Lutheran Marriage Ceremony

P.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

R/ And also with you.

P. Let us pray:

Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding.  Look in favor upon ____________ and __________ and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate with Christ the marriage feast with has no end.

R/ Amen

One or more scripture texts may be read.

P.  The Lord God in his goodness created us, and by the gift of marriage founded human community in a joy that beings now and is brought to perfection in the life to come.

P. _____________ and ____________, do you intend to share with each other you joys and your sorrows and all that the years will bring, with your promises bind yourselves to each other.  If so say  I do.

VOWS (may use these or similar words)

B&G
I take you ___________ to be my wife/husband/partner/spouse
from this day forward.
To join with you,
And to share all that is to come.
And I promise to be faithful to you,
As long as we both shall live.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

B&G    I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

BLESSING

P.  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.

R/ Amen

PRAYERS:

P. Let us bless God for all the gifts in which we rejoice this day.

P.  Lord God, constant in mercy, great in faithfulness: With high praise we recall your acts of unfailing love for the human family, for the house of Israel, and for you people the Church.

We bless you for the joy with your servants __________ and __________, have found in each other, and pray that you give to us such a sense of your constant love that we may employ all our strength in a life of praise of you, whose work alone holds true and endures forever.

R/Amen

P. Let us pray for _______________ and _______________ in their life together.

P.  Faithful Lord, source of love, pour down your grace upon __________ and ________, that they may fulfill the vows they have made this day and reflect your steadfast love in their life-long faithfulness to each other.  As members with them of the body of Christ, use us to support their life together; and from your great store of strength give them power and patience, affection and understanding, courage, and love toward you, toward each other, and toward the world, that they may continue together in mutual growth according to your will in Jesus Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen

P. Let us pray for all families throughout the world.

P.  Gracious Father, you bless the family and renew your people.  Enrich husband and wives, parent and children more and more with your grace, that strengthening and supporting each other, they may serve those in need and be a sign of the fulfillment of your perfect kingdom, where, with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, one God through all ages of ages.

R/ Amen

P.  As our Saviour taught us, so we pray.

R/        Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they 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

P. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, keep you in his light and truth and love now and forever.

Now you may kiss.

Introduction of bride and groom as __________________________

Sample Dialogue