Wedding Arrangements |
 As
a community of Christians, we are committed to the health of homes
and joy of marriages. The quality of our lives in this world is
measured by the quality of our relationships. We, therefore, see
marriage as a divine gift and wedding ceremonies as sacred rites.
Our church seeks to participate in God's purpose by aiding a couple's
thoughtful preparation for this most fulfilling and challenging
relationship.
To ensure the sanctity of marriages joined at Saratoga Federated
Church, we require the following agreements:
- The engaged couple will meet with a pastor, who will ascertain
that there is a suitable basis for their union in Christian
marriage.
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- The engaged couple will agree to three (or more) pre-marital
counseling sessions.
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- The wedding ceremony will be conducted in a manner consistent
with its sacred meaning for Christian believers.
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Availability
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| First, we are eager to host weddings for church members and
participants and their family members. Our pastors consider it
a privilege to be present and involved in this huge event in the
life of couples and their families. |
| Second, we are thrilled at the opportunity to host and perform
ceremonies for people who do not have a church family. Weddings
are a marvelous doorway into renewed faith and Christian community.
We would love to see the influence of prayer and premarital counseling
bringing hope to couples making this sacred commitment. |
| Sadly, because of time and space availability, we DO NOT host
weddings for couples who have another church home. While we know
that our chapel and sanctuary are both attractive wedding sites,
the investment of our staff and resources into weddings for Christians
from other churches is simply not a priority for us. We don't mean
to exclude anyone, but only to make the most of the stewardship
of our time and space. |
| For all of our weddings, we require: |
- At least three hours of premarital counseling offered by our
own pastors or by an approved counselor or pastor.
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- Our own pastoral, coordinating and worship staff to be on the
campus and to participate in some way. Guest musicians and visiting
pastors may participate under the direction of our own church
staff.
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- Evidence that both bride and groom desire to include and honor
God in their wedding. While some might not have a defined Christian
faith, we are eager to serve people who want to know how God
can bring real help to their lives and marriages. And there are
parts of the ceremony that call on God and commit before God.
We don’t want those moments to be thoughtless or untrue.
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