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YOU SAID YES!

Congratulations on saying “Yes” to the glorious adventure of marriage!

Engagement is such an exciting, wonderful, and challenging time of transition. At Antioch our desire is to prepare couples for marriages that will thrive! We want your relationship to be full of the kind of love that only Jesus can impart.

With that in mind, we hope this booklet is helpful in understanding how we approach marriage and wedding ceremonies. If you have any questions, needs, or concerns, please let us know. We want your ceremony to be a beautiful and worshipful event. Even more importantly, our prayer is that your marriage will be filled with overcoming joy and marked by your commitment to Jesus, His Purposes, and His Church. The best is yet to be!

Joyfully,

Andrew FranklinCounseling Pastorafranklin@antiochnorman.com

The Bible is God’s revelation of the original intention and meaning of marriage. From Genesis to Revelation, God makes it clear: the joining of one man to one woman for a lifetime of growing in love is meant to be the most powerful picture on earth of the perfect love Jesus shares with His Church (Ephesians 5:22-27). Because we view marriage as a profound spiritual covenant established by God, Antioch Norman abides by the following policies:

STEP ONE: GET EDUCATED

Read and reflect on our “Statement on Marriage and Human Sexuality,” included in your marriage preparation packet and also available online at antiochnorman.com/weddings. If you have questions or concerns, please let us know. Bring your signed copy of the statement to your first premarital counseling session.

OVERVIEW OF POLICIES

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STEP TWO: PREMARITAL COUNSELING & COMMUNITY

We believe that the first step toward building a healthy marriage is to participate in premarital counseling. Our premarital counseling is offered by staff members and trusted, trained couples within the church. Apply for premarital counseling online at antiochnorman.com/weddings. After you apply, a pastor will send a link for you to take Prepare & Enrich, the online relationship assessment we utilize for engagement. The assessment will cost $35 and will provide the foundation of your counseling sessions. We ask that couples begin premarital counseling before setting a wedding date. This allows the pastoral staff to ensure a couple is entering marriage on solid ground spiritually, and helps prevent scheduling conflicts with other church events or pastoral obligations.

We also see community as essential to a healthy marriage. If you are already involved in a Lifegroup, work hard to stay connected and present through the busy season of engagement. If you’re not currently involved in a Lifegroup, we ask that you, as a couple, focus on the value of healthy relationships in church life and join a Lifegroup. You can find more information about Lifegroups in the church lobby or at antiochnorman.com.

OVERVIEW OF POLICIES

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STEP THREE: FINDING A PASTOR To request a pastor from Antioch to officiate your wedding, use the online form at antiochnorman.com/weddings. Be sure to indicate if you prefer a specific pastor.

Only ordained pastors of Antioch Norman or those approved by the elders may officiate marriage ceremonies conducted on church property. For an Antioch pastor to officiate your wedding, you must have signed your agreement with our Statement on Marriage and Sexuality and addressed any areas where you have struggled to align with these values. Our pastors reserve the right to decide who they unite in Christian marriage.

Again, to help prevent scheduling conflicts, and to ensure you are entering marriage on solid ground spiritually, we ask that you refrain from setting a wedding date until you’ve begun premarital counseling and have submitted your desired date to the couple facilitating your premarital counseling.

Antioch’s pastoral staff functions as a team. We understand your relational connections here are unique, and whenever possible we desire to accommodate requests for specific officiants. If that’s not possible, we are committed to connecting you with a pastor from our team who can make your wedding ceremony worshipful and memorable.

OVERVIEW OF POLICIES

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If you’d like to use our church facilities for your wedding, be sure to indicate that in your online application at antiochnorman.com/weddings.

Additionally, please read our “Facility Use Guidelines” and fill out the “Use of Facilities Application” and “Wedding Information Sheet.” Both are included in your marriage preparation packet. Turn the application in to the church offices as soon as possible. Either a pastor or our wedding liaison will contact you with further information and details.

FACILITY USE GUIDELINES

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To begin the process of premarital counseling, request a pastor to perform your wedding, or request use of our facilities for your wedding, visit:antiochnorman.com/weddings

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COUNSELING PASTORAndrew Franklinafranklin@antiochnorman.com405-310-4343

WEDDING LIAISONStacy Smithinfo@antiochnorman.com405-310-4343

CONTACT INFORMATION

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All photos courtesy of Magnolia Adams Photography. --- www.MagnoliaAdamsWeddings.com

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