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A wedding during the morning worship service?
Oct 13^th, 2009, 11:07am

Our pastor has announced that next week's Sunday morning worship (we do not have evening worship) will include a wedding. I have never heard of such a thing before. I am not saying I am against it; just that it seems rather strange. Not sure why I feel that way though.

The wedding is between two international students at a local university here (no family in the U.S.) they met, came to faith and were baptized here at the church. They want to be married here and they want their friends who are not believers to hear the Gospel and be introduced to the church. It seems like a logical reason and all -- just a bit different.

Anyone else ever seen this before? What is your opinion on it?

Oh yes, and, afterwards there will be a large reception in the fellowship hall for everyone. The congregation is bringing food, etc. so the guests will sense the family atmosphere. Some kind a different to me.

But probably good too.

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Mercy For All

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #1 - Oct 13^th, 2009, 1:20pm

Quote from Simple Man on Oct 13^th, 2009, 11:07am:

Our pastor has announced that next week's Sunday morning worship (we do not have evening worship) will include a wedding. I have never heard of such a thing before. I am not saying I am against it; just that it seems rather strange. Not sure why I feel that way though.

The wedding is between two international students at a local university here (no family in the U.S.) they met, came to faith and were baptized here at the church. They want to be married here and they want their friends who are not believers to hear the Gospel and be introduced to the church. It seems like a logical reason and all -- just a bit different.

Anyone else ever seen this before? What is your opinion on it?

Oh yes, and, afterwards there will be a large reception in the fellowship hall for everyone. The congregation is bringing food, etc. so the guests will sense the family atmosphere. Some kind a different to me.

But probably good too.

Hmmm...never seen that before. I'm sure it could be quite interesting and work well--depending upon whom the focus of the service is.

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JDD

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #2 - Oct 16^th, 2009, 2:22pm

Quote from Simple Man on Oct 13^th, 2009, 11:07am:

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Our pastor has announced that next week's Sunday morning worship (we do not have evening worship) will include a wedding. I have never heard of such a thing before. I am not saying I am against it; just that it seems rather strange. Not sure why I feel that way though.

I have an idea the pastors intentions are good, probably wanting to show God's plan for man and woman coming together and becoming one. I imagine he'll conduct the normal worship service in perhaps an abbreviated version, then commence with the wedding itself. But I agree with you it is unique and certainly contemporary. Hope you let us know how it turned out and was received by the brethren

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Simple Man

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #3 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 7:53am

I have not heard criticism from anyone ... yet. Surprisingly all my friends in the church seem open minded to it.

I must say I have been thinking about next Sunday' worship (tomorrow) all week (and not in a negative way). That's kind of refreshing. I really hopes this works. I guess we'll all know soon enough.

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LadyBug Vice President Hardhat LNF Bunker Posts: 28981 Gender:	Re: A wedding during the morning worship service? Reply #4 - Oct 17^th, 2009, 8:02am I've never heard of it before, but I think it's a great idea. It's an opportune time to discuss marriage in the sermon, and I bet everyone stays awake too!
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uncle_abee

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #5 - Oct 23^rd, 2009, 1:35pm

I think the basic question is what is allowed as worship and what is not? If I decided to wave flags during worship could I do that? What if I decided to have a hula hoop contest? The answer to this question is found in the scriptures. Again, it is odd to see that no one yet has consulted the scriptures for an answer on this. If you're talking about worship then you shouldn't want people's opinions. You should want what God has to say. In John 4:24 Jesus says worship must be in spirit and truth. Spirit means your attitude and Truth means the right things. Therefore we must do the right things in worship and they must be done from the heart. What are the right things. These would be the examples we find in the NT. They sang (Eph 5:19), preached (1 Tim 4:2), Prayed (Acts 2:42), Gave (1 Cor 16:1-2), and took communion (1 Cor 11:23ff). I see no examples of a wedding ceremony in the NT scriptures.

Many things seem to be a good idea but are they really. What many jump and shout over God calls it sin. Our worship must be based on biblical doctrine. This is where the truth is found and the only thing that will set us free.

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #6 - Oct 23^rd, 2009, 2:09pm

Quote from uncle_abee on Oct 23^rd, 2009, 1:35pm:

I think the basic question is what is allowed as worship and what is not? If I decided to wave flags during worship could I do that? What if I decided to have a hula hoop contest? The answer to this question is found in the scriptures. Again, it is odd to see that no one yet has consulted the scriptures for an answer on this. If you're talking about worship then you shouldn't want people's opinions. You should want what God has to say. In John 4:24 Jesus says worship must be in spirit and truth. Spirit means your attitude and Truth means the right things. Therefore we must do the right things in worship and they must be done from the heart. What are the right things. These would be the examples we find in the NT. They sang (Eph 5:19), preached (1 Tim 4:2), Prayed (Acts 2:42), Gave (1 Cor 16:1-2), and took communion (1 Cor 11:23ff). I see no examples of a wedding ceremony in the NT scriptures.

Many things seem to be a good idea but are they really. What many jump and shout over God calls it sin. Our worship must be based on biblical doctrine. This is where the truth is found and the only thing that will set us free.

Is listening to a sermon worship?

Are our Sunday morning forms and liturgies specifically endorsed practices in the New Testament? You don't have to be mainline or Catholic to have a "liturgy" for your "worship service." In case you need a hint to that second question, the answer is "no." There is no prescribed liturgy in the New Testament. They sang, preached, gave, and took communion, but notice that you had to jump around scripture to proof-text that?

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Simple Man

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #7 - Oct 24^th, 2009, 1:09pm

Quote from uncle_abee on Oct 23^rd, 2009, 1:35pm:

I think the basic question is what is allowed as worship and what is not? If I decided to wave flags during worship could I do that? What if I decided to have a hula hoop contest? The answer to this question is found in the scriptures. Again, it is odd to see that no one yet has consulted the scriptures for an answer on this. If you're talking about worship then you shouldn't want people's opinions. You should want what God has to say. In John 4:24 Jesus says worship must be in spirit and truth. Spirit means your attitude and Truth means the right things. Therefore we must do the right things in worship and they must be done from the heart. What are the right things. These would be the examples we find in the NT. They sang (Eph 5:19), preached (1 Tim 4:2), Prayed (Acts 2:42), Gave (1 Cor 16:1-2), and took communion (1 Cor 11:23ff). I see no examples of a wedding ceremony in the NT scriptures.

Many things seem to be a good idea but are they really. What many jump and shout over God calls it sin. Our worship must be based on biblical doctrine. This is where the truth is found and the only thing that will set us free.

I have been in few services in my life that exalted Christ and glorified God like that wedding did. I am still stunned by how dynamic a portrayal of Christ's love it was. I am still moved by the testimonies these new Christians gave about heir new birth and spiritual family. I am still envious of how effectively they shared God's love to their visiting friends who are not Christ-followers. I think about how I was stirred t good works by the "sermon in a wedding" EVERYDAY! I suspect God approved of what happened among His people.

It is interesting that you think your opinions are God's ... that you think the selective Scriptures your cut and paste reinforce or even determine your opinions. It would appear you have never really analyzed your assumptions and your motivations at any critical level. I'm glad "your church" does not speak for God or is not the sum total of speaking His Word to humankind.

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JDD

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #8 - Oct 24^th, 2009, 3:47pm

Quote from uncle_abee on Oct 23^rd, 2009, 1:35pm:

(1) If you're talking about worship then you shouldn't want people's opinions. You should want what(2) God has to say. In John 4:24 Jesus says worship must be in spirit and truth. Spirit means your attitude and Truth means the right things. Therefore we must do the right things in worship and they must be done from the heart. What are the right things. These would be the examples we find in the NT.(3) They sang (Eph 5:19), preached (1 Tim 4:2), Prayed (Acts 2:42), Gave (1 Cor 16:1-2), and took communion (1 Cor 11:23ff).(4) I see no examples of a wedding ceremony in the NT scriptures.

(1) Opinions amongst Christians are ok if according to God's principles I'd say, wouldn't you ? Supposedly a renewing of our minds (Biblical principles) will have the effect on followers of Jesus to form personal opinions based on Gods ways, not mans wisdom. At least that should be the goal of our sanctification journey (more and more Jesus like)

(2) I agree

(3) All good things that can be done in worship

(4) Nor prohibited ?

Its my understanding that as long as we go by God's (Biblical) principles in the right spirit we're on very solid ground. When we add mans do's and don'ts to God's instructions we enter into legalism. When Jesus walked the earth he scolded and condemned the religious leaders of the time for all their additions to God's instructions

Anything we're unable to find in Scripture is called a gray area (can we go to movies, dancing, what Bible to use, is internet use ok, music, TV watching etc) and is left to the individual conscience. I would say marrying a man and woman of God during a congregations get together for worship falls in the gray area and having the right spirit to proceed is important (will it offend and cause division etc)

I have an idea the pastor will conduct it before or after the regular worship service, but I could be wrong ?

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Re: A wedding during the morning worship service?
Reply #9 - Oct 24^th, 2009, 4:31pm

Quote from Mercy For All on Oct 23^rd, 2009, 2:09pm:

Is listening to a sermon worship?

According to the Bible I would say learning from God's Word (sermon) is one of the most important parts of worshipping God during the assembly. Paul put strong emphasis on cutting it straight and teaching sound doctrine, and God gave the church gifted teachers to help equip the saints for the work of service and to build up the body (Eph 4:11-13) by teaching from the Bible we learn of God's ways and as we are obedient to His ways we become more mature and as we become more mature we are less vulnerable to be tossed to and fro by various winds of doctrine.

So, yes I'd say the teaching of Scripture is a very vital part of worship. Having said all that I would make a distinction between man made sermons that are topical vs a gifted expository teacher who teaches his way through the Bible verse by verse utilizing a knowledge of the original languages, culture and traditions to help give sense to it's meanings.

It's been my experience that many of the man made sermons are often taught to manipulate behavior (if collections have been sparse they will often teach OT tithing) (which of course is out of context and not applicable to the NT giving from the heart and out of love, not a set percentage). Whereas the expository teaching of verse by verse allows the Holy Spirit to speak to hearts from Gods Word and work in the individuals rather than man trying to do it from the pulpit for his own purposes, which may or may not be of God ?

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