Greeting will be offered when song is over.
Groom and Bride come to give themselves to one another in this holy covenant.
You may be seated.
Bride and Groom,
I ask you now, in the presence of God and these people, to declare your
intention to enter into union with one another through the grace of
Jesus Christ, who calls you into union with Himself as acknowledged in
your baptism.
Bride, will you have Groom
to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love
him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and
forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?
Bride: I will.
Pastor to the man:
Groom, will you have Bride to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all other, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?
Groom: I will.Pastor to people:
The marriage of Groom and Bride unites their families and creates a new one. Their marriage brings together two circles of friends. They ask for your blessing. These two questions are for all you who are gathered here:
Will you rejoice in their union and pray God's blessing upon them? If so, please say, we will.People: We will.
People: We will.
Pastor to people:
I invite you to join with me in prayer.
God of all peoples, you are the true light illumining everyone. You show us the way, the truth, and the life. You love us even when we are disobedient. You sustain us with your Holy Spirit. We rejoice in your life in the midst of our lives. We praise you for your presence with us, and especially in this act of solemn covenant; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Biblical Model for Marriage
Groom and Bride have come today to be joined together in Christian marriage. Marriage can be modeled for us by many people: parents relatives, friends, and also the model of the very first marriage. In the beginning of time,
"the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7, TNIV).
God created humanity and placed this single individual in the middle of a beautiful garden to work in and take care of it. This place was paradise that provided everything that could be wanted. But in the midst of this paradise, God was that something was missing. A companion was needed so that the man would not be alone. God brought all the animals on the earth before the man and they received names. But out of all of the creatures that walked on the ground, flew in the air or swam in the sea there was not one that was suitable helper for the man.
"So the LORD God cause the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and then up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man and he brought her to the man" (Genesis 2:21-22, TNIV).
This is the biblical model of marriage - that each would be a helper to the other and that they would live together in a partnership. We all need companions and partners in life's journey. Our family and friends can provide some of that companionship, but today we are all witnesses to that deeper level of companionship - when two people are joined together in marriage before God.
Scripture Interpretation
Text...
Story of Bride and Groom
As a part of the time that I was able to spend with Bride and Groom, I asked them to each write a love letter
to the other that expressed some of their feelings before the wedding.
They will be able to read these letters on their first anniversary and
I would like to share a portion of each of these letters now.
Bride writes to Groom about...
Groom writes to Bride about...
Bride sees in Groom someone who...
Groom sees in Bride someone who...
Single Moments in Life
There is something about single moments in life - when you get your drivers' license, graduate school, start a new job and many others. Today is one of those days filled with special moments. I would like to invite you to turn around and look at the congregation that is gathered. There will never again be a group gathered like there is today. These are your family and friends, those who care and support you. They will be your support in the years ahead when you face tough times. They will be those with whom you share you joy in the years ahead - when happiness is overflowing and you have to share it with someone. Now look to each side to the men and women that you have chosen to stand with you on this day. They know you well and have come to know both of you. It is my hope that you will continue to stay in contact with then and know that they are there to support you in your marriage
I invite you to turn and face front.
Most importantly, know that you are entering into your marriage in the sight of God and that faith is a part of marriage that holds it together. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Colossians,
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:12-14, TNIV).
Bride and Groom, as you continue in your life together, be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient - with each other and with those around you. May God bless your journey together from this day on and forever. Amen.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of
salvation, giver of all grace: Bless and sanctify with your Holy
Spirit Groom and Bride, who come now to join together in
marriage. Grant that they may give their vows to each other in the
strength of your steadfast love. Enable them to grow in love and peace
with you and with one another all their days, that they may reach out
in concern and service to the world: through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The woman and man face each other, joining both hands.
Man to Woman:
In the name of God,
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,
until we are parted by death.
This is my solemn vow.
Woman to the Man:
In the name of God,
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,
until we are parted by death.
This is my solemn vow.
Receive rings from the Best Man
These rings are the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the joining of Husband and Wife in holy marriage.
I invite you to pray with me.
Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may live in your peace and continue in your favor all the days of their life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Woman to Man:
Groom, I give you this ring
as a sign of my vow,
and 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.
Man to Woman:
Bride, I give you this ring
as a sign of my vow,
and 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.
Pastor to husband and wife:
You have declared your consent and vows before God and this congregation. May God confirm your covenant and fill you both with grace.
Pastor to people:
Now that Groom and Bride have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, and the giving and receiving of rings, I announce to you that they are husband and wife; in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one tear apart.
The Unity Candle represents the coming together of two families to form one. Groom and Bride realize they can be more complete individuals as their lives are joined together. Just as the two flames join together to become one so now their hearts, their dreams, their lives become one.
After they have lit the unity candle, Bride and Groom will have the opportunity to give a rose to their mother’s as a sign of entering into a new family relationship.
(Pastor will move behind Bride and Groom and place her or his hands over their hands joined together.)
Pastor to the people:
O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of Christian marriage that in it is represented the covenant between Christ and His Church. Send therefore your blessing upon Groom and Bride, that they may surely keep their marriage covenant, and so grow in love and godliness together that their home may may be a haven of blessing and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord who teaches all to pray together:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
(Husband and wife turn to face the congregation. Pastor will move in front of the couple.)
Pastor to Wife and Husband:
God the eternal keep you in love with each other, so that the peace of Christ may abide in your home. Go to serve God and your neighbor in all that you do.
Pastor to the People:
Bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that those to whom love is a stranger will find in you generous friends. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Pastor to the Wife and Husband:
You may now kiss.
Pastor to the People:
Family and friends, I present to you husband and wife Mr. and Mrs. Groom and Bride Last Name.