|
Christian Ceremony Example Two
This ceremony is ideal for informal or
semi-formal weddings such as in a home, garden or park.
This ceremony lasts about 15 minutes and is best suited for couples who do not wish the
length and formality of the
formal ceremony.
The Ceremony:
Who
presents this woman to be married to
this man?
Father: “I do”, or “My wife and I”, or other similar
words.
Minister: Please present the bride to the groom.
At this time the father and bride complete the walk and the father presents his daughter
to the groom. He then takes his seat.
Minister: Please remain standing for the Opening Prayer and the reading of God’s Word in the New Testament.
I will be reading from the Book of 1 Corinthians, 13th. Chapter, Verses 4-8.
Opening Prayer: By Rev. Fennessy
Affirmation of Marriage:
We are gathered together today, in the presence of God, to join together you
_________ (Groom) and you woman _________ (Bride) in God’s Holy institution of
marriage.
Homily:
"What is Love and Commitment": By
Rev. Fennessy, (Approx. 5 minutes) Based on 1
Corinthians 13:4-8. Mandatory for any Christian
Marriage I solemnize
Rev
Fennessy: We all should know, and (Name of
Groom) and (Name of Bride) do know, I am
assured, that marriage is not to be entered into
lightly or unadvisedly, but reverently.
It is necessary to understand that God, not man
designed marriage. In the quiet of the garden of
Eden, before evil had touched the world, God saw
that is was not good for the man to be alone. He
made a partner suitable for him, two persons
complimenting and corresponding to one another,
and established the rite of marriage.
We must emphasize the importance of what will
take place in the uniting of these two persons.
Marriage is the foundation of home life and
social order and must remain so until the end of
time. It was sanctioned and honored by our Lord
Jesus Christ. So it happens that a man shall
leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his
wife; and the two shall become one flesh.
There are two words that have special meaning
today; “Love” and “Commitment”.
Let’s pause and explore a Biblical definition
of Love.
I will be reading from the New Testament, 1
Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-8:
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,
always perseveres. .....Love never fails..
The second word that has special meaning today
is “Commitment”
_______ (Groom) _______ (Bride) You
are making a commitment today, a commitment of
life. A commitment that will stand in the
bad that may darken your days. A commitment that
will be a beacon of light in the good of your
ways. A commitment to be true to each other.
This is a commitment for life. It is binding and
permanent in the eyes of God.
And
so I call to your attention the seriousness of
the decision which you have made and the
covenant you are about to declare before God. Be
very clear that your marriage is dependent upon
your willingness to be faithful to each other
and faithful to your understanding of God’s
will for you.
Unfaithfulness
in either is a betrayal of your covenant.
Constant and continuous obedience to your vow
will result in a marriage which will be blessed,
a home which will be a place of peace, and a
relationship in which you both grow old in love.
End of Homily
The Wedding Vows:
Minister:
You (Name of Bride) and you (Name of
Groom) having come to me signifying your desire to be formally united in marriage, and
being assured that no legal, moral, or religious barriers hinder this proper union, I
command you to join your hands and give heed to the question now asked you.
(Name of Groom) In taking the woman whom you hold by the hands to be your lawful and wedded wife, I require you to promise to love and cherish her,
to honor and sustain her, in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, in the bad
that may darken your days, in the good that may light your ways, and to be true to her in
all things until death alone shall part you.
Do you so promise?
Groom: I do.
Minister: (Name of Bride) In taking the man whom you
hold by the hands to be your lawful and wedded husband, I require you to promise to love
and cherish him, to honor and sustain him, in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, in the bad that may darken
your days, in the good that may light your ways, and to be true to him in all things until
death alone shall part you.
Do you so promise?
Bride: I do.
The Ring Ceremony:
Minister: The wedding
ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all
the
uniting of this man and woman in Holy Matrimony.
The wedding ring is a material symbol that has been designed to illustrate a spiritual
truth.
A ring has two characteristics which make it suitable as a reminder to you of the
commitment made today and the importance of keeping Christ in the center of your
marriage.
First, the ring is a circle. Circles never end. They should last and last and last.
Difficult times may come, but the commitment of Christians is to make their marriage go on
forever.
Also, rings are made out of precious metal, usually silver or gold which has the unusual
quality of getting better and more valuable with age.
Instead of wearing out and deteriorating, we pray for your love to grow and improve with
age.
Minister: At this time I ask that you place the Marriage rings in my
hand.
Blessing of the Rings: by Rev. Fennessy
The Ring Exchange:
Minister: In token
and pledge - Groom Repeats of our constant faith and abiding love - Groom Repeats with
this ring I thee wed - Groom Repeats.
Minister: In token and pledge - Bride Repeats of our constant faith and
abiding love - Bride Repeats with this ring I thee wed - Bride Repeats.
(Optional Unity Candle or
Sand Ceremony Here)
Wedding Prayer and Blessing:
Declaration of Marriage:
Minister: (Name of Bride) and (Name of Groom) since you have committed
yourselves to a life long love, before God and these witnesses, and since you have agreed
to meet the needs of each other as long as you both live, and you have made your intentions
public, And so, By the power vested in my by Almighty God and under authority of the State of Ohio, I now pronounce you
husband and wife.
You are no longer two but one. What therefore God has
joined together, let not man put asunder.
The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious
to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
You may now kiss your bride.
|
