Service #3

 

Service #3

 

PROCESSION

Who offers their blessing for this woman to be married to this man? (Groom shakes hands with the Bride's father, and offers his arm to .)

ADDRESS

 

Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing more courageous, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller nor better in heaven or earth, because love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God; it is above all created things.  Love is the reason we are here.  _____________and____________ have chosen each other, and we are gathered here to witness their vows of love and to offer our blessings and support for their marriage.  On behalf of ____________and____________, we thank all of our guests for being here today.

 

____________and____________ come together from different backgrounds and experiences. In the covenant of marriage they do not leave these behind, but form a new family which will extend their circle of love.  Their confidence in the future brings them before us today to enter into marriage. They commit themselves to working at this relationship so that it will always grow, enriching their lives from this day forward.

 

(To Bride and Groom).  Marriage is a sacred relationship. It requires much of two people - sometimes more than you feel you can give each other.  But God promises to be with you in the marriage and help you with its responsibilities.  The Bible speaks of a single strand of cord as fragile and breakable, but a cord of two strands becomes much stronger.  A cord of three is stronger yet.  May your marriage always be a cord of three strands - you, your beloved, and the presence of God. 

 

PRAYER

 

Gracious Creator, guide ____________and___________ and walk beside them together as husband and wife. Give them grace and love enough to forgive each other during those turbulent times in their relationship. Grant them also the gift of celebration so they can enjoy the many happy times they will share together.  Dear Lord, grant their love for each other be as beautiful as it is in this hour, may it grow deeper and stronger in the years ahead.  Amen

 

LASTING VOWS

 

___________and___________, I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that love and loyalty alone are the foundation of a happy and an enduring home.  No other human ties are more sacred than those you now assume.  If these vows be kept unbroken, your life will be full of joy and the home which you are now establishing will abide in peace.

 

____________, do you take this woman/man to be your wedded wife/husband, to live together in the Holy estate of marriage? Do you promise to love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep yourself only for her/him as long as you both will live?

 

Repeat. 

 

RING CEREMONY

 

Do you have a token of exchange, with which these vows will be sealed?

 

The perfect circle of the ring symbolizes eternity. Gold is the symbol of all that is pure and holy. Our prayer is that your love for each other will be as eternal and everlasting as these rings.  In the years to come, may these rings remind you of the overwhelming joy of this special occasion when you were united in marriage.  May your love be like the circle of this ring, with no beginning, and no end. 

 

__________, take this ring a place it on _________ finger and repeat after me:

I, ___________, take you, ___________, to be my wedded wife/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 'til death to us part, and with this ring I thee wed.

 

Repeat.

UNITY CANDLE (Optional)

 

The two side candles represent your lives before your wedding day, and the love and the care that nurtured you as you grew.  They represent all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will be.  The single candle in the middle is the Unity candle.  Although you join your lives in marriage by lighting the unity candle, allow the two side candles to continue to burn, as well.  For although your future is in your togetherness, you will continue to have your own strengths as individuals, as well.  May the lighting of this candle of unity represent the oneness of this union and the eternal flame of love that burns within your two hearts.

 

APACHE BENEDICTION

 

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there are three lives before you; His life, Her life and Your life together.

May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and may your days together be good and long. 

 

PROCLAMATION

 

Because ____________ and ____________ have expressed their love and commitment before God and this company, and have pledged their vows to each other; in accordance with the laws of the State of ___________ , I pronounce that they are husband and wife. Those whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. You may kiss the bride! Mr. & Mrs. ___________ and ______________ ____________ !