“Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:22). Upon reading this verse, we can imagine a father taking his daughter to the man she chose to marry. This verse will prove to us that God really designed marriage and it is very vital for every couple who are living together to have the blessing of the LORD before they start building a family.
As a church, we also believe and treasure the Word of God so deeply that we want to use every opportunity to help the people around our community to have a right relationship with God, like those who are living together without the blessing of the LORD.
And our desire has been answered by God as He made a way to accomplish this mission because on January 28, 2017, a mass wedding was held at our church’s sanctuary. This event was financed by our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Jo, and his wife as part of the celebration of their silver wedding anniversary. Twenty couples have been given opportunity to make their relationships right in the sight of men and most especially in the sight of God.
This has been one of the most memorable events that were held in our church and has been used as an opportunity to share the gospel to the visitors and to those couples who are not yet surrendering their lives to Christ Jesus as their personal LORD and Savior.
In addition to the fact that this was financed by our Senior Pastor and his wife, this also became a church effort as members teamed up in making this occasion successful.
Let me take you to the journey of how God guides us for this ceremony.
THE PREPARATION
As we only have 6 days to prepare for this event and we want to save the majority of the budget for food, we come up with a plan to use materials that are cheap and easy to find. We use all the resources that we can find from our houses and contact those church members that we believe have the materials that we need to decorate our sanctuary for the mass wedding. And indeed, supportive brethren immediately responded and we gathered quickly the things we need.
Our Sunday school classroom became like a factory where every church members who have volunteered has their own assigned task. Every volunteer gave their best effort to help in achieving our goal as a church — to show the love of God to those couples who will get married by making this mass wedding successful.
On the last hours of preparation, more volunteers came to church to help in setting up everything before the ceremony starts.
And finally, the sanctuary is ready.
ON THE RED CARPET
“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NKJV).
The sponsors first walked on the red carpet followed by the flower girls.
The time has finally come for the brides to walk down the isle as their groom wait for them at the altar. Different emotions can be seen from them as they are about to walk on the red carpet. Some are nervous, some are overwhelmed and some are emotional as if that will be their first time to see their grooms.
The excitement of the brides to be with their grooms can be seen in their eyes.
And when they are finally together….
Their gladness and excitement are evident on their faces as they are about to become one flesh, not just in their sight but most especially in God’s.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony started with a prayer led by Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Jo followed by sharing of the Word of God.
The couples attentively listen to Pastor Jeff as he shared what the Bible says about marriage and how important it is for the LORD and why their decision to get married is a proof of their reverence to God.
Pastor Jeff also emphasized the importance of the Bible and why they should meditate on it day and night.
After the sharing of the WORD, Pastor Jeff asked the couples, beginning with the gentlemen, if they accept each other as husbands and wives. After that, he explained to everyone the symbolism of the rings that they are about to wear before asking each couple to speak their wedding vows.
And then the ceremony ended with the most awaited line: “I now pronounce you husband and wife, … You may now kiss the bride.
THE RECEPTION
While the couples and the sponsors are posing for pictures, brethren who are assigned to set up the chairs and table amazingly turned the sanctuary into a reception area.
After the picture taking, the couples were assisted to their seats and eventually the waiters (who are also church members) served the food that were prepared for them. The newlyweds were treated as VIPs. Whenever they need something, the waiters are ready and willing to assist them.
While they are eating, a young lady from our church sang to them beautiful love songs.
For the guests of the newlyweds, we set up a buffet table where brethren assigned for the food happily served them.
Outside the church building, the guests of the newlyweds have assigned waiters to assist them as they enjoy their food.
The reception became more exciting as the slices of cakes for each couple were served. Pastor Jeff first explained its symbolic meaning, which is related to husband being the provider and the wife preparing meals for her spouse and their children.
The last part of the program is indeed a unique one, compared to common mass weddings offered, as each newlywed received gifts (which are given mostly by church members). Their gladness is evident as they pose for pictures while holding their gifts.
They are indeed felt blessed and their testimonies after the program proved it. One of the lines that was spoken by one of the newlywed ladies is strikingly memorable when she said: “Totoo ngang may forever” (Truly there is forever).
This event indeed proved us that forever will only be real if we will allow God to be part of it. Marriage is a sacred part of someone’s life, designed by God to be treasured. This wedding of grace allows us (as a church) to be part of this wonderful event in the lives of these couples who truly obeyed the will of the LORD in their lives by taking an oath before Him that they will love each other unconditionally, a love that can only be given if Jesus will be the center of it. Their marriage may not be perfect, but it will never change the fact that they are no longer two, but one.
To God be all the Glory!
Galing nman ng pagkakagawa…sarap basahin ng paulit ulit…nkakabless…sana lahat ng memorable at important events na ganito ay may files tayo na tulad nito.. masarap balikbalikan.
Kuddos to the CCSGM workers! Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. May you continue to serve our Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart and soul. I pray that these couples will continue to have a growing relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now and forever. To God be all the glory!