[Where the wedding takes place before the congregation,
the following announcement is to be made on the previous
Sunday] :
(name) and (name) have signified their desire to
be united in marriage in this church on (date). If there are no lawful objections,
the ceremony will take place on that date.
Beloved in the Lord, we are assembled here in the
presence of God for the purpose of joining in marriage (name) and (name). Since
we have received no lawful objections to their proposed union, let us reverently
call to mind the institution, purpose, and obligations of the marriage state.
The holy bond of marriage was instituted by God
himself at the very dawn of history. Making a man in his own likeness, he endowed
him with many blessings and gave him dominion over all things. Moreover, God
said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable
for him" (Gen. 2:18). So God created woman of man's own substance and brought
her to the man. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24).
Our Lord Jesus honored marriage by his blessed
presence at the wedding in Cana and confirmed it as a divine ordinance, as an
honorable estate, and as a lasting bond when he declared, "Therefore what God
has joined together, let man not separate" (Matt. 19:6). The apostle Paul shows
its exalted nature when he calls marriage a symbol of the mystic union of the
Savior and the church, his redeemed bride, commending it as a state honorable
among all.
Marriage was established to extend the human race,
to advance the kingdom of God, and to enrich the lives of those entering this
state. To fulfill these purposes, a husband and wife must be lovingly devoted
to each other, sharing responsibility for the nurture of the children the Lord
may give them as his heritage and as parties to his covenant.
The Lord ordained that in marriage the husband
should be the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, and
that he should protect her and provide for her in love. This love, if exercised
in the spirit and example of Christ, will be conducive to mutual happiness. God
also ordained that the wife should be subject to the husband in all things that
are according to his Word, showing him deference even as the church shows deference
to Christ. Thus the liberty of both husband and wife is glorified by mutual loyalty
to law, and the home begun in the name of the Lord and regulated by his commandments
becomes the very foundation of a Christian society and provides a foretaste of
the eternal home.
Marriage, then, is a divine ordinance intended
to be a source of happiness to us, an institution of the highest significance
to the human race, and a symbol of the union of Christ and his church. We may,
therefore, as Christians look with confidence for grace in fulfilling our mutual
responsibilities and for guidance and help in solving our common problems.
(name) and (name), now that you have heard God's
message concerning marriage, do you agree with it and do you desire to enter
into this holy estate as ordained by God?
Each answers: I do.
[Optional: Who gives this woman to this man?
The father or guardian answers: I do.]
[The minister shall cause the man to extend his right
hand and to take the woman's right hand, and shall
say] :
May the Lord God confirm the desire and purpose
of your hearts and may your beginning be in the name of the Lord, who made heaven
and earth.
[To the bridegroom] :
(name), do you solemnly declare that you take (name)
as your wife, and do you promise that you will, with the gracious help of God,
love, honor, and care for her, live with her in the holy bonds of marriage according
to God's ordinance, and never forsake her, so long as you both shall live?
The bridegroom answers: I do.
[To the bride] :
(name), do you solemnly declare that you take (name)
as your husband, and do you promise that you will, with the gracious help of
God, love, honor, and obey him in all things lawful, live with him in the holy
bonds of marriage according to God's ordinance, and never forsake him so long
as you both shall live?
The bride answers: I do.
[Optional ring ceremony, either single or double.]
(name), do you give this ring as a symbol of your
constant faithfulness and abiding love?
The bridegroom answers: I do. [He shall then
put the ring on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand.]
[To the bride] :
(name), do you receive [or in case two rings
are used: Do you give] this ring as a symbol of your constant faithfulness
and abiding love?
The bride answers: I do. [In case two rings
are used, she shall then put the ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom's
left hand.]
[Thereupon the minister says] :
According to the laws of the state and the ordinances
of the church of Christ, I now pronounce you, (name) and (name), husband and
wife, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. What therefore
God has joined together let not anyone put asunder. Henceforth you go down life's
pathway together, and may the Father of all mercies, who of his grace has called
you to this holy state of marriage, bind you together in true love and faithfulness
and grant you his blessing.
[The bridegroom and the bride now kneel while the
minister offers the following prayer] :
Most merciful and gracious God, from whom the whole
family of heaven and earth is named, we pray that you will confirm with your
blessing the marriage into which our brother and sister have entered this day.
Grant them your Holy Spirit to help them be true to the vow and covenant they
have made. Guide them in the way of righteousness and peace so that, loving and
serving you with one mind and heart all the days of their life, they may be abundantly
enriched with the tokens of your everlasting favor in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In all life's experiences lift up your countenance upon them, that they may be
thankful in prosperity and patient in adversity. May their marriage be fruitful
for this life and for the life to come. Grant them wisdom and strength to build
a home which will glorify your name and promote the coming of your kingdom. May
they live together many years, and in the hour of death may they part in the
blessed hope of celebrating forever with all the saints of God the marriage of
Christ and the church he loved. Hear our prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who taught us to pray, saying:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead
us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For yours is the kingdom
and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.
[The ceremony may be concluded with an appropriate
song.]
This form first appeared in Dutch in 1566 as a translation
from earlier Reformed sources. An English translation
was adopted by the Synod of 1912 and substantially
revised in 1934.
