OPENING REMARKS
Pastor: Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, an in the presence of these witnesses, to join together ________ and ______ in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, and signifying unto us the mystical union which exists between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence in Cana of Galilee. It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined.
CHARGE TO THE COUPLE
Pastor: I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, before whom the secrets of all hearts are disclosed, that, having duly considered the holy covenant you are about to make, you do now declare before this company your pledge of faith, each to the other. Be well assured that if these solemn vows are kept inviolate, as God’s Word demands, and if steadfastly you endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, God will bless your marriage, will grant you fulfillment in it, and will establish your home in peace.
THE DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
Pastor: _____, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live? I will.
Pastor: _____, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live? I will.
PRESENTATION If one of the two is walked down the aisle, this may be asked.
Pastor: Who gives their blessings for these two to be married ?
THE VOWS
Pastor: _____, repeat after me: I, _____, take you, _____, to be my wedded ______, 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.
THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Pastor: The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in holy matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pastor: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Repeat after me: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE SCRIPTURE READING – 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. Now these three remain; faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
THE PRAYER
Pastor: Let us pray together. O Eternal God, creator and preserver of all, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting live: Send thy blessing upon these two whom we bless in thy name; that they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws. Look graciously upon them, that they may love, honor and cherish each other, and so live together in thy faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and a place of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Entire Congregation: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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, for ever. Amen.
THE BLESSING
Pastor: May God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord graciously with his favor upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and love that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.
THE DECLARATION
Pastor: Forasmuch as _____ & _____ have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and they have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are married, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. Amen.
THE KISS
Pastor: You may kiss.
THE INTRODUCTION
It is with great honor and pleasure, that at this moment I introduce to you, _________________