|
IntroductionGetting Married at Grace Bible Church
|
Congratulations on your engagement! This is a wonderful time for you. Few things in life can equal the joy and excitement of falling in love, getting engaged, planning a wedding, and, of course, getting married.
Right now, as you plan your wedding, your mind is probably reeling with the number of plans to make and the details to iron out. One obvious item on your "to do" list is establishing the location of your wedding and choice of pastor to perform the ceremony. This is such an important item in your planning that you, no doubt, want to be very careful in the decisions you make. We hope this will help you in this process.
|
Did you Know that One Comes Before Two?Preparation for Marriage
|
We know that you are probably in a rush to find out all the ins and outs of weddings here at Grace, but please take the time to read through this important section. We are very interested in weddings because they are the way people enter into one of God's most marvelous institutions. Since God created marriage, we believe that He knows the most about it! We're eager both to help couples discover God's teaching about marriage and to make good preparations for marriage so that they can have the love-filled and satisfying relationship God intended when He created marriage.
-
1. A good marriage begins with a relationship.
The Bible, God's Word to us, teaches that God created human beings to think, feel, and make moral choices (see Genesis 1:26, 27). He did this so we could enjoy a close relationship with Him (see the description in Genesis 3:8 of God's practice of visiting each day with Adam and Eve.)
God also created us to have a close relationship with each other. That is why God created marriage (see Genesis 2:18-25). Marriage is God's good gift to us - allowing us to experience the closeness and intimacy for which He created us.
The close relationship that God intended for people to have with each other was to flow out of their relationship with Him. When people are close to God they understand who they are and what their purpose is in life. When people know who they are they are then free to relate to others.
Perhaps this picture of humans being very close to God and to each other seems too much like a fairy tale to be taken seriously. The reason for this is not that the Bible's accounts are fairy tales. Rather, the relationship between God and the human race has changed so drastically that now we cannot eve imagine being as close to God as the first humans were.
2. The relationship that is no more.
What happened to our close relationship with God? The Bible teaches that the relationship the human race had with God was broken because we would not accept the conditions that God imposed upon our relationship with Him (see Genesis 3:1-24 for a description of how this happened). Created to be God-centered, we separated ourselves and became self-centered-making ourselves, instead of God, the center of our universe. The Bible teaches that the consequences of our broken relationship with God are guilt (Genesis 3:8), shame (Genesis 3:7), and death (Genesis 2:17 and 3:19).
Being separated from God also affected our relationships with each other. The results of sin are not pretty! The Bible describes the human race as being:"...foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures...[living] in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another" (Titus 3:3).
3. Wait a minute!
Perhaps at this point you are thinking, "What does any of this have to do with getting married at Grace Bible Church?" Our answer is, "Everything!" Because all of us are separated from God, even the best of our relationships with others are marred by self-interest and the potential for malice and envy that leads to relational break-downs. The fact that nearly half of all first marriages in our country end in divorce is profound evidence of the problems we have.
4. But there is Good News!
Christians believe that God did something about our separation from Himself. Right after painting the awful picture of what we are like (remember "being hated and hating one another"?), the Bible says: "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit..." (Titus 3:4-6).
God cared so much about us that He came to earth, in the person of Jesus Christ, to let us know what He is like and to provide the means for us to get into a right relationship with Him. Jesus came to give us a new life ("rebirth") - one that comes from His forgiving us for our separation from Himself ("washing" is a picture of the way God forgives us). Jesus also came to give us both the ability to live in a relationship with God and to live above the self-interest that is at the heart of all relational problems (this is what "renewal by the Holy Spirit" is all about).
5. So, what's the catch?
God's decision to do something about our alienation from Himself does not depend on us getting our act together and doing something good! The Bible says, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy" (Titus 3:5). The only way we can get right with God is by accepting what Jesus Christ ("God our Savior") did for us. When we admit that we have a problem in our relationship with God and ask Jesus Christ to come into our life, we receive, as a gift, a new life and new relationship with God.
6. Getting off to a right start.
So, how does all this apply to marriage? We believe that when people accept the gift of a relationship with God that comes through Jesus Christ, they now can live more like the way God created them to live. When people are close to God, they have all the resources they need to truly (that is, unselfishly) love another person. They also have God's resources for dealing with the inevitable problems that occur in any relationship.
How does this work? A Christian marriage is a three-way commitment: both to each other, but most importantly, each to God. When a couple is committed to God, they commit themselves to the One who will never stop loving them. The certainty of God's commitment to them helps them gain the strength to remain committed to each other - even when disappointments might cause one to feel as though the other doesn't deserve his or her love and commitment.
7. We are here to help.
We, the pastors and elders at Grace Bible Church, believe that God wants us to help couples establish Christian marriages and families. We would be glad to help you do this, if that is your desire as well. The wedding service that we perform reflects the values that we have outlined in this web page. If you have not yet entered into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we are available to answer your questions and help you come to faith in Christ. Please give us a call and/or visit Grace Bible Church.
If you are Christians and comfortable with the kind of emphasis on Christian marriage that we have outlined above, then please continue to find out more about marriage here at Grace.
|
Policies and ProceduresPolicies and Procedures
|
-
Except for believing widows and widowers, Grace Bible Church has as its policy to host only heterosexual first-time marriages between believers.
-
Couples getting married at Grace Bible Church must complete pre-marital counseling with the officiating pastor prior to the wedding ceremony. Please call a pastor as soon as possible to arrange a tentative wedding date and to set up a schedule for counseling.
-
In cases where the officiating pastor at your ceremony is not on the staff of Grace Bible Church, a brief interview between the couple and one of our staff pastors will be in order. The officiating pastor that you have chosen must also meet at a separate time with one of our staff pastors.
-
Once a couple is approved, a date is to be set through the church office. Our church coordinator will be permitted to pencil in a tentative date of the wedding pending completing of above requirements. Should they be met, the date will become official.
|
Facilities Use, Fees, and GuidelinesFacilities Use, Fees, and Guidelines
|
The members of Grace have been blessed with great facilities with which to help in bringing people to Christ and discipling them to be more like Him. We seek to be good stewards in using and maintaining these facilities.
To download a copy of our facilities use guidelines, along with appropirate fees, please click here.
The GBC Elders' perspective on music and media used in conjunction with its facility..
|
Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading
|
Different by Design
By: John MacArthur
Different by Design offers hope for bridging that gap and finding fulfillment and success in your family and church. In his thorough, no-nonsense style, John MacArthur sets aside prevailing cultural standards and helps you understand and apply the biblical principles for men's and women's roles. Discover the beauty, balance, and benefits of God's unique role for you in this practical, well-researched tool--one you'll turn to again and again!
The Excellent Wife
By: Martha Peace
The Excellent Wife was proven seaworthy on its maiden voyage and now the Revised Edition is impacting lives and marriages in an even greater way. Martha Peace, a counselor and teacher of women presents a biblical blueprint for the woman who wants to be the wife God intended her to be by making a commitment to the principles presented here. A separate spiral-bound study guide makes this an ideal format for individual or small-group Bible studies.
Strengthening Your Marriage
By: Wayne A. Mack
Wayne Mack recognizes the challenges involved in building a strong marriage. He also knows that Scripture provides the method and means for meeting those challenges with growing success. In this volume, Dr. Mack offers a wealth of practical information on marital roles, communication, finances, sex, parenting, and family religion. This valuable counseling aid for pastors can also be used with great benefit by couples on their own.
The Exemplary Husband
By: Stuart Scott
Finally, here is a thoroughly biblical, intensely practical, and truly spiritual look at the standard of godliness established for Christian husbands. Dr. Stuart Scott writes with the passion and insight of a godly man. His book will be an enormously helpful tool for husbands and fathers.
Preparing for Marriage God's Way
By: Wayne A. Mack
This is the ideal tool for engaged couples and premarital counseling. This workbook takes the reader through matters like the individual's personal relationship with God, the biblical roles of husband & wife, finances, and the important areas of communication and resolving conflicts.
|
Planning Your WeddingPlanning Your Wedding
|
This section is designed to help you plan your wedding. Our Wedding Coordinator will be the primary individual helping you with your plans. Please read through this section and complete as much of the "Wedding Information Form" as possible before you meet with our Wedding Coordinator. You can either print this page out or call the church for a printed booklet. Please bring this booklet with you to your first meeting.
Reserving The Church
-
Reserve your wedding date on the church calendar with the Wedding Coordinator of Grace Bible Church as soon as possible. Make the reservation for the rehearsal at the same time.
Because of conflicts in schedules with church-related activities, wedding rehearsals, weddings or wedding receptions are not scheduled at GBC on Sundays, New Year's Day, Easter Weekend, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No weddings may be scheduled that will conflict with any special or regular service or event involving Grace Bible Church members or regular attenders.
The church office is open to take your calls Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (614) 833-0700.
Facilities Available
-
For weddings, GBC's Worship Center is available, subject only to prior schedules and limitations. The Worship Center seats 450 guests. The center aisle is 44 feet long, 6.5 feet wide and it is lined by 231 chairs on the bride's side and 219 chairs on the groom's side. The stage is 12 feet deep and 35 feet wide from partition to partition. It is raised by five steps in the center of the stage. The aisle runner, if desired, needs to be furnished by the couple and should be 35 - 40 feet long.
A room in which to dress, will be provided for the bride and her attendants. There can also be a room made available for the groom and his attendants. Air conditioning or heating will be provided for both the rehearsal and the wedding.
Marriage Counseling
-
The pastoral staff of GBC provides an excellent pre-marital preparation program. If you choose to use a different pre-marital preparation, proof of counseling needs to be supplied.
Wedding Equipment
-
The following equipment is available for your use and is included in your wedding fee:
-
Stage plants (as available)
-
Pulpit/Piano/Keyboard/Organ
-
Music Stands
-
Cordless microphones
-
Guest book stand
-
Lapel Microphone
Bride and groom will need to supply:
-
Candelabras
-
Unity Candle and Stand or Table with cloth
-
Communion Tablecloth
-
Communion Elements
-
Dripless Candles
-
Decorations
-
Flowers
-
Pew Bows
-
Aisle Runner
-
Guest Book and Pen
The Rehearsal
-
The rehearsal shall begin promptly at the time that has been scheduled. Due to our sound technicians' job schedules, we cannot plan a rehearsal before 6:00 pm unless prior arrangements have been made. The following suggestions will help guide you as you prepare for your rehearsal:
-
For Saturday weddings, the rehearsal should be on either Thursday or Friday evening, starting promptly at 6:00 pm and ending no later than 8:00 pm
-
The pastor or the person designated by him shall be in charge of the rehearsal, usually the wedding coordinator and assistants.
-
Beside the time for the rehearsal itself, allow fifteen minutes to train ushers. There is more to ushering than meets the eye. Our Wedding Coordinator will train the ushers at the rehearsal.
-
Both sets of parents should be present for the rehearsal, if possible.
-
The ushers/groomsmen should be present for the rehearsal.
-
Deliver the marriage license to the person in charge of the rehearsal.
-
All key musicians must be present for the rehearsal.
Personal Valuables
-
The church is not be responsible for personal items such as wedding dresses, wraps, purses, silver and glassware brought to the church for use in a wedding or a wedding reception; nor will the church be liable for such items if lost, stolen or damaged. However, every reasonable effort will be made to assist the wedding party in protecting such property. Let the Wedding Coordinator know how soon you need to be in the church for the rehearsal and/or the wedding, and doors will be unlocked for you unless other arrangements are made.
Florist
-
Your Wedding Coordinator will arrive 90 minutes prior to the start of the wedding to unlock the doors. Have your florist arrive at this time.
Note: If there are other deliveries to be made, they should come at this time or at the time of the rehearsal unless other arrangements have been made.
Flowers should be ordered for at least the following, if applicable:
-
Bride
-
Female Attendants
-
Maid or Matron of Honor
-
Bridesmaids
-
Jr. Bridesmaids
-
Flower Girl
-
Groom
-
Male Attendants
-
Best Man
-
Ushers/Groomsmen
-
Ring Bearer
-
Mothers, Fathers, and Grandparents of the Bride and Groom
-
Musicians
-
Pastor
-
Scripture Reader(s)
-
Guest Book Attendant
-
Hostess
It is a thoughtful touch to remember honored guests with flowers, like those close relatives and special friends: Bride's and Groom's Sisters, Brothers, great-aunt or someone special who traveled a long way. This is not a necessary practice and you should not be pressured into feeling obligated to purchase extra flowers. This is only an added suggestion.
-
Please ask your florist to label all of the corsages and boutonnieres going to the church with the person's name, as well as, relationship to the bridal party.
-
Boutonnieres and corsages are pinned on the left side. The Wedding Coordinator can oversee the distribution and pinning of flowers unless otherwise arranged.
-
As you are planning your decorations for the Worship Center, please keep in mind that masking tape should not be used on the chairs. If you are to attach bows or decorations to the chairs, we suggest that you use pins.
-
If you are planning to leave the altar flowers for the service on Sunday, please call the coordinator ahead of time so that another floral arrangement is not ordered.
General Items
-
Let the Wedding Coordinator know if you plan to have your wedding video-taped. The videographer (camera person) must be in position before the prelude and dressed appropriately.
-
GBC does not provide nursery services for weddings, rehearsals or receptions. The nursery rooms are available if you wish to hire a sitter. Please remember that you will be responsible for the clean up of any and all classrooms used so that they are ready for our Sunday morning services.
-
If you wish an open invitation to the church, we ask that you send an invitation to the church office. This way there will be no error in spelling the names, dates, times, etc.
-
The bride will need to arrange for any furniture to be removed from the stage and placed in a designated area(s) and replaced back at the end of use.
-
Due to the extremely busy schedule(s) of the pastor(s), you must let the pastor(s) know early in your planning if you are going to invite him (them) to the reception.
-
It is important to remember that our church has worship services on Sunday mornings starting at 8:30 a.m. While we want to accommodate you with your wedding plans, we cannot schedule a reception that will not be over by 8:00 pm on a Saturday evening. It is preferable if you wish to have an evening wedding at our facility, to please schedule your reception at another location. This will allow ample time to have our facility cleaned thoroughly and set up for our Sunday Services.
-
Please be sure to assign someone in your family, wedding party or a reliable friend to pick up all of your belongings from the dressing rooms and all of the decorations from the Worship Center. This includes flowers, bows, music, clothing, accessories, guest book, gifts, etc. You may wish to assign two or more people to be responsible for these items.
Photographer
-
A wedding ceremony is a worship service, therefore, we ask that any photographer to please respect the ceremony and the place.
-
If pictures are being taken before the ceremony in your dressing area, please have them completed at least fifteen minutes before the service is to begin. This gives the wedding party time to calm down and spend some quiet moments before the service.
-
Do not take any flash pictures once the wedding ceremony has started. You may take time exposures from the back of the auditorium. Please do not walk down the aisles to take pictures.
-
You may walk up the aisle a few rows to get a picture of the bride and groom coming down the aisle after the ceremony and a flash may be used to photograph the kiss from the rear of the auditorium.
-
When formal pictures are taken in the Worship Center before the ceremony, please be out of the Worship Center at least 45 minutes before the service is to start.
-
Note: The photographer may take pictures before or after the ceremony in any part of the building.
Marriage License
-
It is necessary for you to obtain a marriage license in the state of Ohio. The procedure for obtaining this license is as follows:
Franklin County
373 S. High Street, Columbus - 23rd floor
Open 8:00 am. to 4:30 pm Monday - Friday - closed for all holidays
-
Both must be present to apply for the marriage license. One must be a resident of Franklin County.
-
No blood tests or physical examination is required in the State of Ohio.
-
You must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent.
-
A valid picture ID and Social Security card is needed, or if a picture ID is not available, a birth certificate and social security card will be accepted.
-
The cost of $45.00 cash or money order and must be paid in full at the time of application. Your application will be given to you at this time. There is no waiting period and your license will be valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state of Ohio.
If you have further questions, contact the Marriage License office at (614) 462-3898.
Fairfield County
224 E. Main Street, Lancaster (740) 687-7090.
Open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday - Friday and closed for all holidays.
-
Both must be present to apply for the marriage license. One must be a resident of Fairfield County.
-
No blood tests or physical examination is required in the State of Ohio.
-
You must be at least 18 years old to apply without parental consent.
-
A valid picture ID and Social Security card is needed, or if a picture ID is not available, a birth certificate and social security card will be accepted.
-
The cost of $40.00 cash only must be paid in full at the time of application. Your application will be given to you at this time. There is no waiting period and your license will be valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in the state of Ohio.
Tips: Be prepared to pay several dollars to park. Marriage license applications are available along the wall when you enter the office; don't waste time waiting for instructions, just get started on the application first.
Reception
-
The church allows the use of its facilities for wedding receptions. Your reception can be held in our Fellowship Hall.
Note: A donation or fee is required to cover the expenses for our custodial staff to check the facility to ensure everything is in place for our Sunday morning services and to complete the cleanup of the bathrooms, hallways, Worship Center, Fellowship Hall and any other rooms that have been used.
-
We kindly request that there be no alcoholic beverages, and that there be no smoking or the use of any tobacco products on the premises.
-
You are responsible to make sure that everything has been cleaned up and put away and that chairs are set up according to the diagram provided.
-
Due to safety and clean-up problems, we request that only bubbles or bells be used should you choose to "shower" the bride and groom as they leave the church.
Sample Order of Events
-
Prelude
-
Music while guests are being seated - 15 minutes or more before the ceremony begins, usually instrumental
-
Lighting of Candles - ushers or special designee
-
Grandparents of Groom seated
-
Grandparents of Bride seated
-
Mother of Groom seated
-
Mother of Bride seated
-
Solo*
-
Aisle runner unrolled by Ushers*
The Processional
-
Music, usually instrumental, while the following enter:
-
Pastor, Groom, Groomsmen/Ushers
-
Bridesmaids, Maid/Matron of Honor
-
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
-
Bride and her Father/Escort
The Ceremony
-
Statement of Purpose - opening remarks and prayer by Pastor
-
Parental Commitment/Family Affirmation - Father, Parents, or designated party
-
Reading of Scripture* - Friend, Relative or designee
-
Message to the Bride and Groom - Pastor
-
Solo*
-
Reading or Scripture* - Friend, Relative or designee
-
Declaration of Consent - "I wills" by bride and Groom
-
The Marriage Vows - Bride and Groom
-
The Exchange of Rings - Bride and groom
-
The Ceremony of Candles - Bride and Groom and Mothers or Parents
-
Solo* - optional, but suggested to begin as soon as explanation of candles is finished
-
Recognition of Parents/Presentation of Roses*- Bride and Groom
-
Prayer for the Bride and Groom - Pastor
-
The Pronouncement of Marriage - Pastor
-
The Kiss - Bride and Groom
-
Presentation of the Newlyweds - Pastors
The Recessional
-
Music - usually instrumental
-
Exits as follows:
-
Bride and Groom
-
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
-
Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man
-
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen/Ushers (in couples)
-
Mothers escorted out by Ushers, Father follows behind
-
Bride's Mother exits first
-
Grandmothers escorted out by Ushers/Groomsmen,
-
Grandfathers follow behind
-
Ushers/Groomsmen dismiss guests row by row or
-
the Bride and Groom come back in to greet everyone and
dismiss them row by row.
Receiving Line
The Receiving Line is an optional event and may take place after the ceremony in the lobby area. In consideration of your guests and wedding attendants, do not involve every member of you Wedding Party in the Receiving Line. We suggest that the line consist of the Bridal Couple, the parents of the Bride and Groom and if desired, the Maid of Honor and the Best Man.
This is a convenient time for the Ushers to decorate the wedding cars and for the Bridesmaids to gather all clothing and cosmetic items from the Bride's Room, and put them safely into their respective cars. Having a shorter receiving line will enable you to promptly join your guests at the Reception.
At the minimum, the receiving line should include the Bridal couple and their parents, in the following order; Bride's Mother - Groom's Father - Groom' s Mother - Bride's Father - Bride - Groom
This order will make it convenient for the parents to introduce their family members to the parents of their new daughter or son.
|
|
|
|
|
