Liturgy On The Occasion Of A Wedding

The following liturgy may be used at the time of celebration that accompanies the marriage service, perhaps as a devotional act at a wedding reception. Adapt to local needs and customs.

Gathering

Leader: Dear friends, today is a most happy occasion; for on this day we celebrate the marriage of [Name] and [Name]. We believe God has called them to live together in holy matrimony, so we gather to give them our support and to wish them well.

Let us pray. Lord God, you who adorn the sky with clouds and stars, you who beautify the earth with shrubs and flowers, grant that the marriage of [Name] and [Name] may be sanctified by your grace, to your glory and their enjoyment, we pray. Amen.

The Scripture Readings

Reader 1: A reading from the Song of Solomon:

"?My beloved spoke, and said to me; '?Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away! O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your countenance, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your countenance is lovely.' Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised?" (2:10–14; 8:7). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

Reader 2: A reading from the First Epistle of John:

"?Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him?" (4:7–16). This is the word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God.

The Feast

(If a feast is part of the celebration, it may take place here after the prayer.)

Leader: Let us give thanks to God for this food. Lord God, we acknowledge you as the giver of all good things. Bless this food to our enjoyment. May we feast together, celebrating your presence with us and with this marriage, through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Final Prayers

(After the meal or reception, the leader may say:)

Leader: Let us send [Name] and [Name] forth in prayer: Lord of heaven and earth, grant your servants [Name] and [Name] journeying mercies on their honeymoon. Bestow upon them love for each other and you, and bring them and us to your eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Response: Amen.