CHRISTIAN CEREMONY #2
COMING TOGETHER
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Who gives this woman in marriage? / I do.
TO GUESTS
Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of God and these witnesses to celebrate the joining of this man and this woman in the unity of marriage. There are no obligations on earth sweeter or more tender than those you are about to assume. There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make. There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form. True marriage is the holiest of all earthly relationships. The state of matrimony is based on this deep, invisible union of two souls who seek to find completion in one another.
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , are about to commit themselves in marriage to each other. If anyone knows just cause why they may not be lawfully joined in marriage, let them declare it or else forever hold their peace.
_(Bride)_, would you please pass your bouquet to your maid of honour, turn toward each other and join hands?
DECLARATION OF INTENT:
_(Groom)_ , will you take this woman, whose hands you hold, choosing her alone to be your wedded wife? Will you live with her in the state of true matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, honor her at all times, and be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Bride)_ , will you take this man, whose hands you hold, choosing him alone to be your wedded husband? Will you live with him in the state of true matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, honor him at all times, and be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
As you have now declared your intent to marry, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , I would have you remember: To love is to come together from the pathways of our past and then move forward… Hand in hand, along the uncharted roads of our future, ready to risk, to dream, and to dare…. And always believe that all things are possible with faith and love in God, and in each other.
VOWS
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me your wedding vows to _(Bride)_ ?
I love you, _(Bride)_ ,
and I know
that God has caused this love
to stir within me.
Because of this
I desire to be your husband.
Together we will grow in oneness.
Through the pressures of the present
and the uncertainties of the future,
I promise to be faithful to you.
I promise to love,
guide and protect you
as long as we both are alive.
I promise to endeavour
to show to you
the same kind of love
as Christ showed the Church
when He died for her,
and to love you as a part of myself
because in His sight we shall be one.
_(Bride)_ , please repeat after me your wedding vows to _(Groom)_ ?
I love you, _(Groom)_ ,
and I know that you love me.
Because of this
I desire to be your wife.
For years I have prayed
that God would lead me
to His choice
and I am confident
that His will is being fulfilled today.
Through the pressures of the present
and the uncertainties of the future
I promise to be faithful to you,
to love you
and always be an encouragement to you.
BLESSING OF THE RINGS
Bless O God these rings, that each gives, receives and wears as a token of the covenant between them and God, and may they ever abide in Your peace, living together in unity, in love and in happiness, and with a sincere purpose do Your will. Amen.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
May I have the rings please?
As you place the ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s finger, will you repeat after me your commitment to your bride?
_(Bride)_ , with this ring
I marry you
and join my life with yours.
As you place the ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s finger, will you repeat after me your commitment to your groom?
_(Groom)_ , with this ring
I marry you
and join my life with yours.
PRONOUNCEMENT
In as much as you, _(Groom)_ , and you _(Bride)_ , have consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faithfulness to each other in the presence of God and this company, now by virtue of the powers vested in me by the province of Ontario as a Minster of the Gospel, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Whom God has joined together, let no one come between.
You may kiss your bride.
SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS
SPECIAL MUSIC
ANNOUNCEMENT
It gives me great delight to introduce Mr. and Mrs. —————- .
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