Blessing of a civil marriage

 Liturgy written and used by Revd Ray Anglesea at St Andrew's Dawson Street, Crook

The Lord be with you

And also with you

DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here ..............to witness the blessing of their marriage. Their marriage took place ............

Name + Name, you stand as man and wife in the presence of God and in the face of this congregation to seek God’s blessing on your marriage, to seek his help and support in keeping the promises you have already solemnly made.

We are reminded that marriage is an honourable estate, signifying the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; into which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence by the first miracle that he wrought  in Cana of Galilee. Marriage is an estate not to be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.

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 to his praise and glory. This is the meaning of the marriage into which estate you now have freely entered.

You now wish to affirm your desire to seek God’s blessing on your marriage and that strengthened by his blessing and the love and prayers of family and friends you may be enabled to fulfil your marriage vows in love and faithfulness.

Let us keep silence and remember God's presence with us now.

God our Father,
you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law.
Grant to your servants
that, loving one another,
they may continue in your love until their lives' end:
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

God is love, and those who live in love live in God
and God lives in them.

Name, you have taken Name to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony. Wilt you love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

Name: I will.

Name: you have taken Name to be your wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony. Wilt you love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

Name: I will

Will the congregation now stand

Names now hold hands. Repeat after me

Name:  I have taken Name to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold, 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 will. This is my solemn vow.

Name: I have taken Name to be my wedded Husband, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy will. This is my solemn vow.

Now ask Names to hold each other’s wedding ring and finger.

Heavenly Father, let theses rings already exchanged between Names  be a symbol of unending love and faithfulness and of the promises they have remade to each other this day.

Names:  have reaffirmed their wedding vows, will you their family and friends support and uphold them in their marriage, now and in the years to come: We will.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing on the marriage of Names, may their love for each other grow all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The Lord bless you and watch over you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look kindly on you and give you peace all the days of your life. Amen

Congregation sit, wedding party return to their seats,

Gospel and Sermon.

Prayers

Most Holy God, we give you thanks for the joy and privilege of share with Names: in their happiness today.

We pray that the blessing you have given them may so inspire them throughout their life together that their love for each other may grow with the passing years. Keep guard over the promises that have made and make them strong with your holy love.

Loving Father, bless their home, may it be a place of happy welcome. In blessing them with the gift and heritage of children make them wise and loving parents. Grant Names all they need and give them a generous heart and a kindly spirit.

Bless their parents, grandparents and friends who have given them love and friendship through the years. We remember in your love each family represented here. May those who made vows to each other in the past renew their vows today and find them strengthened.

We remember today with love and affection those whom we have loved and see know more. We ask you that you would lead us through this life, O God and bring us into the presence of your glory with those we have loved who now stand on a distant shore with all the saints in the glory everlasting.  Amen

Benediction:

The peace of God which is beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.