Milestone Events

Marriage Policy of First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio

WHEREAS, First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio (the “Church”) was formed in 1846 and has, throughout its history, administered the rite of marriage in accordance with the teaching of Scripture; and

WHEREAS, when God created Adam and Eve, He ordained marriage as the fundamental institution of society and a relationship between a man and a woman:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply…’ (Genesis 1:27-28)

Therefore, a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24); and

WHEREAS, Jesus said:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder (Matthew 19:4-6); and

WHEREAS, we understand marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman in submission to God (Malachi 2:14-16) and as a lifelong covenant (Matthew 22:23-30; Mark 10:9); and

WHEREAS, we believe God has ordained marriage for the following ends:

1. To glorify God (Genesis 1:26-28);
2. As the consummation of the redeeming grace of God in Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33);
3. To provide for the nurturing and training of children (Genesis 1:28; Ephesians 6:4);
4. To affirm the proper context of human sexuality (Hebrews 13:4); and

WHEREAS, the Apostle Paul analogizes marriage between a man and a woman to the relationship between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25-27), and affirms the teachings of the Old Testament and the words of Jesus Christ when he states:

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one. This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33); and

WHEREAS, this Church has historically administered the rite of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, in accordance with the historical teachings of Holy Scripture;

WHEREAS, the familiar text of the wedding liturgy states, “Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of God to join this man and this woman in Holy marriage, which is instituted by God, regulated by his commandments and to be held in honor among all;”

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the SESSION of FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO, restate, reaffirm and adopt as the official policy of this Church the following:

1. Marriage is ordained by God and defined by Scripture;
2. Marriage is a rite of the Church to be administered in accordance with the historical and traditional teachings of Scripture and this historical practices of this Church;
3. A marriage ceremony in the Church is religious matter and is separate and distinct from marriage as defined by civil law, and is to be administered in accordance with the traditional and historical religious beliefs and teachings as expressed in Holy Scripture;
4. Marriage is the joining of one man and one woman to become one and is a union before God;
5. All marriages or weddings performed at this Church by any pastor shall be between one man and one woman in accordance with teachings of Scripture, the historic Confessions of the Presbyterian Church, and as set forth in this policy; and
6. This policy shall be included in the minutes of the Session and published as an official policy of this Church.

Adopted and approved by the Session of First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio on this 9th day of February, 2015.

Rev. John Seiders, Moderator                                     Norton A. Stuart, III, Clerk

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Information about decor

A professional Florist is required for all arrangements and installations. We ask that flowers are fresh-cut and not artificial.

• Floral arrangements should not be overly ornate or ostentatious.
• Flowers arrangements will be placed on our flower stands.
• You may leave your alter arrangements for Sunday worship.
• Florists must only use ribbon to fasten floral decorations to the pews or hang wreaths on doors.
• Fresh white flower petals may be strewn down the center aisle by your flower girls.
• We will supply a pair of 6.5’ free-standing two candelabras with drip-less tapers. Your florist may tie greenery or flowers on the center pole. Your florist is welcome to bring more candles, as long as they are drip-less.
• The communion table is never used for decorations or floral arrangements.
• Chancel furniture remains in place for weddings.
• Sparklers or bubbles may be used outside.
• Aisle runners are not permitted.

Photos and Videos before and during service

Due to the scheduling of weddings at First Presbyterian Church and the need to maintain a policy that will meet the needs of each of the wedding parties being married on a particular Saturday, we ask that photographers and video technicians arrive at the church no earlier than two hours before the ceremony and check in with the church wedding coordinator upon arrival.

• Professional services are required for images taken during the ceremony.
• The church will open two hours before the ceremony begins.
• Pictures may be taken before the ceremony in any of our inside or outside spaces. This includes the sanctuary. Be sure to conclude 45 minutes before the ceremony
• 30 minutes prior to ceremony all the wedding party members will be in rooms 228 and 224. You are welcome to join them.
• All photography and video work during the ceremony must be taken from the choir loft using available light.
• We allow time after the wedding for more formal pictures. Please take photos with the minister first.
• Videographers – Please inform FPC’s Wedding Coordinator if a microphone will be placed on either the bride and/or groom.  Doing so without notification may interfere with the sound set-up conducted by the church’s sound technician.

Our thanks to all the photographers and video technicians who respect our need for orderly procedures here at First Presbyterian Church.

About

The resurrection is a central doctrine of the Christian faith and shapes Christian’s attitudes and responses to the event of death.  Death brings loss, sorrow, and grief to all.  In the face of death, Christians do not bear bereavement in isolation but are sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit and the community of faith.  The Church offers a ministry of love and hope to all who grieve.  As this is the basis of a Christian funeral defined by the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., the Session of First Presbyterian Church has set forth the following policy on funeral/memorial services which occur at the church.

It is expected that primary arrangements will be made with one of First Presbyterian Church’s pastors.  Typically, one pastor will officiate at the service, though there are times when it will be appropriate for two or more pastors to participate.  Requests for the participation of a “guest” pastor to assist in the service must be made to the officiating pastor; who, if it is appropriate, will extend an invitation.

Church members are encouraged to use the church or funeral/memorial services.  Just as we are baptized by God in church have been nourished by God through the church, so it is wholly appropriate that thanksgiving to God for our lives should be offered in the church.

In the Presbyterian tradition a funeral/memorial service is considered a service of worship, and will be approached with dignity and joyful celebration accorded worship.  A typical order of worship will include: prelude and postlude of sacred music; hymns of praise and faith; scripture lessons from the Old and New Testaments; a message; prayers of intercession and thanksgiving; a benediction.  In consultation with the pastor, other elements, such as remarks from family members and friends, may be included in the service.  The officiating pastor shall make the final decision on the elements of worship.

Bulletin
The church will provide a bulletin for services held at the church.  The service of worship should be planned by the pastor, with input from the family for special requests.

Flowers
It is appropriate to use flowers as an expression of sympathy and should be limited in order that they do not distract from the purpose of worship.  Two floral arrangements may placed in the sanctuary.  Additional flowers may be placed in the narthex and the McCullough room.

Music Information

A funeral or memorial service is a service of worship and a witness to the resurrection.  All music sung or played before and during the service should be appropriate to Christian worship.  Unless the family has specific requests, the organist will choose an appropriate program of organ music (15 minutes in length) to be played as a prelude to the service and a postlude at the end of the service.

Any funeral or memorial service hosted at First Presbyterian Church that includes music will require the use of our church organist at a fee of $150.  Payment of this fee may consist of any of the following options:

1. Check made payable directly to the organist (either by the family or funeral home)
2. Check made payable to the church for the expense of the organist (please include the words “organist fee” in the description of the check).

Additional Music Options

The following is a list of additional music options available for funerals or memorial services at First Presbyterian Church. These options are based on availability given the date and time of service and must be confirmed by the Organist or Minister of Music.  You may discuss these options with the officiating pastor of the service or you may contact the Organist or Minister of Music directly for more information.

In order to plan selections of pieces for the service, please click here to download the guidelines that will assist you in selecting fitting music for the funeral or memorial service.

Optional services:

• Vocal Soloist – $100
• Professional Singers Quartet – $75-$100 per singer; $300-$400 total
• Professional Singers Octet – $75-$100 per singer; $600-$800 total*

(*may also require a conductor at an additional cost of $125)

• Sanctuary Choir – limited availability – must be approved by the Minister of Music; cost to include Professional Octet plus an additional donation to the Music Enrichment Fund.

For more information, please contact:

Contact Dr. Jae Ha, Associate Minister of Music and Organist for all funeral and memorial services at 210-226-0215 ext. 229, or Tom Dooling, Minister of Music at 210-226-0215, ext. 217.

Casket/Cremains

The casket/cremains of the deceased may be present for the service, and shall arrive at the church at least 45 minutes prior to the announced start time.  In order that the worship may focus on God, and upon the gift of the resurrection, rather than upon the earthly remains of the deceased, the casket will be closed during the service  The church will make available a white funeral pall symbolizing our baptism and the joy of our inclusion in Christ’s victory over death.

Committal Service

The officiating pastor is available to lead a brief committal service at the cemetery where the casket/cremains are to be interred.

Interment

When the committal service is outside of San Antonio, it is appropriate for a pastor in another community to perform this service.  Our church will be pleased to assist in finding an appropriate pastor, and would provide an honorarium for this service.

Military/Masonic Honors

Such honors are not considered part of Christian worship and are therefore more appropriately carried out at the funeral home or cemetery.

Pictures and Photography

As the focus of Christian worship is God, it is not appropriate to display pictures of the deceased in the sanctuary during the service. Photo displays of the deceased are encouraged, and more appropriately placed in the McCullough room for the reception. Non-flash photography is permitted during the service from a stationary position behind the worshipping congregation (preferably the balcony).

Reception

A reception will be provided for the family of the deceased by the Care and Concern Committee of First Presbyterian Church.  Families are encouraged to give an honorarium of $75 to help cover the expenses of the meal.

Memorials

Gifts given in memory of a loved one are appropriate and welcomed.  First Presbyterian Church or a charitable organization of the donor’s choice are potential recipients of such gifts.