Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
A Service for Marriage
SECOND ORDER
1The people stand as the wedding party takes its place.
The couple, with the wedding party, stand before the minister in the presence of witnesses.
The man may receive the woman’s hand from a member of the family or a friend and similarly, the woman may receive the man’s hand.
2The minister may welcome the congregation as is appropriate to the occasion.
The following greeting may be used.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
And also with you.
3This, or another appropriate Sentence of Scripture, may be read.
God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4.16.
4A hymn or song may be sung.
5The minister says
We have come together in the presence of God
to witness the marriage of N and N,
and to ask God’s blessing on them
as we share their joy.
Marriage is a gift of God our creator.
It is a symbol of God’s unending love for his people,
and of the union between Christ and his Church.
Christ loved his bride the Church,
and gave himself for her.
As he has called N and N to marriage,
so he draws their differing gifts and hopes
into a unity of love and service.
Scripture teaches that marriage is a lifelong partnership
uniting a woman and a man in heart, mind and body.
In the joy of their union, husband and wife
enrich and respond to each other,
growing in tenderness and understanding.
Through marriage a new family is formed,
where children may be born
and grow in secure and loving care.
Marriage is therefore to be honoured by all.
No one should enter it lightly or selfishly,
but responsibly and joyfully,
with mutual respect and the promise to be faithful.
So let us pray with N and N
as they prepare to exchange their solemn vows:
Blessed are you, loving God,
your Spirit binds us together.
Crown our lives with your goodness;
sustain us all our days with your love.
Bless N and N with wisdom and pleasure.
Be their friend and companion in joy,
their comfort in need and in sorrow.
And when this life is ended
welcome them into your presence,
there with all your people
to praise your holy name:
Blessed be God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
6One or more Readings from the Scriptures. When the Holy Communion is to follow, there are at least two readings of which the final one is the Gospel.
After each reading the reader may say
Hear the word of the Lord,
thanks be to God.
A psalm, canticle, hymn, anthem or period of silence may follow the readings.
When the Gospel is read, the congregation stands and the reading is preceded by these words
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to …
and there may be said
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
After the Gospel the reader may say
This is the Gospel of the Lord,
or [For] the Gospel of the Lord,
praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
7An address appropriate to the occasion is delivered.
8A hymn or song and other readings consistent with Christian teaching and the theme of the service may also be used.
9The couple stand before the minister.
The minister says to the man
N, will you give yourself to N, to be her husband,
to live with her according to God’s word?
Will you love her, comfort her,
honour and protect her,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her
so long as you both shall live?
The man answers
I will.
The minister says to the woman
N, will you give yourself to N, to be his wife,
to live with him according to God’s word?
Will you love him, comfort him,
honour and protect him,
and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him
so long as you both shall live?
The woman answers
I will.
10The minister says to the congregation
Families and friends,
you are witnesses to these vows.
Will you do everything in your power
to uphold N and N in their marriage?
We will.
11The man, facing the woman and taking her hand in his, says
I, N, in the presence of God,
take you, N, 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,
so long as we both shall live.
All this I vow and promise.
They loose their hands.
The woman, still facing the man and taking his hand in hers, says
I, N, in the presence of God,
take you, N, 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,
so long as we both shall live.
All this I vow and promise.
12When rings are to be given, the minister may receive them and may say
God of steadfast love,
by your blessing,
let these rings be for N and N
a symbol of their love and faithfulness
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
13The giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other’s hand and says
I give you this ring
as a symbol of our marriage.
With all that I am and all that I have
I honour you; in the name of God. Amen.
After rings have been exchanged, the man and woman may say together
I receive this ring
as a symbol of your love and faithfulness
to the end of our days.
and/or
May God enable us to grow in love together.
14The minister joins their hands and declares to the people
Before God and in the presence of us all,
N and N have joined hands
and made their solemn vows,
promising life-long faithfulness to each other.
In the name of God,
I declare them to be husband and wife.
What God has joined together,
let no one separate.
The couple may say
God of tenderness and strength,
you have brought our paths together
and led us to this day;
go with us now as we travel through good times,
through trouble, and through change.
Bless our home, our partings and our meetings.
Make us worthy of one another’s best,
and tender with one another’s dreams. Amen.
15The minister adds a blessing for the couple.
God the Father lovingly enfold you,
God the Son grace your home and table,
God the Holy Spirit crown you with joy and peace.
The Lord bless you and keep you in eternal life. Amen.
16The marriage certificates are signed here or at the conclusion of the service.
17A selection of the following or other prayers is said. When the Holy Communion follows, A Prayer for all People (page 666) should be used here.
The prayers may be led by a friend or member of the families of the couple.
aFor faithfulness
God of all grace,
friend and companion,
look in favour on N and N,
and all who are made one in marriage.
In your love deepen their love,
strengthen their wills
to keep the promises they have made,
that they may continue
in life-long faithfulness to each other;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
bFor the joy of loving
God our Creator,
we thank you for your gift of sexual love
by which husband and wife
may delight in each other,
and share with you the joy of creating new life.
By your grace may N and N remain lovers,
rejoicing in your goodness all their days. Amen.
cFor children
Lord of life,
you shape us in your image,
and by your gracious gift
the human family is increased.
To N and N grant the blessing of children.
Fill them with wisdom and love
as they care for their family,
so that they and their children
may know and love you,
through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
dFor an existing family
God of all grace and goodness,
we thank you for this new family,
and for everything parents and children have to share;
by your Spirit of peace draw them together
and help them to be true friends to one another.
Let your love surround them
and your care protect them,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
eFor grace to live well
Faithful God,
giver of all good things,
give N and N wisdom and devotion
in the ordering of their life together.
May they dwell together in love and peace
all the days of their life,
seeking one another’s welfare,
bearing one another’s burdens,
and sharing one another’s joys;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
fFor discipleship
Eternal God,
without your grace nothing is strong, nothing is sure.
Strengthen N and N with patience, kindness, gentleness,
and all other gifts of the Holy Spirit,
so that they may fulfil the vows they have made.
Keep them faithful to each other and to you.
Fill them with such love and joy
that they may build a home of peace and welcome.
Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love
in this broken world,
that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt,
and joy conquer despair;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
gFor the families of the couple
Gracious Lord,
bless the parents and families of N and N
that they may grow in love and friendship.
Grant that, as they have witnessed these vows today,
they may find their lives enriched and strengthened
and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.
hFor the healing of memory
Loving God,
you are merciful and forgiving.
Grant that those who are suffering the hurts of the past
may experience your generous love.
Heal their memories, comfort them,
and send them all from here
renewed and hopeful. Amen.
iFor the joy of companionship
All praise and blessing to you, God of love,
creator of the universe,
maker of man and woman in your likeness,
source of blessing for married life.
All praise to you, for you have created
courtship and marriage,
joy and gladness,
feasting and laughter,
pleasure and delight.
May your blessing come in full upon N and N.
May they know your presence
in their joys and in their sorrows.
May they reach old age in the company of friends
and come at last to your eternal kingdom. Amen.
or
jA prayer for all people
Almighty God, look graciously on the world which you have made and for which your Son gave his life. Bless all whom you make one flesh in marriage. May their life together be a sign of your love to this broken world, so that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy overcome despair.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
May N and N so live together that the strength of their love may reflect your love and enrich our common life.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
May they be gentle and patient, ready to trust each other, and, when they fail, willing to recognise and acknowledge their fault and to ask each other’s forgiveness.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
[May N and N be blessed with the gift of children. Fill them with wisdom and love as they care for their family.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.]
May the lonely, the bereaved, and all who suffer want or anxiety, be defended by you, O Lord.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
May those whose lives are today brought together be given wisdom, patience and courage to serve one another in Christ’s name.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
May friends and family gathered here, and those separated by distance, be strengthened and blessed this day.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We praise you, merciful God, for those who have died in the faith of Christ. May we be strengthened by their example.
The prayers conclude with either
Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers.
Grant that what we have asked in faith
we may by your grace receive,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
or, unless the Lord’s Prayer is said at ¶ 24
Accept our prayers, loving God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
18Unless the Holy Communion follows, the service concludes here with the blessing and dismissal. If the marriage certificates have not been signed, they are signed here.
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement
grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
in accord with Christ Jesus,
that together you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
concluding with either
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
or
and the blessing of God,
creator and redeemer,
giver of life and love,
be with you all, now and for ever. Amen.
or
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine on you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance on you,
and give you peace. Amen.
19The minister may say
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
The Holy Communion
20If the Holy Communion is to be celebrated, and a Confession and Absolution is desired, the form on page 126 is used.
21All stand. The Greeting of Peace is introduced with these or similar words.
We are the body of Christ.
His Spirit is with us.
The priest says
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
22A hymn may be sung.
23The priest takes the bread and wine for the communion, places them on the Lord’s Table, and says the following or another authorised Prayer of Thanksgiving and Consecration.
[The Lord be with you.
And also with you.]
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
All glory, honour, thanks and praise
be given to you, creator of heaven and earth.
When you made us in your image,
creating us male and female,
you gave us the gift of marriage.
When sin marred that image
you healed our brokenness,
giving your Son to die for us.
Therefore we raise our voices,
with all who have served you in every age,
to proclaim the glory of your name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
[Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.]
Most gracious God, we thank you
for these gifts of your creation,
this bread and wine,
and we pray that by your Word and Holy Spirit,
we who eat and drink them
may be partakers of Christ’s body and blood.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread;
and when he had given you thanks
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
‘Take, eat. This is my body given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.’
After supper, he took the cup,
and again giving you thanks
he gave it to his disciples, saying,
‘Drink from this, all of you.
This is my blood of the new covenant
shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’
The memorial acclamation is used here or below.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
With this bread and this cup,
in thanksgiving for the gift of your Son,
we proclaim his passion and death,
his resurrection and ascension,
the outpouring of his Spirit,
and his presence with his people.
The memorial acclamation may be used here.
Renew us by your Holy Spirit,
unite us in the body of your Son
and bring us with all your people
into the joy of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
with whom and in whom,
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
we worship you in songs of never-ending praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power
are yours for ever and ever. Amen.
24If the Lord’s Prayer has not already been said, it is said here.
As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND THE COMMUNION
25The priest breaks the bread. One of the following may be said.
[We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.]
We who are many are one body in Christ,
for we all share in the one bread.
or
God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
26The priest and other communicants receive the Holy Communion.
The sacrament is given with the following words
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.
and
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul to everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
or, the priest says
[The gifts of God for the people of God.]
Come let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
The sacrament is given with the following words, after which the communicant responds Amen.
The body of Christ [the bread of heaven] keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The blood of Christ [the cup of salvation] keep you in eternal life. Amen.
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD'S PEOPLE
27The priest says one of the following or another suitable prayer.
[Let us pray.]
Most gracious God,
we give you thanks for your tender love
in sending Jesus Christ to come among us,
born of a human mother,
to make the way of the cross to be the way of life.
Pour out the abundance of your blessing
on this man and this woman.
Defend them from every enemy.
Lead them into all peace.
Let their love for each other
be a seal upon their hearts,
a mantle about their shoulders,
and a crown upon their heads.
Bless them in their work and in their companionship;
in their sleeping and in their waking;
in their joys and in their sorrows;
in their life and in their death.
Finally, in your mercy,
bring us all to that table
where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home. Amen.
or
Almighty God, Lord of the universe,
all love, strength, and understanding come from you;
so direct and govern us in body and soul
that we may strive to live according to your word
and to do everything that is agreeable to your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
28The Blessing
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement
grant you to live in such harmony with one another,
in accord with Christ Jesus,
that together you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
concluding with either
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
or
and the blessing of God,
Creator and Redeemer,
giver of life and love,
be with you all, now and for ever. Amen.
or
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine on you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance on you,
and give you peace. Amen.
29The minister may say
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.
1 The man may receive the woman’s hand from a member of the family or a friend and similarly, the woman may receive the man’s hand.
2 At a suitable point in the service, such as before or after the readings, a copy of the Bible may be presented to the couple.
The minister may say
May the word of God inspire you
as you build your home and your marriage.
3 The following may be inserted at ¶ 10 after the woman has said ‘I will’.
The minister addresses the families of the couple in these or similar words
Members of the families of N and N, do you give your blessing to this marriage?
We do.
4 Readings suitable for weddings
A. Genesis 1.26–2.4a; Genesis 2.18–24; Genesis 24.48–51, 58–67; Song of Solomon 2.8–14; Song of Solomon 4.1–7; Song of Solomon 8.6–7
B. Psalm 23; Psalm 37.3–6; Psalm 46; Psalm 67; Psalm 100; Psalm 111; Psalm 121; Psalm 127; Psalm 128; Psalm 138
C. Romans 12.9–18; 1 Corinthians 12.31–13.13; Ephesians 3.14–19; Ephesians 5.21–33; Colossians 3.12–17 [18-19]; 1 John 3.18–24; 1 John 4.7–16
D. Matthew 5.1–12; Matthew 7.21–29; Matthew 22.35–40; John 2.1–11; John 15.9–12 and/or 12–16
5 Hymns suitable for weddings
The following hymns are chosen from The Australian Hymn Book and from Sing Alleluia.
The Australian Hymn Book (1977)
Christ is the heavenly food (for Holy Communion)
Come down, O Love divine
Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove
Fairest Lord Jesus
Father, hear the prayer we offer
For the beauty of the earth
God be in my head
Happy the home that welcomes you
Lord of all hopefulness
Love divine, all loves excelling
Morning has broken
Now thank we all our God
O God, from whom mankind derives its name
O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace
O Jesus, King most wonderful
O perfect love
Our God, be gracious unto us
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
Sing a new song
The king of love my shepherd is
The Lord’s my shepherd
Lord of creation
Sing Alleluia
As man and woman we were made
Brother, sister, let me serve you
He is the way
Our Father, by whose name all fatherhood is known
Where love and loving kindness dwell