Weddings

Marriage is an institution ordained by God. It reflects God’s purpose in creating human beings and also proclaims our redemption in Christ. Therefore, it is the lifelong union of a man and a woman, who by their love and fidelity demonstrate the love of Christ and the church for each other.

Accordingly, weddings at the church (as well as those conducted elsewhere by the pastor) are part of discipleship and are reserved for baptized Christians only. At least one person in the couple must be a member of First Bethlehem or one of our sister congregations in the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, although both the groom and the bride must be baptized Christians. Before the wedding the couple will be asked to go through a few weeks of premarital counseling, not only to offer practical tips for a successful marriage, but to give a Christian understanding of marriage and the wedding ceremony.