Sacred Actions For The Seasons Of Life

Marriage

The sacred action of Christian marriage is often likened to the relationship that Christ has with his church, for it is a covenant between a man and a woman that joins them as one. The following section explores the history and theology of Christian marriage and provides sample services for this joyful occasion.

1. Historical Origins And Development Of Christian Marriage
2. A Theology Of Marriage
3. An Ecumenical Liturgy For A Christian Marriage
4. A Liturgy For A Marriage Service
5. Guidelines For Planning A Marriage Service
6. Christian Marriage (Biblical)

The Funeral

The Christian attitude toward death, based on hope and confidence in Christ's victory over death, was one of the most important ways Christianity differed from the ancient culture into which it was born. As Christianity became inculturated in the Middle Ages, Christian rites surrounding death and burial were among the most important ways that an entire culture, however imperfectly, took on the impress of the Christian faith. Despite the ambivalent and even bleak regard of death in modern society, Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant funeral services continue to proclaim the Christian hope of resurrection, as shown in this section.

1. Historical Origins And Development Of The Funeral
2. A Theology Of The Funeral
3. A Liturgical Order For The Christian Funeral
4. A Basic Liturgy For A Funeral
5. Guidelines For Planning The Funeral
6. Liturgy On The Occasion Of A Death