A Service for Marriage
SECOND FORM
THE PREFACE
1 When all are assembled in the church, with the bridegroom and the bride standing before the priest, the priest greets them all, and then says.
We have come together in the sight of God for the joining in marriage of this man N and this woman N.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said of marriage that 'From the beginning of creation God made them male and female. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one." So they are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder'.
Marriage is the symbol of God's unending love for his people, and of the union between Christ and his Church. So Saint Paul teaches that the husband must love his wife as Christ loved the Church, and that the wife must give due honour to her husband.
Marriage should be honoured by all, and is not to be entered into lightly or carelessly, but with reverent and serious respect for those purposes for which it was instituted by God.
Marriage is a gift from God for the well-being of mankind, and for the proper expression of natural instincts and affections with which he has endowed us.
It is a life-long union in which a man and a woman are called so to give themselves in body, mind, and spirit, and so to respond, that from their union will grow a deepening knowledge and love of each other. In the joys and sorrows of life, in prosperity and adversity, they share their companionship, faithfulness, and strength.
In marriage a new family is established in accordance with God's purpose, so that children may be born and nurtured in secure and loving care, for their well-being and instruction, and for the good order of society, to the glory of God.
N and N have now come here to be joined in this holy union to which God has led them. They seek his blessing on their life together, that they may fulfil his purpose for them; and they ask us to support them in this prayer. If any person here can show why they may not lawfully be joined in marriage he should speak now, or hereafter remain in silence.
Speaking to the persons to be married, the priest says
I charge you both, as you will answer before God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not lawfully be joined together in matrimony, you now confess it. For be assured that those who marry otherwise than God's word allows are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful in his sight.
THE CONSENT
2 There being no objection lodged, the priest then says to the man
N, will you take N to be your wife,
to live together according to God's law?
Will you give her the honour
due to her as your wife
and, forsaking all others,
love and protect her,
as long as you both shall live?
The man answers
I will.
3 The priest says to the woman
N, will you take N to be your husband, to live together according to God's law?
Will you give him the honour
due to him as your husband
and, forsaking all others,
love and protect him,
as long as you both shall live?
The woman answers
I will.
[4 The priest may ask
Who brings this woman to be married to this man?
Answer
I do.
The priest receives the woman's right hand from her father or her friend.]
5 The priest causes the man to take the woman's right hand. The priest, together with all the people, says
God our Father, in your great love for mankind
you have given us the gift of marriage;
so bless these two persons as they pledge their lives to each other,
that their love may evermore grow
to be the true reflection of your love for us all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE WEDDING
6 The man, holding the woman's right hand in his, says
I N, in the presence of God,
take you N 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,
as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow and promise.
7 The woman, taking the man's right hand in hers, says
I N, in the presence of God,
take you N 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,
as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow and promise.
t8 The priest receives the wedding ring[s], and may then say
Grant, Lord, that this ring may be a token and constant sign of the pledge of love and faithfulness which these two persons make to each other; through Christ our Lord.
All say
Amen.
9 The man places the ring on the ring-finger of the woman, and holding it there, says
N, with this ring I wed you;
with all that I am and all that I have I honour you;
in the name of God. Amen.
10 Before they loose hands, the woman may respond
N, I receive this ring
in token of our marriage.
May God enable us to grow in love together.
11 If the woman gives a ring to the man, this procedure is to be repeated appropriately.
12 The man and the woman then kneel. The priest joins their right hands and says
Those whom God has joined together let not man put asunder.
13 The priest addresses the people
Before God and in the presence of us all,
by solemn consent and promise,
by the giving and receiving of a ring,
and by the joining of hands,
N and N have now accepted each other in marriage.
In the name of God,
I declare them to be husband and wife.
14 The priest then addresses the husband and wife, saying
God the Father enrich you with his grace,
God the Son make you holy in his love,
God the Holy Spirit strengthen you with his joy.
The Lord bless you and keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Blessed be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; one God, to be praised for ever.
THE PRAYERS
15 One or more passages from Scripture (See Note 4 on page 567) may be read; and an address may follow.
16 This or another psalm is said or sung.
Psalm 67
1 Let God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,
2 That your ways may be known on earth, your liberating power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you O God, let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing:
for you judge the peoples with integrity and govern the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you O God, let all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the earth will yield its fruitfulness and God our God will bless us.
7 God shall bless us and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
Gloiry to God: Father Son and Holy Spirit;
As in the beginning so now and for ever. Amen.
17 The priest (standing at the Lord's Table) says
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
All kneel
Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
18 The priest continues
Almighty Father, giver of life and love, look in favour on all who are made one in marriage, and especially on these your servants as they enter into their new life together. In your love deepen their love; strengthen their wills to keep the promises they have made; that they may live to your glory and to the good of mankind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
19 The priest says
Almighty Father, you have created us in your own image, and by your gracious gift mankind is increased. To N and N grant the blessing of children; and such wisdom and loving care in the nurture of their family, that they and their children may come to know you in their lives and give you praise and honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
20 The priest and congregation say
Almighty God, Lord of the universe,
all love, strength, and understanding come from you;
so direct and govern us in body and soul
that we may strive to live according to your word
and to do everything that is agreeable to your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
NOTES
1 If the Holy Communion is celebrated at the time of the marriage, the priest may incorporate the Marriage service as is most appropriate in the circumstances.
The psalm, the Lord's Prayer and readings (§§15-17) may be omitted from the Marriage service; the Prayers (§§18-20) may replace the Intercession in the Communion service; the Marriage service may begin after the Gospel and Sermon of the Communion service, and the Communion service resume at the Preparation for the Lord's Supper; or the Communion service may begin after §14; one or more of the prayers at §§18, 19, and 20 may be said before the Blessing of the Communion service.
2 The Marriage service may be preceded by the ministry of the word from the Communion service even when the Holy Communion is not celebrated.
3 The priest's greeting at the commencement of the service may be given in the manner he considers appropriate.
4 Collects and readings appropriate for reading at a marriage are to be found on page 292. One or more passages from Scripture should be read at a Marriage.
5 Only those impediments to a marriage can be alleged which are recognized by God's law or the laws of this Commonwealth. Any person alleging an impediment on the occasion of a marriage must give an indemnity against any pecuniary loss, in the event of his allegation failing, which his action brings upon the parties. If such an allegation is made and an indemnity is given, the marriage must be deferred until the truth has been tried.
6 The placing of hymns or psalms and directions regarding posture, other than those noted in the rubrics of the order of service, may be determined by the priest.
7 The marriage certificates are to be signed at the conclusion of the service or after §14.
8 Where the couple are unable to have children, the prayer §19 is omitted.
This service is © 1978 The Anglican Church of Australia Trust Corporation and used by permission. See www.bettergatherings.com/copyright for details.
