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
innocence, 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 sustaining
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 after God's ordinance in the holy
estate of matrimony; will you love her,
comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness
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
confirmed 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 disciples 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
blessedness 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, enabling 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 glorious 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
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