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THE INTRODUCTION
The Priest says:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
P: The Lord be with you All: And also with you.
P: God our Father,
you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law.
Grant to your servants
that, loving one another,
they may continue in your love
until their lives' end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Please be seated
There may be readings here.
THE MARRIAGE
The Priest says:
We have come together in the presence of God, to witness the marriage of ______________, to ask his blessing on them, and to share in their joy. Our Lord Jesus Christ was himself a guest at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and through his Spirit he is with us now.
The Scriptures teach us that marriage is a gift of God in creation and a means of his grace, a holy mystery, in which this man and this woman become one flesh. It is God's purpose that, as a husband and a wife give themselves to each other in love throughout their lives, they shall be united in that love as Christ is united with the Church.
Marriage is given, that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in need and in plenty, in sorrow and in joy. It is given, that with delight and tenderness you may know each other in love, and through the joy of their union may strengthen the union of their hearts and lives. It is given, that they may have children and be blessed in caring for them and bringing them up in accordance with God's will, to his praise and glory.
In marriage husband and wife belong to one another, and begin a new life together in the community. It is a way of life that all should honour; and it must not be undertaken carelessly, lightly, or selfishly, but reverently, responsibly, and after serious thought.
This is the way of life, created and hallowed by God, that _____and ________ are now to begin. They will each give their consents to the other; they will join hands and exchange solemn vows, and in token of this they will give and receive a ring.
Therefore, on this their wedding day we pray with them, that, strengthened and guided by God, they may fulfill his purpose for the whole of their earthly life together.
The Priest says to the gathered
I ask is there anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.
The Priest says to the couple
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the name of God, who is judge of all and who knows all the secrets of our hearts: therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
Congregation, please stand as you are able.
The Priest says to the bridegroom
___________, will you take_______ to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
He answers: I will.
The Priest says to the bride
__________, will you take ________ to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him and forsaking all other, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers: I will.
The couple face each other and join hands
The bridegroom takes the bride's right hand in his and says:
I,__________ , take you __________
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,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
and this is my solemn vow.
They loose hands.
The bride takes the bridegroom's right hand in hers, and says:
I, _________, take you ___________
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,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
and this is my solemn vow.
They loose hands
The Priest receives the rings and says:
Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let these rings be to and a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand, and holding it there, says:
I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The bride places the ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom's left hand, and holding it there, says:
I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Priest addresses the people:
In the presence of God, and before this congregation, and have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of a ring. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
The Priest joins their left hands together and says:
That which God has joined together,
let not man divide.
The congregation remain standing.
The couple kneel (if a kneeler is present), and the Priest blesses them.
God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Holy Spirit,
bless, preserve, and keep you;
the Lord mercifully grant you the
riches of his grace,
that you may please him both in body and soul,
and, living together in faith and love,
may receive the blessings of eternal life. Amen
THE PRAYERS
The Priest says:
Almighty God,
you send your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of all your people.
Open the hearts of these your children
to the riches of his grace,
that they may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
who shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home:
reign in the home of these your servants as Lord and King;
give them grace to minister to others
as you have ministered to men and women,
and grant that by deed and word
they may be witnesses of your saving love
to those among whom they live;
for the sake of your holy name. Amen
The Priest says:
As our Savior taught us, so we pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name,
thy kingdom come,
they will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen
The Priest blesses the couple and the congregation, saying
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen
You may kiss.
It is my privilege to introduce to you ________________________________
Savannah Georgia Wedding Officiant, Rev. Steven Schulte E-mail (912) 354-6815
©2005-2007 Reverend Steven P. Schulte