Service of Christian Marriage
From The Book of Common Worship, 1993
This is intended as a guide to a service of Marriage for use at First Presbyterian Church, Cliff Nunn pastor. Choices are made by the bride and groom as to portions of prayers, Scripture Readings, optional calls to worship, etc. In this document,
BBBB = Bride's name
GGGG = Groom's name
PPPP = Parent's name
S1 = First Scripture Reading
S2 = Second Scripture Reading
D&T = Date and Time
ORDER OF WORSHIP
For The Marriage of BBBB and GGGG
D&T
Entrance of Groom and groomsmen, pastor, ring bearer and/or flower bearer.
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
(Either before or after the entrance, the people are called to worship with these or other words of Scripture)
Pastor: God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. (I John 4:16)
OR
This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
Entrance of brides maid and attendants.
Entrance of bride and father
TRADITIONAL GIVING AWAY OF THE BRIDE
(This can be done at this point in the ceremony, later after the declaration of intent, or can simply not be used. The person
giving away the bride can be the father, friend, uncle, grandparent, etc.)
Who presents this bride in marriage
PPPPP: Her mother and I.
STATEMENT ON THE GIFT OF MARRIAGE
(Some or all of the paragraphs below can be selected.)
Pastor: We have gathered in the presence of God
to give thanks for the gift of marriage,
to witness the joining together of GGGG and BBBB,
to surround them with our prayers,
and to ask God's blessing upon them,
so that they may be strengthened for their life together
and nurtured in their love for God.
God created us male and female,
and gave us marriage
so that husband and wife
may help and comfort each other,
living faithfully together
in plenty and in want,
in joy and in sorrow,
in sickness and in health,
throughout all their days.
God gave us marriage
for the full expression of the love between a man and a woman.
In marriage a woman and a man belong to each other,
and with affection and tenderness
freely give themselves to each other.
God gave us marriage
for the well-being of human society,
for the ordering of family life,
and for the birth and nurture of children.
God gave us marriage as a holy mystery
in which a man and a woman are joined together,
and become one,
just as Christ is one with the church.
In marriage, husband and wife are called to a new way of life
created, ordered, and blessed by God.
This way of life must not be entered into carelessly,
or from selfish motives,
but responsibility, and prayerfully.
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 among all.
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Gracious God, you are always faithful in your love for us.
Look mercifully upon GGGG and BBBB
who have come seeking your blessing.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them
so that with steadfast love
they may honor the promises they make this day,
through Jesus Christ our Savior.
AMEN
DECLARATIONS OF INTENT
GGGG, understanding that God has created, ordered
and blessed the covenant of marriage,
do you affirm your desire and intention
to enter this covenant?
OR if baptized, the following may be used.
GGGG, in your baptism
you have been called to union with Christ and the church.
Do you intend to honor this calling
through the covenant of marriage
GGGG: I DO
BBBB, understanding that God has created, ordered
and blessed the covenant of marriage,
do you affirm your desire and intention
to enter this covenant?
OR if baptized, the following may be used.
BBBB, in your baptism
you have been called to union with Christ and the church.
Do you intend to honor this calling
through the covenant of marriage
BBBB: I DO
AFFIRMATIONS OF THE FAMILIES
(Either the affirmation of the family and or the affirmation of the congregation or both affirmations can be used.)
PPPPP Do you give your blessing to GGGG and BBBB,
and promise to do everything in your power
to uphold them in their marriage?
WE DO!
AFFIRMATION OF THE CONGREGATION
Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold GGGG and BBBB in their marriage?
WE WILL!
(Psalm, hymn, or anthem may be sung)
SCRIPTURE AND SERMON
(The Prayer for Illumination follows)
God of mercy, your faithfulness to your covenant
frees us to live together
in the security of your powerful love.
Amid all the changing words of our generation,
may we hear your eternal Word that does not change.
Then may we respond to your gracious promises
with faithful and obedient lives;
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
(Bride and Groom should select one or both readings of Scripture).
Pastor: Listen for the word of God. This is a reading from S1
Pastor: Listen for the word of God. This is a reading from S2
Pastor: SERMON (Dr. Nunn reserves the right to speak a meditation on the Scripture lesson)
VOWS (Slight changes in wording would be considered.)
GGGG and BBBB,
since it is your intention to marry,
face one another, join hands
and with your promises
bind yourselves to each other as husband and wife.
(Bride and Groom face each other and join hands)
(Pastor leads the vows a phrase at a time)
GGGG: I GGGG take you BBBB
to be my wife;
and I promise,
before God and these witnesses,
to be your loving and faithful husband;
in plenty and in want;
in joy and in sorrow;
in sickness and in health;
as long as we both shall live.
BBBB: I BBBB take you GGGG
to be my husband;
and I promise,
before God and these witnesses,
to be your loving and faithful wife;
in plenty and in want;
in joy and in sorrow;
in sickness and in health;
as long as we both shall live.
(An alternate wording would be:
Before God and these witnesses, I, GGGG take you, BBBB to be my wife
and I promise to love you,
and to be faithful to you,
as long as we both shall live.)
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Pastor: What do you bring as a sign of your promise?
(Pastor blesses the rings)
By your blessing, O God,
may these rings be to GGGG and BBBB
symbols of unending love and faithfulness,
reminding them of the covenant they have made
this day,
through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN
(Pastor leads each in vows)
GGGG: BBBB, I give you this ring
as a sign of our constant faith and abiding love
in the name of the Father,
and of his Son,
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
(The one receiving the ring can optionally respond in the following manner.
BBBB: I receive this ring,
as a sign of our covenant
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.)
BBBB: GGGG, this ring I give you
as a sign of our constant faith and abiding love
in the name of the Father,
and of his Son,
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
(The one receiving the ring can optionally respond in the following manner.
GGGG: I receive this ring,
as a sign of our covenant
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.)
PRAYER
PASTOR: Let us pray.
(Paragraphs from below should be selected)
Eternal God,
creator and preserver of all life,
author of salvation
and giver of all grace:
look with favor upon the world you have made and redeemed,
and especially upon GGGG and BBBB.
Give them wisdom and devotion in their common life,
that each may be to the other
a strength in need,
a comfort in sorrow,
a counselor in perplexity,
and a companion in joy.
Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will,
and their spirits in your Spirit,
that they may grow in love and peace
with you and each other
all the days of their life.
Give them the grace,
when they hurt each other,
to recognize and confess their fault,
and the grace to seek each other's forgiveness,
and yours.
Make their life together
a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world,
that community may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt,
and joy conquer despair.
Give them such fulfillment of their mutual love
that they may reach out in concern for others.
Give to them, if it is your will,
the gift of children,
and the wisdom to bring them up
to know you, to love you,
and to serve you.
Grant that all who have witnessed these vows today
may find their lives strengthened,
and that all who are married
may depart with their own promises renewed.
Enrich with your grace
all husbands and wives, parents and children
that, loving and supporting one another,
they may serve those in need
and be a sign of your kingdom.
Grant that the bonds of our common humanity,
by which all your children are united one to another,
may be so transformed by your Spirit
that your peace and justice may fill the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Eternal God,
without your grace no promise is sure.
Strengthen GGGG and BBBB with patience, kindness, gentleness,
and all other gifts of your Spirit,
so that they may fulfill the vows they have made.
Keep them faithful to each other and to you.
Fill them with such love and joy
that they may build a home of peace and welcome.
Guide them by your word
to serve you all their days.
Enable us all, O God,
in each of our homes and lives to do your will
Enrich us with your grace
so that, encouraging and supporting one another,
we may serve those in need
and hasten the coming of peace, love, and justice on earth,
through Jesus Christ, our lord. AMEN
THE LORD's PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name
they kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever, AMEN.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
Before God and in the presence of these friends
GGGG and BBBB have made their solemn vows to each other
they have confirmed their promises by the joining of hands,
and by the giving and receiving of rings.
Therefore, I proclaim that they are now
husband and wife.
Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit now and forever.
(the couple kiss)
Pastor: Those whom God has joined together
let no one separate.
CHARGE TO THE COUPLE
As God's own
clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, and patience,
forgiving each other
as the Lord has forgiven you,
and crown all these things with love
which binds everything together in perfect
harmony.
OR
What ever you do, in word or deed
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God through him.
BENEDICTION
The Lord Bless you and keep you
The Lord be kind and gracious to you
The Lord look upon you with favor
and give you peace.
AMEN.
OR
The grace of Christ attend you,
the love of God surround you,
the Holy Spirit keep you,
that you may live in faith,
abound in hope,
and grow in love,
both now and forevermore.
AMEN
(All parties exit bride and groom, groomsmen
and bridesmaid, parents, then pastor, then
congregation
After the marriage, the proper legal documents are signed in the back of the church and additional picture taking can occur.
NOTE: This liturgy is adapted from the Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., 1993. There are
alternate liturgies as follows.
In the Presbyterian Church, weddings were at one time an event celebrated right in the middle of the normal Sunday
Worship of the local church. This is an alternative that is always possible. It affirms that a wedding is really a worship
service, and it provides a means whereby the normal, worshiping community can witness and affirm wedding vows.
Communion can also be served at a wedding. Unless both bride and groom are from a Christian, even Presbyterian
tradition, this presents problems for some who might attend the wedding service. But it is possible and an affirmation of
the presence of God at a wedding service. Permission of the governing body of First Presbyterian Church would be
required.
There is also a service for those previously married in a civil ceremony. This could also be adapted as a reaffirmation of a
marriage ceremony performed many years ago.