An Ecumenical Ceremony
This ceremony is reprinted with permission from A Christian Celebration of Marriage: An Ecumenical Liturgy, The Consultation on Common Texts (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1995).
Order of Service
Gathering
Greeting
Questions to the Congregation and the Couple
Public Declaration of Intention
Affirmation by Families and Congregation
Prayer of the Day
Word of God
Gospel Sermon or Homily
The Marriage
Marriage Vows
Exchange of Rings
Announcement of the Marriage
Prayers
Prayers of Intercession
Prayer of Blessing
Lord's Prayer
Conclusion
Sign of Peace
Dismissal
Texts said by the congregation are in boldface italic.
Music is suggested as a preference or as an option in the following places:
At the Gathering
The Psalm following the First Reading
Following the Sermon
Following the Announcement of the Marriage
At the Dismissal
The Ceremony
Gathering
The people gather, forming a community of friends of the couple, to offer thanks to God, to serve as witnesses, and to assure the couple of their continuing support and love. Make sure you show hospitality to welcome all those who are not part of the local congregation.
The congregation stands.
The ministers enter and go to the entrance of the church to welcome the wedding party.
After they have greeted the bride and the bridegroom, the entire party enters the church and stands in front of the assembly. The procession may take this order: cross and torches, assisting ministers, host and guest presiding ministers, attendants, parents and bride and bridegroom.
A hymn or psalm may be sung during the entrance, or music may be performed by instrumentalists or a choir.
[If you desire a simpler entrance, the ministers come before the assembly. The bride, bridegroom and their attendants enter the church together and stand before the ministers and the assembly.]
Greeting
A minister says: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Dear friends: We have come together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of N. and N., to surround them with our prayers, and to share their joy. The Scriptures teach us that the bond and covenant of marriage is a gift of God, a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh, an image of the union of Christ and the church. As this man and this woman give themselves to each other today, we remember that at Cana in Galilee, our Lord Jesus Christ made the wedding feast a sign of God's kingdom of love. Let us enter this celebration confident that, through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present with us now also; we pray that this couple may fulfill God's purpose for their whole lives.
If required by law or local custom:
Questions to the Congregation and the Couple
A minister says to the congregation: These two persons have come here to become one in this holy union. But if any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, declare it now or hereafter remain silent.
A minister says to the couple: N. and N., have you come here freely and without reservation to join together lawfully in marriage?
The bride and bridegroom separately respond: I have.
Public Declaration of Intention
A minister says to the bride: N., will you have N. to be your husband, to live together in a holy marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
The bride responds: I will.
A minister says to the bridegroom: N., will you have N. to be your wife, to live together in a holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
The bridegroom responds: I will.
Affirmation by Families and Congregation
A minister says to the families: Do you, the families of N. and N. give your love and blessing to this new family?
We do.
A minister says to the congregation: Will all of you, by God's grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for these two persons in their life together?
We will.
Prayer of the Day
A minister says: Let us pray. Gracious God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ into the world to reveal your love to all people. Enrich these your servants with every good gift, that their life together may show your love. Grant that at the last we may all celebrate with Christ the marriage feast which has no ending. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The congregation sits.
Word of God
Three (or two) readings may be chosen, one of which is always from the Gospels.
First Reading
Before the First Reading, the reader may say: A reading from (the name
of the book of the Bible).
At the conclusion of the First Reading, the reader may say: The Word of the Lord.
The congregation may respond: Thanks be to God. A psalm or hymn may be sung as a response to the First Reading.
Second Reading
Before the Second Reading, the reader may say: A reading from (the name of the book of the Bible).
At the conclusion of the Second reading, the reader may say: The Word of the Lord.
The congregation may respond: Thanks be to God.
An acclamation (Alleluia) or hymn may be sung to prepare for the gospel. All may stand for the gospel.
Gospel
Before the gospel, the minister who reads it may say: The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to (the name of the gospel).
The congregation may respond: Glory to you, O Lord.
At the conclusion of the gospel, the minister may say: The gospel of the Lord.
And the congregation may respond: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The congregation is seated.
A Sermon or Homily is then preached.
Sermon or Homily
A hymn may be sung; the congregation may stand.
The Marriage
Marriage Vows
The congregation is seated.
The bride and bridegroom stand before the congregation, facing each other.
A minister says: Join your hands and declare your vows.
The bride and bridegroom join their hands and speak so that all can hear. The minister may discreetly help the couple proclaim their vows.
The bridegroom says: In the presence of God and this community, I, N., take you, N., to be my wife; to have and to hold from this day forward, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.
The bride says: In the presence of God and this community, I, N., take you, N., to be my husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.
Exchange of Rings
Preferably, two rings are exchanged. The rings are placed on a suitable plate, or on the minister's service book, or are held by an assisting minister.
A minister says: 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.
[If only one ring is exchanged: Bless, O Lord, (the giving of) this ring; may he who gives it and she who wears it live in love and fidelity, and continue in your service all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.]
The bridegroom places the ring on the bride's finger, and speaks so that all can hear: N., I give you this ring, as a sign of the covenant we have made today. [In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.]
The bride places the ring on the bridegroom's finger, and speaks so that all can hear: N., I give you this ring, as a sign of the covenant we have made today. [In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.]
[If only one ring is exchanged, the appropriate omission is made.]
If customary, other suitable tokens may be exchanged or used at this time.
Announcement of the Marriage
A minister says: Now that N. and N. have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving of rings, I announce to you that they are husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.
Blessed be the Lord our God now and forever. Amen.
A hymn may be sung.
Prayers
Prayers of Intercession
The congregation stands.
A minister says: Friends of Christ, in the midst of our joy, let us pray for this broken world. For all people in their daily lives and work; for our families, friends and neighbors, and for all whose lives touch ours, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For this holy fellowship of faith in which we seek your grace; for the world, the nation and this community, in which we work for justice, freedom and peace, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the just and proper use of your creation; for the victims of hunger, injustice and oppression, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are in danger, sorrow or any kind of trouble; for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have suffered the loss of a child or parent, husband or wife; for those to whom love is a stranger, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
[You may add other intercessions.]
Most gracious God, you have made us in your own image and given us to one another's care. Hear the prayers of your people, that unity may overcome division, hope vanquish despair, and joy conquer sorrow; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayer of Blessing
The couple may kneel.
A minister says: Blessed are you, Lord God, heavenly Father. In your great love you created us male and female and made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. You sent Jesus Christ to come among us, making your love visible in him, to bring new life to the world. Send your Holy Spirit to pour out the abundance of your blessing on N. and N., who have this day given themselves to each other in marriage. 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. [Give them the gift and heritage of children in accordance with your will, and make their home a haven of 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 all may see in their lives together within the community of your people, a vision of your kingdom on earth. And finally, in the fullness of time, welcome them into the glory of your presence. Through your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
Lord's Prayer
A minister says: With the confidence of God's children, let us pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
The couple rises.
Conclusion
Sign of Peace.
The husband and wife may greet each other with a kiss. Greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation.
Dismissal
A minister says: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
A minister says: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The wedding party then leaves the church. A hymn, a psalm or choral music may be sung or instrumental music may be played.