Sample Text of The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage

Celebrant:  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 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…………… and ………………. now come to be joined.  If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace.

Celebrant: 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

Celebrant: ………..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?

bride I will.

Celebrant:………… 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?

groom I will.

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

People:  We will.

Presentation of the Bride

Celebrant: Who presents this woman and this man to be married to each other?

Parents of the Couple:  We do.

The Ministry of the Word

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People:  And also with you.

Celebrant:  Let us pray.  O gracious and ever living 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 congregation is seated.

(There are many options for lessons, including non biblical ones. They may be read by anyone you choose. These three were used in a recent wedding)

The First Lesson:  Song of Solomon 2: 10-13; 8: 6-7                                                                          

My love spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.  The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

The Second Lesson:  Colossians 3:12-17                                                                                                      

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.                           The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel: John 15:9-11                                                                     

The congregation stands.

Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People:  Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Then, Celebrant says:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.                                                                                                         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:  Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Homily

The Marriage

Facing each other,

 In the Name of God, I, …….. take you, ………, 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.

In the Name of God, I, ,………., take you, ……… 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.

Celebrant:  Bless, O Lord, these rings to be signs of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

,

……….. 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.

………..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 Celebrant joins the right hands of couple

Celebrant: Now that …….. and ……….have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, 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.

The Prayers

All standing.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

The Lord's Prayer

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 glory for ever and ever, Amen.

Prayers of the People

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony.  Amen.

Give them the wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, and comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.  Amen.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.  Amen.

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours.  Amen.

Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair.  Amen.

Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you.  Amen.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others.  Amen.

Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed.  Amen.

Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and forever.  Amen.

The Blessing of the Marriage

The people remain standing.  Couple  kneel,

Celebrant:  O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Celebrant:  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting.  Amen.

The Peace

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.                                            (couple exchange kiss of peace)

The Recessional

About St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

In 1873, Saint Mary's Episcopal Church was gathered. In 1891, lightening struck the church tower and the building burned to the ground. Parishioners removed precious pieces of furniture and stained glass as the building burned; many are in use today. In 1893, the present building was consecrated.  The windows behind the Altar are Tiffany and behind the Skinner Pipe Organ (1925) is the Brigham Stained glass window locally constructed from pieces of beach glass and sea shells shaped with wooden boat caulking rope.