you you you Yeah. Yeah. you Please rise, everyone. you Who gives this woman to be married to this man? We're here for this very happy occasion, and a couple asked that we begin with singing In Christ Alone. Hopefully you all received a copy, and we'll sing that all four stanza. Let's do that standing. silver shining seas. I have heard, I know, I know, here is born the King. ♪ Jesus, I will have the blood to satisfy ♪ ♪ For every sin I'll give the same, here in death I'll rise again ♪ Jesus the Lamb. Jesus the Lamb. We'll first have a word of prayer asking the Lord's blessing on our time together. Dear Lord, as we come before you on this very special and happy occasion with the wedding of Hilbert and Abigail Avers, we pray, bless this time and be with us with your presence. Lord, we thank you for your mercies To them and to us all in bringing us here, this wedding day was planned quite a while ago, and now we may be here. How many kind providences have taken place to make it all possible, and we thank you for your loving kindness and tender mercy. Lord, as we are here, no doubt there are many thoughts that go through people's minds. You know each one here and what all goes through their minds. Lord, we think of the psalmist who said that he had many thoughts within him, but that thy comforts delighted his soul. Whatever he went through, help that that may be the case for us all here now too. We pray, bless this wedding service, bless it for the couple, bless it for the families, bless it for all who are attending. the church family and friends that may be here. Lord, let this service, this time together, be to your glory and honor. We pray for your blessing on the whole day, and we ask it, Lord, acknowledging we don't deserve blessings from you, for we are sinners, but look upon us in Jesus Christ and deal bountifully with us for his namesake. We want to thank you yet, Lord, for traveling mercies, especially for those who came from very far, from the Netherlands. At least 11 of Hilbert's family were able to come. We pray especially for Oma Willie who could not come. Because of her age, remember her as she may be listening with others from Holland. Lord, hear our prayer and receive our praise. In Jesus' name, amen. We will now continue with the wedding form that we use in our churches. We are gathered here, dear friends and relatives, to witness the confirmation of the marriage of Hilbert Avers and Abigail Tulsma, known mostly as Hilbert and Abby. It is good that marriage be confirmed in such a gathering as this and that God's blessing be asked to rest upon it. God the Lord reveals to us in his word that he has created man and woman and destined them for each other, giving them the gift and calling of marriage and promising his blessing upon it. Scripture teaches us that God our Father, who created heaven and earth and all that is therein, created man in his own image, male and female, he created them. He also said, it is not good that man should be alone, I will make a helper comparable to him. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And God blessed them, and God said, Be fruitful and multiply." This excellent gift of God has been blemished by man's fall into sin. But God, who is great in mercy, has been pleased to restore the unity of marriage and to confirm His blessing. For that reason, our Lord Jesus Christ has honored marriage as an institution of His Heavenly Father by His presence and miracles at the marriage at Cana. He also condemned the breaking of the marriage bond when he said, therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. In the apostolic teaching of the New Testament, marriage is recognized as a gift of God, sanctified through the word of God and through prayer. The apostle calls the unity in marriage a great mystery, which he relates to the unity between Christ and the church. For these reasons, the marriage state ought not to be lightly or thoughtlessly entered into, but with reverence and thankfulness and in the fear of the Lord. The bond of marriage for all of life may thus be a matter of joy, in which a man and wife receive love and faithfulness from each other, assistance and dedication. Because of sin, married people also experience much trouble and affliction. Nevertheless, you may, as he has promised, be assured of the grace and help of the Lord. And that you, dear Hilbert and Abby, in your marriage may live according to the commandments of God and trusting His promises, you ought to know for what reasons God has instituted marriage. In the first place, marriage is instituted in order that man and wife, joined together in true love, may belong to each other in joy and may faithfully help and assist each other in all things which belong to temporal and eternal life. In the second place, through marriage, the human race and also the church of the Lord are built. They're built up. And if it pleases God to give you children, you are to raise and guide them in all the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Further, that every man live with his wife and that every woman live with her husband in accordance with the will of God and with a clear conscience so that our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, be not defiled. Next you are to hear from the word of God how you are to behave yourself towards each other in the marriage state. The man, Hilbert, who has been appointed by God to be the head of his wife, shall love his wife, how much? As Christ loves his church. He will lead and comfort her, serve and protect her, even as Christ is the consolation and assistance to his church. The wife, Abby, shall be subject to her husband, even as the church is subject to Christ. She shall love and serve her husband, follow him, care for the family with him, and display the adornment of a meek and quiet spirit. According to the commandment of God, you shall both do your work with faithfulness and dedication. You shall also understand that your family is part of a larger community and that you have a calling with respect to church and society. Live in the fear of the Lord. Remember that you are heirs of the grace of life. Be forgiving and live together in wisdom that your prayers be not hindered. So then, Hilbert Avers and Abigail Tosma, having understood that God has instituted marriage and what he commands you therein as briefly explained, do you declare before God and his holy church that it is your sincere intention to live in this holy state after this manner? And do you desire that your marriage be now solemnized? What is your answer? I do. I do. I take you all present here today at this wedding to witness that there's brought no lawful impediment to this marriage. The Lord confirmed your intention, dear couple, which he has given you. And may the beginning of your marriage be in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. It's now time for the wedding vows. I can't give it to you, so we'll do it. Will this work? I think it will work. I, Hilbert Avers, do solemnly declare before God, and this His Holy Church, that I take to myself and acknowledge as my wife, Abigail Tulsma, here present. I promise that I will, with the gracious help of God, love, honor, and maintain you, and live with you in the holy bonds of marriage according to God's ordinance. I promise to be your husband, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you, I promise to love and cherish you. I promise never to forsake you from this day forward until death do us part or until Christ returns. Abigail? I, Abigail Tolsma, do solemnly declare before God and this is Holy Church that I take to myself and acknowledge as my husband, Hilbert Evers, here present. I promise that I will, with the gracious help of God, love, honor, and obey you, and live with you in the holy bonds of marriage, according to God's ordinance. I promise to be your wife, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you, I promise never to forsake you from this day forward until death do us part or until Christ returns. That was beautiful. And you know, these are sacred vows. We talked about it last evening. Before God and each other, and may He bless you in living by them for as long as you both shall live. In accordance with the ordinances of God and with the civil authority vested upon me by the province of Alberta, I now pronounce you, dear Hilbert Avers and Abigail Tosma, husband and wife. The Father of all mercies, who by His grace called you to this holy state of marriage, bind you in true love and faithfulness, and grant you His blessing. Amen. It's now time for the ring ceremony, and Mark Young, the brother, will have the rings. Hilbert Avers, do you give these rings to Abbey Tulsma, your bride, as a token and symbol of your constant faithfulness and abiding love to her? I do. Abbey Tulsma, do you give this ring to Hilbert, your bridegroom, as a token and symbol of your constant faithfulness and abiding love to him? I do. You may kiss the bride. Dear couple and everyone here, hear now yet from the gospel how firm the bond of marriage is, as described in Matthew 19. The Pharisees, we read, came to Jesus, tempting him and saying to him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said to them, have ye not read that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female? And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore, they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He said unto them, Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wife, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery. And whoso marries her who is put away does commit adultery. Believe these words from Christ dear Hilbert and Abby and be certain and assured that your Lord God has joined you together in this holy state you are therefore to receive whatever befalls you therein with patience and thanksgiving as from the hand of God and thus all things will turn to your advantage and salvation Amen However, considering that we have no good of ourselves and that all good gifts come from above, from the Father of lights, you are asked now to kneel before the face of the Lord so that the congregation, friends and family, may pray with you and for you as you become and are now husband and wife. Congregation, let's sing now together, remaining seated, Psalter 255, stanza three. And during the singing of that, the couple will kneel, and then I'll be praying for them. And then we'll stand to sing 255 stanza 1, okay? So remain seated for the third stanza. After the prayer, we'll sing the first stanza standing. Merciful God and Father, who has brought this bridegroom and bride, Hilbert and Abby, together and united them now through the bond of marriage, we thank you for the blessing given to this couple, that they may go through life together under your care. Grant them this grace that through the love of Christ, they may more and more grow towards each other, bound together in the unity of the true faith, Grant them the strength of your Holy Spirit, enabling them as husband and wife to live together in their family according to your holy will. Grant them your favor, that should it please you to give them children, they may raise them in accordance with the promises and demands of your covenant, in the instruction, discipline, and love of Christ. sanctify the tie that binds them to their blessing to the edifying of your church as a witness to others and to the glory of your holy name hear us father of all mercy for the sake of Jesus Christ your beloved son our Lord in whose name we conclude our prayer with that prayer Jesus taught his disciples saying our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Let's sing standing, stanza one of 255, you stay seated. So I've asked the couple just to remain kneeling for a moment, just to say, you know, this is symbolic of saying, as you get married, Lord, we can't do this on our own. We need you. and let this symbol be characteristic of your married life. Lord, we need you every day to be a faithful husband and wife, to live to the glory of God and for the good of others. When we live in humble dependency on the Lord, we will live in hearty devotion to the Lord and in happy delight together. And may God so bless you. You may stand. And this is in line with a reading yet from Psalm 128, which our form concludes with, blessed is everyone that fears the Lord, that walks in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands. Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house. Thy children, like olive plants, round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fears the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion, and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children and peace upon Israel. Even so, dear Hilbert and Abby, the Lord our God fill you with his grace and grant you that you may long live together in all godliness and holiness. Amen. It's now time for giving the wedding Bible, and the elder of service, Marvin Van Manen, will do that on behalf of the Bethel Pre-Reformed Constituent Congregation. Dear Hilbert and Abby, on behalf of the consistory and congregation of Bethel Free Reformed Church, I may present to you this Bible as a wedding gift. It is our hope and prayer that this will be your most treasured and most used gift. Make the Word of God the cornerstone of your marriage, and it will guide you in all that lays before you. It will lead you through times of trouble and give you words of thankfulness in times of joy. Above all, it will point you to the most precious gift, Christ, the savior of sinners. May God richly bless you as you begin your life together and unite you together in love for Christ. And I close with this verse from Romans 15, verse 13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Congratulations. Amen. Thank you. We now come to the part where they sign the papers, and I'm asking Bart Tolsma and Naomi Robo also to be part of this part. you do do At this point, a couple have asked me to say a few words in Dutch, which we will do before we have the church service part. And this is especially for the family from Holland here, but also those in Holland listening. Even enkele woorden in de Nederlandse taal, ook voor de familie en vrienden die in Holland meeleisteren. Op deze vreugdevolle trouwdag van Hilbert en Abigail is het extra speciaal dat elf Elf familieleden van Hilbert uit Holland hier aanwezig mogen zijn. We danken God dat ze hier veilig mochten revieren en samen met ons mogen zijn. The whole family in Holland and here in Canada is happy and grateful to God that this Christian wedding can take place here today in this church building. In our prayer, we especially think of Hilbert's grandmother, Willie, on his mother's side, who, because of her high age, could not make the trip to Canada. The first part of this service is the formal part, just happened. The couple is officially married as a man and a woman for the city... and signs the marriage form and then the church service. The couple asked me if I wanted to bring a word of God into the sermon... that will be unforgettable for them both in their life journey as a man and a woman. They also asked me to bring the gospel for everyone who may be here with us. And for those who listen via the internet. The miracle of God's Word is that with the blessing of the Holy Spirit, those two go together. Yes, God's Word is now and forever unforgettable. And a hope and a happy message, when we listened, looked at Jesus. The text for the service of faith is Proverbs 3, verse 5 and 6. There God's word says, trust the Lord with all your heart. And do not rely on your mind. Know Him in all your ways, and He will set right your ways. These two verses, which are known to most of us, give us the theme for the sermon. Precious divine guidance. For you both, and also for all of us. Let us note, dear Hilbert and Abigail Evers, and we all with them, that this precious divine guidance is heartily inviting, always Surprisingly extensive and eternally full of promises. In English and Dutch, the first letters of the three points follow your new first letters as a couple. H-A-E. That is done with dedication. You together, Hilbert Abie Evers, on this wedding day, that this wedding text will always be kept in your mind and heart. We pray to God for the necessary blessing of the Holy Spirit on his word, for us and in us all. It is also good to ask in Dutch, that we will all pray for Hilbert and Abby, especially if Abby were to move to Holland, in the city of Tuttingham, far from here. She does this with joy, yes, certainly as the wife of her husband. But it also comes with tears when she has to say goodbye to her family, friends and community here in Alberta. At the same time, she is grateful for Hilbert and all his family and also the municipality there. These few words in Dutch are spoken in love for all of you in Holland and for living together on this joyful wedding day. Now we go to the church service. Let's all stand and we're going to sing Psalter 425, the first three stanzas. Psalter 425, the first three stanzas, and then please remain standing for the votum and salutation. together our help is in the name of the Lord who made the heavens and the earth and who in Christ Jesus continues an overflowing fountain of good and this God greets us saying grace mercy and peace be to you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ in the communion of the Holy Spirit amen you may be seated We are reading two portions of scripture. First, from the New Testament, 1st John, 1st John chapter four. If you want to follow along in the pew Bible, 1st John four, verse seven to 16. And then we go to Proverbs three. The first eight verses in Proverbs 3. But first, 1 John 4, beginning at verse 7, hear the word of God. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. And everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not knows not God, for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he has given us of his spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the father sent the son to be the savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Then Proverbs 3, beginning at verse 1. Proverbs 3. My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of days and long life and peace shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck. Write them upon the table of thine heart. So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thine navel, and marrow to thy bones. So far, the Holy Spirit-inspired scriptures of God. May God bless just the reading of his word to us. Well, dear bridegroom and bride, Hilbert and Abigail, today you married the one you love. From now on, you have the calling and the responsibility to love the one you married. It took a lot for today to happen. Don't be surprised it'll take a lot to love the one you married going on. and to grow in being loving to each other, as God calls for that from each husband and wife in married life. Thanks be to God, the Lord graciously gives us what we need as we look to Him. And He guides and blesses us also in this relationship, wonderful relationship in which you entered. Indeed, praise God as confessing Christians, with God at your side, you will triumph, dear couple, time and again. And even hard times in life, they will be times of growing love and appreciation and dedication and commitment and respect. and even enjoyment of each other as husband and wife. For sure, by God's grace, when couples marry in the Lord with His word as their wedding manual, marriage becomes an exciting and exhilarating relationship. that is both so humbling and so enriching as well. We pray that both of you will experience this too, and that your first home together in Dutinchem, do I say that right? Something like that, in Holland, be a stable and happy home, a place you always like to come back to, and that's home sweet home for you. Yes, for the both of you and for the children the Lord may be pleased to give you and for all who visit you from near and far. We should pause for a moment just to give a brief update for the congregation on your lives together the last while. You both were raised in Christian covenant homes and Reformed churches. you have each in the last years become somewhat established in your careers. You, Hilbert, work as an electrician, and Abby as an educational assistant, and God has blessed you in your different roles that way. And in God's kind providence, you met each other here when Hilbert was on a work team or a work term here in Alberta, and after dating, and a long-distance relationship of more than a year, lo and behold, today is your wedding day where you have just now pledged to be husband and wife for life. Neither of you, as far as I know, ever dreamed of it being so even two years ago. Finding the love of your life and being married now, wow. God has been so good to you each and both. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, right? It is neat, by the way, to have observed you both, though only a little, how in your relationship you complement each other in different ways. How good and important always to appreciate that as such a gift from God. How you can bless and help each other. with each other's strengths, also when either is down or discouraged for whatever reasons. Abby, learn to trust and respect the strengths and love of your husband, Hilbert. And Hilbert, learn to respect and to benefit from the gifts and intuitions of your wife, Abby. You two have have been blessed by God to be brought together. And God's gracious design in marriage is that, as married couple now, you become more than what you ever could be if you stayed single. You become more. Even so, God bless you and make you a blessing. From this day onward, we pray. And here, the scripture text for the wedding service is very fitting, as you begin your married life together. Proverbs 3, verse 5 and 6. It's probably a text you learned at some point in your younger years. But its riches are inexhaustible. And these words can serve as your marriage motto going forward, as husband and wife. Proverbs 3, 5 and 6. What does God's word say there? Trust in the Lord. with all thine heart, and lead not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Let's think briefly on these words under the theme, precious divine guidance for the both of you and all of us too. For this big day and all your life forward, these two verses as your wedding text now give precious divine guidance. Precious divine guidance, let's notice, dear Hilbert and Abigail Avers, that is heartily inviting, amazingly comprehensive, and ever promising. Our three main points, you might notice, follow your new initials as a couple, H-A-E. And intentionally so, again, to help you always keep this wedding text in mind and heart. Let's first consider how it's such a heartily inviting word from God. Dear bridal couple and all here, you know that we live in a day where marriage is often dishonored and despised. Marriage and family is under attack in our times. How can you as married couple show each other and others in the extended family and in our churches and communities, how can you show blessed, happy, holy marriage as God intended it? Sometime ago, I saw a big truck with a logo on it. In it for the long haul. In it for the long haul. And that logo was saying, we deliver the goods all the way, all the time. Well, how can you and your marriage be in it for the long haul and deliver the goods till death do you part or Christ returns? Isn't it by time and again taking heed to what Your wedding text now invitingly calls you to do and encourages and exhorts you to do. These verses given in Proverbs 3, 5, and 6, they're often put on wall plaques, which is great, but it's not only a wall plaque for your home, but pray God it may serve as a lamp to your feet and a light upon your path going on from here. Your text for this service is heartily inviting you each and both in the way of God's grace and grant gospel way of true love. That's obvious. The whole book of Proverbs really focuses on wisdom's way. And wisdom's way is the way of true love to God and true love to our neighbor through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Follow God's way, so right and good. That's the invitation. And not to go the way of sin and this ungodly world, for that's the fool's way, according to the book of Proverbs. So your wedding text is encouraging you from the start now, as a couple, in God's way. And it's heartily inviting time and again, every day and week, to do what specifically? What does the text say? Well, positively speaking, the text urges constantly, in every circumstance, whatever your feelings, to trust and acknowledge the Lord, and His word and will, in all your ways. Plus then, that's reinforced with the writer saying negatively, be sure not to lean on your own understanding and just to do your own thing and go in your own way, ignoring the Lord and His guidance. Well, what does it mean to trust and acknowledge the Lord? In our premarital talks together, we discussed this several times. It means, doesn't it, time and again, to own and confess the Lord and your need of Him as the one only true God and acknowledging His word is so right and true. It's from God to us and that He's the one you want to trust and follow and obey in your life. Yes, also now in this new relationship as husband and wife. And isn't this, praise God, each and both your Christian testimony by God's grace? Isn't God so good and kind, dear couple, in being so heartily inviting to you always and again, humbly to rely on Him going forward? You have wedding guests here from all over, and that's really special, but notice our text speaks of God Himself. heartily inviting his whole self and all his word to be your guide and your help moving forward. God is saying in our text to you, listen to me, follow me and my word in all your ways so that you may really be blessed. For that is the way of true and ultimate blessing also in your married life. We have to say even, how dare anyone marry actually without having God the Lord and his word as your guide and guard in life? Also for marriage. Yes, also in those times, you know, in marriage when feelings of romance are seemingly or maybe even simply absent, and at times more missing than present, that happens. True love for each other is not without feelings, of course, but the reality is feelings come and go in the best of relationships. Yet with covenantal commitment for life, with the Lord God at your side, and with his word as your guide, that's what holds marriage together and keeps the spark in your relationship in true and steadfast love as the years go by. When you have him as your guide and guard, that's the way of real blessing. Dear Hilbert and Abigail, you are marrying each other at a time in life when you each have lived, well, more or less independently for some years already. And thus, each of you is, yeah, more or less set in your ways. And that's not bad, of course, but it does mean, no doubt, you both will be stretched and strained at times, learning to live in harmony and love together. Don't compete to see who's most set in their ways, but compete in being most sacrificial to each other in your ways. You know, that's the excitement in marriage, but also the challenge in marriage, often. Sometimes the littlest things can become sudden snags and baits for hurtful arguments and sinful friction and angry impatience towards each other that you just never thought possible. Sometimes we can be so unloving to the person we say we love the most. Oh, how will you handle those times and overcome it in ways that you actually learn to understand and appreciate each other more and not less? Dear married couple, it's by listening repeatedly to your wedding text and it's hearty invitation and asking the Lord to lead you and to help you and to bless you time and again. How stubborn we can be also as spouses with each other. leaning on her own understanding. No doubt you will discover that too. But when you do, let it humble you and be sincerely sorry, and look to the Lord for forgiveness, and then be good forgivers to each other, looking to the Lord, the faithful Savior God, and covenant God. And he will help you. He will help you. And he will help you to grow in love and care, even through sometimes challenging times. Yes, regardless of challenges and trials you may face in life. For sure, don't let the sun ever go down in anger with each other still. And be ready, forgivers, and be quick to make up over and over, God helping you time and again. Well, what will it mean, dear Hilbert and Abby, when you truly heed the precious divine guidance of our text as given in Proverbs 3? with his so heartily inviting. words to us time and again. Won't it mean, dear couple, you each and both regularly reading God's word, like private devotions, family devotions, and having Sunday worship under the word preached as your weekly highlight that you diligently attend to as best you can? You know, the whole book of Proverbs is precious divine guidance, heartily inviting, especially to the younger generation, and how blessed when it is taken to heart. Whereas on the other hand how sad when it is despised and and rejected How good when you help and exhort each other also husband and wife time and again to live by this book The Lord who instituted marriage he gives the best counsel on marriage in his Word He is in and through Christ, you know, also the heavenly bridegroom of His people. And He teaches and shows us, doesn't He, the way of true love and steadfast love, as otherwise just cannot be known or shown by us. And this explains, too, our reading from 1 John 4, where God's Word calls us to know and abide in God's love. and so to thrive and flourish in the way we should go in our relationship to his praise and for our mutual good. In that regard, please listen, dear newlyweds, to this poem about marriage. And not just you, but everyone here, also anyone who's married and who may be struggling in your marriage, here's a poem that might help you to get back on track. You know, in our fallen, sinful condition of ourselves, None of us actually knows how to love truly another person as God calls us to do. And how important that we each humbly admit this reality. So listen now to these words in this poem entitled Marriage Takes Three. Marriage takes three to be complete. It's not enough for two to meet. You must be united in love by love's creator, God above. Then your love will be firm and strong, able to last when things go wrong, because you felt God's love and know He's always there. He'll never go. It's when you both have loved Him in kind with all the heart and soul and mind. Then in His love, you'll find the way to love each other every day. A marriage that follows God's plan takes more than just a woman and a man. It needs a oneness that can only come from Christ. Yes, marriage takes three. Well, how true this is really. And here your wedding text again gives such precious divine guidance exactly because it's always heartily inviting and calling you and all of us to go to the Lord in all our needs and responsibilities. Yes, on both good days and not so good days. It's graciously telling us always salvation help and true everyday blessing and strength is found with the Lord. including knowing how to love one another and growing in love for each other as husband and wife as the years go by. So dear Hilbert and Abigail, may you always be drawn by the hearty invitation of Proverbs 3, 5, and 6. And may this word from God for you as wedding text now give you each and both together so much joy and peace and comfort and confidence in your marriage starting today and for as long as you both shall live. We must, and we may say here now, too, surely, God's word and counsel to us is inviting to all peoples, all of us here now, too, this afternoon, whoever has ears to hear. God's word and guidance is not just for a select few, but for all peoples to trust and obey him and his word by God's grace and spirit. Yes, even when you may feel hopelessly unworthy, as maybe someone does here, I don't know, In Jeremiah 22, verse 29, the spirit-led prophet Jeremiah, he says, oh earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. And in Isaiah 45, 22, we hear the prophet say in God's name, look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else. While the scripture text is in connection with this couple now getting married, it's a hearty invitation is for all peoples who will hear God's word. Also when you are in whatever trouble and turmoil, come to this Savior God and pour out your heart to him and he will be your helper and your Savior in all your needs. I pray that no one listening now will ignore God's word or harden your heart against it as it is lovingly addressed to us all, not just to this couple, but to everyone here. Proverbs 3, 5, and 6, dear couple, gives precious divine guidance for the both of you and for all of us too. Yes, not only with it being such a heartily and helpfully inviting word, but notice next, isn't it so amazingly and astoundingly comprehensive as well? And by comprehensive, we mean it covers everything in our lives, the whole of our life. How does it do that? You know how it comes out so clearly in these two verses? With the little word all. that you find two times. Here, let me repeat the whole text again, listen. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct, or you could translate, he shall make straight thy paths. Do you see and hear with me that these verses are calling for wholehearted trust in the Lord all the time, with all our heart, in all our ways, with all our needs, We are to go to Him. We are to seek and serve the Lord, yes, individually and now also as married couple. This text is so amazingly and astoundingly comprehensive. You may bring everything to the Lord as you go forward. Do you see it? It's telling us there ought not be any part of your heart that you fail to entrust to the Lord. nor any detail in life you refuse to bring to him or listen to God's word and will about. Yes, also in your married life. And you know, dear couple, this is so encouraging. In the Kasisti room, the elder of service said in his prayer, we don't know what your future is, but you know, if you have this God as your God, you can be so comforted, so confident for the future, because all you may bring to him What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to Him in prayer. And that's what you may do. Our text, your text is calling you humbly and lovingly and patiently to help and encouraging each other to ever look to the Lord for everything with all your heart. And so to grow in true love to God and in Christ-like love and service to each other and those around us. Again, by God's design, dear couple, marriage is intended to be such a picture and reflection of Christ's love to his church and of the church's devotion to their savior. But, you know, that won't happen, this kind of happy reliance on the Lord. When you refuse to take the two all words most seriously, or when you negotiate those words, compromise. No, Proverbs 3, 5, 6, it's saying, isn't it true, we need to commit our whole life and all our needs to the Lord, and he will help us. Dear Bride and Bridegroom and everyone here, let these two all words from the text be, as it were, in bold print, and like bookends on your life, also your married life, something which reminds yourselves and each other time and again We give everything over to God as you go forward. You know, here we could tell whether someone's a true follower of Christ or not. Because people that are not true followers of Christ, they change their word all to some. I'll acknowledge them in some of my ways. I'll look to him in some of my cares. No, that's not the Christian way. All your ways, all your needs. May no one here deceive themselves in that way, in any respect, just living partially for God, half-heartedly for God. No, that's being hypocritical and not truly listening to our text. You know, in true conversion, we are led by God's word and spirit to confess all our sins and sinfulness. and to trust God in Christ as Savior with all our heart, and to acknowledge Him in all our ways, with all our needs. Can that be said, what describes you today, everyone in this service here, listening now, maybe online as well. Again, this is the Lord's Gospel call to you both as bridegroom and bride, and really to us all as wedding guests here today. Without a doubt, how truly marvelous and joyful and helpful, when by God's grace and spirit, We live in spirit and truth as Proverbs 3, 5, and 6 urges us to do. Now, dear Hilbert and Abigail, your wedding text, for you to hear and be with you, gives such precious divine guidance. Not only because it's so heartily inviting and so amazingly comprehensive, but lastly, notice, it's so everlastingly promising, too. It's clearly ever promising with the Lord being the object of the trust and refuge. Lord here in the text is in capital letters, refers to Jehovah, our covenant, faithful, unchanging, eternal God. In addition to that, see the specific pledge also at the end of verse six. What does it say there? And he shall direct thy paths. That means God pledges here that trusting and following him and his word you will not be put to shame in the original it even says he himself will direct your paths and we know that that meant In the long run, the Lord Jesus, coming down to this earth, He came down to lead us, to remember us in mercy, and to save sinners. Oh, always the Lord, the one and only true God, has revealed in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Savior of sinners. He will direct you in good and right ways, even as you ever look to Him. God leads His own. We're married also in the blessed way of faithful and beautiful, bountiful, Christ-like love. And you and I, and everyone here, so living for God and good, for the benefit of each other and for those around us. The Lord God, Triune, is a divine expert at making straight that which is crooked. As the Bible teaches us throughout, it is in and with Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord, that we find fullness of life, abundant life, and eternal life, whereas to live apart from Him is death, regardless of any temporary appearances otherwise. Well, with God, dear couple, as your good shepherd, you are safe and sound, regardless of dangers all around, from within or outside us. With Jesus at the helm as your pilot, so to speak, also as married couple, all will be well, come what may, and no matter the storms you may encounter. In your anxieties, for whatever reasons, also, Abby, move into Holland, keep trusting God. and calling to him for his mercy and help and you will be strengthened time and again. This is God's promise and every true believer will testify the Lord has never failed us yet. Just think of what Joshua told the Israelites at the end of his life, when they had entered the promised land, as told in Joshua 21. All came to pass. How good to keep learning, too. It's only always because of Jesus Christ and His once-for-all salvation work, even to the death on the cross. on sinners behalf, that the Lord is an endless fountain of blessing and help for all who trust and follow him. As the apostle Paul exclaims in Romans 8, he that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? And the same apostle says in 2 Corinthians 1, for all the promises of God are in him, that is, in and through Christ Jesus, Yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Well, what an altogether encouraging text, then, to begin married life with, don't you agree? Indeed, as one song puts it, happy the home when God is there, and love fills everyone, when with united work and prayer, the Master's will is done. Lord, let us in our homes agree this blessed peace to gain. Unite our hearts in love to Thee, and love to all will reign. Indeed, that's what living by your wedding text brings about, and being ever so directed by His Word and Spirit. And may God so richly bless you, dear Hilbert and Abby Avers. May your married life together be beyond your wildest dreams, and may you both give happy and growing testimony and witness in years to come that you are just so thankful and blessed to be married to each other. Surely God's word, including your wedding text now, gives you to that end such precious divine guidance, always so heartily inviting, so amazingly comprehensive, and so ever promising. You won't forget it, will you? Ha-ah-ay. And how good for us all to know and relate to others how nothing, nothing directs and makes straight our paths for good, most helpfully, amazingly and excellently as God and His Holy Spirit inspired unfailing gospel word and trusting and obeying it in our lives. God so bless you and to Him be all the glory for His boundless love in Christ Jesus, both now and forever. Amen. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for this little time together. Under your word, in this momentous occasion, when two become one and go out in life together as husband and wife. Lord, protect them, bless them, uphold them, undergird them, surround them with your love. and your peace and your care and your keeping and make them a mighty example even in their own family context and in their church context and Lord to the watching world. May we as Christians give evidence that it's so good to be married in the Lord and to have families under the blessing of the Lord. Lord, will you so help us and bless us and make us a blessing. There can be so much that can hinder us, but keep the evil one away and help us to live by your word. Also this text from Proverbs 3. Lord, bless this day further. Bless all the celebration time. Keep us safe on the roads. Bless the couple when they go on a honeymoon. Be with the family that returns to Holland next week. Be with the couple when they return to Holland in October, October 8. Lord, bless them and be near them. Lord, forgive all that which was sinful even in this special time, and look upon us in Jesus, and give us a happy day to your honour and glory. And we ask all these things in Jesus' name alone. Amen. Let's now sing together Psalter 430, which the couple has chosen. The couple has chosen all these songs. And it's a praise song. And the people in Holland will know the tune also, again, because the tune is similar in Holland. And after the singing of that song, we'll sing this song standing. Please remain standing for the benediction and for the doxology. Blessing. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be and remain with you all. Amen. to you this couple, but before I do, they're asking that they're going to go out, and the family, and then we're just going to give them a minute or two to get settled out there as to what you're going to do, and then we'll follow, okay? So they're going to go out, the family, close the doors, just talk to each other for a few minutes, and then we'll go out, correct? So now it's my great honor to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert and Abby Avers.