Non-Denominational Christian Ceremony
Sample 20
Opening prayer
Opening remarks
Friends, we have been invited here today to
share with ___________ and ___________ a most important moment in their
lives. In the time they have been together their love and understanding
of each other has grown and matured. Now they have decided to live
their lives together as husband and wife.
Parents and people are seated
We have been invited to hear ___________ and
___________ as they promise to face the future together, accepting
whatever may lie ahead. For the world that God has created for them,
with its beauty and grace that is all around, with the strength that it
offers and the peace that it brings, makes them truly grateful.
___________ and ___________, nothing is easier
than saying words and nothing harder than living them day after day.
What you promise today must be renewed and redecided tomorrow. At the
end of this ceremony legally you will be man and wife, but you still
must decide each day that stretches out before you, that you want to be
married.
Real love is something beyond the warmth and
glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring
as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as
about your own. But real love is not total absorption in each other; it
is looking outward in the same direction --together. Love makes burdens
lighter, because you divide them. It make joys more intense because you
share them. It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become
involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.
Both sets of parents stand
Pastor -- Who brings ___________ to stand beside ___________ ?
Bride's parents -- We do.
Pastor to both sets of parents -- Parents, are
you willing, now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by
upholding both ___________ and ___________ with your love and concern?
Both sets of parents respond -- We are.
Pastor -- Then you, you may be seated.
Wedding Vows
Pastor to Groom -- ___________, will you take
___________ to be your wife? Will you love and respect her? Will you be
honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may
come? Will you make whatever adjustments are necessary so that you can
genuinely share your life with her?
Groom -- I will.
Pastor to Bride -- ___________ will you take
___________ to be your husband? Will you be honest with him always?
Will you stand by him through whatever may come? Will you make whatever
adjustments are necessary so that you can genuinely share your life
with him?
Bride -- I will.
Ring Vows
Pastor to Groom -- ___________, what token do you give of the vows you have made?
Groom -- A ring. (Groom repeats his ring vows and places ring on bride's finger.)
Pastor to Bride -- ___________, what token do you give of the vows you have made?
Bride -- A ring. (Bride repeats her ring vows and places ring on groom's finger.)
Pastor:___________ and ___________ ,we have
heard you promise to share your lives in marriage. We recognize and
respect the covenant you have made. It is not a minister standing
before you that makes your marriage real, but the honest and sincerity
of what you have said and done here before your friends and relatives
in the sight of God.
Pronouncement
Forasmuch as ___________ and ___________ have
consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before
God and this company, by the authority committed unto me as a Minister
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I declare that ___________ and
___________ are now husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God
and the law of the State of Washington: in the name of the Father, and
the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Whom therefore God hath joined
together, let no man put assunder.
Embrace
Now the ceremony is over and the experience of
living day by day as married people is about to begin. Go forth to meet
it, gladly, love life so it will love you. May blessings of God be with
you.
Introduction
I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. ___________
Recessional