Christian Wedding Ceremony
Sample 8
Introductory Remarks
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the
presence of these witnesses, to join ___________ and ___________ in
holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the
time of man's innocency, signifying to us the mystical union which is
between Christ and His Church. Which holy estate Christ adorned
and beautified with His presence at the first miracle which He wrought
in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of the Apostle Paul to be
honorable among all men, and is therefore not to be entered into
lightly or inadvisably, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of
God.
Into which holy estate ___________ and ___________ come now to be
joined and to unite two hearts and lives, blending all interest,
sympathies, and hopes. I charge and entreat you, therefore, in entering
upon and sus-taining this hallowed union, to seek the favor and
blessing of Him whose favor is life, whose blessing maketh rich and
addeth no sorrow. Let us now seek His blessing.
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, we beseech Thee to come by Thy grace to this
marriage. Give to these who marry a due sense of the obligations they
are now to assume, so that with true intent, and with utter unreserve
of love, they may plight their troth, and be henceforth helps, meet for
each other while they journey through life. This we ask in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Giving away of Bride
Pastor -- Who is giving ___________ in Holy Matrimony to ___________ ?
Father of the Bride -- I do.
Pastor -- I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God,
to remember that true love and loyalty alone will avail as the
foundation of a happy home. If the solemn vows you are about to make be
kept inviolate, and if you steadfastly endeavor to do the will of your
heavenly Father, your lives will be full of joy, and the home you are
about to establish will abide in peace.
No other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than
those you are about to assume. You are entering into the holy estate
which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very
sacrament of divine love.
Wedding Vows
Pastor to Groom -- ___________, will you have ___________ to be your
wedded wife, to live together af-ter God's ordinance in the holy estate
of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in
sick-ness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only
unto her, so long as you both shall live?
Groom -- I will.
Pastor to Bride -- ___________, will you have ___________ to be your
wedded husband to live together after God's ordinance in the holy
estate of matrimony; will you submit to him, serve him, love, honor,
and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others,
keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Bride -- I will.
Ring Vows
Pastor to Groom -- What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?
Groom -- A ring.
Pastor to Bride -- Do you accept this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of ________'s vows?
Bride -- I do.
Groom -- WITH THIS RING I THEE WED. AND WITH ALL MY WORLDLY GOODS I
THEE ENDOW. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER., AND OF THE SON, AND OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.
And may this circlet of pure gold which has no end, be henceforth the
chaste and changeless symbol of your evermore pure and changeless
affection.
Pastor to Bride -- What pledge do you give of the sincerity of your vows?
Bride -- A ring.
Pastor to Groom -- _________, to you accept this ring as a pledge of the sincerity of _______'s vows?
Groom -- I do.
Bride -- THIS RING I GIVE YOU...IN TOKEN AND PLEDGE..OF MY CONSTANT FAITHFULNESS AND ABIDING LOVE.
Pastor -- And may this ring given, be the outward and visible sign of
an inward and spiritual bond which unites your two hearts in love that
has no end.
Forasmuch as ___________ and ___________ have consented in holy
wedlock, and have thereto con-firmed the same by giving and receiving
each one a ring; by the authority committed unto me as a minister of
the Church of Jesus Christ, I now declare you husband and wife
according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the State of
____________, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, Amen.
(The minister suggests that the couple shall kneel and continues)
Dearly beloved ones, this day marks a new era in your lives now united.
From henceforth you travel life's pathway not alone, but together. Let
love be forever enthroned in your hearts. As members of the church of
Jesus Christ, we earnestly commend you to our Heavenly Father, asking
Him that according to His abundant grace, He may bestow upon you both
the Spirit of Grace, enabling you to establish a Christian home where
the voice of prayer and praise shall be as sweet incense continually
ascend unto Him who hath purchased you with His own precious blood.
May you experience as you travel down life's pathway together, be like
unto the experience of the two dis-ciples who journeyed together from
Jerusalem to Emmaus, of whom we read that Jesus Himself drew near and
went with them. And may heaven's constant benediction crown your union
with ever-increasing joy and blessed-ness and true affection of a happy
marriage.
Prayer of Dedication
Let us all bow our hearts in prayer of dedication.
O God, our heavenly Father, Thou alone art the Source and Author of
life. Thou art the Protector and Guide on life's pathway. Thou alone
art the Builder and Maker of homes. Now grant, we pray Thee, the
blessings of Thy promises, and the aid of Thy Holy Spirit to these dear
ones, ena-bling them to honor Thee, and to be ever true to the pledges
made to each other. May Thy grace in abundant measure be theirs,
helping them to walk in Thy truth, to abide in Thy fellowship, and to
live in perfect peace and love with each other until their earthly life
shall end in Thy glo-rious presence. This we ask in the blessed name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And now, may the Lord bless thee and keep thee. May the Lord make His
face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee, May the Lord lift
up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Amen.
(At this point while the couple still kneel, the soloist may sing an appropriate prayer hymn of consecration).
Introduction of new Couple
Pastor -- And now it is my happy privilege to congratulate and introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. ___________
(The organist will immediately strike up the recessional with the
entire wedding party marching briskly down the aisle to the rear of the
church.