CHRISTIAN CEREMONY #8
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
_(Bride)_ is about to pledge her faith, love and loyalty to _(Groom)_ . Is there one of her family who is prepared to present her to him? / Father replies: Her mother and I do.
PASTORAL COUNSEL TO WEDDING GUESTS
In recognition of the part that family and friends have had in their lives to this point, and in affirmation of their desire publicly to declare their mutual commitment to marriage, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ have invited you to this ceremony. By our presence here we have committed ourselves to be more than just observers of the acts of people we know. We are in fact accepting responsibility for supporting, enriching and encouraging _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ in the new relationship into which they are about to enter. God established marriage as the foundation of a healthy society, and as a part of the society in which _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ shall live, we are called upon to be thankful when they experience happiness, to be understanding when they err, to assist them in times of difficulties and to be prayerful at all times for their well-being. Let us not dismiss this marriage as just another happy occasion in which we have been privileged to share. Instead, let us resolve to make _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ very much a part of our every day lives.
REMARKS TO THE COUPLE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , on behalf of your family and friends here assembled, may I affirm our love for you and our pleasure over your intended marriage. Our minds are filled with memories of previous association with you and our hearts are already joyful over the prospect of you sharing life together. We thank God for the gift of life and love He has granted to you and voice our confidence that as you allow him, God will join with you in the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams for married life.
PARENTS RECOGNITION
Will the parents of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ please stand.
Many years ago, though it may feel like only yesterday, two children were born into this world. When you first gazed at them, you marvelled at their perfection and you felt truly blessed. In your children you saw infinite potential and you placed great hope in them.
With you they uttered their first words. With you they took their first steps. You rejoiced in their victories; you cried at their sorrows. You guided them, nurtured them, educated them, loved them. You gave them all you had to give, so they would grow up strong and independent, capable of great love, capable of what they are doing here today. Without you, this marriage would not, could not be possible.
Now, today all the love and caring you gave to _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , they will give to each other. And it does not end here. For in turn, they will pass it along to their children. In this sense we are immortal as we see firsthand how this sublime torch, this lineage of love, gets passed along from generation to generation. We thank you and honour you.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
To all of you, who are gathered here, today will be especially important to this couple. You are loved ones and friends that fill their lives. You are the framework that supports their world. You represent, symbolically, all the people who will be touched in any way by the life of this couple. You represent their families and friends, past, present and future. Marriage is an intensely personal act, but, in order for the couple’s marriage to gain strength to last throughout the years, their marriage must be supported by their greater society of family and friends. Today, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ proclaim their love and commitment to each other, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now begin together.
INVOCATION
Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of life, for family and friends and for the love that exists between _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ . As we assemble here together in the name of Jesus Christ, we are mindful of the guidance of Your Spirit who has brought us to this event, and mindful of the continuing need for Your Spirit’s help if the intentions declared this day are going to be fulfilled. We turn, therefore, to You and in faith ask that You would not only be a part of this wedding ceremony, but also enhance the lives of these your servants in this their union. Our God, we commit to You the very sacred moments that follow and pray that Your blessing and love might be an integral part of the lives of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , in the years to come. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
DECLARATION
If anyone has just cause why these may not be lawfully joined in marriage let him now express it or forever hold his peace.
PLEDGE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , by your presence here you are already making public your intention to marry. So that your integrity of purpose may be made clear to those of us present, would you each respond to these questions:
_(Groom)_ , do you purpose in your heart and mind to live with _(Bride)_ in a fashion consistent with God’s design for marriage? Do you purpose to love her, honor her in times of personal need and personal blessing? Do you pledge with God’s help and to the best of your ability, to seek to establish and maintain honest, open and loving communication between yourself and _(Bride)_ ? Forsaking all others, do you promise to remain faithful to _(Bride)_ as long as you both live? / Answer: I do.
____ , do you purpose in your heart and mind to live with _(Groom)_ in a fashion consistent with God’s design for marriage? Do you purpose to love (him/her), honor (him/her) in times of personal need and personal blessing? Do you pledge with God’s help and to the best of your ability, to seek to establish and maintain honest, open and loving communication between yourself and _(Groom)_ ? Forsaking all others, do you promise to remain faithful to _(Groom)_ as long as you both live? / Answer: I do.
THE WORD OF GOD
This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience;
it looks for a way of being constructive.
It is not possessive;
it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.
Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage.
It is not touchy.
It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people.
On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
Love knows no limit to its endurance,
no end to its trust,
no fading of its hope;
it can outlast anything.
It is in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. (I Corinthians 13:4-7 JBP)
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:9,12)
He who made them from the beginning made us male and female, and said, “for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.
What, therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
PRE-VOW PRAYER
Let us pray for _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ as they exchange their marriage vows.
Heavenly Father, by the exchange of their vows in the few brief moments of this ceremony, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ intend publicly to commit their lives and their love to one another for a life time. We pray that You will join us in witness to this union, and will bless them in the years to come in the fulfilling of the vows they are about to make.
_(Bride)_ , please pass your bouquet to your Maid of Honour? As an expression of your willingness to engage in these obligations and as a seal of the holy vows you are about to make, will you face one another and join your right hands.
VOWS
Please repeat after me, _(Groom)_ , your vows to _(Bride)_ ?
Our God has revealed His purposes for our marriage.
Before Him in this company of our family and friends,
I affirm my faith that He has led me to you.
With joy and in love,
I take you _(Bride)_
to be my wife.
I promise to share with you
in whatever happiness or sadness,
abundance or want,
adversity or blessing
that may be a part of our lives.
I intend that my life
shall be entwined with yours
as long as we both shall live.
Please repeat after me, _(Bride)_ , your vows to _(Groom)_ ?
Our God has revealed His purposes for our marriage.
Before Him in this company of our family and friends,
I affirm my faith that He has led me to you.
With joy and in love,
I take you _(Groom)_
to be my husband.
I promise to share with you
in whatever happiness or sadness,
abundance or want,
adversity or blessing
that may be a part of our lives.
I intend that my life
shall be entwined with yours
as long as we both shall live.
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 place your ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s finger, _(Groom)_ , please repeat your commitment to _(Bride)_ ?
This ring I give you, _(Bride)_ ,
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 place your ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s finger, _(Bride)_ , please repeat your commitment to _(Groom)_ ?
This ring I give you, _(Groom)_ ,
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.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
For as much as you _(Groom)_ and you _(Bride)_ have made this solemn covenant of marriage before God and this company of your family and friends, by the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario as a minister of the Gospel, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I declare that you are now husband and wife.
KISS
PRAYER FOR THE COUPLE
God of love and faithfulness, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ have just committed themselves to undertake the most solemn and sacred obligation known to mankind. We who have witnessed and participated in this ceremony are conscious of their needs for Your grace and help as they seek honorably and lovingly to fulfill their commitments. We pray, therefore, that the love that they have mutually pledged may be so enriched by Your love that it may never falter or grow cold, no matter what their life experiences. May the wisdom and insight which is now theirs be enhanced by the wisdom from above, that they might clearly discern and choose the right path for living. May the strength and endurance of Your Holy Spirit not only offer to them protection on their course of life, but also afford them the spiritual and physical resources they will require in their daily pursuit of life, happiness and fulfillment. As You have so faithfully and effectively communicated love, understanding, forgiveness, trust and hope, we pray that You will be the ever present Teacher and Helper as _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ seek to communicate with each other. Grant to them, we pray, the qualities of kindness, mercy, honesty, openness and love in their relationship with each other and with all others. May the home they establish be blessed with peace, and the family that may be added to them know physical and spiritual well-being. May spiritual understanding and holy living be their inheritance. May Your grace, mercy and peace be a part of their lives from this day forward, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BENEDICTION
As you walk down life’s path together, may the Father of all mercy, who has called you by His grace to this holy relationship of marriage, bind you together in a love that is true, a faithfulness that is lasting, and may He grant to you His blessing. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. & Mrs. ——- .
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