Christian Marriage Home Shrewsbury Abbey St Peter's
The Marriage Service
A hymn may be sung
Preface
We have come together in the presence of God, to witness the marriage of N and N, to ask his blessing on them, and to share in their joy. Our Lord Jesus Christ was himself a guest at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and through his Spirit he is with us now.
The Bible teaches us that marriage is a gift of God in creation and a means of his grace, a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh. It is God's purpose that, as husband and wife give themselves to each other in love throughout their lives, they shall be united in that love as Christ is united with his Church.
Marriage is given, that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living
faithfully together in need and in plenty, in sorrow and in joy. It is given,
that with delight and tenderness they may know each other in love, and, through
the joy of their bodily union, may strengthen the union of their hearts and
lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children may be
born and nurtured in accordance with God's will, to his praise and glory.
This is the way of life, created and hallowed by God, that N and N are now to begin. They will each give their consent to the other; they will join hands and exchange solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring.
Therefore, on this their wedding day we pray with them, that, strengthened and guided by God, they may fulfil his purpose for the whole of their earthly life together.
The Declarations
The minister says to the congregation
First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.
The minister says to the couple
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
The minister says to the bridegroom
N, will you take N to be your wife?
Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others,
be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
He answers: I will.
The minister says to the bride
N, will you take N to be your husband?
Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others,
be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers: I will.
The minister says to the congregation
Will you, the families and friends of N and N,
support and uphold them in their marriage
now and in the years to come?
All We will.
The Marriage
(Who gives this woman to be married to this man?)
The bride's right hand is given to the minister.
The bridegroom takes the bride's right hand in his,
they face each other and he says
I, N, take you, N,
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,
till death us do part;
according to God's holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.
They loose hands.
The bride takes the bridegroom's right hand
in hers, and says
I, N, take you, N,
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,
till death us do part;
according to God's holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.
The Giving of Rings
Heavenly Father, by your blessing,
let these rings be to N and N
a symbol of unending love and faithfulness,
to remind them of the vow and covenant
which they have made this day
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand and, holding it there, says
N, I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
They loose hands and the bride places a ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom's left hand and, holding it there, says (If one ring is given…)
N, I give you this ring (N, I receive this ring)
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Proclamation
The minister addresses the people
In the presence of God, and before this congregation, N and N have given their
consent
and made their marriage vows to each other.
They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving
and receiving of rings.
I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
The minister joins their right hands together and says
Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.
The Blessing of the Marriage
The husband and wife kneel
The minister invites the people to pray, silence is kept and the minister says
the Collect
God our Father, from the beginning,
you have blessed creation with abundant life.
Pour out your blessings upon N and N,
that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment
to each other. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who is alive
and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Holy Spirit,
bless, preserve and keep you;
the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace, that you may please him
both in body and soul, and, living together in faith and love,
may receive the blessings of eternal life.
Amen.
A Bible Reading and Address (Selection of Bible Readings)
A hymn may be sung
The Prayers
These or other suitable prayers are used. The prayers usually include these
concerns
and may follow this sequence:
Thanksgiving
Spiritual growth
Faithfulness, joy, love, forgiveness and healing
Children, other family members and friends
The prayers conclude with the Lord's Prayer.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on 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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Dismissal
The minister says
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every
side, and guide you in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
The Registration of the Marriage
Copyright acknowledgment (where not already indicated above):
For reading before the service: © Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand
and Polynesia The Collect (Marriage): © International Committee on English
in the Liturgy Some material included in this service is copyright: © The
Archbishops' Council 2000