Minister -- Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His Church.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in abundance and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of descendants and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but deliberately, reverently, and in accordance with the purposes of which it was instituted by God.

Into this holy union, ________ and ________ now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else forever hold your peace.

Minister to Bride and Groom -- I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, you do now confess it.

Minister to Bride -- ________, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, will you be faithful to him as long as you booth shall live?

Bride -- I will.

Minister to Groom -- ________, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, will you be faithful to her as long as you booth shall live?

Groom -- I will.

The Minister addresses the congregation - Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

People -- We will.

If there is to be a presentation or a giving in marriage, it takes place at this time. A hymn or psalm may follow.

The Minister then says to the people -- The Lord be with you.

People -- And also with you.

Minister -- Let us pray.

O gracious and ever-living God, you have created us male and female in your image. Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love, they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that shall mourn:
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek:
for they shall inherit the Earth.
Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart:
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad:
for great is your reward in heaven
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Matthew 5:3-12

After a passage from the Gospel is read, the minister says:

The Gospel of the Lord.

People -- Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Groom, facing the Bride and taking her right hand in his, says:

In the Name of God, I, ________, take you, ________, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

Then they loose their hands, and the Bride, still facing the Groom, takes his right hand in hers, and says:

In the Name of God, I, ________, take you, ________, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

They loose their hands. The Minister may ask God's blessing on the rings as follows: Bless, O Lord, this ring to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The giver places the ring on the ring finger of the other's hand and says:

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and 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.

The Minister joins the right hands of husband and wife and says:

Now that ________ and ________ have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.

People -- Amen.

The Minister asks all to rise and says:

Let us pray together in the words our Savior taught us.

If there is not to be a Communion, one or more of the prayers may be omitted.

Let us pray:

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Amen.

Give them grace when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours. Amen.

Make their life together a sign of Christ's love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Amen.

Bestow on them, if it is your will, the gift and heritage of children, and the grace to bring them up to know you, to love you, and to serve you. Amen.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.

Grant that all married couples who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.

Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and forever. Amen.

The people remain standing. The husband and wife kneel, and the Minister says this prayer: 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 make the way of the cross to be the way of life. We thank you, also, for consecrating the union of man and woman in his name. By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon this man and woman. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. 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 with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Minister adds this blessing:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit: Bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord, mercifully with his favor, look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and, in the age to come, have life everlasting. Amen.

The Minister may say to the people:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People -- And also with you.

The newly married couple then greet each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout the congregation.