The Marriage of
Kurt Ulman & Lori Allen
March 5th, 2005
INTRODUCTION
The First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan as well as the Bride and Groom would like to welcome you all to this most joyous occasion.
We are here today because of our belief in the principals from the Holy Scriptures that surround marriage.
We believe that our God wishes a covenant relationship not just between a man and woman, but a covenant which includes Him.
For we know, that through Jesus Christ all things are possible, but if we remove God from the institution in which He created, that institution can not succeed.
SCRIPTURE READING ON MARRIAGE
Matthew 19:4 – 6 (Jesus tells us in scripture)
“Haven’t you read? In the beginning the Creator made them male and female, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.”
Just as God brought Eve to Adam, and Rebecca to Isaac, so it is with Lori and Kurt.
THEIR RELATIONSHIP
We have watched as Kurt and Lori’s relationship has developed, building on the foundation of Christ and at all times through their relationship staying pure and keeping God’s word.
And because of their devotion to the word of God and their ability to keep their relationship pure, God will surely bless both them, and this union of which He has always been the center.
THE GROOM APPROACHES
At this time I will ask the groom to approach the altar of God.
“Kurt, are you prepared for this covenant between yourself and God?”
BRIDAL MARH BEGINS
THE BRIDE APPROACHES
“Lori, have you prepared yourself for this covenant between yourself and God?”
SCRIPTURE READING ON LOVE
I will now read God’s definition of what love is from 1 Corinthians 13.
1 Corinthians 13
“1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. “
PRAYER & BLESSING
Let us pray;
"Father in heaven, you ordained marriage for your children, and you gave us love. We present to you Kurt and Lori, who come this day to be married.
May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment.
We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength;
when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness;
if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING ON COMMITMENT
The scriptures give us insight for happiness in marriage.
Ephesians 5:21
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
GROOM’S VOWS
I will now ask Kurt and Lori to face each other on this altar of God before the Lord, the Holy Spirit and this congregation as witness.
Please repeat these vows before God as a covenant.
I, Kurt
Do take you, Lori
To be my wife
Placing only God before you
Keeping Christ our foundation
And following the Holy Spirit in this marriage
I commit before our God
To love you always according to scripture
And to perform my duties as a man of God according to scripture
And to love you as Christ loves the Church
ASK THE BRIDE IF SHE ACCEPTS GROOMS OFFER
“Lori, do you accept this covenant from Kurt before the Lord?”
You may give the bride her ring.
BRIDES VOWS
Please repeat these vows before God as a covenant.
I, Lori Allen
Do take you, Kurt
To be my husband
Placing only God before you
Keeping Christ our foundation
And following the Holy Spirit in this marriage
I commit before our God
To love you always according to scripture
And to perform my duties as a woman of God according to scripture
And to submit unto you just as you submit unto the Lord
ASK THE GROOM IF HE ACCEPTS BRIDES OFFER
“Kurt, do you accept this covenant from Lori before the Lord?”
You may give the groom his ring.
SCRIPTURE READING ON COVENANT
The scriptures also give warning to those within a marriage covenant that all who are married should heed.
Malachi 2:13 – 15 (A warning to men in marriage covenant)
“13 Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
15 Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. [e] So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “
God’s word has made clear that we are to be one in covenant with the Lord, and we are to keep our faith with each other otherwise the Lord will not hear our cries at the altar, nor accept our offerings.
We must guard ourselves in our spirit, and do not break faith with our wives.
CANDLE LIGHTING
Just as the gold rings represent purity and a never ending covenant, the candle lighting is a representation of a spiritual truth.
This spiritual truth is that because of this covenant, the two have become one before the Lord.
This unity candle represents the new family you are forming.
Just as this one flame is lit by two, the single flame cannot be divided, and neither shall your lives from this point on.
LIGHT UNITY CANDLE
PROCLAIM COVENANT OF MARRIAGE WITH GOD
Today we have bore witness to the covenantal agreement of Kurt and Lori before and with God for marriage.
So, before this congregation and the Lord as witness
I pronounce you husband and wife.
YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE
INTRODUSE HUSBAND AND WIFE
Please congratulate Kurt and Lori Ulman as they dismiss you one row at a time.
