Book of Worship
A Service of Christian Marriage
This service of Christian marriage is provided for couples who wish to solemnize their marriage in a service of Christian worship, parallel in its structure to the Sunday service, which includes the proclamation of the Word with prayer and praise. Christian marriage is proclaimed as a sacred covenant reflecting Christ’s covenant with the church. Everything about the service is designed to witness that this is a Christian marriage.
Both words and actions consistently reflect the belief that husband and wife are equal partners in Christian marriage and that they are entering into the marriage of their own volition.
Those present are understood to be an active congregation rather than simply passive witnesses. They give their blessing to the couple and to the marriage, and they join in prayer and praise.
Holy Communion may or may not be celebrated. If it is, it is most important that its significance be made clear. Specifically: (1) The marriage rite is included in a Service of Word and Table. (2) Not only the husband and wife but the whole congregation are to be invited to receive Communion. It is our tradition to invite all Christians to the Lord’s table. (3) There should be no pressure that would embarrass those who for whatever reason do not choose to receive Communion.
Other approved services are found in The Book of Ritual of the former Evangelical United Brethren Church (1959), pages 34-38, and The Book of Worship for Church and Home of the former Methodist Church (1965), pages 28-31
Entrance
Gathering
While the people gather, instrumental or vocal music may be offered.
During the entrance of the wedding party, there may be instrumental music, or a hymn, a psalm, a canticle, or an anthem.
Greeting
Pastor to people:
Friends, we are gathered together in the sight of God
to witness and bless the joining together of Name and Name
in Christian marriage.
The covenant of marriage was established by God,
who created us male and female for each other.
With his presence and power
Jesus graced a wedding at Cana of Galilee,
And in his sacrificial love
gave us the example for the love of husband and wife.
Name and Name come to give themselves to one another
in this holy covenant.
Declaration of Intention
Declaration by the Man and the Woman
Pastor to the persons who are to marry:
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.
Pastor to the woman:
Name, will you have Name 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
as long as you both shall live?
Woman: I will.
Pastor to the man:
Name, will you have Name 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 others, be faithful to her
as long as you both shall live?
Man: I will.
Response of the Families and People
Pastor to people:
The marriage of Name and Name unites their families
and creates a new one.
They ask for your blessing.
Parents or other representatives of the families may respond:
We rejoice in your union,
and pray God’s blessing upon you.
Pastor to people:
Will all of you, by God’s grace,
do everything in your power
to uphold and care for these two persons
in their marriage?
People: We will.
PRAYER
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
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.
Proclamation and Response
Scripture Lesson
A hymn, psalm, canticle, anthem, or other music may be offered before or after the readings.
Sermon or other witness to Christian marriage
Intercessory Prayer
An extemporaneous prayer may be offered, or the following may be prayed by the pastor or by all:
Let us pray.
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life,
author of salvation, giver of all grace:
Bless and sanctify with your Holy Spirit
Name and Name, who come now to join 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 Marriage
Exchange of Vows
The woman and man face each other, joining hands.
Man to woman:
In the name of God,
I, Name, take you, Name, 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 man:
I, Name, take you, Name, 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.
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
The pastor may say:
These rings (symbols)
are the outward and visible sign
of an inward and spiritual grace,
signifying to us the union
between Jesus Christ and his church.
The pastor may bless the giving of rings or other symbols of the marriage:
Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings (symbols),
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.
The giver(s) may say to the recipient(s):
Name, 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.
Declaration of Marriage
The wife and husband join hands. The pastor may place a hand on,
Or wrap a stole around, their joined hands.
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 Name and Name
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 of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Those whom God has joined together,
let no one put asunder.
Amen.
A doxology or other hymn may be sung.
Intercessions may be offered for the church and for the world.
Blessing of the Marriage
The husband and wife may kneel, as he pastor prays:
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 Name and Name,
that they may surely keep their marriage covenant,
and so grow in love and godliness together
that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If Holy Communion is to be celebrated, the service continues with A Service of Word and Table III (page 15).
If Holy Communion is not to be celebrated, the service continues with the Lord’s Prayer (Nos. 894-896).
In either event, the service concludes with the sending forth.
Sending Forth
Here may be sung a hymn or psalm.
Dismissal with Blessing
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 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 the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
The couple and pastor(s) may greet each other, after which greetings may be exchanged through the congregation.
Going Forth
A hymn may be sung or instrumental music played as the couple, the wedding party, and the people leave.
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