Pamela Jean Wadler

The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage

At the time appointed, the persons to be married, with their witnesses,

assemble in the church or some other appropriate place.

Then the Celebrant, facing the people and the persons to be married,

with the woman to the right and the man to the left, addresses the

congregation and says:

Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and

Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture

in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently,

deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it

was instituted by God.

Into this holy union Dennis Kennedy and Geraldine Palmer now come to

be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be

married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace.

Then the Celebrant says to the persons to be married

I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, you do now confess it.

The Declaration of Consent

The Celebrant says to this woman - Geraldine, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of 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 Woman answers

I will.

The Celebrant says to the man - Dennis, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of 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 Man answers

I will.

The Celebrant then addresses the congregation, saying

Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

People: We Will.

The Ministry of the Word The Celebrant then says to the people

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Let us pray.

O gracious and everliving God, you have created us male and

female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this

woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist

them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love

they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make;

through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with

you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Marriage

The Man, facing the woman and taking her right hand in his, says---

In the Name of God, I, Dennis, take you, Geraldine, to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Then they loose their hands, and the Woman, still facing the man, takes

his right hand in hers, and says

In the Name of God, I, Geraldine, take you, Dennis, to be my 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, until we are parted

by death. This is my solemn vow.

They loose their hands.

* The Rings *

The Celebrant___

The wedding ring is a circle, it has no beginning and no end and therefore,

it is a symbol of eternity. The wedding ring is an outward sign of an inward

and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love

Dennis places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says;

Geraldine, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all

that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Geraldine places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says;

Dennis, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all

that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Then the Celebrant joins the right hands of husband and wife and says...

Now that Dennis and Geraldine have given themselves to each other by

solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a

ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.

People Amen.