Scots Presbyterian Church - Sydney - Wedding and baptism at Scots

September 2010

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Wedding and baptism at Scots

Bookings for weddings and baptism in our newly renovated church are being taken.

If you are interested please ring our minister Rev. Adrian Van Ash on 9299 7490 Monday to Thursday to arrange an appointment.

Child Baptism

A Guide for parents seeking baptism for their children

"Jesus said, 'let the little children to come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.'" [Matthew 19: 14]

THE MEANING OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

On God's part:

While God saves us as individuals, He groups us into families, which is His design for the basic unit in the church and society. From the earliest times God has used the home as a place of religious celebration and instruction.

a) Children in the Old Testament Church.

About the 2000 BC God and Abraham made a sacred agreement called a covenant. God promised that He would protect and prosper Abraham and his descendents. A covenant is not a matter of mere words, it is like a contract at law, which had bound both God and Abraham together. The formality, which God imposed on Abraham's descendants, was called circumcision. If any Hebrew failed to attend to this for his son, the son was regarded as outside the faith of God. [Read Genesis 12: 3; 17: 1-14]

b) Children in the New Testament Church.

For Christians baptism has replaced circumcision as the sign of God's covenant. Both signs point to the same covenant

The declaration

[Your child's name] is now baptised into Jesus Christ. We receive and welcome her/him as a member of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

The Aaronic blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace. Amen.

A Commendation
The vows you take as believing parents are made to God, so that you are answerable to Him in fulfilling them. May God give you grace and bless you and your child/children in your Christian family life.

Helpful Bible passages to read and consider

Children and circumcision          Genesis 17:1-14

God's covenant                       Exodus 20:1-17

God's invitation to children        Matthew 19:13-15

Christ's command to baptise      Matthew 28:16-20

Baptism by sprinkling                Ezekiel 36:25-28

Baptism of a family           Acts 16:25-34, Colossians 2:11-12

Most of us were baptised as children in keeping with God’s command to Christian parents. They brought us to baptism because God has promised to save their children if they fulfill their part of the covenant. Baptism is obedience to something God requires of all Christian parents. It anticipates the gift of forgiveness of sins as children come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The experience usually comes much later than our baptism. But our baptism was the great act of faith through which He has made us His eternal children.

The water of Baptism is the symbol of God's purifying or cleansing us from sin. It points us to the forgiveness of sin resulting from Christ's sacrificial death on the cross for each of us. [John 3:5]

On the parents part:

1. The solemn recognition that children are the gift of God. [Read Psalm 127: 3] The mystery of the natural birth is meant to point us to the greater mystery of the "new birth" by which we enter the family of God. [Read John 3: 5-8]

2. It is the heartfelt act of thanksgiving for the new life, which has been given, and for the sparing of the mother's life. During the service there will be a free will offering which gives you the opportunity as a couple to give a thanks offering to God for all these blessings.

3. As parents you will during the baptismal service confess your faith, in your heavenly Father's goodness and mercy, in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. The promises are made in dependence on God's goodness through the Holy Spirit to enable you to be faithful to the promises, which you make, but also to your child to bring them to awareness what God has done for us - in Jesus Christ.

4. The promises you make are not just before the congregation but before God. As such they are very serious promises. In order to help you keep them God has provided the fellowship of the Church. You are encouraged to join this congregation if you have not already done so. Together we can help each other in life and to fulfill the vows we have made to God.

5. Baptism is an act of deliberate surrender of our child to God. It is also an undertaking as parents to bring her/him up in the nurture and discipline of a true Christian home. This means; systematic training through the reading and teaching of the Bible, though prayer, through Sunday School and Church attendance, and through upright and Christian behavior in the home,; all of which we undertake in dependence upon Gods promise to help us

6. It is an act of trust by which we take upon God's promise of salvation for our child, and seriously believe that the day will come when our child will confirm, by her/his own decision the vows taken on her/his behalf by her/his parents. [Read Romans 4: 21-25 for an example of trust, when God rewarded.] God will not go back on His promises. Therefore it is for us to work and pray for the day when our child will gladly and freely accept Christ as her/his own Savior. This is the responsibility parents accept when they ask God's baptism for their child.

On the Church's part

On the Church's part it is a solemn undertaking by members of the congregation to surround the child with their love and care, uphold her/him in their prayers, and help in her/his training and growth in the knowledge of Christ. For this reason the Church provided Sunday Schools and Youth Groups etc., to help parents keep their vows to God. The Church looks forward to having your children join these organisations in our Church. Thus they show that they have a devine and important responsibility towards each and every child baptised in the Church, by which they are received into the fellowship of this Congregation.

The Vows made by the parents

Members of the church: when we respond to the invitation, command and promise of Jesus Christ we remind ourselves of how we were united with Christ and became members of His Church, by our own baptism. Still today the water of Baptism is the sign of God's promise of spiritual washing and

"Do you believe that these promises of God are for your child?"
[I do]

After the congregation has confessed their faith in terms of the Apostles' Creed you will be asked,
"Do you believe that?"
[I do]

Your child belongs to God in Christ, from this day s/he will be at home, in the Christian community, and there will always be a place for her/him, tell her/him of her/his baptism and unfold to her/him the treasure s/he has been given to-day, so that s/he may know s/he is baptized, and, as s/he grows make her/his own response in faith and love, and in due time so share in the communion of the body and blood of Christ.

"Do you promise depending on the grace of God to teach your child the truths and duties of the Christian faith and by prayer and example to bring her/him upon the life and worship of the Church?"
[I do]

Wedding/Marriage

Marriage Guide (updated 2010 - pdf copy )

Scots Presbyterian Church, Sydney.

We invite and welcome couples to Scots to Celebrate their wedding in this modern yet historic Church. The Church has a wonderful atmosphere and is close to many reception venues. We also welcome you to our worshipping community.

Scots is the oldest Presbyterian Church in Australia, commencing in 1823 when the Rev. Dr. John Dunmore Lang came from Scotland. The Original Church which was opened in 1826 was replaced by the Assembly building in 1930 to make way for the approaches to the Harbour Bridge. The Congregation worshipped in the Assembly Hall later called again Scots Church. The Church in 2005 was restored and is a to be a very modern Church in an historic fabric. It is now a marvelous place for cerebrating Holy Matrimony.

GUIDELINES FOR COUPLES SEEKING TO BE MARRIED IN SCOTS CHURCH.

We welcome you to our Church for this exciting and life changing experience. All marriages are celebrated by the Minister or another Minister appointed by him.

The correct title and address of the Church heads this file and should be used for your invitations.

No booking will be taken until the Minister has interviewed the couple & a deposit of A$200 paid .

Legal requirements.

Notification of your intended marriage must be in the hand of the Minister a month and a day before the marriage can be celebrated. The Minister will arrange this with you.

Pre-marriage interview/counseling

This is a requirement under the law for couples to attend pre-marriage counseling. These are arranged through the Minister.

Rehearsal

The opportunity will be provided for the bridal party to rehearse in the Church at a mutually agreeable time prior to their wedding.

Photographs and Videos

Video recordings may be made with the available light; artificial lighting of any kind will not be permitted. Photographs are to be taken from the body of the Church and not from the sanctuary area.

Signing of the documents

All the necessary documents will normally be signed in the Vestry. Following the service, the Bridal party and the Parents of the Bride and the Groom are invited into the Vestry for the completion of these papers.

It is useful if a soloist etc. is able to entertain your guests during the signings. Such musicians should have the necessary musical skills. Musicians can be arranged these will vary in costs but consult the Minister for help.

Confetti

Please advise your guests that the throwing of confetti, rice and other things which can cause a hazard are not permitted in the Church, the staircase or on the footpath. Rose pedals may only be used outside the Church and must be swept up after the service.

Music

The music for your wedding may be chosen in consultation with the Minister and the Organist and must be finalized well before the wedding. You will need processional music for going in and leaving the Church. Hymn/s during the service and music used while the documents are signed should be sacred music (classical and modern). Current popular songs are best kept for the reception! The Church has sufficient copies of the Revised Church Hymnary and Rejoice, if other hymns are requested, the music must be provided to the Organist and the words will need to be printed for your guests. This can be done at a charge depending on your requirements.

Order of service

These can either be printed by the Church or by a commercial printer. You may like to have service folders which can be purchased from Christian Bookshops. The Orders need to be arranged in time with the Minister to allow for their printing.

On the Wedding Day

The Groom and his attendants should arrive at the Church approximately 15 minutes before the announced time of the service. The Vestry is available for them while they wait for the arrival of the Bridal Party. The bride should be courteous and arrive as close to the time as possible.

Ushers

You should arrange for family members or friends to be ushers, to show you guests to their seats and to hand out hymn books and/or order of services. An Usher will also need to be delegated to inform the Minister and the Groom’s Party of the arrival of the Bride and her party.

Scripture readings

In conjunction with the Minister you may select for reading during the service. These can be either read by the minister or you may request one of your guests to read them.

Length of service

The marriage service includes the signing of the Registers and will normally take 30-40 minutes. The couple should be able to leave the Church 60 minutes after the Bride arrives which should allow sufficient time for photographs to be taken.

*****************

Beatitudes for a married couple.

Blessed are the husband and wife

who continue to be affectionate

Considerate, loving through all the days of their life together

Blessed are the husband and wife who are polite

And courteous to one another as they are to their friends

Blessed are the husband and wife

who have a sense of humour

For this will be handy shock absorber.

Blessed are they who love each other more

than any person in the world

And who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow

of a lifetime of fidelity as husband wife

Blessed are they who thank God for their blessings, and who set aside some time each day

for the reading of the Bible and prayer.

Blessed are they who never speak harshly to each other and who make their home a place

of mutual encouragement and love

Blessed are the husband and wife who can work our their problems without the interference from relatives.

THE MARRIAGE SERVICE

This is the Order of Service, which can be printed with such additional information for your guests as desired.

(When the music starts playing for the entry of the Bridal into the Church would the Congregation please stand.)

THE BRIDAL PROCESSION

CALL TO WORSHIP

HYMN (Optional – insert details of the Hymn)

(Would the Congregation please stand for the singing of the Hymn)

THE DECLARATION OF THE PURPOSE

READING OF SCRIPTURE

THE ADDRESS

THE VOWS

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS

SOLO

THE DECLARATION OF THE MARRIAGE

THE BLESSING

HYMN (Optional – insert details of the Hymn)

(Would the Congregation please stand for the singing of the Hymn)

THE BENEDICTION

The Bridal Party and the Parents will retire to the Vestry while all the necessary documents are signed.

THE SIGNING OF THE OFFICAL DOCUMENTS

THE PROCESSIONAL

A selection of bible readings for us in the marriage service.

It is usual for there to be at least one Bible reading during the service, preferable one either from the New and/or Old Testament. The Bride and Groom may select these readings in consultation with the Minister.

The Bride and Groom may like to have these readings read by a family member or friend. It is important however, that the reader should have a good, clear voice.

Old Testament

Genesis 1:26-32; 2:15, 18-25; 24: 34-38,42-49,56-7

Psalms 33, 67, 118:1-4; 128, 144:9-15

Ecclesiastics

Songs of Song 2

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Hosea 2:16-23

New Testament

St Matthew 5:3-10, 13-16; 7:21, 24-27; 19:3-6; 22:35-40.

St Mark 10:6-9

St John 2:1-11; 15:1-8

Romans 12:1-2, 9-13

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13.

Ephesians 3:14-21; 5:1-2, 21-33

Philippians 1:9-11

Colossians 3:12-17

1 Peter 3:1-12

John 3:18-24; 4:7-13

Revelations 19:1-5-9a

WEDDING VOWS

The Bride and Groom may select one of the following vows for use in their marriage service. Any variation to these vows must first be approved by the officiating Minister.

VOW 1

In the presence of God and before these witnesses, I, [name of Bride/Groom] give myself to you, [name of Bride/Groom] to be your wife/husband, and take you now to be my wife/husband. I promise to love you, to be faithful and loyal to you for as long as we live.

VOW 2

I, [name of Bride/Groom] take you, [name of Bride/Groom] to be my wife/husband in the presence of God and before this congregation, I promise and covenant to be a loving, faithful, and loyal wife/husband to you as long as both shall live.

VOW 3

Before God and in the presence of our families and friends, I, [name of Bride/Groom] declare my love for you, [name of Bride/Groom] and I give myself to you as your wife/husband. I promise you my love, my loyalty, and my trust for as long as we both shall live

VOW 4

I, [name of Bride/Groom] take you [name of Bride/Groom] to be my wife/husband and I pledge that I will love and honour you, in duty and service, in faith and tenderness, to live with you and to cherish you in the bond of marriage.

VOW 5

In the name of God, I, [name of Bride Groom] take, [name of Bride Groom] to be my wedded wife/husband, to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

VOW 6

I, [Name of Bride/Groom] take you [name of Bride/Groom] to be my wedded wife/husband to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony. I will love you, comfort you, honour, keep you, in sickness, and in health and forsaking all others, keep you only as long as we both shall live.

VOW 7

Any of the above can be read by the minister with the Bride and Groom answering, “I do.”

EXCHANGING OF RINGS

Mutual exchange of rings is now very popular. The rings can be engraved with the name of the marriage partner and the date of the wedding. Hence, the Groom will wear the ring with the Bride’s name and Bride with the Groom’s name. You may like to choose one of the following statements for such an exchange.

EXCHANGE 1

[Bride/Groom’s name] I give you this ring in God’s name, as a symbol of all that we have promised, and all that we shall share.

EXCHANGE 2

[Bride/Groom’s name] I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage and of the vows, which we have made today.

EXCHANGE 3

[The Minister says] By this sign you take each other, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as you both shall live.

EXCHANGE 4

[The Minister says] As a token of these promises and as a symbol of our marriage, this/these ring/s is/are given one received. May this/these ring/s is to you a sign of endless love you have pledged to each other this day.

HYMNS FOR YOUR WEDDING SERVICE

The Church has the following hymn book, Revised Church Hymnary. If other hymns are desired than these must be approved by the Minister and Organist. The most commonly used hymns are as follows.

Praise my soul, the King of Heaven.

Praise my soul, the King of Heaven;

to His feet thy tribute bring;

ransom, healed restored, forgiven,

who like me His praise should sing?

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favour

to our fathers in distress;

praise Him still the same for ever,

slow to chide and swift to bless.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Glorious in His faithfulness.

Frail as summer’s flower we flourish;

Blows the wind and it is gone;

But, while mortals rise and perish,

God endures unchanging on;

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise the high eternal One.

Angels, help us to adore Him;

Ye behold Him face to face;

Sun and Moon down before Him;

dwellers all in time and space.

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise with us the God of grace.

Love Divine, all love excelling,

Love, Divine, all love excelling,

Joy of heav’n to earth come down,

Fix in us Thy humble dwelling

All Thy faithful mercies crown

Jesu, Thou are all compassion

Pure unbounded love Thou art;

Visit us with Thy salvation

Enter every trembling heart.

Come Almighty to deliver,

Let us all Thy grace receive;

Suddenly return, and never,

Never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing

Serve Thee as Thy Hosts above;

Pray, and praise Thee, without ceasing

Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation,

Pure and spotless be;

let us see Thy great salvation

perfectly restores in Thee.

Changed from glory into glory

till in Heav’n we take our place

till we cast our crowns before Thee,

lost in wonder, and love.

Psalm 23

The Lord’s my shepherd. I’ll not want:

He makes me down to lie

In pasture green: He leadeth me

The quiet water by.

My soul He doth restore again:

And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness,

Ev’n for His own name’s sake

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,

Yet will I fear none ill:

For Thou art with me: and Thy rod

And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnished

In presence of my foes;

My head Thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life

Shall surely follow me;

And in God’s house for evermore

My dwelling place shall be

O Perfect Love.

O perfect love, all human thought transcending

Lowly we kneel in prayer before Thy throne,

That theirs may be the love which knows no ending

Whom Thou for evermore dost join in one

O perfect life, be Thou their full assurance

Of tender charity and steadfast faith,

O patient hope, and quiet brave endurance

With child like trust that fears nor pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow,

Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife;

And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow

That dawns upon eternal love and life.

MARRIAGE DONATIONS

These donations are published as a guide.The Minister is available to discuss these with you and vary them as would suits your situation. Many of these donations do not apply to members of the Congregation as they support the Church on a regular basis. The basis of the requested donation is outlined below depending and use of the facilities. In all cases a non returnable $200 deposit needs to be paid to confirm your booking.
Weddings will normally be conducted by the Minister or his deputy. If you belong to another Presbyterian Congregation and would like you Minister to conduct the service or you belong to another denomination and would like your Minister to marry you that his request will be subject to the approval of the Minister. Please discuss any desires with the Minister.

For Members of the Congregation.

Minister $ 300

Organist $ 200

Church Officer $ 200

(If the church needs to open longer than 3 hrs) $300

Rehersal $100

Flowers $200

Church $1000

Use of Kitchen - Light refreshments $200 / Meal $500

Total of $500 for use of hall generally

Printing of the Order of Service depends on size and number c.a. S1 per copy

Estimated Total $

* All Wedding Applicants must see the Minister of Scots regardless whether he is officiating or not.

Unless booked for a meal or light refreshment in the Church, Hall will not be available.

Change of information

Please notify the officiating minister immediately of any changes to the information given or any change in date or time. It is best to ring the Office on 9299 7490 and its hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4.00pm.

Should you have been entrusted with a key, failure to securely lock –up and turn off all lights will incur an additional fee of $150.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Minister: Rev. Adrian Van Ash

B.A., B.D., Dip. Ed., Dip. Th. Stud., A.A.L.I.A.

The Manse

11A Sherwin Street

HENLEY NSW 2111

Phone: 9817 0587 (The Manse)

9299 7490 (Office Monday to Wednesday)

Fax: 9299 6315

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Office Secretary: Ms Lelly Purnama Mariana Purwa B.A.,B.Bus.,JP.