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Liturgy for Christian Marriage

BRIDE’S NAME

and

GROOM’S NAME

DATE TIME

___________________________________

Prelude

Processional

[INSERT MUSIC SELECTIONS HERE]

Apostolic Greeting

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

C: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

Let us pray. Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding. Look in favor upon [groom/bride names] and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate with Christ the marriage feast which has no end.

C: Amen.

Readings: [INSERT READINGS HERE]

Homily [Insert Pastor Name]

Hymn [INSERT MUSIC HERE]

Statement of Intention

P: The Lord God in his goodness created us male and female, and by the gift of marriage founded human community in a joy that begins now and is brought to perfection in the life to come. Because of sin, our age-old rebellion, the gladness of marriage can be overcast and the gift of the family can become a burden. But because God, who established marriage, continues still to bless it with his abundant and ever-present support, we can be sustained in our weariness and have our joy restored.

[Bride/Groom names] if it is your intention to share with each other your joys and sorrows and all that the years will bring, with your promises bind yourselves to each other as husband and wife.

Exchange of Vows and Rings

[Insert vows here]

Blessing of the Rings

P: Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings; may they who wear them live in love and fidelity, and continue in your service all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rings are exchanged:

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

[N] and [N], by their promises before God and in the presence of this congregation, have bound themselves to one another as husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one separate.

Blessed be the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

The congregation may offer acclamation with applause.

Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in

sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human

mother, and to make the way of the cross the way of life. By the

power of your Holy Spirit pour out the abundance of your

blessing on [groom/bride names]. Defend them from every

enemy, and lead them into all peace.

Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them so that their life together may witness to your love. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death.

Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast forever in your heavenly home, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

The Prayers

Let us bless God for all the gifts in which we rejoice today.

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 your people the Church.

We bless you for the joy which your servants [groom/bride

Names] 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 to you, whose work alone holds

true and endures forever.

C: Amen.

P: Let us pray for [groom/bride name] in their life together.

C: Faithful Lord, source of love, pour down your grace upon [groom/bride name], that they may fulfill the vows they have made this day and reflect your steadfast love in their life-long faithfulness to each other. 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, that they may continue to grow together according to your will in Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen.

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

A: Gracious Father, you bless the family and renew your people. Surround us with your love and strengthen us that we, too, might reflect your love. Fill us more and more with your grace, that we might 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.

C: Amen.

P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:

[Insert version of Lord’s Prayer]

Benediction

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

C: Amen.

Recessional

[insert music selection here]

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[these blank pages are for added text, as needed]

The Wedding Party

Maid of Honor

Best Man

Ushers

Pianist

Pastor