The Wedding Ceremony
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1. Randy, facing the people and the persons to be wed, with Pandora to the right and
Joe to the left, addresses the congregation and says:
Family, firends and loved ones, we have come together in the presence of
our Heavenly Father to witness and bless the joining together of Joe
Dodson and Pandora Walton in Holy Matrimony. This bond and covenant was
established by our Father
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 our Father for their mutual joy;
for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and for the procreation
of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.
Therefore matrimony is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently,
deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by our Father.
Into this holy union Joe Dodson and Pandora Walton now come to be joined. If any of you
can show just cause why they may not lawfully be wed, speak now, or else for ever hold your peace.
2. Then Randy says to Joe and Pandora :
I require and charge you both, here in the presence of our Lord , that if either of you know any
reason why you may not be united in matrimony lawfully, and in accordance with His Word, you do
now confess it.
3. The Declaration of Consent
Randy says to Joe:
Joe , will you have Pandora to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of
matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and,
forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
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Joe answers
I will.
Randy says to Pandora :
Pandora , will you have Joe to be your husband; to live
together in the covenant of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in
sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall
live?
Pandora answers
I will.
Randy then addresses the congregation:
Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold
these two persons in their union? iF SO, say 'We will'.
The People answer
We will.
4. Prayer
Let us pray. O gracious, Heavenly Father, you have created us male and female in your image:
We thank you for Joe and Pandora who have come through your blessing. Assist them with your
grace that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the
promises and vows they make today through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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5. Vows
Joe, facing Pandora and taking her right hand in his, says:
Joe please repeat after me:
I, Joe , take you, Pandora , to be my 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, until we are
parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
Then they loose their hands, and Pandora, still facing Joe, takes his right hand in hers,
and says:
Pandora please repeat after me:
I, Pandora , take you, Joe , to be my 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,
until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
They loose their hands. Randy asks:
What token of your love and devotion do you bring?
Joe :
Pandora , I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, and with all that I am, and all
that I have, I honor you, in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Pandora :
Joe , I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, and with all that I am, and all
that I have, I honor you, in the Name of Jesus Christ .
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Then Randy says to Joe and Pandora:
Joe and Pandora please join your right hands,
Now that Joe and Pandora have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the
joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and
wife, in the Name of Jesus Christ .
Those whom our Lord has joined together let no one put asunder.
6. Randy says:
Let us all pray together in the words our Savior taught us:
Randy leads congregation in the Lord's prayer
Heavenly Father, you are the creator and preserver of all life, the author of salvation,
and the giver of all grace: We know that you look with favor upon the world you have made,
and for which your Son gave his life. Now we look forward to seeing that favor manifest
upon Joe and Pandora whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen.
7. The Blessing of the Union
If the love that you are feeling on this very happy occasion is to last forever, then it must
not be taken lightly. Rather it is a feeling to be cherished nurtured and cared for every day
of your lives. Accordingly, we ask the the Lord to bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and fill you with his love and grace; that you may faithfully
live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting.
Amen.
8.Introduction of couple
Joe , you may kiss Pandora , your bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr and Mrs Joe Dodson .
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