A Christian Wedding
A Christian Wedding is inherently a service of
public worship by the congregation of God's people. Bride and groom,
each individually dedicated to the service of God, by this act dedicate to God
their union and their life together. This is not a private ceremony, as
if the Christian life could be lived in isolation. It involves the
worship and dedication of the church couple at each step of their lives as the
occasion may require. God's covenant people; the household of God, has
an essential concern of love for the
formation of a new household unit within its
ranks.
In concern for your welfare and happiness, the Church teaches the sanctity of marriage. Civil marriage is a secular contract which merely satisfies the law of the state. Christian marriage is an enduring relationship between two people and God, to be lived with the help of God and within the nurturing fellowship of the Church. In our mobile society, this ideal of continuing nurture within your home church is not always possible. However, in coming to the Church for your wedding, you indicate your desire to worship and to ask God's blessing. We earnestly urge you to seek the continued blessing of God upon your married life, finding the spiritual strength and resources within the fellowship of a congregation where you will live.
To help you insure the dignity which you desire in such an important service of worship, the Session of this church has established the following requirements. We solicit your support and cooperation.
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The Lower Brandywine Pastor shall have sole direction of the marriage service and be responsible for carrying out the rules and procedures as set forth by the Lower Brandywine Session in regard to weddings in the church. |
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Before giving approval to a wedding ceremony, the church requires that the Pastor participate with the betrothed in instruction and discussion of the privileges and obligations they will assume in Christian marriage. The church bears responsibility for providing education and counsel in preparation for marriage. The frequency and length of this instruction will be at the discretion of the presiding pastor. |
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A guest pastor is permissible as long as he/she contacts the Lower Brandywine Pastor prior to the ceremony, at which time the rules of the church will be explained and the wedding ceremony will be approved by the Lower Brandywine pastor. |
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Since your church wedding is a service of worship, it is appropriate for you to arrange for your family and friends to join in worship, not as observers but as active participants, praising the Creator who has given marriage for the happiness of humanity and has bound us to one another in love. This may be done through the congregational singing of hymns, unison prayers, group reading of the Holy Scripture or other elements of corporate worship. |
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The organist of this church shall play for the service. Another organist may be engaged if approval of our organist is obtained. |
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The Pastor and organist must be consulted in advance with respect to musical selections. Only selections of religious character in keeping with a church service are suitable. Arrangements must be made for a rehearsal time which will not conflict with a regularly scheduled church activity. |
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None of the chancel
furniture may be moved for the ceremony nor may anything be placed upon or
removed from the communion table.
The brass vases may be used for
appropriate flowers. Other floral decorations should conform to the
decor of the sanctuary. |
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No photographs (with or without flash) may be taken in the sanctuary during any part of the marriage service. Video taping of weddings and services will be permitted from the balcony only without narration. If pictures of the congregation are desired they can be taken after the benediction and before the recessional. |
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Please ask your friends and guests not to throw rice, birdseed or confetti either inside or outside the church. |
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No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the church or on the church grounds. |
It is the
responsibility of those planning the wedding to return the church building to
the proper order and to abide by the rules for building use as they apply.
The maximum seating capacity of the sanctuary is 250 people.
Click here to view fee list.
Click here to access wedding
application
For more information, contact Linda Natali, Church Administrator
linda.natali@comcast.net
302-658-2326 Phone 302-658-1861 Fax