Christian14

CHRISTIAN CEREMONY #14

BLENDING

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
_(Bride)_ is about to pledge her faith, love and loyalty to _(Groom)_ . Is there one of her family who is prepared to present her to him?
Father or other designate: “I commit _(Bride)_ into your love and care. May God bless you richly.

INTRODUCTION
Friends and family, we have gathered here to solemnize the marriage union of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ .
Marriage is the most important institution in our society and must never be taken lightly and thoughtlessly. Marriage was intended for men and women and families as the mainstay of our social structure.
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.

TO THE COUPLE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_, 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. This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year.

Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime.

Into this highly respected estate of marriage, you now desire to enter. Therefore, in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario, I must ask you first, to declare that there is no legal impediment to prevent you from being married. If anyone knows just cause why these two may not be lawfully joined in marriage let him now declare it or else forever hold his peace.

PASTORAL COUNSEL TO THE COUPLE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , marriage is no marriage at all if it is conditional or partial. Success in marriage requires, from both of you, an uncalculating abandon and a trustworthy mutual outpouring of love and loyalty. It is not merely a standing side by side, but, ideally, a blending of all that is good in two that are devoted to each other. This type of union enables individuals to together become much more than we could ever be on our own. As this develops we are given the opportunity and benefit of all our perceptions being filtered through our “other self” thereby expanding who we are and benefiting by another dependable perspective that is based on assurance that the other person has only our best interests in mind in all that is said and done. This is an adventure that doubles our delights and divides our disappointments. Indeed, as the Scriptures describe, it is not good to be alone, for when one falls the other will lift him up.

THE SCRIPTURES
Let us hear what is taught in God’s Word about love and marriage.

From the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Corinth:
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a sounding gong
or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient. Love is kind.  Love does not envy. Love does not boast. Love is not proud. Love is not rude. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects. Love always trusts. Love always hopes. Love always perseveres.Love never fails. And now these three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

In the words of Jesus, as recorded in the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of John:
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you: abide in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you…. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. I am giving you these commandments so that you love one another.

LET US PRAY
Our Father and our God, You instituted marriage for the benefit of husband and wife, and the family with which they might be blessed, as well as for the strengthening of human ties within society. So we celebrate these purposes today in this solemnization of these marriage vows.

Bless and strengthen this marriage of _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ with your presence and power, we pray. Strengthen their bond that they may honor each other and You in all that they are and do. Draw them close to each other with a deep inner spiritual tie that will enable them to love each other and You with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. We pray this in Jesus name, Who taught us to 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, and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”

INTENTION PLEDGE

Do you, _(Groom)_ , take _(Bride)_ to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for the rest of your life, no matter what life may send your way.  /  I do.

Do you, _(Bride)_ , take _(Groom)_ to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for the rest of your life, no matter what life may send your way.  /  I do.

VOWS

In preparation for the sharing of your vows, _(Bride)_ , would you please pass you bouquet to your Maid of Honour?
Face each other and join hands_(Groom)_. , repeat after me you vows to your bride.

 
I, _(Groom)_ ,
in happiness and in love,
do take you _(Bride)_ ,
to be my lawful wedded wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better and for worse,
for richer and for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love, honor and cherish,
and, forsaking all others,
to be my lifelong companion.

_(Bride)_ , repeat after me you vows to your groom.

 
I, _(Bride)_ ,
in happiness and in love,
do take you _(Groom)_ ,
to be my lawful wedded husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better and for  worse,
for richer and for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love, honor and cherish,
and,  forsaking all others,
to be my lifelong companion.

RINGS

May I have the rings please?

Rings represent unity because they never end but flow in an unbroken line. So they are symbolic of the unending love bond that is the hallmark of marriage success. Worn on your hand, they symbolize the solemn marriage vows that you, as bride and groom, have just now exchanged.

_(Groom)_ , as you place your ring on your bride’s finger, please repeat after me your commitment to _(Bride)_ ?

I, _(Groom)_ ,
give you this ring
as a token of my love,
and as a sign of
the vow I have made.

_(Bride)_ , as you place your ring on your groom’s finger, please repeat after me your commitment to _(Groom)_ ?

I, _(Bride)_ ,
give you this ring
as a token of my love,
and as a sign of
the vow I have made.

DECLARATION
In that you, _(Groom)_ and you, _(Bride)_ , have made these solemn vows to each other in the presence of these witness,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario as a minister of the gospel, I do hereby declare you to be husband and wife. Let no man or woman come between you.

KISS

DOCUMENTS

INTRODUCTION
It is my delight to introduce to you Mr. And Mrs. ——- .

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