CHRISTIAN CEREMONY #23 long
A Unique Spirit – long
WELCOME
We have gathered here in joyful celebration for (Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ . For them this ceremony represents the start of a new chapter in their lives.
DECLARATION
Marriage is a holy estate born of love. It is a relationship entered into thoughtfully, reverently, with gratitude for the past and hope for the future.
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_, I welcome you to this moment in your lives and to the place you have come to in each other’s hearts. The vows you are about to make are made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; therefore if either of you knows any reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
EXPRESSION OF FAITH
As we proceed we pause to recognize that there is another unseen Guest here today Who is here with us by reason of _(Groom)_’s and _(Bride)_’s beliefs and faith. In the presence of God, therefore, we come together in faith for this momentous occasion.
Let us pray.
Thank you for giving the gift of a beautiful love between _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ . Today they want to dedicate that love to each other. We ask Your presence with us here today. Enhance all that we seek to do and place your seal of love and approval upon the union that is about to be formed between _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ . We pray that Your loving presence will encircle this wedding service. We pray that Your blessing will surround the marriage of _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ . We ask this blessing in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
WHAT IS MARRIAGE?
Today, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ your celebration of love is a sign of a sacred and inward commitment. We gather today to unite you in marriage, an institution which the government may regulate and the church may sanction, but which can only become real in the lives of two people.
No ceremony can create your marriage. What this ceremony can do is witness and affirm the choice you have made to begin a new life today as husband and wife. It is meant to enhance trust and intimacy towards mutual enrichment, a mingling of two souls which diminishes neither, but enhances both, a commitment to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other.
Marriage offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener and critic.
A healthy marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a unique spirit which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. A joyful marriage is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say I love you. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted. So, let your courtship not end with the honeymoon, but continue throughout the coming years.
Marriage is designed to provide both of you with safety and the comfort of an embrace from one not inclined to judge you by your mistakes, but instead, love you in spite of them. Its commitment is designed for you to know the security of having a partner who supports you and believes in you without condition. Such a bond provides courage in the face of adversity. The joy you are meant to share will sustain you through times of sorrow and doubt. The ever growing love you share is intended to inspire you and all that you will do on this Earth and beyond.
So. today, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ your celebration of love is a profound sign of a life changing sacred and inward commitment. So we gather today to witness and share in this life changing outward sign of the inward union of your hearts and souls. As such, we all participate in the establishment of the most holy and challenging of all relationships in life, a marriage.
PLEDGE
_(Bride)_ , would you please pass your bouquet to your maid of honour?
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ if at this time you wish to affirm your free choice to unite as partners in marriage please indicate that now by turning to face each other,
join hands and
look deeply into each others eyes
as you share your wedding vows with each other.
_(Groom)_ , I ask you now, in the presence of the God to declare your intent.
_(Groom)_. will you have _(Bride)_ to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and protect her and forsaking all others be faithful to _(Bride)_ as long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Bride)_ , I ask you now, in the presence of the God, to declare your intent.
_(Bride)_ will you have _(Groom)_ to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and protect him and forsaking all others be faithful to _(Groom)_ as long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
VOWS
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me your vows to your _(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,
always and forever.
In the presence of God
I make this vow.
_(Bride)_ , please repeat after me your vows to your _(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,
till death us do part;
In the presence of God
I make this vow.
RING EXCHANGE
I will ask you now to seal the vows you have just made by the giving and receiving of rings.
May I have the rings please?
The wedding ring has been a traditional symbol of commitment and enduring love that, like a circle, has no end. The circle symbolizes the wholeness of your love, unbroken and everlasting. The precious metal represents the sincerity of your commitment. It is strong, enduring, and does not tarnish. These rings are your gift to each other; they are the outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual bond that unites your two hearts in a love that has no end. With your rings you seal the vows you have just exchanged, reminding each other of your decision to remain faithful to your promises of love and commitment. Let them be a symbol of a never-ending love and devoted friendship. As often as either of you looks at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you are formalizing today. These two lives will now be joined in one unbroken circle. May your two rings symbolize the spirit of this undying love in the hearts of both of you.
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me while placing this ring on _(Bride)_’s finger.
With this ring, I marry you.
As a symbol and promise
of my love, faith and loyalty,
I give you this ring.
May it constantly remind you
of my everlasting commitment to you.
_(Bride)_ please repeat after me while placing this ring on _(Groom)_ ’s finger…
With this ring, I marry you.
As a symbol and promise
of my love, faith and loyalty,
I give you this ring.
May it constantly remind you
of my everlasting commitment to you.
BLESSING AND CLOSING
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , may the challenges of your life together be met with courage and optimism. May you learn from your challenges and grow in your achievements. May life bless you with friends and family in a wide network of mutual support and enjoyment. May you face adversity with courage and a light heart. May your union last through all of your moments together, so that in the triumphs and the trials that lie ahead, you will feel just as happy as you do now – happy to be in love and married to one another.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is LOVE. (I Cor. 13)
May God give to you His light, His truth and His love for your walk together into the future that lies before you, and may you stay close to God all the days of your life. May the hand of God protect you and may the grace of God be mightily upon you and within you, now and forever.
PRONOUNCEMENT
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , you have openly declared your wishes to be united in marriage and in the presence of these witnesses have pledged your love to one another. You have confirmed the same by each giving and receiving a ring and by joining hands. By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario as an ordained minister of the gospel, it is my honour and delight to pronounce that you are husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.
Please seal your vows with a kiss.
Signing of the Register
PRESENTATION OF COUPLE
Family and friends, it is my delight to present to you for the first time Mr. & Mrs. ——————.
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