The Order for the

SERVICE OF MARRIAGE


  • At the time appointed, the persons to be married, having been qualified according to the laws of the state and the standards of the Church, standing together facing the minister, the man at the minister�s left hand and the woman at the right hand, the minister shall say,

[MINISTER]

Dear beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together Michael Ian Hartley and Wong May Kim in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God, and signifying to us the mystical union which exists between Christ and His Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence in Cana of Galilee. It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined. **If any man can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.**

  • Addressing the persons to be married, the minister shall say,

[MINISTER]

I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, before whom the secrets of all hearts are disclosed, that, having duly considered the holy covenant you are about to make, you do now declare before this company your pledge of faith, each to the other. Be well assured that if these solemn vows are kept inviolate, as God�s Word demands, and if steadfastly you endeavour to do the will of your heavenly Father, God will bless your marriage, will grant you fulfillment in it, and will establish your home in peace.

  • Then shall the minister say to the man, using his Christian name,

[MINISTER]

Michael, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live?

  • The man shall answer,

[MAN]

I will.

  • Then shall the minister say to the woman, using her Christian name,

[MINISTER]

May Kim will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live?

  • The woman shall answer,

[WOMAN]

I will.

  • Then shall the minister say,

[MINISTER]

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

  • The father of the woman, or whoever gives her in marriage shall answer,

[FATHER OF THE WOMAN]

I do.

  • Then the minister shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and say after him,

[MAN]

I, Michael, take you, May Kim, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God�s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith.

  • Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall say after the minister,

[WOMAN]

I, May Kim, take you, Michael, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God�s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith.

(TAKE WOMAN�S RING FIRST)

  • The minister taking the rings, shall say,

[MINISTER]

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in holy matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us pray.

Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in Your peace, and continue in Your favour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  • The minister shall then deliver the proper ring to the man to put upon the third finger of the woman�s left hand. The man, holding the ring there, shall say after the minister.

[MAN]

In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I wed you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  • Then with the second ring, the minister shall deliver it to the woman to put upon the third finger of the man�s left hand; and the woman, holding the ring there, shall say,

(TAKE MAN'S RING)

[WOMAN]

In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I wed you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  • Then shall the minister join their hands together and, with his hands on their united hands, shall say,

[MINISTER]

For as much as Michael and May Kim have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together let not man put asunder. Amen.

I will ask Michael now to do the necessary.

  • Then shall the husband and wife kneel; the minister shall say,

[MINISTER]

Let us pray.

O eternal God, creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: Send Your blessing upon this man and this woman, whom we bless in Your name; that they may surely perform and keep the vow ad covenant between them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to Your laws.

Look graciously upon them, that they may love, honour, and cherish each other, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and a place of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your 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 Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord graciously with His favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and love that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.