The Order for the
SERVICE OF MARRIAGE

1968 Methodist Book of Worship

The minister is enjoined diligently to instruct those re questing his offices for their prospective marriage in the Christian significance of the holy estate into which they seek to enter.

All arrangements pertaining to the service of marriage shall be made in fall consultation with the minister.

This service may begin with a prelude, anthem, solo, or hymn. It may include a processional and recessional and be concluded with a postlude.

The congregation shall stand as the wedding procession begins.

The Christian names of the bride and bridegroom may be used in place of "this man and this woman" in the first, third, and fourth paragraphs.

When the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is requested, this service should be provided at a time other that the service of marriage.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, anti in the presence at these witnesses, to join together this man and woman in Holy Matrimony which is an honorable estate, instituted by God, and signifying unto 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 he entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined.

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

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 endeavor 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 soy to the moo, using his Christian name,

N., wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep thee only unto her so long as ye both shall live?

The man shall answer,

I will.

Then shall the minister soy to the woman, using her Christian name,

N., wilt thou have this man to he thy wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him. in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep thee only unto him so long as ye both shall live?

The woman shall answer,,

I will.

Then the minister shall say,

Who givetli this woman to be married to this man?

Then the minister, receiving the hand of the woman from her father or other sponsor, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and say after him,

, N., take thee, N., 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 us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto 1 pledge thee 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,

I, N., take thee, N., 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 us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

Then they may give to each other rings, or the man may give to the woman a ring, in this wise: the minister taking the ring or rings, shall say,

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.

Then the minister may say, Let us pray.

Bless, 0 Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or, if there be but one ring, the minister may say,

Bless, 0 Lord, the giving of this ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide forever In thy peace, and continue in thy favor; 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,

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

Then, if there is a 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 after the minister,

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

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

Forasmuch as N. and N. 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 ring's: 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 hath joined together let not man put asunder. Amen.

Then shall the minister say, Let us pray.

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

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

Look graciously upon them, that they may love, honor, 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.

Then the husband and wife, still kneeling, shall join with the minister and congregation in the Lord's Prayer,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed he thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy 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. Amen.

Then the minister shall give this blessing:

God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord graciously with his favor 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.