(Improvise general welcome)
We are gathered here today in the presence of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.
By all gathering together and in the joining of families, we assure them that our hearts are in tune with theirs. This relationship stands for friendship, loyalty, honesty and trust, but most of all for love.
(Prepare a few words about the importance of God in our lives/the relationship, linking to the first hymn)
‘In Christ Alone’
Phil Hulks address
‘Come Thou Fount’
Reading by Guest (tbc)
(Introduce exchange of vows)
I, Sam, take you, Sarah as my wife;
to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you,
in sickness and in health,
for richer, for poorer,
for better, for worse,
in sadness and in joy,
to cherish and continually devote myself to you in deepest affection,
forsaking all others, keeping myself only unto you
as long as we both shall live.
I, Sarah, take you, Sam as my husband;
to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you,
in sickness and in health,
for richer, for poorer,
for better, for worse,
in sadness and in joy,
to cherish and continually devote myself to you in deepest affection,
forsaking all others, keeping myself only unto you
as long as we both shall live.
(Ask for the rings and prepare a few words about the symbolism)
Sam, in placing this ring on Sarah’s finger, repeat after me:
Sarah, I give you this ring
as an outward reminder of our inner unity
and as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.
I give you this ring with the promise
that with you, I shall become my highest expression of God,
sharing the gifts that I have with you and the world.
Sarah, in placing this ring on Sam finger, repeat after me:
Sam, I give you this ring
as an outward reminder of our inner unity
and as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.
I give you this ring with the promise
that with you, I shall become my highest expression of God,
sharing the gifts that I have with you and the world.
Prayers by family and church leaders with ‘Fathers Love’
Because Sam and Sarah have pledged their commitment to each other before us, and God, with words spoken and with the giving and receiving of rings, they have now joined together in holy union.
What God has joined together, let no one tear apart.
And so, I am delighted to, in the presence of your loved ones and your Almighty God, pronounce you man and wife.
You may now kiss the bride.