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It is a
pleasure to make available to you the facilities of our church
for the consecration of this important event in your life.
The following guidelines are provided for your assistance in planning your
wedding.
The Meaning of Marriage
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith. (This and other italicized quotations are from the Directory for Worship, Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA), W-4.900).
In preparation for the
marriage service, the minister shall provide for a discussion with the man and
the woman concerning
(1) the nature of
their Christian commitment, assuring that at least one is a professing
Christian,
(2) the legal
requirements of the state,
(3) the
privileges and responsibilities of Christian marriage,
(4) the nature
and form of the marriage service,
(5) the vows and
commitments they will be asked to make,
(6)
the
relationship of these commitments to their lives of
discipleship,
(7)
the resources of the faith and the Christian community to assist them in
fulfilling their marriage commitments.
This discussion is equally important in the case of a first marriage, a
marriage after the death of a spouse, and a
marriage following divorce.
If the minister is convinced after discussion with the couple that commitment, responsibility, maturity, or Christian understanding are so lacking that the marriage is unwise, the minister shall assure the couple of the church's continuing concern for them and not conduct the ceremony. In making this decision the minister may seek the counsel of the session.
Ogden Presbyterian Church requires that couples married in this church engage in 8 to 10 hours of premarital preparation. The purposes of the preparation are fourfold: (1) to provide opportunities which will deepen the couple’s relationship with one another, (2) to enable to couple to consider their relationship with God; (3) to develop the relationship between the Pastor and the couple; and (4) to involve the couple in the development of the wedding service. The premarital counseling materials cost $35 and this must be paid at the first counseling session.
It is the responsibility of the bride and groom to phone the minister for an appointment. If the premarital counseling requirement is not met, if invitations are mailed out prior to receiving Session approval, or if any of the following guidelines are not honored, the minister or Session may cancel the marriage service at any time prior to and including the day of the wedding.
Christian marriage should ordinarily be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the minister and the supervision of the session. The marriage ordinarily takes place in a special service which focuses upon marriage as a gift of God and as an expression of the Christian life. Others may be invited to participate as leaders in the service at the discretion of the pastor. Celebration of the Lord's Supper at the marriage service is entirely appropriate, but does require the approval of the session, and care shall be taken that the invitation to the Table is extended to all baptized present. The marriage service may take place during regular Sunday worship upon authorization by the session.
Ordinarily the service of marriage shall follow the forms in The Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In every case the order of worship for the service of marriage shall conform to the standards of the Presbyterian Church.
Music suitable for the marriage service directs attention to God and expresses the faith of the church.
The bride and groom should make an appointment with the church organist prior to the wedding for the purpose of planning music. The regular church organist shall ordinarily play for all services of marriage. Guest organists shall play only with prior approval of the church organist. The organist must be notified well in advance of the wedding if special music is desired. If a soloist is to be accompanied, then arrangements must be made with the organist for rehearsal.
Because a service of marriage is a service of worship, all music must be appropriate to Christian worship. Ordinarily, secular “popular” music is inappropriate because it focuses on the persons being married and the sentimental nature of human love, rather than on the God in whose presence this marriage is being made and by whose grace such love exists.
In all cases, the final decision regarding the music for a service of marriage shall remain with the church organist and the minister. Every good effort will be made to provide music which pleases the bride and groom and which is in good taste, as well as conformity to Presbyterian standards for worship.
The minister shall direct the wedding rehearsal. Rehearsals usually take from forty-five minutes to one hour. All members of the wedding party should make every effort to be on time. If no one in the wedding party arrives within thirty minutes of the established rehearsal time, the minister may refuse the service of marriage.
“Flowers, decorations, and other appointments should be appropriate to the place of worship, enhance the worshipper’s consciousness of the reality of God, and reflect the integrity and simplicity of Christian life.”
The above quotation is the guide for appropriateness of floral arrangements and other decorations. Ribbon or simple floral arrangements may be used to decorate pews. However, no thumbtacks or nails are to be used on church woodwork. Masking tape works well to fasten pew decorations. The sanctuary will be available for decoration by prior arrangement through the Church Office. Ordinarily, no flowers or decorations may be placed on the communion table.
Candelabra, candle lighters and flower stands are available as a courtesy of Ogden Presbyterian Church. Non-drip candles should be used. The florist can arrange for candles, or you may purchase them yourself. The church office should be notified as soon as possible concerning the disposition of flowers left at the church following the wedding. A white aisle runner may be obtained from the florist if desired.
Since a wedding is a service of worship, wedding guests may take photographs only during the processional and recessional. A designated wedding photographer may take non-flash photographs from the balcony or in the back of the sanctuary during the service. A video camera may be used in the balcony or in the back of the sanctuary. The wedding bulletin will specifically request worshippers not to take any photographs during the service.
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As God today adds his “Yes” to your “Yes,”
and as he confirms your will with his will,
and as he allows you, and approves of,
your triumph and rejoicing and pride,
he makes you at the same time
instruments of his will and his purpose
both for yourselves and for others.
“A Wedding Sermon from a Prison Cell”
May 1943
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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1. When the bride or groom or one of their parents is an active member of the church, the following minimum contributions are requested:
Premarital Counseling Materials $ 35.00
Use of Sanctuary No charge
Use of the Fellowship Hall for reception No charge
Organist $100.00
Custodian $ 50.00
(An additional $40.00 for the custodian when the reception is held in the
Fellowship Hall.)
It is customary for the groom to present an honorarium to the pastor in appreciation for the time spent during the counseling sessions, rehearsal and wedding.
2. When neither the bride or groom nor one of their parents are members of the Ogden Presbyterian Church, the following minimum contributions are requested:
Premarital Counseling
Materials $ 35.00
Minister $200.00
Use of
Sanctuary $200.00
Use of the
Fellowship Hall for reception $150.00
Organist $100.00
Custodian $ 50.00
(An
additional $40.00 for the custodian when the reception is held in the Fellowship
Hall)
These payments should be made at the time of the rehearsal.
A Wedding Building use application must be submitted to Ogden Presbyterian Church. This application can be completed online, printed and mailed into Ogden Presbyterian Church or be submitted from this site via email.
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