Non-denominational Christian Ceremony
We have gathered here today in the presence of God and of this company to celebrate a marriage, a spiritual union that embodies love’s most profound possibilities; To give support to ____ & ____ with our prayers and blessings; And to bear witness to their promise.
In a time when nothing is more certain than change, the sincere commitment of two people to one another has become more challenging and more rare. Yet, by its scarcity, the beauty and value of this exchange have only been enhanced.
Optional Readings**
Ecclesiastics 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. If they fall, one will lift the other, but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him.
Romans 12:9-18 In his letter to the church of Rome, the apostle Paul describes the sort of love that undergirds and upholds any lasting marriage - a love based on joy, perseverance, prayers, charity, and hospitality.
~Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans~
Let love be without pretense. Avoid what is evil; stick to what is good. In love let your feelings of deep affection for one another come to expression and regard others as more important than yourself. In the service of the Lord, work not halfheartedly but with conscientiousness and eager spirit. Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship; keep praying regularly; share with any of God’s holy people who are in need; look for opportunities to be hospitable. Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with others when they rejoice, and be sad with those in sorrow. Give consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom. Never pay back evil with evil, but bear in mind the ideal that all regard respect. As much as possible, and with the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone. The word of the Lord.
~Promises~ ( Optional Vows* )
Will you ____ have ____ to be your wedded (husband/wife) to live together in the covenant of faith hope and love according to the intention of God for your lives? [ “I will” ] Will you listen to (his/her) deepest thoughts, be tender hearted and wise in your daily care of (him/her), stand faithful at (his/her) side, choosing (him/her) above all others, and undertake to care for (his/her) well-being of mind and body and spirit as long as you both shall live? [ “I will” ]
Then, repeat after me the words that will bind you to (him/her) as (his wife/ her husband) [ “With God as my witness, I ____ take you ____, to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for the rest of my life, This is my solemn vow.” ]
Repeat vows, beginning from “Will you…” once more, for the other partner.
~Unity Candle~
From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.
The light of these candles symbolizes ____ & ____ as spirit. By lighting the unity candle they express their desire to join together in spirit and body as husband and wife.
~Prayer~
Gracious God, we ask your blessings upon ____ & ____ who begin their lives as husband and wife today. Give them joy in each other’s presence, perseverance in hardship, consolation in grief, good health, and a long life in the company of many friends. AMEN
~Rings~
These rings are a token of the covenant into which you have entered, an outward visible sign of your inward spiritual unity. Like a circle, they represent continuity, eternity, wholeness, completion. May they remind you, as well as others, of your commitments to eachother and your chosen identity as husband and wife.
[ “I give you this ring as a sign of my love. (place the ring) With all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.” ]
~Pronouncement~
Those whom God has joined together may he generously bless forever. In the presence of all witnesses I pronounce you husband and wife.
~Benediction~
Go in peace, live in joy. Thanks be to God