Weddings

Marriage is a gift of God, intended for the joy and mutual strength of those who enter it and for the well-being of the whole human family. God created us male and female and blessed humankind with the gifts of companionship, the capacity to love, and the care and nurture of children. Jesus affirmed the covenant of marriage and revealed God’s own self-giving love on the cross. The Holy Spirit helps those who are united in marriage to be living signs of God’s grace, love, and faithfulness. 

Marriage is also a human estate, with vows publicly witnessed. The church in worship surrounds these promises with the gathering of God’s people, the witness of the word of God, and the prayers of blessing and intercession. – Evangelical Lutheran Worship p. 286

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Marriage in the church is different from a civil ceremony in that it is first and foremost a worship service. Our attention is drawn to God whom we ask to bless, guide, and strengthen our marriage. During the service we hear God’s Word, we offer God our prayers, and we ask the community of gathered witnesses to help support us. 

There are challenges to even the best marriages, and for this reason if you would like our pastor to perform your marriage ceremony you must meet with them for a six month marriage preparation course. This does not include the wedding rehearsal. The purpose of these sessions is:

  • To establish a pastoral relationship as a resource early in the marriage.
  • To strengthen the spiritual foundation of marriage.
  • To plan the wedding service.
  • To answer any questions on what a marriage in the church is.

If you are being married by our pastor, the form of worship will follow the ELCA worship resources for weddings. Any variations from or additions to the order of service must have the prior approval of the pastor who has final say.  

No marriage is conducted at Hope Lutheran by our pastor until the above outlined marriage counseling sessions have been completed by the couple.  These sessions should be scheduled well in advance of the wedding date. 

FOR YOUR HELP PLANNING

  • To be married at Hope at least one of those being married must be a member at Hope. 
  • All members of the wedding party must be sober / not under the influence of any substance before and during the wedding ceremony. If any member of the wedding party is intoxicated, high, or under the influence of any substance the wedding ceremony will not go forward. 
  • No rice, birdseed, glitter, confetti, glitter bombs, silly string, or other items are to be thrown / used  in any part of the building or upon your departure from the building.
  • No releasing of birds, butterflies, or other animals during or following the service.
  • Decorations should be tasteful and appropriate for worship. They should not block any movement down the aisles, around the baptismal font,  or in the entry area.
  • Decorations, pictures, flowers, etc. are not permitted in the altar area.
  • No pets or animals, except for service animals*, are permitted in our church building.
  • No smoking is permitted in any part of the church building. This includes electronic cigarettes, vaping, and marijuana. 
  • Smoking (cigarettes only) is permitted outside at least 10 feet from the building. Cigarette butts should be properly disposed of and not left on church property.
  • Weapons of any kind are not permitted inside the church building. 
  • If you are having a rehearsal dinner at Hope, or meal following the service, beverages or food items are to be brought into the fellowship hall before the meal.
  • Food and beverages are not permitted outside the fellowship hall. 
  • All marriages held at Hope shall be officiated by either the pastor of Hope unless other arrangements are made. 
  • Other clergy/officiants must have the permission of the Hope pastor to perform the wedding ceremony at Hope, or assist with any wedding service.  
  • The wedding license and wedding certificate should be given to the pastor/officiant no later than the rehearsal dinner.
  • Hope’s sound system is not bluetooth capable and is unable to play recorded music. 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

  • Prepare a date with the pastor/officiant as soon as possible. Inform them immediately of changes in your plans. The wedding service must fit into their personal schedule.
  • Set an appointment for the first counseling/planning session.
  • Rehearsal date and time should be arranged at the first counseling session with the pastor/officiant.
  • You are responsible for engaging a pianist, or other musicians. Don’t put this off—musicians are in high demand! If you would like Hope’s musician to play please make arrangements with them as soon as possible.
  •  All music played during the worship service should be appropriate for the context of Christian worship. Music played during the reception should be family appropriate. The pastor has final say in all music selections for the service. 
  • If you would like a printed bulletin you must inform the pastor so copies can be made and printed in a timely manner before the service. 
  • If you would like Holy Communion during the service please let the pastor know ahead of time so arrangements can be made for set up and clean up. 
  • Please ask your photographer and guests to refrain from flash photography and video recording during the wedding service (opening greeting to dismissal). 
  • If you wish to use a unity candle during the ceremony you must provide it. 
  • If you wish to have an aisle cloth, please arrange it with your florist.
  • You are responsible for making arrangements with the church custodian or Hope representative to get into the building for any preparation before the service. 

FEES

Use of the Church Building

There are no fees charged for the use of the church to Hope members. For non-members a donation is requested for use of the church. This shall be paid to the church prior to the rehearsal.

Custodial services

In order to ensure that the church is clean and ready for worship / faith activities there is a $100 fee to cover our custodian cleaning the building following the service. This shall be paid to the custodian prior to the service. 

Musicians

The Hope pianist is available to play wedding services, please make arrangements with them as soon as possible. There is a fee of $150 due to the pianist at the rehearsal.  If you would like another musician to play, or if you have other musicians you would like to incorporate into the service, please speak with Hope’s pastor as soon as possible. 

Officiating clergy

The pastor of Hope will officiate at the wedding services of church members unless other arrangements are made. Other clergy may participate at the discretion of Hope’s pastor. There is no fee assessed by the pastor for officiating for members of Hope. 

If you will have other clergy/officiant leading / participating in the wedding service  you should speak with them in advance regarding any honorarium policies they have.

*A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals. – From the Americans with Disabilities National Network  (https://adata.org/factsheet/service-animals)

Wedding Hymn Suggestions

As you plan the wedding service one option you have is choosing music. The following are a list of common and popular wedding hymns. You are not limited to these options. Instead, we hope they will serve as a helpful guide. If you have questions about music for wedding services, please talk with the pastor.

  • Now the Green Blade Rises
  • Living Breath of God / Soplo de Dios viviente
  • By Your Hand You Feed Your People
  • The King of Love My Shepherd Is
  • Go, My Children, with My Blessing
  • How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord
  • There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
  • Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
  • How Small Our Span of Life
  • Where True Charity and Love Abide
  • Heaven Is Singing for Joy / El cielo canta alegría
  • For the Fruit of All Creation
  • Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
  • All My Hope on God is Founded
  • Christ the Same
  • Lord of All Hopefulness
  • Come Down, O Love Divine
  • Have You Thanked the Lord?
  • Voices Raised to You
  • When Long before Time
  • O God beyond All Praising
  • May God Bless Us / Bwana awabariki
  • Our Father, by Whose Name
  • Jesus, Come! For We Invite You
  • Hear Us Now, Our God and Father
  • This Is a Day, Lord, Gladly Awaited
  • As Man and Woman We Were Made
  • Beloved, God’s Children
  • Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
  • Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
  • Now Thank We All Our God
  • Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
  • When Love Is Found
  • O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! 

Wedding Scripture Suggestions

As you plan for the wedding service one of the most important, and sometimes challenging, parts is choosing scripture verses for the service. The following is a list of suggestions and common wedding readings from the Bible. You are not limited to these suggestions. Please note that depending on what kind of Bible you are using some scripture verses may not be listed in them, for example the Tobit & Sirach readings. A helpful bible website has been included below that you can use to search for and read scripture passages. If you have any questions about the readings, please contact the pastor.

Old Testament

  • Genesis 1:26-28, 31
  • Genesis 2:18-24
  • Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67
  • Tobit 7:6-14
  • Tobit 8:4-8
  • Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
  • Song of Songs 2:8-12
  • Song of Songs 8:6-7
  • Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16
  • Jeremiah 31:31-32, 33-34
  • Ruth 1:16-18
  • Isaiah 61:10-11
  • Isaiah 63:7-9

Psalms

  • Psalm 33
  • Psalm 34
  • Psalm 67
  • Psalm 100
  • Psalm 103
  • Psalm 112
  • Psalm 128
  • Psalm 145
  • Psalm 148

New Testament Readings

  • Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
  • Romans 12:1-2, 9-18
  • Romans 15:1-3, 5-7, 13
  • Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
  • Corinthians 12:31-13:8
  • Ephesians 3:14-19
  • Ephesians 4:1-6
  • Ephesians 5:2, 21-33
  • Philippians 4:4-9
  • Colossians 3:12-17
  • Hebrews 13:1-4, 5-6
  • 1 Peter 3:1-9
  • 1 John 3:18-24
  • 1 John 4:7-12
  • Revelation 19:1, 5-9

Gospel Readings

  • Matthew 5:1-12
  • Matthew 5:13-16
  • Matthew 7:21, 24-29
  • Matthew 19:3-6
  • Matthew 22:35-40
  • Mark 10:6-9
  • John 2:1-11
  • John 15:9-12
  • John 15:12-16
  • John 17:20-26

Bible Website – https://www.biblegateway.com/

To use the website simply enter in the scripture passage you want to read. Please note you can choose from a variety of translations, but the one used in worship services of the ELCA is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) you can also search for passages in the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) so you can read the options from Wisdom.

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