Chapter 10. Wedding Ceremonies

¶991. Let us pray: O God of love, creator of man and woman, bless these sacred moments together. Thou hast ordained marriage as a means of joining Thy two separate creations as one and only in Thy presence is such a union complete. Be with us now, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

It is a solemnly unique and treasured moment in life, when two people, who were once strangers to one another, are drawn together by an irresistible attraction, so that their souls care not to be henceforth divided by time or space. When a

man sees in a woman his dreams of helpmate, comforter, and lover, and when a woman finds in a man the security, companionship, and love her heart has been longing for, God has ordained marriage.

Who giveth this woman to be the bride of this man? Answer: Her mother and I do.

Song.

Love is the greatest thing in the world, and the rite of marriage is the first and oldest rite in the world. It was instituted by God in the beginning, adorned and beautified by Christ in Cana of Galilee, and commended by Paul to be honorable among all men. It is a sacred and holy estate in which we may not only find happiness and contentment but enter into the deepest mystery of experience and the very sacrament of Divine love. Those who take the vows of marriage are brought into the closest and most sacred of human relationships. Their lives are blended into one as the waters of confluent streams are mingled, and thenceforth, they must share the joys and sorrows of life.

It is the duty of both to cherish a mutual esteem in love; to bear with each other's infirmities and weaknesses; to provide for each other and to pray for and encourage each other in the things of God.

Name of Groom in your life, your character and conduct lies Name of Bride happiness. She has given you the most sacred thing under heaven--her life and love. The continuance of those virtues, as husband, which you have shown as lover, will ensure her, bless and keep her heart fast knit to yours.

Will you vow here, as you have already promised her, that you will be true and loyal, be patient with her in sickness, comfort her in sorrow, love and honor her, in all duty and tenderness to live with her and cherish her according to the ordinance of God in the sacred bond of marriage? If so, answer, I will.

Answer: I will.

Name of Bride in your life and love lie Name of Groom health and inspiration. He will look to you for cheer, for encouragement and for confidence. May your life be the inspiration and your love the protection he will need.

Will you vow here, as you have already promised him, that you will be patient in adversity, minister to him in affliction, comfort him in sorrow, love and honor him, according to the ordinance of God in the sacred bond of marriage? If so, answer, I will.

Answer: I will.

You may now join hands and declare before God and these witnesses, and to each other your solemn marriage covenant.

Groom repeats: I take thee, Name of Bride to be my faithful and loving wife. Throughout the remainder of our life together we will he held in union, loving, honoring, and providing for each other's needs. And I promise to love and care for you until one of us shall lay the other in the arms of God.

Bride repeats: I take thee, Name of Groom to be my faithful and loving husband. Throughout the remainder of our life together we will be held in union, loving, honoring, and providing for each other's needs. And I promise to love and care for you until one of us shall lay the other in the arms of God.

Have you a token of your love to and for each other that will seal the vows you have made to each other?

The unbroken circle, the emblem of eternity, and the gold, the emblem of that which is least tarnished and most enduring, are to show how lasting and imperishable is the faith and love you both promise by the giving and receiving of these rings. With these emblems of purity and endless devotion, you are sealing your marriage vows forever.

Groom repeats: This ring I give to you, Name of Bride in token of our marriage vows. May it ever be a symbol of the unbroken bond of our love.

Bride repeats: I accept this ring from you, Name of Groom and I wear it as a sign of my love for you.

Bride repeats: This ring I give you, Name of Groom in token of our marriage vows. May it ever be a symbol of the unbroken bond of our love.

Groom repeats: I accept this ring from you, Name of Bride and I wear it as a sign of my love for you.

For as much as you, Name of Groom and you, Name of Bride have openly declared your desire to be united in holy matrimony, and have pledged your love and faith each to the other before God and these witnesses, I declare you to be husband and wife in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

As the first act of your married life, let us pray.

Couple kneels; prayer by the minister.

Song.

After prayerful song, couple rises.

May the Lord's richest blessings be with you as you travel together the pathway of life. The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever. Amen.

Remove veil. Bride takes flowers from attendant. Minister congratulates couple and afterward says:

And now it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. __________________.

Recessional.

¶992. The Marriage Announcement

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. This is an honorable estate, instituted by God, and signifying unto us the mystical union which exists between Christ and His church. 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.

The Sacred Charge

God has given definite guidelines for successful living in a Christian marriage. They are found in Ephesians 5:22-31 (read). In the light of His Word, I charge you both, as you stand in His presence, to remember that love and loyalty to Him and each other alone will avail as the foundation of a happy and enduring home. If these solemn vows be kept inviolate, and if you steadfastly endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, your life will be full of joy, and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace. No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those that you now assume.

The Covenant with God

Name of Groom , 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 others keep yourself only unto her, as long as you both shall live?

Answer: I will.

Name of Bride , 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 others keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?

Answer: I will.

The Presentation of the Bride

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Answer: Her mother and I do.

The Covenant with Each Other

I, Name of Groom , take you, Name of Bride , to be my wedded wife, 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 parts us, according to God's holy law; and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

I, Name of Bride , take you, Name of Groom , to be my wedded 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, till death parts us, according to God's holy law; and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

The Exchange of Rings

The minister shall take the ring and say:

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.

The man shall place the ring upon the woman's finger and repeat:

In token and pledge of the vow between us made, with this ring I thee wed: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When a second ring is to be given, the woman shall place the ring upon the man's finger and repeat:

In token and pledge of the vow between us made, with this ring I thee wed: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Prayer of Consecration

The Marriage Pronouncement

Forasmuch as Groom and Bride have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving (and receiving) a ring; I pronounce that they are husband and wife together in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Amen.

Chapter 11. Burial Of The Dead

¶1001. The minister shall begin the service by reading one or more of the following sentences:

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25,26

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. I Timothy 6:7

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21

Then shall the minister say:

Let us pray.

Here may the minister offer one or both of the following prayers, ending with the Lord's Prayer:

Almighty God, Fount of all life; Thou art our refuge and strength; Thou art our help in trouble. Enable us, we pray Thee, to put our trust in Thee, that we may obtain comfort, and find grace to help in this and every time of need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, our Father, from whom we come, and unto whom our spirits return; Thou hast been our dwelling in all generations. Thou art our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Grant us Thy blessing in this hour, and enable us so to put our trust in Thee that our spirits may grow calm and our hearts be comforted. Lift our eyes beyond the shadows of earth, and help us to see the light of eternity. So may we find grace and strength for this and every time of need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music.

Here may be read one or more of these lessons from the Old Testament:

Psalms 1, 23, 37, 39, 46, 90, 103, 121, 130; Isaiah 40:1, 2; 6-31.

Here may be read one or more of these lessons from the New Testament:

John 11:14; Romans 8; I Corinthians 15:20-58; II Corinthians 4:16 to 5:10; Ephesians 3:14-21; Revelation 21, 22.

Music.

Here may follow an address, closing with extempore prayer or the following prayer:

O Lord and Master, who Thyself didst weep beside the grave, and art touched with the feeling of our sorrows; fulfill now Thy promise that Thou wilt not leave Thy people comfortless, but wilt come to them. Reveal Thyself unto Thy sorrowing servants, and cause them to hear Thee say, I am the resurrection, and the life. Help them, O Lord, to turn to Thee with true discernment, and to abide in Thee through living faith, that, finding now the comfort of Thy presence, they may have also a sure confidence in Thee for all that is to come; until the day break, and the shadows flee away. Hear us for Thy great mercy's sake, O Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

AT THE GRAVE . . .

When the people are assembled the minister shall say:

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children. Psalm 103:17

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:18

The minister may say:

Forasmuch as the spirit of the departed hath returned to the God who gave it, we therefore commit the body to the ground, looking for the resurrection, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be changed and make like unto His own glorious body; according to the mighty working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.

Then may be said:

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13

Here may the minister and people unite in the Lord's Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done in 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. Amen.

Then the minister may offer one of the following prayers:

Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord, and whom the souls of the faithful after death are in strength and gladness; those Thy servants who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labor. And we beseech Thee that we, with all those who have finished their course in faith, may have our perfect consummation and bliss in Thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Him shall not die eternally; we meekly beseech Thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness, that when we shall depart this life we may rest in Him, and may receive that blessing which Thy well-beloved Son shall pronounce to all that love and fear Thee, saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, we beseech Thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

Then may the minister say:

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

Chapter 12. Burial Of A Child

¶1011. The minister shall begin the service by reading the following sentences:

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:26-27

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. Isaiah 40:11

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

Then shall the minister say:

Let us pray.

Here may the minister offer one of the following prayers:

Our heavenly Father, look upon us in our sorrow, and abide with us in our loneliness. O Thou who makest no life in vain, and who lovest all that Thou hast made, lift upon us the light of Thy countenance and give us peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God our Father, we pray that Thou wilt keep in tender love the life which we shall hold in blessed memory. Help us who continue here to serve Thee with constancy, trusting in Thy promise of eternal life, that hereafter we may be united with Thy blessed children in glory everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here may be read one or more of these lessons from the Old Testament:

II Samuel 12:16-23; Psalm 23, 121.

Here may be read one or more of these lessons from the New Testament:

Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 10:13-16; John 14.

Music.

Here may follow an address, after which the minister shall say:

Let us pray.

Here shall the minister offer extempore prayer or one or more of the following prayers:

O God, who art the Father of the families of the earth; look with compassion upon this bereaved family, and pour Thy heavenly comfort into their hearts. Help them by faith to see this child, over whom they grieve, safe in that home where sin and sorrow cannot enter. Enrich with Thy presence those who mourn; abide in their home; lift up their hearts; bless them with Thy favor, which is better than life; and so guide them through the trials and temptations of this world that their reunited family may know fullness of joy in Thy presence for evermore. Grant this through Him who loved little children and blessed them, even Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O merciful Father, whose face the angels of Thy little ones do always behold in heaven; grant us steadfastly to believe that this Thy child hath been taken into the safekeeping of Thine eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT THE GRAVE . . .

When the people are assembled the minister shall say:

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:22

Forasmuch as the departed has entered into the life immortal, we therefore commit the body to its resting place, but the spirit we commend to God, remembering how Jesus said upon the cross, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

Then shall the minister say:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His life for our redemption and who promised the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, strengthen, we beseech Thee, the faith of these bereaved ones, that thy may so live here that they shall enter in the blessedness of that eternal home which Thou hast prepared for all who love and serve Thee. Grant that, and all others whose joy is turned into mourning, may cleave closely unto Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, so that they will be

led by Thy Spirit through this uncertain life, till the day break and the shadows flee away. Amen.

Then may the minister say:

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