WEDDING INFORMATION
Marriage
is a commitment between a man and a woman to share their entire lives together
in as intimate a way as possible. It is also a commitment by each to encourage the
other to grow to their fullest human potential within the relationship. When
Christ is central to the relationship, it has the ability to grow to its
fullest potential as the fullest expression of love and service available to
humanity, an expression modeling the relationship God wishes to have with all
of His people.
In the Lutheran
movement, marriage is not regarded as a sacrament since it was not a rite
instituted by Christ's command. Yet it is sacramental in the sense that
God reveals the depth of His love to us in the sharing of life and service with
our marriage partner. In marriage, we enter into a covenant with God, our
marriage partner, and the community.
Marriage
is also a permanent commitment. Trust and growth can occur only where
commitment is unconditional and total. As God's commitment to us is of this
nature, so the marriage relationship is a model of His commitment to us.
Marriage is
also a commitment to a growing relationship. The relationship that is
not growing, is dying. Understanding is soon replaced by misunderstanding;
trust and concern by mistrust and indifference unless there is an ongoing
commitment toward growth together. It takes time and resolve to make a marriage
grow, and most of all it takes work. The ceremony is the beginning, not the
end, of the process.
PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE: In most areas of our lives, we recognize the need for
preparation. Few would think of entering the job market without any skills and
hope to land a decent job; few athletes would think of competing without first
undergoing rigorous training. The marriage relationship will also require much
from you - skills in conflict management, communication, finances and
budgeting, etc. In all probability, you have had little training in these
areas. It would be impossible to cover all of these areas in a couple of
counseling sessions. Therefore, we highly recommend, as a start, a weekend at
Engagement Encounter, followed up at some later time, perhaps, with some
classes offered by a community college, YMCA/YWCA, or your church, in areas
that you feel you need growth and additional skills.
Marriage
preparation has two aspects: a personal one in which the two of you share and
prepare for the commitment you are about to make; and a formal preparation
which involves breaking of old ties and establishing a new household, which
will therefore affect your relationships with your families, the church and
society. Your Pastor will help you to begin your exploration of these areas.
PERSONAL PREPARATION.- It is important that the two of you develop an
openness to each other, that you learn to communicate ideas, dreams, plans,
hopes, and expectations, as well as develop the capacity for attentive
listening. To aid you in this, we will suggest some exercises; we also suggest that
you attend an Engagement Encounter before marriage and, sometime after
marriage, a Marriage Encounter.
Other
things you should consider as you plan your life together include:
1.Think
of yourselves as a unit in the planning of your dreams, rights and responsibilities
to each other.
2.
Share your faith and determine the role God will play in your marriage.
3.
Share your appreciation of your sexuality, making sure you have adequate
information along this line.
4.
Share ideas about partnership and parenting.
5.
Compare your values on material and financial matters.
6.
Set immediate and long-range goals for yourselves as persons and as a family
that will give direction to your life.
7.
Develop a style of joint decision-making and problem-solving.
8.
Establish new relationships with your own and each other's families.
FORMAL PREPARATION.
There
are several necessary steps in the preparation of a wedding.
Your planning should begin at
least three months prior to the wedding. At some times of the year
it may require an even longer advance time (May, June, December). We will not
normally perform marriage services without at least one-month advanced notice.
You should contact the Pastor at the earliest possible time, clear the date
with him, and set up an appointment to see him. He will, in turn, clear the
date on the church calendar, along with a rehearsal date (generally the day
before the wedding). At the first
meeting, he will discuss your plans with you and what kind of service you are
anticipating (formal/informal; large/small; traditional service/contemporary service, etc.). He will talk to you about you and
your relationship, and help you to begin to plan the service. He will also set
up more meetings with you to continue planning your wedding and to talk about
your developing relationship.
Should you desire another minister to take part in the service, both
he/she and St. John's pastor should be consulted, so he can invite the
additional clergy to participate. Your final meeting will be shortly before the
wedding, to make sure everything is in order. A “Request for Use of
Church” form must be properly submitted to the church, either through the
pastor or church Office. This form
will provide information to the Church Council, to ensure that your day goes smoothly
and does not conflict with other events.
MUSIC: You must contact the organist, soloist or any others taking part in the
ceremony well in advance of the date (three months is suggested). All music
must be approved by the Pastor and all arrangements regarding the music for
your wedding must be made through St. John’s' Organist. The fee for the
organist is $150, $175 if he/she works with a soloist.
RECEPTION Please inform the Pastor in
advance if he is expected to be at the reception and whether the invitation is
extended to his wife. If the church Fellowship Hall is being used, use of the
kitchen must be cleared through the office. Decorations cannot be attached to the
walls. No alcoholic beverages may be served.
FLORIST. Contact the florist well in advance (at least two months)
and discuss your plans. Two vases are provided for the altar. Vases or liners
for vases may not go out of the building. Most florists in the area are
familiar with our sanctuary. If they are not, you may wish to meet them here to
discuss plans. Because of the slope of the sanctuary floor, we discourage the
use of isle runners. If flowers from your wedding are to be left for Sunday
service, please inform the church's Administrative Assistant by noon on
Wednesday of the week prior to the wedding, so that they may be acknowledged in
the next Sunday's bulletin. No flowers or decorations are to be DISPLAYED or REMOVED except under the PASTOR'S SUPERVISION.
BULLETINS: If you wish to have our secretary
print your bulletins, her charge is $25. We can order covers (allow at least
two months for delivery since not all publishing houses keep them in stock).
The Pastor can show you what is available, and help you set up your bulletin.
If you wish to have your bans published in the Sunday bulletin, please notify
the Administrative Assistant by noon
on the Wednesday prior to the bulletin announcement.
CANDLES: NO lighted candles are to be used in the church nave
during any wedding services, except with express permission of the church. If you would like to have candles in the
service, be sure to talk to the Pastor during your planning sessions, so that
approval can be obtained.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Contact well in advance (at least three months) of the wedding
date. NO flash pictures are to be taken during the ceremony. (Please be sure to
explain this to your photographer.) Pictures not requiring the use of lights or
flash attachments maybe taken during the ceremony. Stationary video cameras not
requiring supplementary lighting are allowed in an area designated by the
Pastor. Pictures may be posed before and/or after the ceremony. Those wishing
to have their service recorded on an audiocassette tape should notify the
pastor in advance and supply a 90-minute tape.
COMMUNION: If a couple desires communion
during the service, it must be offered to all who are present, as Communion is
the gathering of all of God’s people.
REHEARSALS: All who are participating in the wedding, including parents of the
couple and the wedding party, as well as musicians, etc. involved in the
wedding, need to be at the rehearsal.
Be sure to stress promptness, so that the rehearsal can begin at the
scheduled time. The Wedding License
must be given to the Pastor by the night of the rehearsal, if not before. All bills, including honorariums, must be paid by the time
of the rehearsal.
GROUND RULES:
• No alcoholic beverages or drugs on the grounds. No
one under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be admitted to the rehearsal
or to the ceremony.
• Smoking is restricted to outside the building.
• We request that no rice, birdseed, etc., be thrown
in the building or on the church grounds.
FEES: PAYEE;
Sanctuary:
$200.00 (non-members) “St
Johns Lutheran Church”
Chapel:
$100.00 (non-members) “St.
Johns Lutheran Church”
Sexton:
$75.00 “Patricia
Loudenslager”
Pew
Candles $75.00 “Patricia
Loudenslager”
(plus
cost of candles)
Organist: $150.00; with soloist $175.00 “Patricia
Loudenslager”
Acolyte: $20.00 _______________________________
Secretary:
(bulletin) $25.00 “Deb
Montgomery”
Candles,
bulletins, etc. according to actual cost. “St.
Johns Lutheran Church”
The wedding will be put on the
church calendar when the Marriage Information Form is completed and turned in.
The non-member charge for use of the sanctuary or chapel must be paid at the
time of scheduling. You will receive a bill for services approximately thirty
days before the wedding. Please pay each fee with a separate check, marked for the service
provided (candles, bulletins etc. may be paid with one check). All fees must be paid in full to the
church secretary no later than two weeks before the wedding. It is suggested that the Marriage
License be given to the church office at that time as well.
The Marriage Service
There are a number of things to consider in the
service: whether the service is formal or informal in nature, whether is will
be in the context of a full Service of the Word, Communion Service, or, as is most
common, simply the Wedding Service by itself. Following are three possible
outlines for a wedding service, from very simple to more complex. They are not,
of course, the only possibilities available.
I. A Basic Service
Prelude
Processional III.
Service of Word and Sacrament
Welcome Prelude
Invocation/Call to Worship Processional/Hymn
Prayer Welcome
Scripture Readings/Other Readings Confession
& Absolution
Introductory Statement/Homily Invocation/Call
to Worship
Declaration of Intent Prayer
Exchange of Vows Service
of the Word
Exchange of Rings Scripture
Reading
Declaration of Marriage Psalm
Marriage Blessing Gospel
Lesson
Prayers & Lord's Prayer Homily
Benediction Hymn
Recessional The
Marriage Service
Postlude Introductory
Statement
II. Service of the Word Declaration
of Intent
Prelude Exchange
of Vows
Processional Hymn Exchange
of Rings
Welcome Declaration
of Marriage
Invocation/Call to Worship Marriage
Blessing
Prayer Prayers
Service of the Word The
Communion Service
Scripture Reading Exchange
of the Peace
Psalm The
Offertory
Gospel Lesson The
Great Thanksgiving
Homily Words
of Institution
Hymn Lord's
Prayer
The Marriage Service Communion
Introductory Statement Post-Communion
Hymn
Declaration of Intent Post-Communion
Prayer
Exchange of Vows Benediction
Exchange of Rings Recessional
Declaration of Marriage
Postlude
Marriage
Blessing
Prayers
& Lord's Prayer
Hymn
Benediction
Recessional
Postlude
To these
elements of the service are sometimes added other elements of music, giving of
flowers (commonly roses) to parents, the Unity Candle, etc. You will want to
discuss these things with the pastor.
A Glossary of Terms
Prelude:
Pre-wedding music played as guests are being seated. Usually quiet, drawing the
congregation into the act of worship.
Processional:
A piece of music played as the bridal party comes down the aisle. Slow,
reverent, with a march-type quality.
Welcome:
Generally the pastor or a representative of the families will welcome all to
the wedding.
Confession
& Absolution: We come, not as perfect people, but as sinful human beings
into this relationship. The confession recognizes this, and asks God's help and
strength for the marriage. The absolution is a recognition of God's grace,
power and love - that He gives all that we need.
Invocation/Call
to Worship: The Invocation "invokes" God's presence, asking Him to be
with us as we worship. The Call to Worship is a recognition that God is already
present, and calls us into that presence.
Prayer: At
several times in the service, we call upon God to be directly involved in the
service and in the marriage. Prayer is simply, "talking to God,"
Service
of the Word: Those elements of the service that focus on what God is saying to
us, particularly through the Scripture Readings.
Scripture
Reading: Readings from the Old or New Testament. Commonly, there is at least
one reading from each section of the Bible.
Psalm: Scriptural hymns that are found in the Bible. Most of these were
composed by King David, Israel's greatest king.
Gospel
Lesson: Lessons from the first four books of the New Testament - Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John - which tell the story of Jesus' activities and teachings.
Homily:
A short sermon or meditation, usually based on the Scripture Readings.
Introductory
Statement: A short statement summarizing Christian teaching concerning
marriage.
Declaration
of Intent: A declaration of the bride and groom that they come freely to be
joined in marriage (the "I do's").
Exchange
of Vows: The center of the Service, they express the intent of the bride and
groom in marriage.
Exchange of Rings: In Western weddings, the exchange of rings or
"bands" is a sign to one another and to others that the parties are
married; a "seal" of the marriage vows.
Declaration of Marriage: The declaration by the Pastor that the two are,
in the eyes of God and of the State, united in marriage.
Marriage
Blessing: Commonly a blessing is offered after the Declaration of Marriage,
noting God's gracious provision within the marriage.
The
Communion Service: The portion of the Service centering on the Sacrament of
Holy Communion, also often referred to as the "Eucharist"
("thanksgiving").
Exchange
of the Peace: "Peace" (or in the Hebrew, "Shalom") is a
summary of all of God's blessings that He wishes for us: health, prosperity,
good relationships, happiness, peace. We take time to remember and to offer
these blessings to others as we greet one another with the words: "God's
peace be with you."
The
Offertory: We do not take up an "Offering" during the Marriage
Service, but we do note that, as we bring the elements of communion (the bread
and wine) forward, not only these elements, but also everything we have,
including the marriage relationship, is a gift from God, which we offer back up
to him with thanks.
The
Great Thanksgiving: A prayer that acknowledges God's saving acts, especially
the act of giving Jesus for our sakes.
Words of
Institution: Taken from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, these are the
words that Jesus spoke as he instituted Holy Communion.
Lord's
Prayer: The special prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, and which
Christians always pray. Communion: Also called, "The Lord's Supper,"
"The Eucharist," or "Holy Communion," it is a meal given to
Christians to help us experience His on-going presence in our lives, and to
help us remember His suffering, death, and promise of His return.
Benediction:
From the Latin, "benedictimus," or "blessing." There are
several benedictions in the Bible, the most common one found in Deuteronomy;
most of the others are from the end of letters or "Epistles" from the
New Testament.
Recessional: Music played while the bride and groom and entourage
"recess" to the back of the church. It is usually upbeat in nature,
much faster than the processional.
Postlude:
Music played while the congregation leaves the church. Usually also upbeat in
nature, it should last the approximate amount of time it takes for the
congregation to go through the receiving line and leave the church (figure
about ten minutes per every 100 people).
Scripture
Readings
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 1:26-28 Woman and man created in the image of
God
Genesis 2:18-24 Companionship rather than loneliness
Proverbs 3:3-6 Loyalty and faithfulness written on
the heart
Song of Solomon 2:10-13 The voice of the beloved
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 Many waters cannot quench love
Isaiah 63:7-9 God’s steadfast love lifts up
the people
Jeremiah 31:31-34 The new covenant of the people of God
Psalm
67 May God be merciful to us and bless
us
100 We are God’s people and the
sheep of God’s pasture
117 The steadfast love of the Lord
121 The Lord keeps watch over you
127 Unless the Lord builds the house
128 Blessed are those who walk in the
Lord’s ways
150 Let everything that breathes
praise the Lord
NEW
TESTAMENT
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 If God is for us, who is against us
Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 A living sacrifice and genuine love
1 Corinthians
12:31—13:13 The
greatest gift is love
Ephesians 3:14-19 The breadth, length, height and depth
of Christ’s love
Ephesians 5:1-2, 21-33 Walk in love, as Christ loved us
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always
Colossians 3:12-17 Clothed in compassion, kindness,
meekness and patience
1 John 3:18-24 Let us love in truth and action
1 John 4:7-16 Let us love one another for love is
of God
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:1-10 The beatitudes
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light, let your light
shine
Matthew 7:21, 24-29 A wise person builds upon the rock
Matthew 19:3-6 What God has united must not be
divided
Matthew 22:35-40 Love, the greatest commandment
Mark 10:6-9 They are no longer two but one
John 2:1-11 The wedding at Cana
John 15:9-17 Love one another as I have loved you
Marriage
Services
The
following are some Wedding Services from the Lutheran tradition. Included are
markings to identify the portion of the service, for reasons of comparison with
other services (ex.: all parts beginning with "B" are from the
Lutheran Book of Worship; all parts with "2" are Introductory
Statements). Directions (ruberics) are given in bold print. Parts are preceded
by a capital letter in bold type: M means "Minister,: B means
"Bride," G means "Groom," L means "Lector"
(another member of the bridal party or as Assisting Pastor), P means
"parents," and C means "Congregation." While only two services are given
(Lutheran Book of Worship and Evangelical Lutheran Worship), there are many
choices given, especially in the latter, to personalize the service. Services from other traditions can also
be used, and are available from the Pastor.
"Traditional"
services used to begin with "banns," asking "if anyone knows any
reason why the couple (should not) be joined, that they speak." At one
time, the church was the official "record keeper" of weddings for the
state, (this is still the practice in Canada, for example). The banns were a
legal consideration, to help ensure that the marriage was not being entered
into fraudulently, and is not necessary today in the United States, although
"banns" (announcements of the marriage) are still commonly published
in church bulletins and local newspapers.
The
"Giving of the Bride" dates from a time when women were held as
property (along with children), and signified the seal of a contract between
the Father of the bride and the Groom's family, usually given with a dowry.
Today it is a traditional element that has taken on a different meaning, an
honoring of the special relationship between father and daughter, or sometimes,
both parents and their daughter/son. It recognizes that, from this point on,
the new relationship will be central to the life of their son/daughter, and
that their relationship as parent/child must become secondary to the
husband/wife relationship.
Additional elements that emphasize this new relationship are the giving
of flowers (usually roses) to the parents, and the lighting of a Unity Candle
from two smaller candles.
THE
LUTHERAN SERVICE OF MARRIAGE (LBW)
Invocation
B2 The bride, groom, and wedding
party stand in front of the minister. The parents may stand behind the couple. M: The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Prayer
M: Let us
pray. Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at
Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by His presence now bring your
joy to this wedding. Look in favor upon ............ and ............., and
grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate with
Christ the marriage feast which has no end.
C: Amen.
B3 Congregation sits. One
or more lessons from the Bible may be read.
B4 An address may follow.
A
hymn may be sung.
Introductorv Statement
B1 M: The Lord God in His goodness created us male and female, and by the
gift of marriage founded human community in a joy that begins now and is
brought to perfection in the life to come. Because of sin, our age-old
rebellion, the gladness of marriage can be overcast and the gift of family can
become a burden. But because God, who establishes marriage, continues still to
bless it with His abundant and ever-present support, we can be sustained in our
weariness and have our joy restored.
Declaration of Intent
B5 M: .............and .............., if it is your intentions to share with
each other your joys and sorrows and all that the years will bring, with your
promises bind yourselves to each other as husband and wife.
Vows
B6 The bride and groom face each other and join hands.
Each, in turn, promises faithfulness to the other in these or similar words.
I take
you, ............, to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to join with
you and share all that is to come; and I promise to be faithful to you until
death parts us.
Exchange of Rings
B7 The bride and groom exchange rings
with these words:
I give you
this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.
Declaration of Marriage
B8 The bride and groom join hands;
and the minister announces their marriage by saying:
M: ...........
and ............ by their promises before God and in the presence of this
congregation, have bound themselves to one another as husband and wife.
Blessed
be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Those whom God
has joined together, let no one put asunder.
C: Amen.
Congregation sits.
Marriage
Blessing
B9 The bride and groom kneel.
M: The
Lord God, who created out first parents and established them in marriage,
establish and sustain you, that you may find delight in each other and grow in
holy love until your life's end.
C: Amen.
The parents may add their
blessing with these or similar words; the wedding party may join them.
P: May you dwell in God's presence forever; may true and
constant love preserve you.
The bride and groom stand.
Congregation stand.
Prayers
M: Let us
bless God for all the gifts in which we rejoice today.
Lord God,
constant in mercy, great in faithfulness: with high praise we recall your acts
of unfailing love for the human family, for the house of Israel, and for your people
the church. We bless you for the joy which your servants, ........... and
.........., have found in each other, and pray that you give to us such a sense
of your constant love that we may employ all our strength in a life of praise
of you, whose work alone holds true and endures forever.
C: Amen.
M: Let us
pray for ........... and .......... in their life together.
Faithful
Lord, source of love, pour down your grace upon .......... and .........., that
they may fulfill the vows they have made this day and reflect your steadfast
love in their life-long faithfulness to each other. As members with them of the
body of Christ, use us to support their life together, and from your great
store of strength give them power and patience, affection and understanding,
courage and love toward you, toward each other, and toward the world, that they
may continue together in mutual growth according to your will; in Jesus Christ,
our Lord.
C: Amen.
M: Let us
pray for all families throughout the world.
Gracious
Father, you bless the family and renew your people. Enrich husbands and wives,
parents and children, more and more with your grace, that, strengthening and
supporting each other, that they may serve those in need and be a sign of the
fulfillment of your perfect kingdom, where, with your Son Jesus Christ and the
Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God throughout all ages of ages.
C: Amen.
When Holy Communion is
celebrated, the service continues with the Peace.
When
there is no Communion, the service continues with
B10
The Lord's Prayer.
B11
Benediction
M:
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, keep you in His light and love now
and forever.
C: Amen.
Lutheran (Renewing Worship)
ENTRANCE
A hymn may
be sung during the entrance, or other music may be played.
H1 GREETING
The
presiding minister greets the assembly:
The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
H2 INTRODUCTION
The
minister may introduce the rite with these or similar words:
A
Dear friends: We have come
together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of name
and name, to surround them with our prayers, and to share in
their joy.
The scriptures teach us that
the bond and covenant of marriage is a gift of God, a holy mystery in which two
become one flesh, an image of the union of Christ and the church. As name
and name give themselves to each other today, we remember that at
Cana in Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ made the wedding feast a sign of
God’s reign of love.
Let us enter into this
celebration confident that, through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present with us
now also; we pray that this couple may fulfill God’s purpose for the
whole of their lives.
B
Name and name have come to make their
marriage vows in the presence of God and of this congregation. Let us now
witness their promises to each other and surround them with our prayers, giving
thanks to God for the gift of marriage and asking God’s blessing upon
them, so that they may be strengthened for their life together and nurtured in
their love for God.
We rejoice that marriage is
given by God, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and sustained by the Holy
Spirit. Therefore, let marriage be held in honor by all.
C
The Lord God in goodness
created us male and female, and by the gift of marriage founded human
community in a joy that begins now
and is brought to perfection in the life to come.
Because of sin, our age-old
rebellion, the gladness of marriage can be overcast and the gift of the family
can become a burden. But because God, who established marriage, continues still
to bless it with abundant and ever-present support, we can be sustained in our
weariness and have our joy restored.
D
Beloved people of God, we
have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the covenant of
love and fidelity name and name are to make with
each other.
The union of two persons in
heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and
comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and that their love may
be a blessing to all whom they encounter.
This solemn covenant is not
to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and
with the commitment to seek God’s will for their lives.
H5 DECLARATION OF INTENT
The
minister addresses the couple, asking each person in turn:
A
Name, will you have name to be your wife/husband,
to live together in a holy marriage? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him,
honor and keep her/him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all
others, be faithful to her/him
as long as you both shall live?
Response: I will.
B
Name, will you
receive name as your wife/husband and bind yourself to her/him
in the covenant of marriage? Will you promise to love and honor her/him
in true devotion, to rejoice with her/him in times of gladness, to
grieve with her/him in times of sorrow,and to be faithful to her/him
as long as you both shall live?
Response: I will, with the help of God.
C
Name, living
in the promise of God, joined to Christ in your baptism, will you give yourself
to name in love and faithfulness? Will you share your life with her/him,
in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, for richer, for poorer, for
better, for worse, and will you be faithful to her/him as long as you
both shall live?
Response: I will, with the help of God.
The
minister says to the families:
A
Will you, the families of name and name,
give your love and blessing to this new family?
The
families respond: We will.
The
minister says to the assembly:
Will all of you, by
God’s grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for these two
persons in their life together?
We will.
B
The
minister says to the assembly:
Families, friends, and all
those gathered here with name and name, will you
promise to support and care for them in their life together, to sustain and
pray for them in times of trouble, to give thanks with them in times of joy, to
honor the bonds of their covenant, and to affirm the love of God reflected in
their lives?
We will, with the help of
God.
C
When
pastorally appropriate, one or both of these questions may be used when
children are brought into the family of those to be married.
The
minister may ask the couple:
Name and name, will you be faithful and
loving parents to name/s?
Response: We will,
with the help of God.
The
minister may ask the children:
Name/s, will you help name and name
in their marriage?
Response: We will,
with the help of God.
H2 PRAYER OF THE DAY
The
presiding minister leads the prayer of the day:
A
Let us pray.
Eternal God, our creator and
redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding
at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so bring your joy to this wedding by his
presence now. Look in favor upon name
and name and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate the unending
marriage feast with Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
Amen.
B
Gracious God, you sent your
Son Jesus Christ into the world to reveal your love to all people. Enrich name
and name with every good gift, that their life together may show
forth your love; and grant that at the last we may all celebrate with Christ
the marriage feast that has no ending; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
C
Eternal God, creator and
sustainer of us all, give your grace to name and name.
Grant that in the years ahead they may be faithful to the vows they make this
day, and that in the strength of the Holy Spirit they may grow together in the love, joy,
and peace of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
READINGS and RESPONSES
Two or
three readings are proclaimed. When communion is celebrated, the last is a
reading from the gospels. A psalm may be sung or said in response to a reading
from the Old Testament. A sung acclamation may precede the reading of the
gospel.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Blessed are they
who walk in the ways of the Lord. Alleluia.
H4 SERMON
Silence
for reflection follows.
HYMN OF THE DAY
A hymn of
the day may be sung.
H6 VOWS
The presiding
minister addresses the couple in these or similar words:
Name and name,
I invite you to join your
hands and declare your vows.
The
couple join hands. Speaking so that all can hear, each says to the other the following
or similar words; the minister may help them proclaim their vows:
A
In the presence of God and
this community, I, name, take you, name, to be my wife/husband;
to have and to hold from this day forward, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and
in want, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both
shall live. This is my solemn vow.
B
I take you, name,
to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to join with you and share
all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.
C
I, name, give
myself to you, name. By the grace of God, I promise to support
and care for you. In the love of Christ,
I promise to love and
cherish you. With the Spirit’s help, I promise to be faithful to you, as
long as we both shall live.
D
I take you, name,
to be my wife/husband, and these things I promise you: I will be
faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect, trust, help, and care for
you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will share my life with
you, through the best and worst of all that is to come, until death parts us.
H7 Giving of Rings
When
rings are to be exchanged, they may be placed on the service book of the
minister or held by an assisting minister. The presiding minister may say:
A
Bless these rings, O God;
may they who wear them live in love and fidelity, and continue in your service
all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
B
Gracious God, by your
blessing let these rings be to name and name a symbol
of their unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant
they have made this day, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
C
We give you thanks, O God of
grace, for your love and faithfulness to your people. Bless these rings, that
they may be symbols of the enduring commitment name and name
have made to each other; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
The
couple exchange rings with these or similar words:
A
Name, I give
you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.
B
Name, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow. With
all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
H8 Acclamation
The
presiding minister addresses the assembly:
Name and name, by their promises before God and in the
presence of this assembly, have
bound themselves to one another as husband and wife. Those whom God has joined
together let no one put asunder.
Amen. Thanks be to God.
A sung
acclamation, hymn, or other music may follow in response to the announcement of
marriage.
Other
symbols of marriage may be given or used at this time.
A
Your love, O Lord, forever
will we sing, for your faithfulness endures from age to age.
B
God is love; let us love one
another as God first loved us.
C
May you dwell in God’s
presence forever; may true and constant love preserve you.
D
May the blessing of God set
a seal on your hearts to strengthen you in faithfulness and love.
H9 Nuptial Blessing
The couple
may kneel as the presiding minister prays for God’s blessing:
A
We give you thanks, most
gracious God, for in your great
love you created us male and female and made the union of husband and wife an
image of the covenant between you and your people. You sent Jesus Christ to
come among us, making your love visible in him, to bring new life to the world.
Send your Holy Spirit to
pour out the abundance of your blessing on name and name,
who have this day given themselves to each other in marriage.
Bless them in their work and
in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys
and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Let their love for each
other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown
upon their foreheads.
Bless them so that all may
see in their lives together within the community of your people a vision of
your kingdom on earth. And finally, in the fullness of time, welcome them into
the glory of your presence.
Through your Son Jesus
Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church all honor and glory is yours,
almighty Father, now and forever.
Amen.
B
When a
prayer for children is desired, the following words may be included in the
blessing immediately before “Let their love for each other be a seal upon
their hearts”:
Give them the gift and
heritage of children in accordance with your will, and make their home a haven
of peace.
C
When
children are brought into the family of the newly married couple, the following
words may be included in the blessing immediately before “Let their love
for each other be a seal upon their hearts”:
You have given them the gift
and heritage of children; make their home a haven of peace.
D
Most gracious God, we give you
thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be
born of a human mother, and to make the way of the cross to be the way of life.
By the power of your Holy
Spirit, pour out your abundant blessing upon name and name.
Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each
other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown
upon their foreheads.
Bless them in their work and
in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys
and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death.
Finally in your mercy, bring
them to that table where your saints feast forever in your banquet; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one
God, now and forever.
Amen.
E
The Lord God, who created
our first parents and established them in marriage, establish and sustain you, that you may
find delight in each other and grow
in holy love until your life’s end.
Amen.
Intercessions
Prayers
of intercession for the world and its needs are prayed. These prayers, prepared
or adapted for the particular occasion, may include the following or similar
petitions. An assisting minister may lead the prayers:
A)
Seeing how greatly God has
loved us, let us pray for the whole world.
For the Christian community
everywhere; for the life and ministry of the baptized, and for pastors,
leaders, and servants of the gospel, that the church may be the risen body of
Christ in the world. O God, source of all life,
hear our prayer.
For all communities
everywhere; for our nation, for all those who govern and for all in authority,
and for justice and peace throughout the world. O God, source of all life,
hear our prayer.
For those we love easily,
and for those with whom we struggle, for those different from us and for those
familiar to us, that we might be instruments of God’s peace. O God,
source of all life,
hear our prayer.
For those who suffer in any way,
and those who are lonely, for the sick, the dying, and those who are bereaved,
for those who are poor, hungry, homeless, or unemployed, for the victims of
violence, hatred, and intolerance. O God, source of all life,
hear our prayer.
For all those who are bound
to us in love; for our families, friends, and neighbors, remembering also all
who have gone before us (especially name/s). O God, source of all
life,
hear our prayer.
Other
intercessions may be added. The presiding minister concludes the prayers:
Creator of all, you make us
in your image and likeness and fill us with everlasting life. Hear the prayers
of your people and grant to name and name grace to
live in unity and joy all the days of their lives. We ask this through Jesus
Christ, in the Holy Spirit, to whom, with you, one God, be praise forever and
ever.
Amen.
B
On this day of rejoicing, let us bless God for divine
love made flesh in Jesus Christ.
We praise you, O God, for the joy that name and name
have found in each other and pray
that the strength of their love may
reflect your gracious love and enrich our common life.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
From your great store of
strength give them power and patience, affection and understanding, courage,
and love toward you, toward each other, and toward the world.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
Make them gentle and
patient, ready to trust each other, and, when they fail, willing to acknowledge
their fault and to give and receive forgiveness.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
Use us to support name
and name in their lives together. Give us such a sense of your
constant love that we may employ all our strength in a life of praise of you.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
Strengthen and bless friends
and family gathered here, call to mind those separated by distance, console
those who mourn the loss of loved ones,
and be present with those for whom love is a stranger.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
Look graciously on the world
you have made and for which your Son gave his life. Defend and guide all who
suffer want or anxiety.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
We praise you, merciful God,
for the saints, those who have died
in Christ (especially name/s). Strengthen us by their example and
bring us all to the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Gracious and tender God,
hear our prayer.
The
presiding minister concludes the prayers:
Most gracious God, you have
made us in your image and given us over to one another’s care. Hear the
prayers of your people, that unity may overcome division, hope vanquish
despair, and joy conquer sorrow; through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
When holy
communion is not celebrated, the Lord’s Prayer follows. The liturgy
concludes with the sending rite
When holy communion is celebrated, the liturgy continues with the greeting of peace and the remainder of the liturgy of the meal.
PROPER
PREFACE
It is indeed right and
salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise,
O Lord, almighty and ever-living God. You made us in your image; male and
female you created us. You give us the gift of marriage and call us to reflect
your faithfulness as we serve one another in the bond of covenant love. And so,
with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join
their unending hymn:
The
Sanctus follows.
After the
communion, an assisting minister may lead the following or a similar prayer:
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Loving God, we thank you
that you have fed us in this holy meal, united us with Christ, and given us a
foretaste of the marriage feast of the Lamb. So strengthen us in your service
that our daily lives may show our thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GREETING
OF PEACE
When it
has not been included earlier in the liturgy, the greeting of peace may be
shared, beginning with this dialogue between the presiding minister and the
assembly:
The peace of the Lord be
with you always.
And also with you.
The
couple may greet each other with a kiss. All present may greet one another with
a gesture of peace, using these or similar words: Peace be with you.
H11 Blessing
The
presiding minister blesses the assembly:
A
God Almighty send you light
and truth to keep you all the days of your life. The hand of God protect you;
the holy angels accompany you; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father,
the + Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever.
Amen.
B
The blessed and holy Trinity
make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace, now
and forever.
Amen.
Dismissal
An
assisting minister may send the assembly forth:
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
departure
A hymn
may be sung or instrumental music played as the wedding party leaves the
church.