Lakeview Lutheran Church

Lakeview Lutheran Church-February 15, 2007

Wedding Planning and Policy

Overview:

Sharing a life together is a big step. You are choosing to begin that life together with a wedding in a church. Therefore, you can expect that the Pastor presiding at your wedding will discuss the role of God in your life. The Pastor will discuss your personal faith in this God during the meetings that lead up to your wedding ceremony. You can expect that the presiding Pastor at your wedding will discuss your involvement in the worshipping community now and after you are married. For those who are not members of a congregation, you can expect that the presiding Pastor will give you guidance in selecting a worshipping community even if it is not Lakeview Lutheran Church.

As Christians, we are called to come together as the Body of Christ, the Community of Believers, the Church. We are called to hear God’s word and to eat and drink the holy meal regularly. With that in mind, it is important for every couple coming to Lakeview Lutheran Church for a wedding to understand that the wedding ceremony is a worship service. All planning for your wedding will be approached from that perspective. All that happens at your wedding service will center around the love of God, the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If this is not your intention, the presiding Pastor can give you direction about how to find alternative ways to handle your ceremony in the community, outside of Lakeview Lutheran Church.

Guidelines:

The couple planning a wedding should set the date with the Pastor well in advance to avoid conflicts. The Pastor has the right to refuse the ceremony in the church.

· People preparing for a wedding at Lakeview are expected to worship regularly during the time of planning.

· Marriages will not be performed without premarital counseling with the couple. This must be arranged with the Pastor of Lakeview four months prior to your wedding date. It is your responsibility to contact the Pastor to arrange these times.

· The selection of ALL music and ALL readings must be approved by the Director of Liturgical Arts and the Pastor.

· The order of service, readings, scripture, and all other arrangements for the service are to be determined in consultation with the Pastor. The Marriage Service found in

the Lutheran Book of Worship will be the outline for the ceremony.

· In consideration of those who clean the church, no rice, birdseed, confetti, bubbles or substitutes are allowed inside the church or on the church property. It is expected that the families of the wedding party will clean up after the ceremony, i.e. remove flower boxes, pick up discarded bulletins, etc. It is your responsibility to assure your guests comply with these conditions.

· It is asked that people refrain from taking flash pictures during the ceremony and it is the responsibility of the bride and groom to inform their guests of this.

· No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the church premises (buildings, grounds, parking lots). You are responsible for your guests. The Pastor has the right to refuse the ceremony, even at the time of the wedding, if the wedding party is intoxicated or if alcohol is present.

· The Pastor of Lakeview Lutheran Church will preside at all weddings in this place. Other pastors may be invited to assist with the service.

· The Director of Liturgical Arts will be the music leader at all weddings in this place. At his/her discretion, other individuals may lead music. Any outside organist, pianist or musician must be approved by the Director of Liturgical Arts and the Pastor. An outside organist will be expected to show appropriate organ skills.

Fees:

Active Members Inactive and Non-Members

Custodial Fee $ 50.00* $150.00*

Building use fee No fee $250.00

Organist $150.00 $150.00

$50.00 acc/soloist $50.00 acc/soloist

Soloist $75.00 $75.00

Pastor No fee $200.00

Office Administrator No fee $50.00

Choir/Praise group Donation Not available

* = Non-refundable custodial fee

Inactive members are those who remain on the church membership roster but who have not participated in communion or provided a financial contribution as of record in the past 2 years at the time of their wedding request. The status of member, inactive member or non-member is based on the bride and groom NOT other members of the family.

A wedding is permanently placed on the church calendar when the non-refundable custodial fee has been received along with the completed Wedding Worksheet and when the Pastor and Director of Liturgical Arts have been able to commit to the date.

The remaining fees, after the non-refundable custodial fee, MUST be paid four (4) weeks prior to the ceremony or the date will be canceled and the building will be made available for other use.

Pre-marital Counseling

Pre-marital counseling will be done with the Pastor presiding at your wedding. This is done on an individual couple basis and includes about 5 hours of time that is mutually agreed upon between the couple and the pastor. The couple is expected to be flexible in their schedule to be able to meet with the Pastor for these sessions.

Pre-marital counseling will be thought provoking. The purpose behind these sessions is to get you thinking deeper about issues that can and will arise during your marriage. It is our desire that your marriage be a strong, happy, long and Christ-centered one. These meetings are excellent times for you to discuss your concerns about marriage and your faith.

Pre-marital counseling gives the Pastor an opportunity to get to know you. The time allows you to get to know the Pastor who will be playing an important role in your special day. Much of what happens in the church is based on personal relationships with other people. Enjoy this opportunity!

Planning the Service:

Couples are encouraged to choose their own biblical readings for the worship service. Many biblical texts are appropriate. There may be a text that has been important in your life that you would like to include in the service. Only biblical texts will be read. Some texts to consider include;

All music should be keeping with worship. Sacred music will be used. Although music may be offered in a variety of ways, congregational singing is encouraged. This will allow your guests to be participants in your wedding. The Director of Liturgical Arts will assist you with selecting appropriate music. Processional and recessional music must be appropriate for the worship of God.

If you are purchasing bulletins, you may wish to visit Madison Church supply at 820 South Park Street or consult the Augsburg Catalog in the church office. We will provide you with a copy of the Order of Service to be reproduced, exactly as sent, in your bulletin.

For safety reasons, aisle runners are discouraged.

Reception:

Although many people choose to have a wedding reception at another location, some may wish to use the East Hall of Lakeview Lutheran Church. Anyone using the building for this purpose must complete a separate Building Use Form, which can be obtained from the Office Administrator. A fee for building use will be assessed based on number of people, rooms used, length of time, type of reception. The fee must be paid four (4) weeks prior to the event or the building will be made available to other groups. No alcohol will be permitted. Food must be catered and served from an outside source. Set up and take down are up to those using the facilities. Decorations may not be fastened to windows, walls or ceilings.

C:\Documents and Settings\Pastor\My Documents\Correspondence\Wedding Policy.doc