CHRISTIAN GREETINGS
#19 Christian Greeting
We have come together in the presence of God to witness the joining of Groom and Bride in Holy Matrimony. This is a special time of celebration that Groom and Bride will long remember, and because of this, they are thankful you are here to share their joy.
Gracious God, before whom we stand, look with favor upon this couple, who desire to make their vows before you and this gathering of family and friends. We are thankful to the families, which have reared them to adulthood. May they experience your presence as they pledge their lives, one to another, and celebrate this new beginning.
#20 Christian Greeting
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, Groom and Bride 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.
#21 Christian Greeting
Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man, Groom, and this woman, Bride, 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. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.
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 prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.
You ask what is this love we here affirm, and I answer, it is a covenant you make, one with the other, a covenant born of commitment to each other's well being and growth and commitment to your relationship itself, allowing it the possibility of change and of growth.
#22 Christian Greeting
We have come together today in the presence of God to witness the joining of Groom and Bride in Holy Matrimony. We are gathered to unite the two of you in marriage, which is an institution ordained by the state and made honorable by the faithful keeping of good men and women throughout all ages, and is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly.
This is a special time of celebration that Groom and Bride will long remember, and because of this, they are thankful you are here to share their joy. From the dawn of human history, it has been customary for the community to place its seal of approval upon the union of two persons in marriage. If these solemn vows that they are about to make are kept faithfully, God will bless their marriage.
Gracious God, before whom we stand: Look with favor upon this man and this woman who desire to make their vows before you and this gathering of family and friends. We are grateful for their families, which have reared them to maturity; and for the church, which has nurtured them in the faith. May they experience your presence as they pledge their lives, one to another, and may they ever walk the pleasant paths of righteousness. This we pray through Christ our Lord.
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