Sermon Tone Analysis

*Tamatha’s** Marriage Vows*

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today on one of the happiest days in the lives of *Matthew Eads* and *Tamatha Ginter*; for on this day *Matthew* and *Tamatha *affirm before God and these witnesses that they believe God has decided that they should share their lives in the bond of Holy Matrimony.

The joining of husband and wife in heart, body, and spirit is intended by God for their mutual joy and well-being.

As it has been often said, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and in accordance with the purpose for which it was instituted by God.

Into this holy marriage relationship *Matthew Eads* and *Tamatha Ginter* come now to be united.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

*Matt*, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in the sacred covenant of marriage?

Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, to be faithful only to her as long as you both shall live?

/(I Do)/

 

            *Tamatha*, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband; to live together in the sacred covenant of marriage?

Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him as long as you both shall live?

/(I Do)/

                                               

          *Matt*, *Tamatha*, I want you as well all of you present to hear the Bible’s description of love:

*/1 Corinthians 13:4-7/**/NASB95/*

     *4*     Love is patient, love is kind /and /is not jealous; love does not brag /and /is not arrogant,  5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong /suffered,/ 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

*Matt* will you take *Tamatha’s* hand and repeat these words to her after me:

 

          I, *Matt*, take you *Tamatha* to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.

*Tamatha*, please repeat after me:

 

          I, *Tamatha* take you *Matt* to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.

Do we have the rings?

*Matt*, place the ring on her left index finger and repeat after me.

/ /

/The man shall repeat after the minister./

I give you this ring, as a sign of my love, and devotion, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

*Tamatha*, place the ring on his left index finger and repeat after me.

/The woman shall repeat after the minister./

I give you this ring, as a sign of my love, and devotion, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray.

Since *Matt* and *Tamatha* have consented together in holy matrimony before God and these friends and have exchanged vows and rings; therefore, by the ordinance of God, I pronounce them husband and wife in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

Prior to the service the parents lit the candles which represent the contributions of love and life itself which they have made in the shaping of their children’s lives.

From the uniqueness of these separate flames they kindle a much larger, brighter flame.

This represents *Tamatha* and *Matt’s* union in Christ.

The side candles represent the continuing importance of family ties and the individual integrity within the marriage relationship.

The greater height of the center candle depicts their belief that together in Christ they can become more than either could alone.

Congratulations *Matt*!

You may now kiss your bride!

I hereby present unto you *Matt* and *Tamatha Eads *

* *

*The congregation is now invited to the reception at the Abounding Grace Assembly of God!*