Modified Lutheran Ceremony

Who gives their blessings for this bride?

P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

R/ And also with you.

P. Let us pray:

Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding. Look in favor upon ____________ and __________ and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate with Christ the marriage feast with has no end.

R/ Amen

One or more scripture texts may be read.

We have come together in the presence of God, to witness the marriage of _________ and __________, to ask God’s 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 your 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

Our gracious Father in heaven does not forsake his children in an estate so holy and acceptable to him as marriage, but is ever present with his abundant blessing.

Into this holy estate this man and this woman come now to be united. If any one, therefore, can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak, or else forever hold their peace.

P. _____________ and ____________, do you intend to share with each other you joys and your sorrows and all that the years will bring? If so say I do.

VOWS (may use these or similar words)

B&G

I take you,__________, to be my wife/husband, and these things I promise you:

I will be faithful to you, and honest with you;

I will respect, trust, love and care for you;

I will share my life with you;

Through the best and worst of what is to come

As long as we both shall live

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

B&G I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

BLESSING

P. The Lord God, who created our first parents and established them in marriage, establish and sustain you, that you may find delight in each other and grow in holy love until your life’s end.

R/ Amen

PRAYERS:

P. Let us bless God for all the gifts in which we rejoice this day.

P. Lord God, constant in mercy, great in faithfulness: With high praise we recall your acts of unfailing love for the human family, for the house of Israel, and for you people the Church.

We bless you for the joy with your servants __________ and __________, have found in each other, and pray that you give to us such a sense of your constant love that we may employ all our strength in a life of praise of you, whose work alone holds true and endures forever.

R/Amen

P. Let us pray for _______________ and _______________ in their life together.

P. Faithful Lord, source of love, pour down your grace upon __________ and ________, that they may fulfill the vows they have made this day and reflect your steadfast love in their life-long faithfulness to each other. As members with them of the body of Christ, use us to support their life together; and from your great store of strength give them power and patience, affection and understanding, courage, and love toward you, toward each other, and toward the world, that they may continue together in mutual growth according to your will in Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen

P. Let us pray for all families throughout the world.

P. Gracious Father, you bless the family and renew your people. Enrich husband and wives, parent and children more and more with your grace, that strengthening and supporting each other, they may serve those in need and be a sign of the fulfillment of your perfect kingdom, where, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God through all ages of ages.

R/ Amen

P. As our Saviour taught us, so we pray.

R/ 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

In the presence of God, and before these people_____________ 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 rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.

Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder

P. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, keep you in his light and truth and love now and forever.

R/ Amen

You may kiss

I introduce to you ____________________________________

Savannah Georgia Wedding Officiant, Rev. Steven Schulte E-mail (912) 354-6815