospel!
Anna, I hope you got a good look at William’s face… Because his expression was a stunning representation of Christ’s emotions when we will one day see Him in heaven.
William, was she not gorgeous as she walked to meet you here at the altar?! Remember, the way you felt is the way Christ will feel when we come home...
Just as Christ is devoted to you, devote yourselves to one another!
William, you are to lead her to truth, to provide and protect such as Christ has done for His church!
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.
Dependency is everything. Depend upon the Lord above all things. Rest in His word, devote yourself to prayer, connect and become grounded in His church, and seek to glorify the Lord together.
Your story is is picture, a testimony, of God’s grace and faithfulness.
So today, we worship our Savior and we thank Him for the gift of marriage between two of His children.
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Vows
Now, we approach this sacred time of making your wedding vows and of exchanging of symbols of your commitment, which is a demonstration of how God loves His church.
*dad has Anna’s ring
William, I will start with you...
I, William Judy
take you, Anna Thigpen,
to be my wedded wife,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better or for worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and cherish you,
as long as we both shall live.
(Katie has William’s ring)
Anna, if you would repeat after me:
I, Anna Thigpen
take you, William Judy,
to be my wedded husband,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better or for worse,
for richer or poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and cherish you,
as long as we both shall live.
The Lord’s Supper/Time of Prayer
The Lord’s Supper/Time of Prayer
Before we continue with the exchanging of rings, William and Anna have asked that we take time to go before the Lord and seek Him in prayer-
To cover their future marriage.
At this time, __________________ will be playing. As I take this moment to pray over them, would you consider praying for them from where you are?
Prayer is powerful. This is the best thing you can do for them as a two who are becoming one, devoted to God above all things.
*The Lord’s Supper and Time of Prayer.
“Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you;”
In the same way, He took the cup of wine and said:
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, take and drink.
*Pray
The Exchange of Rings
The Exchange of Rings
Amen.
The wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual commitment, signifying to the world the union both of you in holy matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
William, place the ring on Anna’s finger and repeat these vows...
With this ring,
I thee wed,
As a token of my love for you,
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Anna, place the ring on Williams finger and repeat after me:
With this ring,
I thee wed,
As a token of my love for you,
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Pronouncement
Pronouncement
William and Anna, it is my prayer that:
The Lord will bless you and keep you, that the Lord will make His face to shine on both of you
and be gracious to you;
I pray that the Lord turns His face toward you
and may He always give you peace.
Together, as family and friends, we have witnessed the pledging of your love and commitment to each other. We have seen the sealing of your solemn vows of marriage by the giving of rings.
It is, therefore, my joy and privilege to declare you husband and wife.
William, you may kiss your bride.
Introduction of Newlyweds
Introduction of Newlyweds
Friends and family of the bride and groom, it is my privilege to present to you
for the very first time
Mr. and Mrs. William Judy!
Recessional
Recessional
Closing
Closing
The couple and their families would like to invite you to join them at the reception held at Park Crest Event Facility.
Thank you for joining us on this special occasion, you are dismissed!