First Presbyterian Church
A. Introduction
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well being of the entire human family. For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.
~ Presbyterian Book of Order W-4.9001
A service of Christian marriage is more than a social convention. It is an ordinance of the church and a witness to the world of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The session of First Presbyterian Church has adopted this policy in order:
• to enable couples married at First Presbyterian Church to understand the nature of their Christian Commitment;
• to insure that the facilities of the church are used in keeping with the Directory for Worship of the Book of Order;
to bear a faithful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
B. Who may be considered for marriage at First Presbyterian Church?
Because marriage is an act of Christian discipleship, both the man and the woman seeking marriage should be professing Christians. At a minimum, either the man or the woman must be a professing Christian.
Because marriage takes place within the life and work of a Christian community, couples should ordinarily be active members of First Presbyterian Church at least nine months before date of marriage. Members’ fees will apply to those meeting the above requirement.
Exception: Non-members and former members of First Presbyterian Church who wish to be married in the sanctuary must apply to the pastor, who may exercise discretion in deciding who may enter the pre-marital counseling process. Non-member residents of Maysville and the surrounding area who do not have a church home are expected, at a minimum, to have been active in the life of First Presbyterian Church for at least two months before beginning the pre-marital counseling process, and attend worship at least four times during the counseling period. Those residing in other communities should be active members of a local church.
C. Pre-Marital Counseling
The pre-marital counseling process may begin as early as one year, but no later than four months prior to a proposed marriage date.
1. Those wishing to begin pre-marital counseling must first fill out an initial inquiry form and arrange for a conference with the pastor. At this time, the pastor may pencil in a tentative date for the wedding on the church calendar. This date should not be publicized, nor should invitations be printed until the pre-marital counseling is completed and the pastor’s approval has been given.
2. The couple may be referred by the pastor to a counselor for a minimum of three sessions. The pastor may elect to do the counseling himself.
3. The pastor meets with the couple following their counseling sessions and if the pastor is convinced of the couple’s commitment, responsibility, maturity, and Christian understanding, the pastor may approve the marriage. If the pastor deems the marriage unwise the pastor shall assure the couple of the church’s continuing concern for them and not conduct the ceremony. (Book of Order W-9003b).
4. If the pastor approves the marriage, the wedding date is confirmed on the church calendar.
D. The Wedding: A Service of Worship
Christian marriage should be celebrated in the place where the community gathers for worship. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the pastor. With the approval of the Session, the Lord’s Supper may be celebrated during the marriage service, and the invitation to the Table will be given to all baptized Christians.
E. Ministerial Leadership
Ordinarily the pastor of First Presbyterian Church will have the privilege of performing weddings in its sanctuary. The invitation for another minister to take part in the service must come from the pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Couples should not invite other clergy to take part in the service before consulting the pastor, who takes the request to the Session for its decision.
F. Order of Service
The pastor must approve the order of service. All parts of the ceremony should be appropriate to Christian worship and acceptable offerings to God.
G. Wedding Coordinator
First Presbyterian Church has a Wedding Coordinator who directs all weddings for members as well as non-members. The bride will be contacted by the Wedding Coordinator, and appropriate meetings will be scheduled prior to the wedding date.
H. Music
Music which accompanies the service should direct attention to God, who sanctifies marriage, and special care should be taken to assure that it is suitable and reverent. The singing of hymns by the congregation is encouraged. Secular love songs and music inappropriate for worship will not be permitted. All music must be approved by the pastor or the organist of First Presbyterian Church. The use of recorded music is not permitted.
I. Musicians
Like the pastor, the organist of First Presbyterian Church has the privilege and responsibility of leading worship at weddings, and shall ordinarily play for all weddings. Another organist or other musicians may be invited to take part in weddings at the discretion of the organist of First Presbyterian Church. Instrumentalists and vocal soloists shall be under the direction of the organist of First Presbyterian Church.
J. Symbols and Decorations
The communion table and pulpit are symbols of faith and may not be moved from the view of the congregation or obscured by flowers, candles, or other decorations. The placement of such decorations must be approved by the Wedding Coordinator.
Decoration of the sanctuary will be at the expense of the wedding party. The sanctuary is designed so that a minimum of flowers and greenery is needed. Flowers may be placed on the communion table. If the bride and groom wish to have flowers remain in the sanctuary for worship on Sunday as a way of sharing the event with the congregation, please discuss this with the Wedding Coordinator.
A candelabra is available for use on the altar. If other candles are desired, they must be provided by the wedding party. Only dripless tube type candles will be permitted, as the wind from the heating/air conditioning can cause wax candles to burn unevenly, which causes the wax to drip. Have the rental agent check all candles to be sure they fit securely and will burn. Aisle cloths are not necessary on the carpeted floor of the sanctuary.
No tacks, nails, pins, screws, or any other object shall be driven into walls, floors, pews, or other furnishings. Pew markers may be tied with ribbons or secured with rubber bands or pipe cleaners only.
Because of the safety hazard they pose, no rice or bird seed may be thrown in the buildings or on the sidewalks.
K. Photographs and Video Recording
Flash photos may be taken in the sanctuary before or after the service by arrangement with the Wedding Coordinator.
The service begins with the first word spoken by the pastor and ends with the last word. Before the service begins, flash photographs may be taken in the narthex. Photographers may not enter the main floor of the sanctuary during the service.
Time exposures not requiring flash or distracting noises may be taken from the balcony by the professional photographer or by some other designated person.
Video taping is permitted in consultation with the Wedding Coordinator. Video cameras may be set up in the balcony.
Immediately after the service, the wedding party may return to the sanctuary for the taking of pictures.
L. Rehearsals
Rehearsals are ordinarily scheduled the evening before the wedding and will be placed on the church calendar at the time the wedding is scheduled on the calendar.
M. Children in the Wedding Party
The use of children as ring bearers or flower girls must be discussed with the Wedding Coordinator. Children, four years of age and younger, may not be part of the wedding party.
M. Intoxicants
No one, including the bride and groom, under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicants shall be allowed to take part in the rehearsal or the marriage service. The minister has the prerogative of canceling both rehearsal and ceremony if this restriction is not observed.
O. Custodial Service
The church custodian shall be employed to clean up the sanctuary and/or fellowship hall before and after all weddings. The custodian’s fees are stated in the Summary of Fees and Honoraria.
P. Use of the Sanctuary
Wedding parties will be responsible for the order of the church property for the next service. This is especially important for weddings held on Saturdays. All properties of florists, caterers, or other persons employed to assist with the wedding must be removed after the wedding.
The sanctuary is ordinarily planned to be heated/air-conditioned for a total of four hours. If additional time is requested, an additional hourly fee will be charged.
Q. Use of the Fellowship Hall
Receptions in the fellowship hall are ordinarily planned for up to four hours, including hours needed for preparation. If additional time is requested, a modest additional hourly fee will be charged. Alcohol or any other intoxicants are not allowed in the building or on the premises.
R. Scheduling
If more than one wedding is requested for the same date, a four hour time schedule will be reserved for each, with the first request being given priority at the time the wedding is confirmed and placed on the church calendar.