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Evangelical Lutheran Worship Marriage Service

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Entrance
The assembly stands as the ministers and the wedding group enter. Music — hymn, song, psalm, instrumental music — may accompany the entrance.

Greeting
The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

The minister may introduce the service with these or similar words.

OPTION A: Dear friends
Dear friends: We have come together in the presence of God to witness the marriage of name and name, to surround them with our prayers, and to share in their joy.

The scriptures teach us that the bond and covenant of marriage is a gift of God in which a man and a woman are joined as one, an image of the union of Christ and the church. As name and name make their promises to each other today, we remember that at Cana in Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ made the wedding feast a sign of God’s reign of love.

Let us enter into this celebration confident that, through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present with us now also. We pray that this couple may fulfill God’s purpose for the whole of their lives.

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OPTION B: The Lord God in goodness
The Lord God in goodness created us male and female, and by the gift of marriage founded human community in a joy that begins now and is brought to perfection in the life to come.

Because of sin, our age-old rebellion, the gladness of marriage can be overcast and the gift of a family can become a burden. But because God, who established marriage, continues still to bless it with abundant and ever-present support, we can be sustained in our weariness and have our joy restored.

OPTION C: Have come to make their marriage vows
Name and name have come to make their marriage vows in the presence of God and of this assembly. The uniting of this man and this woman in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort they give one another in prosperity and adversity, and that their love may be a blessing to all whom they encounter.

Let us now witness their promises to each other and surround them with our prayers, giving thanks to God for the gift of marriage and asking God’s blessing upon them, that they may be strengthened for their life together and nurtured in the love of God.

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Declaration of Intention
Those who are declaring their intention to marry may be accompanied by their parents. The parents may place a hand on the shoulders of their children while responding to the question addressed to families.

The minister addresses the couple in these or similar words, asking each person in turn:

OPTION A: Will you have
Name, will you have name to be your wife/husband,
to live together in the covenant of marriage?
Will you love her/him, comfort her/him,
honor and keep her/him, in sickness and in health,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him
as long as you both shall live?
Response:
I will.

OPTION B: Will you receive
Name, will you receive name as your wife/husband
and bind yourself to name in the covenant of marriage?
Will you promise
to love and honor name in true devotion,
to rejoice with name in times of gladness,
to grieve with name in times of sorrow,
and to be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?
Response:
I will.

OPTION C: Living in the promise of God
Name, living in the promise of God,
[joined to Christ in baptism,]
will you give yourself to name in love and faithfulness?
Will you share your life with her/him,
in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness,
for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse,
and will you be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?
Response:
I will.

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If pastorally advisable, the minister may address the families of the couple in these or similar words.
Will you, the families of name and name, give your love and blessing to this new family?
The families respond:
We will.

The minister may address the assembly in these or similar words.

OPTION A: Will all of you
Will all of you, by God’s grace, uphold and care for name and name in their life together?
We will.

OPTION B: Families, friends
Families, friends,
and all those gathered here
with name and name,
will you support and care for them,
sustain and pray for them
in times of trouble,
give thanks with them
in times of joy,
honor the bonds of their covenant,
and affirm the love of God
reflected in their life together?
We will.

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Prayer of the Day
The presiding minister leads the following or another prayer of the day.
Let us pray.
A brief silence is kept.

OPTION A: Gracious God
Gracious God,
you sent your Son Jesus Christ
into the world
to reveal your love to all people.
Enrich name and name
with every good gift,
that their life together
may show forth your love;
and grant that at the last
we may all celebrate with Christ
the marriage feast that has no end;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

OPTION B: Eternal God
Eternal God, our creator and redeemer,
as you gladdened the wedding
at Cana in Galilee
by the presence of your Son,
so bring your joy to this wedding by his presence now.
Look in favor upon name and name and grant that they,
rejoicing in all your gifts,
may at length celebrate
the unending marriage feast
with Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

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Readings
The assembly is seated. Two or three scripture readings are proclaimed. When the service includes communion, the last is a reading from the gospels. Responses may include a psalm in response to a reading from the Old Testament, a sung acclamation preceding the reading of the gospel, or other appropriate hymns, songs, and psalms.

Old Testament Reading
Two or three readings are proclaimed. When communion is celebrated, the last is a reading from the gospels.

OPTION A: Woman and man created in the image of God (Genesis 1: 26 – 28)
OPTION B: Companionship rather than loneliness (Genesis 2: 18 – 24)
OPTION C: Loyalty and faithfulness written on the heart (Proverbs 3: 3 – 6)
OPTION D: The voice of the beloved (Song of Solomon 2: 10 – 13)
OPTION E: Many waters cannot quench love (Song of Solomon 8: 6 – 7)
OPTION F: God’s steadfast love lifts up the people (Isaiah 63: 7 – 9)
OPTION G: The new covenant of the people of God (Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34)

Psalm
Two or three readings are proclaimed. When communion is celebrated, the last is a reading from the gospels.

OPTION A: May God be merciful to us and bless us (Psalm 67)
OPTION B: We are God’s people and the sheep of God’s pasture (Psalm 100)
OPTION C: The steadfast love of the Lord (Psalm 117)
OPTION D: The Lord keeps watch over you (Psalm 121)
OPTION E: Unless the Lord builds the house (Psalm 127)
OPTION F: Blessed are those who walk in the Lord’s ways (Psalm 128)
OPTION G: Let everything that breathes praise the Lord (Psalm 150)

New Testament Reading
Two or three readings are proclaimed. When communion is celebrated, the last is a reading from the gospels.

OPTION A: If God is for us, who is against us (Romans 8: 31 – 35, 37 – 39)
OPTION B: A living sacrifice and genuine love (Romans 12: 1 – 2, 9 – 18)
OPTION C: The greatest gift is love (1 Corinthians 12: 31 – 13: 13)
OPTION D: The breadth, length, height and depth of Christ’s love (Ephesians 3: 14 – 19)
OPTION E: Walk in love, as Christ loved us (Ephesians 5: 1 – 2, 21 – 33)
OPTION F: Rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4: 4 – 9)
OPTION G: Clothed in compassion, kindness, meekness and patience (Colossians 3: 12 – 17)
OPTION H: Let us love in truth and action (1 John 3: 18 – 24)
OPTION I: Let us love one another for love is of God (1 John 4: 7 – 16)

Gospel Reading
Two or three readings are proclaimed. When communion is celebrated, the last is a reading from the gospels.

OPTION A: The beatitudes (Matthew 5: 1 – 10)
OPTION B: You are the light, let your light shine (Matthew 5: 14 – 16)
OPTION C: A wise person builds upon the rock (Matthew 7: 21, 24 – 29)
OPTION D: What God has united must not be divided (Matthew 19: 3 –6)
OPTION E: Love, the greatest commandment (Matthew 22: 35 – 40)
OPTION F: They are no longer two but one (Mark 10: 6 – 9)
OPTION G: The wedding at Cana (John 2: 1 –11)
OPTION H: Love one another as I have loved you (John 15: 9 – 17)

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Sermon
Silence for reflection follows.

Hymn of the Day
A hymn of the day may be sung.

Vows
The presiding minister may address the couple in these or similar words.
Name and name I invite you to declare your vows to one another.

The couple may join hands. Each promises faithfulness to the other in these or similar words.

OPTION A: I take you to be my
I take you, name, to be my wife/husband from this day forward,
to join with you and share all that is to come,
and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.

OPTION B: In the presence of God
In the presence of God and this community,
I, name, take you, name, to be my wife/husband;
to have and to hold from this day forward,
in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.
This is my solemn vow.

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Giving of Rings
When rings are to be exchanged, the presiding minister may say this prayer.
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God of grace,
for your love and faithfulness to your people.
May these rings be symbols of the promise
name and name have made with each other;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

The couple may exchange rings with these or similar words.

OPTION A: This ring as a sign
Name, I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

OPTION B: This ring as a symbol
Name, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow.
With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you,
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Acclamation
The presiding minister addresses the assembly. In places where the announcement of marriage is prescribed by law, that form should be used instead.
Name and name, by their promises before God and in the presence of this assembly, have joined themselves to one another as husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one separate.
Amen. Thanks be to God.

The assembly may offer acclamation with applause. A sung acclamation, hymn, or other music may follow. Other symbols of marriage may be given or used at this time.

Marriage Blessing
The couple may kneel. The presiding minister may extend a hand over the couple while praying for God's blessing in the following or similar words.

OPTION A: Most gracious God
Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to endure the cross for our sake, that we may have abundance of life.

By the power of your Holy Spirit pour out the abundance of your blessing on name and name. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let your love be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads.

Bless them so that their lives together may bear witness to your love. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death.

Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast forever in your heavenly home, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

OPTION B: The Lord God
The Lord God,
who created our first parents and established them in marriage,
establish and sustain you,
that you may find delight in each other
and grow in holy love until your life’s end.
Amen.

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Parents or others may speak additional words of blessing and encouragement at this time.

Prayers of Intercession
The assembly stands. Prayers of intercession for the world and its needs may be prayed. These prayers, prepared or adapted for the particular occasion, may include the following or similar petitions. An assisting minister may lead the prayers.

OPTION I: Seeing how greatly God has loved us
Seeing how greatly God has loved us,
let us pray for the whole world.
For the Christian community everywhere;
for the life and ministry of the baptized,
and for all servants of the gospel,
that the church may be the risen body of Christ in the world.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

For all who are joined by bonds of marriage, kinship, and friendship,
and for communities everywhere;
for the nations, for all those who govern,
and for justice and peace throughout the world.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

For those we love easily,
and for those with whom we struggle,
for those different from us,
and for those familiar to us,
that we might be instruments of God‘s peace.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

For those who suffer in any way,
and those who are lonely,
for the sick, the dying, and those who are bereaved,
for those who are poor, hungry,
homeless, or unemployed,
for the victims of violence, hatred, and intolerance.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

For all those who are joined to us in love;
for our families, friends, and neighbors,
for those separated from us by distance or discord,
and giving thanks also for those who have gone before us
(especially name/s).
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

Other intercessions may be added.

The presiding minister concludes the prayers.
Creator of all,
you make us in your image and likeness
and fill us with everlasting life.
Hear the prayers of your people
and grant to name and name
grace to live in unity and joy
all the days of their lives;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and praise forever.
Amen.

OPTION II: On this day of rejoicing
On this day of rejoicing, let us bless God
for divine love made flesh in Jesus Christ.

We praise you, O God,
for the joy that name and name
have found in each other,
and we pray that their love and faithfulness
may reflect your gracious love and enrich our common life.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

Give them gentleness and patience,
affection and understanding,
readiness to trust one another,
and, when they hurt each other,
grace to acknowledge their fault
and to give and receive forgiveness.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

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If pastorally advisable:

Give to name and name the gift and heritage of children in accordance with your will; make their home a haven of peace.

OR

You have given name and name the gift and heritage of children; make their home a haven of peace.

Gracious and faithful God, hear our prayer.

Use us to support name and name in their lives together.
Give us such a sense of your constant love
that we may employ all our strength in a life of praise of you.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

Strengthen and bless friends and family gathered here,
even as we call to mind those who are absent from us.
Console those who mourn the loss of loved ones,
and be present with those for whom love is a stranger.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

Look graciously on the world you have made
and for which your Son gave his life.
Strengthen marriages, families, and communities everywhere.
Defend and guide all who suffer want or anxiety.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

Other intercessions may be added.

We give thanks to you, merciful God,
for those who have died (especially name/s).
Strengthen us by the example of the saints,
and bring us all to the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Gracious and faithful God,
hear our prayer.

The presiding minister concludes the prayers.
Most gracious God,
you have made us in your image
and given us over to one another’s care.
Hear the prayers of your people,
that unity may overcome division,
hope vanquish despair,
and joy conquer sorrow;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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A service with communion continues with the peace. After the presiding minister greets the assembly, the couple may greet each other with the kiss of peace, and the assembly may greet one another in peace.

Prayer after Communion
Loving God,
we thank you that you have fed us in this holy meal,
united us with Christ,
and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.
So strengthen us in your service
that our daily lives may show our thanks,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

OR

A service without communion continues as follows.

Lord’s Prayer
The presiding minister may introduce the Lord’s Prayer.

OPTION A: Gathered into one
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

OPTION B: Lord, remember us
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

OPTION A: Our Father in heaven

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.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

OPTION B: Our Father, who art in heaven

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Peace
If it has not been included earlier in the service, the greeting of peace may be shared.
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

The couple may greet one another with the kiss of peace. All present may greet one another with a gesture of peace, and may say,
Peace be with you
or similar words.

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Blessing
The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing in these or similar words.

OPTION A: The blessed and holy Trinity
The blessed and holy Trinity
make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every side,
and guide you in truth and peace,
now and forever.
Amen.

OPTION B: God almighty send you light and truth
God Almighty send you light and truth
to keep you all the days of your life.
The hand of God protect you;
the holy angels accompany you;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you now and forever.
Amen.

Dismissal
An assisting minister may send the assembly forth in these or similar words.
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

A hymn may be sung or instrumental music played as the wedding group and the ministers depart.

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2009 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23639.

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