Weddings at St. Mark Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and thank you for considering St. Mark for your ceremony. The first step – to be taken by both the prospective bride and groom – is to read and meditate on the brief paragraphs below and to decide if this is what you believe a marriage and wedding should be.      In a Christian marriage the bride and groom recognize their dependence upon God for the gift of life and its blessings. They decide to make the rest of their life’s journey as partners, to take the way of Jesus of Nazareth as the pattern for their life together and to mark their commitment to one another in the presence of God in a worship service called a wedding. This means that the couple’s marriage will serve not only their own interests to make a home together, but also, God’s interest in making this hurt and divided world a better place. The members of St. Mark Presbyterian Church hope that your wedding will be the beginning of a journey that will be blessed by God as you seek to be a blessing to others. Presbyterians understand a wedding service to be first, and foremost, Christian worship. An important part of the Constitution of our denomination deals with worship and opens with these words:      Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God’s service in the world. [W-1.000] Book of Order So, a wedding is worship, which is festive drama – our joyous response to Christ’s presence and life’s gifts. Creative expression is encouraged. The constitution says this about “artistic expression” in worship:     [Our] reformed heritage has called upon people to bring worship material offerings, which in their simplicity of form and function direct attention to what God has done and to the claim that God makes upon human life. The people of God have responded through creative expressions in architecture, furnishings, appointments, vestments, music, drama, language and movement. When these artistic creations awaken us to God’s presence, they are appropriate for worship. When they call attention to themselves, or are present for the beauty as an end in itself, they are idolatrous. Artistic expressions should evoke, edify, enhance, and expand worshippers’ consciousness of the reality and grace of God. [W-1.3034(2)] Book of Order Now, if the words above ring true for you both, you are ready to take step two, and we will be thrilled to be part of your wedding planning. If not, if something in these words troubles you, Gary Collins, St. Mark’s pastor, will be more than happy to talk with you. Please, call the church office at 949.644.1341, or stop by to set a time to meet. We think you and your wedding are important and want very much to make a positive contribution to your life together. Step 2 – To get the date of your wedding on St. Mark’s master calendar, contact the Office Manager, Sandy Spangler by telephone only at 949.644.1341 and she will guide you through the steps for planning your wedding at St. Mark. Thank you, again, for considering St. Mark for your wedding celebration.