The Rite of Marriage in the Church at Immanuel Lutheran is intended for the lifelong union of one man and one woman who desire to begin and sustain their life together under the word of God and in the Lutheran church. Both parties should, therefore, be baptized. 

In marriage a man and woman leave their parental homes and establish a new home together. Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and the two become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). This leaving honors the parents, and under normal circumstances, both families will be present at the wedding, giving their joyful consent. 

The wedding ceremony symbolizes that marriage is not created by the will of the couple alone. In the processional, the readings, the wording of the marriage vows, a possible candle ceremony and the prayers, God gives the woman to the man and the man to the woman, to live together as husband and wife in the fellowship of Christ’s body, the church. 

It is expected that the newly married couple will desire to gather regularly with God’s people on the Lord’s day to worship. Thereby, after the pattern of Genesis 1, their work and rest become a holy offering to God, filled with his presence, hope and love.

marriage at immanuel