Weddings at FBC
The First Baptist Church of Paden City believes the wedding ceremony is one of the most sacred ceremonies of the church. A wedding ceremony is a time of worship. Nothing in your life is more sacred than your relationship to God and each other.
There are only two institutions that God has ordained, the church and the home. Therefore, marriage is a sacred institution, ordained by God Almighty. Marriage is always a three-way relationship involving Almighty God, man and woman. It should never be entered into lightly.
In His Word, God said: It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him. Genesis 2:18
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
The Apostle Paul said: Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her. Ephesians 5:25
First Baptist Church is pleased to offer its facilities for your upcoming wedding. The pastor and the entire staff of First Baptist wish to extend any assistance to you as you prepare for this special day.
SCRIPTURAL CONVICTIONS
Our pastor will officiate the marriage ceremony of those people who are Christians and can give adequate testimony of their experience with Christ. Outside of Christ, marriage is a human struggle. Only “In Christ” can a marriage ever be what it was intended to be. If one or both persons desiring to be married are not a Christian, the pastor would be thrilled to present “God’s Plan of Salvation,” so that there can be “completeness” in Christ. An appointment may be scheduled for that purpose.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
The pastor will not officiate the marriage ceremony of a believer with an unbeliever. The two will not be able to have one purpose, one mind (“the mind of Christ”) and one lifestyle. It is a direct violation of Scripture to marry a Christian with a non-Christian. Again, if the “believer” would desire to bring the “unbeliever” to the pastor so that the gospel may be shared, the pastor would count it a privilege to do so.
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15
DIVORCE/COHABITATION
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. We urge those who are struggling in their marriages to seek counsel from God’s Word and mature believers with fervent prayer that God might bring about reconciliation and renewed commitment to their marriage vows. Remarriage after divorce is clearly prohibited in scripture until after a spouse has died. In an effort to honor God and uphold the marriage covenant, our Pastor will not officiate ceremonies between divorced couples. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3–9; Matthew 5:32; 1 Corinthians 7:10–13,15,39; Luke 16:18, Mark 10:11-12)
Any couple “living together” would be required to move out of the living arrangement and practice sexual abstinence until the marriage ceremony. In cases where there is a willingness to correct the situation, and a desire to live in obedience to the authority of God’s Word, our pastor will be more than happy to work with the couple and talk with them about scheduling the marriage ceremony.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4
PLANNING THE WEDDING SCHEDULE
Wedding arrangements involving the use of First Baptist’s facilities are made by contacting the church office. This process involves contacting the church secretary fbcopc@gmail.com to determine if your desired wedding date is available.
No wedding is officially approved until your request has been cleared by the pastor. The approval process can take several weeks. We request that you schedule your wedding with our office at least three (3) months prior to your wedding date.
Weddings are never scheduled on these holidays, (Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the last two weeks of December, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and others as determined by staff for the special events). A wedding will not be scheduled if it conflicts with any worship service or event. Any church event will take priority over weddings.
PREMARITAL CLASSES & CHURCH INVOLVEMENT
All couples to be married at First Baptist will be required to attend and complete the (7) sessions of premarital counseling class Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. With all the pitfalls to destroy a marriage, spiritual and scriptural preparations are necessary for both parties. Both parties must attend each premarital counseling session.
In the event that distance would make travel to the premarital classes inconvenient, the couple may elect to establish premarital counseling with a church of like faith and purpose. The pastor of First Baptist would prefer to confer with the minister who counsels for the purpose of prayer and preparation.
If the couple is not already active in the life of another congregation, we expect the couple to attend worship here at First Baptist as you prepare for your wedding. Sunday School starts at 9:45AM(All ages) and Morning Worship at 11:00AM. If it is not possible to attend worship, there are other ways to be involved (eg. Life Groups, Bible Study, etc…)
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever: Amen.” 1 Peter 3:18
MARRIAGE LICENSE
West Virginia marriage licenses are issued from the County Court House during business hours. There is no waiting period.
To obtain a marriage license, each couple must have in their possession some form of identification (i.e. birth certificate and driver’s license or passport). Both parties must appear for the issuance of the License at the County Court House. Call your County to get further details.
Once purchased, a marriage license is valid for sixty days. Please give the marriage license to the pastor at the rehearsal. He will fill out the license, obtain the required signatures, and mail it to the Clerk. If you need a copy for your honeymoon, let your coordinator know before your wedding day.
There are only two institutions that God has ordained, the church and the home. Therefore, marriage is a sacred institution, ordained by God Almighty. Marriage is always a three-way relationship involving Almighty God, man and woman. It should never be entered into lightly.
In His Word, God said: It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him. Genesis 2:18
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24
The Apostle Paul said: Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her. Ephesians 5:25
First Baptist Church is pleased to offer its facilities for your upcoming wedding. The pastor and the entire staff of First Baptist wish to extend any assistance to you as you prepare for this special day.
SCRIPTURAL CONVICTIONS
Our pastor will officiate the marriage ceremony of those people who are Christians and can give adequate testimony of their experience with Christ. Outside of Christ, marriage is a human struggle. Only “In Christ” can a marriage ever be what it was intended to be. If one or both persons desiring to be married are not a Christian, the pastor would be thrilled to present “God’s Plan of Salvation,” so that there can be “completeness” in Christ. An appointment may be scheduled for that purpose.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
The pastor will not officiate the marriage ceremony of a believer with an unbeliever. The two will not be able to have one purpose, one mind (“the mind of Christ”) and one lifestyle. It is a direct violation of Scripture to marry a Christian with a non-Christian. Again, if the “believer” would desire to bring the “unbeliever” to the pastor so that the gospel may be shared, the pastor would count it a privilege to do so.
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15
DIVORCE/COHABITATION
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. We urge those who are struggling in their marriages to seek counsel from God’s Word and mature believers with fervent prayer that God might bring about reconciliation and renewed commitment to their marriage vows. Remarriage after divorce is clearly prohibited in scripture until after a spouse has died. In an effort to honor God and uphold the marriage covenant, our Pastor will not officiate ceremonies between divorced couples. (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3–9; Matthew 5:32; 1 Corinthians 7:10–13,15,39; Luke 16:18, Mark 10:11-12)
Any couple “living together” would be required to move out of the living arrangement and practice sexual abstinence until the marriage ceremony. In cases where there is a willingness to correct the situation, and a desire to live in obedience to the authority of God’s Word, our pastor will be more than happy to work with the couple and talk with them about scheduling the marriage ceremony.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4
PLANNING THE WEDDING SCHEDULE
Wedding arrangements involving the use of First Baptist’s facilities are made by contacting the church office. This process involves contacting the church secretary fbcopc@gmail.com to determine if your desired wedding date is available.
No wedding is officially approved until your request has been cleared by the pastor. The approval process can take several weeks. We request that you schedule your wedding with our office at least three (3) months prior to your wedding date.
Weddings are never scheduled on these holidays, (Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the last two weeks of December, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and others as determined by staff for the special events). A wedding will not be scheduled if it conflicts with any worship service or event. Any church event will take priority over weddings.
PREMARITAL CLASSES & CHURCH INVOLVEMENT
All couples to be married at First Baptist will be required to attend and complete the (7) sessions of premarital counseling class Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. With all the pitfalls to destroy a marriage, spiritual and scriptural preparations are necessary for both parties. Both parties must attend each premarital counseling session.
In the event that distance would make travel to the premarital classes inconvenient, the couple may elect to establish premarital counseling with a church of like faith and purpose. The pastor of First Baptist would prefer to confer with the minister who counsels for the purpose of prayer and preparation.
If the couple is not already active in the life of another congregation, we expect the couple to attend worship here at First Baptist as you prepare for your wedding. Sunday School starts at 9:45AM(All ages) and Morning Worship at 11:00AM. If it is not possible to attend worship, there are other ways to be involved (eg. Life Groups, Bible Study, etc…)
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever: Amen.” 1 Peter 3:18
MARRIAGE LICENSE
West Virginia marriage licenses are issued from the County Court House during business hours. There is no waiting period.
To obtain a marriage license, each couple must have in their possession some form of identification (i.e. birth certificate and driver’s license or passport). Both parties must appear for the issuance of the License at the County Court House. Call your County to get further details.
Once purchased, a marriage license is valid for sixty days. Please give the marriage license to the pastor at the rehearsal. He will fill out the license, obtain the required signatures, and mail it to the Clerk. If you need a copy for your honeymoon, let your coordinator know before your wedding day.