CHRISTIAN CEREMONY #6
A GIFT OF GOD
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Minister: Who gives their blessing on this marriage? / Parents: We do.
OPENING REMARKS TO GUESTS
We have come together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , and to rejoice with them. Marriage is a gift of God and a means of His grace, in which man and woman become one flesh. It is God’s purpose that, as husband and wife give themselves to each other in love, they shall grow together and be united in that love as Christ is united with His Church. Marriage is given that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in good times and bad; that they may know each other with delight and tenderness in acts of love; and that they may be blessed in the procreation, care and upbringing of children. In marriage, husband and wife belong to each other; they are linked to each other’s families and they begin a new life together in the community. It is a way that all should reverence, and none should lightly undertake. _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ now come to give their consent to each other; they will exchange solemn vows, and in token of this they will give and receive rings. On their wedding day, we pray with them that by God’s help they may fulfill His purpose for the whole of their earthly life together.
DECLARATION
But first I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now. And if either of you knows a reason why you may no lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
STATEMENT OF INTENTION
_(Groom)_ , will you take _(Bride)_ to be your wife? Will you love her, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live? / Groom: I will.
_(Bride)_ , will you take _(Groom)_ to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protest him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live? / Bride: I will.
In preparation for your vows, would you, _(Bride)_ , please pass your bouquet to your Maid of Honour?
Turn toward each other and join hands?
THE VOWS
_(Groom)_ , please take your bride’s right hand in yours and repeat after me your vows to _(Bride)_ ?
I, _(Groom)_ , take you, _(Bride)_ ,
to be my wife,
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,
til death us do part,
according to God’s holy law;
and this is my solemn vow.
_(Bride)_ , please take your groom’s right hand in yours and repeat after me your vows to _(Groom)_ ?
I, _(Bride)_ , take you, _(Groom)_ ,
to be my husband,
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,
til death us do part,
according to God’s holy law;
and this is my solemn vow.
THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS
May I have the rings please?
Wedding rings are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual truths. As they are worn, they symbolize to others your union in marriage. The rings in no way become the binding force that unites, for that is a matter between two hearts.
As you, _(Groom)_ , place your ring on your bride’s finger, please repeat after me your commitment to _(Bride)_ ?
This ring I give you
represents the unending love
which I pledge to you.
It represents my intention
to honor you with my body
and to share all my worldly goods with you.
May it at all times
visibly serve to remind you
of my solemn vows to you
on this day of our marriage.
As you, _(Bride)_ , place your ring on your groom’s finger, please repeat after me your commitment to _(Groom)_ ?
This ring I give you
is an expression of,
and a pledge of
my constant faith
and abiding love.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , before God and this congregation you have given your consent and made your marriage vows to each other. You have declared your marriage by joining of hands and by giving and receiving a ring. Now therefore, by the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario as a minister of the Gospel, I declareyou to be husband and wife.
The minister joins their right hands together and says:
Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
KISS
BENEDICTION
May you find from this day forward
Every joy you’re dreaming of
As you share all things together-
As you grow in years and love…
May our Lord be there to guide you
And to grant your every need
And bless your heats with harmony
In thought and word and deed.
DOCUMENTS
SPECIAL MUSIC
ANNOUNCEMENT
Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. & Mrs. ———- .
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