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ORDER FOR THE BLESSING OF A CIVIL MARRIAGE

COMMON ORDER, P237-242

Sections 1 to 12 (ie the whole service) are used at any time other than at public worship on the Lord’s Day.  The couple seeking a blessing on their marriage stand together at the front of the church, and may be attended by friends.

Section 6 to 12 are used on the Lord’s Day at public worship, immediately after the sermon.  The couple and their friends come forward, perhaps during the singing of a hymn, and stand before the Minister.

1. CALL TO WORSHIP

The Minister says:

		“The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Let us worship God.”

2. HYMN

3. SCRIPTURE SENTENCE

    The Minister says:

       “Jesus said, “This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.””
       (St John 15:12)

4. PRAYERS

The Minister says:

		“Let us pray.

		God of wonder and of joy: grace comes from you,
		And you alone are the source of life and love.
		Without you, we cannot please you;
		Without your love, our deeds are worth nothing.

		Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts
		That most excellent gift of love,
		That we may worship you now
		With thankful hearts
		And serve you always with willing minds;
		Through Jesus Christ our Lord
		Amen”

5. SCRIPTURE READINGS

The Minister, or some other person appointed to read, says:

		“Hear the Word of God” and St John 15:9-12 is read.




6. STATEMENT

The Minister says:

		“God is love: those who dwell in love dwell in God, and God in them.
		(1 John 4:16)

We rejoice in the marriage of ……………….. and ………………….. and are happy to ask God to bless it.

…………………… and ………………………. have been married according to the law of the land.  They have pledged their love and loyalty to each other.  Now, in faith, they come before God and his Church to acknowledge their covenant of marriage.

In Christian marriage, a man and a woman bind themselves to each other in love, and become one, even as Christ is one with the Church.  They are committed to love each other as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it.
    
7. PRAYERS

The Minister says:

		“Let us pray.

		Loving God,
    without your grace no promise is sure,
		strengthen ……………….. and ………………….
    by the gift of your Holy Spirit
		as they seek your blessing upon their marriage.
		May they keep the vows they have already made,
    and be faithful to each other and to you.
       Fill them with your joy,
and guide them by your word
to follow you all the days of their life together;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.		
    Amen”
    
8. PROMISES

The couple join hands and face each other.  The husband says to his wife:

		“………………. you are my wife.
		With God’s help, I promise to be your faithful husband,
       to love you as Christ commands, to comfort you and protect you,
       to honour you as long as we both shall live.”
       
The wife says to her husband:

		“……………….. you are my husband,
		With God’s help, I promise to be your faithful wife,
       to love you as Christ commands, to comfort you and protect you,
       to honour you as long as we both shall live.”
       
The Minister says:

“May the ring(s) you wear be a symbol of unending love and faithfulness
to remind you of the covenant into which you have entered.”
       
       
       
9. MARRIAGE BLESSING

The couple kneel.

The Minister says:

		“Blessed be God the Father, 
		who gives joy to bridegroom and bride.
		Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ,
		Who brings new life to the world.
		Blessed be the Holy Spirit of God,
		Who brings us together in love.
		Blessed be the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
		one God to be praised for ever
		Amen”

10. DECLARATION

The couple stand.

The Minister says:

		“………………….. and ………………. you are husband and wife according to the witness
		of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

		Those whom God has joined together, no one must separate.”

11. THE PEACE

The Minister says:

		“The peace of the Lord be with you.”

The husband and wife and all present may offer to each other some sign of peace and love.

12. If the Order of Blessing is used on a Sunday at Public Worship, the service proceeds in the normal way, either to Holy Communion or to the prayers and closing hymn and Benediction.

If the Order of Blessing is used on a week-day, it concludes with the Benediction

BENEDICTION

The couple kneel.

The Minister says:

		“May God the Father give you joy;
		May God the Son give you grace;
		May God the Holy Spirit
		Fill your hearts with love.

		And the blessing of God almighty,
		Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
		Descent upon you and abide in you
		Now and always
		Amen”


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