Wedding brochure
Your Wedding at St. John
The Christian Service of Marriage
God has ordained that men and women enter together into marriage, pledging lifelong love and fidelity. As Jesus Christ has blessed their relationship and the church declares it holy, those entering into marriage are promised God’s help as they enter into the joys and duties of their life together.
In human terms, marriage is a civil contrct between a man, a woman, and the state. When the marriage is performed in the context of Christian worship, the proclaiming of Jesus’ gospel is a promise of blessing to the marriage. As the couple respond positively to this proclamation, their marriage is in the Lord This applies to first marriages, to marriages after the death of a spouse, and to marriages after a divorce.
St. John Presbyterian Church wishes those who come to be married in its sanctuary and by its clergy to be aware that this church has certain beliefs and concerns in regard to marriage.
Marriage is a service of worship in which all present—including the guests—are participants in the service and not mere spectators. All constitute a congregation of God’s people, participating in an occasion overflowing with joy and thanksgiving, rejoicing in God‘s gifts of life, health and strength, sexuality and commitment—all that the Creator has declared to be “very good.”
Marriage is a social contract, based on the commitment the man and the woman make to each other. It is not the clergy who performs the marriage, but the couple. They marry each other; they make the vows of faithfulness and commitment. But they are not left on their own to fulfill these promises. God’s blessing and support are invoked in the service, and a couple seeking to be married in this church is expected to receive counsel about the nature of marriage and the form of the service.
The marriage service itself is a guide, giving in a very few minutes essential counsel, asking the important questions, and calling for necessary promises. In order to understand why these issues are important to the church, the couple will undertake counseling with the pastor of the church, with the times and concerns mutually determined by the pastor and the couple.
The marriage service directs us to the road leading in the direction of great and growing joy—an adventure shared togrther, with God. There will be hardships and disappointments along that road, and quite possibly grief. To travel it will require strong disciplines, firm commitments, and intelligently worked out ways. But some things are absolutely sure: “Faith, hope, lobe abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
St. John Presbyterian Church assures you that not only now, but always, you are in its prayers and within the scope of its continuing concern.
Because the Presbyterian Church’s marriage service contains wisdom accumulated through the ages, couples should exercise extreme care in tampering with its words, or in adding or substituting. This is not to say that there can be no changes; it merely cautions against words and actions that distract from a Christian service rather than enhance it.
The marriage service in St. John Presbyterian Church is first and foremost “in the presence of God”—it is a worship service, not an entertainment. In the final analysis the wedding ceremony is an act of praising God, the worship of God’s people, and the celebration of a commitment grounded in God. To this end the following should be discussed with the pastor in advance:
1. The number in the wedding party.
2. Flowers: placement of vases and other decorations. If flower petals are to be scattered (by a flower girl), an aisle runner must be used.
3. Photographs: no flash photography during the religious service; time exposures only by the “official” photographer ; opportunity for posed pictures afterward; video taping from a fixed location only.
4. Receiving line.
5. Reception (if held at the church): PLEASE NOTE: charges for the reception are discussed in the church’s separate policy statement.
6. 6. No rice to be thrown. Bird seed is acceptable.
7. No alcoholic beverages on the church property, including the parking lot.
8. No smoking in the church building.
9. Marriage license: to be brought to he wedding rehearsal.
10. Rehearsal: Pastor in charge, with a one-hour rehearsal.
Music
When a man and a woman come to St. John Presbyterian Chruch to br married, we believe they come to ask God’s blessing on their marrisge. All music used in the wedding service should reflect the beauty and meaning of the service.
If organ music is desired for the wedding. St. John’s organist must be contacted to provide it and to consult with the bride and groom. If he/she is unable to play for the wedding because of a calendar conflict, he/she will suggest acceptable substitute players.
Discussion should be held well in advance concerning the music to be played. Pre-service music should serve the purpose of any prelude in a worship service: to direct the congregation’s thoughts to God. Pop music or show tunes, etc., are not acceptable.
Vocal music, if any, should also praise or invoke God’s blessing. All words, except Biblical texts, must be cleared in advance with the pastor. Congregational participation by singing from the hymnal is most suitable and can be very meaningful for all.
The Processional and Recessional music should also be suitable for worship. Some organists do not feel that the “traditional” pieces are appropriate; we permit them, but we encourage couples to consider the wealth of other beautiful music that is available to them This is a matter to be discussed in advance with the organist. He or she will have many alternative suggestions.
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St. John Presbyterian Church
Wedding Fees
As of February 16. 2007
For a couple who are part of the church family
(association through parents, grandparents, or at the pastor’s discretion)
• Organist $150
(With soloist rehearsal, $175–$200)
• Cleanup, $300 (main level)
$500 (Family Life Center, if used)
• Plus the pastor’s honorarium
Total payment due in the church office two weeks in advance of the wedding date.
For a couple that is not part of the church family
• Church $1,300 (includes $300 cleanup fee)
• Family Life Center $1,500 (includes $500 cleanup fee)
• Damage Deposit $500 (to be refunded after the wedding if there is no damage,
and if all items are restored to their original positions;
otherwise the damage repair cost is taken out of the deposit)
• Organist $200
(With soloist rehearsal, $250)
• Cleanup, $300 (main level)
$500 (Family Life Center, if used)
• Plus the pastor’s honorarium
Total payment due in the church office two weeks in advance of the wedding date.
The Christian Service of Marriage
In human terms, marriage is a civil contrct between a man, a woman, and the state. When the marriage is performed in the context of Christian worship, the proclaiming of Jesus’ gospel is a promise of blessing to the marriage. As the couple respond positively to this proclamation, their marriage is in the Lord This applies to first marriages, to marriages after the death of a spouse, and to marriages after a divorce.
St. John Presbyterian Church wishes those who come to be married in its sanctuary and by its clergy to be aware that this church has certain beliefs and concerns in regard to marriage.
Marriage is a service of worship in which all present—including the guests—are participants in the service and not mere spectators. All constitute a congregation of God’s people, participating in an occasion overflowing with joy and thanksgiving, rejoicing in God‘s gifts of life, health and strength, sexuality and commitment—all that the Creator has declared to be “very good.”
Marriage is a social contract, based on the commitment the man and the woman make to each other. It is not the clergy who performs the marriage, but the couple. They marry each other; they make the vows of faithfulness and commitment. But they are not left on their own to fulfill these promises. God’s blessing and support are invoked in the service, and a couple seeking to be married in this church is expected to receive counsel about the nature of marriage and the form of the service.
The marriage service itself is a guide, giving in a very few minutes essential counsel, asking the important questions, and calling for necessary promises. In order to understand why these issues are important to the church, the couple will undertake counseling with the pastor of the church, with the times and concerns mutually determined by the pastor and the couple.
The marriage service directs us to the road leading in the direction of great and growing joy—an adventure shared togrther, with God. There will be hardships and disappointments along that road, and quite possibly grief. To travel it will require strong disciplines, firm commitments, and intelligently worked out ways. But some things are absolutely sure: “Faith, hope, lobe abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
St. John Presbyterian Church assures you that not only now, but always, you are in its prayers and within the scope of its continuing concern.
Because the Presbyterian Church’s marriage service contains wisdom accumulated through the ages, couples should exercise extreme care in tampering with its words, or in adding or substituting. This is not to say that there can be no changes; it merely cautions against words and actions that distract from a Christian service rather than enhance it.
The marriage service in St. John Presbyterian Church is first and foremost “in the presence of God”—it is a worship service, not an entertainment. In the final analysis the wedding ceremony is an act of praising God, the worship of God’s people, and the celebration of a commitment grounded in God. To this end the following should be discussed with the pastor in advance:
1. The number in the wedding party.
2. Flowers: placement of vases and other decorations. If flower petals are to be scattered (by a flower girl), an aisle runner must be used.
3. Photographs: no flash photography during the religious service; time exposures only by the “official” photographer ; opportunity for posed pictures afterward; video taping from a fixed location only.
4. Receiving line.
5. Reception (if held at the church): PLEASE NOTE: charges for the reception are discussed in the church’s separate policy statement.
6. 6. No rice to be thrown. Bird seed is acceptable.
7. No alcoholic beverages on the church property, including the parking lot.
8. No smoking in the church building.
9. Marriage license: to be brought to he wedding rehearsal.
10. Rehearsal: Pastor in charge, with a one-hour rehearsal.
Music
When a man and a woman come to St. John Presbyterian Chruch to br married, we believe they come to ask God’s blessing on their marrisge. All music used in the wedding service should reflect the beauty and meaning of the service.
If organ music is desired for the wedding. St. John’s organist must be contacted to provide it and to consult with the bride and groom. If he/she is unable to play for the wedding because of a calendar conflict, he/she will suggest acceptable substitute players.
Discussion should be held well in advance concerning the music to be played. Pre-service music should serve the purpose of any prelude in a worship service: to direct the congregation’s thoughts to God. Pop music or show tunes, etc., are not acceptable.
Vocal music, if any, should also praise or invoke God’s blessing. All words, except Biblical texts, must be cleared in advance with the pastor. Congregational participation by singing from the hymnal is most suitable and can be very meaningful for all.
The Processional and Recessional music should also be suitable for worship. Some organists do not feel that the “traditional” pieces are appropriate; we permit them, but we encourage couples to consider the wealth of other beautiful music that is available to them This is a matter to be discussed in advance with the organist. He or she will have many alternative suggestions.
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Wedding Fees
As of February 16. 2007