Book of Common Worship

The Liturgy of Worship

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Rite II

An Outline of Christian Marriage: Rite II

Gathering

Call to Worship
Psalm, Hymn of Praise, or Spiritual
Confession and Pardon
The Peace
Canticle, Psalm, Hymn, or Spiritual

The Word

Readings from Scripture
Sermon
Creed
Psalm, Hymn, or Spiritual
Christian Marriage
      Statement on the Gift of Marriage
      Prayer
      Declarations of Intent
      Affirmations of the Families
      Affirmation of the Congregation
                  [Psalm, Hymn, Spiritual, or Anthem]
      Vows
      Exchange of Rings (or Other Symbols)
      Prayer
                  [Lord‘s Prayer]
      Announcement of Marriage
      Charge to the Couple
      Blessing of the Couple
Psalm, Hymn, Spiritual, or Anthem
Prayers of the People

The Eucharist

Offering
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Lord‘s Prayer
Breaking of the Bread
Communion of the People

If the Eucharist is not celebrated:

Offering

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord’s Prayer

Sending

Hymn, Spiritual, Canticle, or Psalm
Charge and Blessing

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A Service Based on the Service for the Lord‘s Day

This rite follows the order of the Service for the Lord’s Day and is designed for use when the marriage is to be included as a part of the Lord‘s Day worship or on any other occasion when the full order of Christian worship is appropriate. The rite is arranged to allow for the inclusion of the Lord’s Supper, if desired. As a service of Christian worship, the marriage service is under the direction of the minister and the supervision of the session.

Gathering

The bride, groom, their families, and other members of the wedding party may gather for worship with other members of the congregation, or they may enter together before the call to worship. Music appropriate to the season, to the scriptural texts of the day, or to the celebration of marriage may be offered.

All may stand as the minister(s), other worship leaders, and the wedding party enter.

Call to Worship

Greeting

The minister greets the people:

See Ruth 2:4

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Sentences of Scripture

The minister continues:

Let us worship God.

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Then one of the following is said:

Ps. 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

1 John 4:16

God is love,
and those who abide in love
abide in God,

and God abides in them.

1 John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.
All who love are born of God and know God.
All who do not love do not know God,
for God is love.

Ps. 106:1

O give thanks, for the Lord is good.

God‘s love endures forever.

Psalm, Hymn of Praise, or Spiritual

Confession and Pardon

Call to Confession

The people are called to confess their sin, using the following or other words of scripture that promise God’s forgiveness (pp. 52-53).

Jer. 31:33-34

This is the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel,
says the Lord:
I will put my law within them,
and I will write it on their hearts;
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
I will forgive their evil deeds,
and remember their sin no more.

In penitence and faith,
let us confess our sins to almighty God.

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Confession of Sin

All confess their sin, using one of the following or another prayer of confession (pp. 53-54, 87-89). Silence may be kept before, during, or following the prayer.

Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you
with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your holy name.[49]

Almighty God,
you created us for life together,
but we have turned from your will.
We have not loved as you commanded.
We have broken the promises we have made to you
and to one another.
We have taken much and given little.

Forgive our disobedience, O God,
and strengthen us in love,
so that we may serve you as a faithful people,
and live together in your joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.[796]

Declaration of Forgiveness

The following may be sung in threefold, sixfold, or ninefold form.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

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The minister declares the assurance of God‘s forgiving grace, using the following or another declaration of forgiveness (pp. 56-57):

Rom. 8:34; 2 Cor. 5:17

Hear the good news!

Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ,
and Christ died for us,
Christ rose for us,
Christ reigns in power for us,
Christ prays for us.

Anyone who is in Christ
is a new creation.
The old life has gone;
a new life has begun.

Know that you are forgiven
and be at peace.

Amen.

The Peace

The minister says:

See John 20:19, 21, 26

Since God has forgiven us in Christ,
let us forgive one another.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

And also with you.

The people may exchange with one another, by words and gestures, and by signs of peace and reconciliation.

Canticle, Psalm, Hymn, or Spiritual

A canticle (pp. 573-591), psalm, hymn, or spiritual may be sung.

The people may be seated.

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The Word

Readings from Scripture

The following or another prayer for illumination (pp. 60, 90-91) is said:

God of mercy,
your faithfulness to your covenant
frees us to live together
in the security of your powerful love.
Amid all the changing words of our generation,
speak your eternal Word that does not change.
Then may we respond to your gracious promises
by living in faith and obedience;
through our Lord Jesus Christ.[792]

Amen.

Readings suggested in a lectionary, or other appropriate readings from both Testaments, are read. Between the readings the psalm for the day, hymns, spirituals, or anthems related to the lessons may be sung.

Sermon

After the scriptures are read, their message is proclaimed in a sermon. An ascription of praise (pp. 62-63, 91-92) may conclude the sermon.

Creed

The people may stand and say or sing a creed of the church or an affirmation of faith drawn from scripture (pp. 64-65, 94-98).

Psalm, Hymn, or Spiritual

A psalm, hymn, or spiritual may be sung.

The bride, groom, and other members of the wedding party come and stand before the minister. The families of the bride and groom may stand with the couple.

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Christian Marriage

Statement on the Gift of Marriage

The minister says:

N. and N. have come to make their marriage vows
in the presence of God
and of this congregation.
Let us now witness their promises to each other
and surround them with our prayers,
giving thanks to God for the gift of marriage
and asking God’s blessing upon them,
so that they may be strengthened for their life together
and nurtured in their love for God.

God created us male and female,
and gave us marriage
so that husband and wife may help and comfort each other,
living faithfully together in plenty and in want,
in joy and in sorrow,
in sickness and in health,
throughout all their days.

God gave us marriage
for the full expression of the love between a man and a woman.
In marriage a woman and a man belong to each other,
and with affection and tenderness
freely give themselves to each other.

God gave us marriage
for the well-being of human society,
for the ordering of family life,
and for the birth and nurture of children.

God gave us marriage as a holy mystery
in which a man and a woman are joined together,
and become one,
just as Christ is one with the church.

In marriage, husband and wife are called to a new way of life,
created, ordered, and blessed by God.
This way of life must not be entered into carelessly,
or from selfish motives,
but responsibly, and prayerfully.

We rejoice that marriage is given by God,
blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ,
and sustained by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, let marriage be held in honor by all.

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Prayer

The minister says:

Let us pray:

Gracious God,
you are always faithful in your love for us.
Look mercifully upon N. and N.,
who have come seeking your blessing.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them
so that with steadfast love
they may honor the promises they make this day,
through Jesus Christ our Savior.[791]

Amen.

The congregation may be seated.

Declarations of Intent

The minister addresses the bride and groom individually, using either A or B:

N., understanding that God has created, ordered, and blessed the covenant of marriage,
do you affirm your desire and intention to enter this covenant?

Answer:

I do.

If both are baptized, the following may be used:

N., in your baptism
you have been called to union with Christ and the church.
Do you intend to honor this calling
through the covenant of marriage?

Answer:

I do.

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Affirmations of the Families

The minister may address the families of the bride and groom:

N., N. [Names of family members],
do you give your blessing to N. and N.,
and promise to do everything in your power to uphold them in their marriage?

The families of the bride and groom answer:

We (I) give our (my) blessing
and promise our (my) loving support.

We (I) do.

The families of the bride and groom may be seated.

Affirmation of the Congregation

The congregation may stand and the minister may address it, saying:

Will all of you witnessing these vows
do everything in your power
to uphold N. and N. in their marriage?

Answer:

We will.

A psalm, hymn, spiritual, or anthem may be sung.

Vows

The people remain standing.
The minister addresses the couple:

N. and N.,
since it is your intention to marry,
join your right hands,
and with your promises
bind yourselves to each other as husband and wife.

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The bride and groom face each other and join right hands. They in turn then make their vows to each other, using A or B.

The man says:

I, N., take you, N., to be my wife;
and I promise,
before God and these witnesses,
to be your loving and faithful husband;
in plenty and in want;
in joy and in sorrow;
in sickness and in health;
as long as we both shall live.

The woman says:

I, N., take you, N., to be my husband;
and I promise,
before God and these witnesses,
to be your loving and faithful wife;
in plenty and in want;
in joy and in sorrow;
in sickness and in health;
as long as we both shall live.

The man says:

Before God and these witnesses,
I, N., take you, N., to be my wife,
and I promise to love you,
and to be faithful to you
as long as we both shall live.

The woman says:

Before God and these witnesses
I, N., take you, N., to be my husband,
and I promise to love you,
and to be faithful to you,
as long as we both shall live.

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Exchange of Rings (or Other Symbols)

If rings are to be exchanged, the minister may say to the couple:

What do you bring as the sign of your promise?

When the rings are presented, the minister may say the following prayer.

By your blessing, O God,
may these rings be to N. and N.
symbols of unending love and faithfulness,
reminding them of the covenant they have made this day,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.[793]

Amen.

The bride and groom exchange rings using A or B or other appropriate words. The traditional trinitarian formula should be omitted for both the bride and groom if one of the marriage partners is not a professing Christian.

The one giving the ring says:

N., I give you this ring as a sign of our covenant,
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

The one receiving the ring says:

I receive this ring as a sign of our covenant,
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

As each ring is given, the one giving the ring says:

This ring I give you,
as a sign of our constant faith
and abiding love,
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

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Prayer

The couple may kneel.

One of the following prayers, or a similar prayer, is said:

Let us pray:

Eternal God,
Creator and preserver of all life,
author of salvation,
and giver of all grace:
look with favor upon the world you have made and redeemed,
and especially upon N. and N.

Give them wisdom and devotion in their common life,
that each may be to the other
a strength in need,
a counselor in perplexity,
a comfort in sorrow,
and a companion in joy.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will,
and their spirits in your Spirit,
that they may grow in love and peace
with you and each other
all the days of their life.

Give them the grace,
when they hurt each other,
to recognize and confess their fault,
and to seek each other‘s forgiveness
and yours.

Make their life together
a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world,
that unity may overcome estrangement,
forgiveness heal guilt,
and joy conquer despair.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual love
that they may reach out in concern for others.

[Give to them, if it is your will,
the gift of children,
and the wisdom to bring them up
to know you, to love you,
and to serve you.]

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Grant that all who have witnessed these vows today
may find their lives strengthened,
and that all who are married
may depart with their own promises renewed.

Enrich with your grace
all husbands and wives, parents and children,
that, loving and supporting one another,
they may serve those in need
and be a sign of your kingdom.

Grant that the bonds by which all your children
are united to one another
may be so transformed by your Spirit
that your peace and justice may fill the earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.[794]

Amen.

Eternal God,
without your grace no promise is sure.
Strengthen N. and N.
with patience, kindness, gentleness,
and all other gifts of your Spirit,
so that they may fulfill 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.
Guide them by your Word
to serve you all their days.

Help us all, O God,
to do your will in each of our homes and lives.
Enrich us with your grace
so that, supporting one another,
we may serve those in need
and hasten the coming of peace, love, and justice on earth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.[795]

Amen.

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Lord‘s Prayer

If the Lord’s Supper is not celebrated, the Lord‘s Prayer is said or sung here or after the prayer of thanksgiving.

If the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, the Lord‘s Prayer follows the great thanksgiving.

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 forever.Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be 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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,

forever.Amen.

Announcement of Marriage

The minister addresses the congregation:

Before God
and in the presence of this congregation,
N. and N. have made their solemn vows to each other.
They have confirmed their promises by the joining of hands
[and by the giving and receiving of rings].
Therefore, I proclaim that they are now husband and wife.

Blessed be the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit now and forever.

The minister joins the couple’s right hands.
The congregation may join the minister saying:

Those whom God has joined together
let no one separate.

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Charge to the Couple

The minister addresses the couple, using one of the following:

See Col. 3:12-14

As God‘s own,
clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, and patience,
forgiving each other
as the Lord has forgiven you,
and crown all these things with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Col. 3:17

Whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God through him.

Blessing of the Couple

The minister addresses the couple, using one of the following blessings:

The grace of Christ attend you,
the love of God surrounding you,
the Holy Spirit keep you,
that you may live in faith,
abound in hope,
and grow in love,
both now and forevermore.

Amen.

Gracious God,
we give you thanks for your tender love
in sending Jesus Christ
to dwell among us, full of grace and truth,
and to make the way of the cross
to be the way of life.
We thank you also
for making holy the marriage of man and woman in his name.

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By the power of your Holy Spirit,
pour out your blessing in abundance
upon 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 foreheads.
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 them to that table
where your saints feast forever in your presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, forever and ever.[797]

Amen.

Psalm, Hymn, Spiritual, or Anthem

A psalm, hymn, spiritual, anthem, or other appropriate music may be sung here.

If the service is neither a Lord’s Day service nor a service including the Lord‘s Supper,

it mayconclude immediately with the charge and blessing of the people (pp. 880-881),

and the wedding party may recess. Or the service may continue as indicated below.

Prayers of the People

Prayers for worldwide and local concerns are offered (pp. 99-120).

IF THE LORD’S SUPPER IS NOT TO BE CELEBRATED, THE SERVICE CONTINUES ON PAGE 877.

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The Eucharist

Offering

If there is an offering, an anthem or other appropriate music may accompany the gathering of the people‘s offerings.

When the Lord’s Supper is celebrated, the minister(s) and elders prepare the table with bread and wine during the gathering of the gifts. The bread and wine may be brought to the table, or uncovered if already in place.

The offerings may be brought forward. A psalm, hymn of praise, doxology, or spiritual may be sung, the people standing.

Invitation to the Lord‘s Table

Standing at the table, the presiding minister invites the people to the Sacrament, using one of the following or another invitation to the Lord’s table (p. 125). If B is used, the words of institution are not included in the great thanksgiving or at the breaking of the bread.

See Luke 13:29; 24:30, 31

Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God!
They will come from east and west,
and from north and south,
and sit at table in the kingdom of God.

According to Luke,
when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples,
he took the bread, and blessed and broke it,
and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened
and they recognized him.

This is the Lord‘s table.
Our Savior invites those who trust him
to share the feast which he has prepared.

See 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Luke 22:19-20

Hear the words of the institution
of the Holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread,
and after giving thanks to God,
he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat.

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This is my body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way he took the cup, saying:
This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,
shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this in remembrance of me.

Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord,
until he comes.

With thanksgiving,
let us offer God our grateful praise.

Great Thanksgiving

All may stand.

The presiding minister leads the people in the great thanksgiving, using the following prayer, or great thanksgiving B or C (pp. 126-129, 130-132) with the proper preface for Christian Marriage (p. 137).

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.

It is truly right and our greatest joy
to give you thanks and praise,
O holy Father, creator of all things,
and source of every blessing.
By your power and wisdom
you brought the universe into being,
and created us in your image.
You made us male and female
and gave us the freedom to be joined as husband and wife,
united in body and heart.
In your providence you gave us this earth
to care for it and to delight in it.
With its bounty you preserve our life.

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You called us to love and serve you,
but we turned against you
to follow our own ways.
Yet you did not forsake us,
for your love is unfailing in every age.
You bound yourself to us with a covenant,
claiming us as your people,
and promising faithfulness as our God.
You made the union of husband and wife
a sign of your covenant with your people.

Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with choirs of angels
and with all the faithful of every time and place,
who forever sing to the glory of your name:

The people may sing or say:

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.

The minister continues:

You are holy, O God of majesty,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
whom you sent, out of love for the world,
to be our Savior.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
Christ was born as one of us,
shared our joys and sorrows,
and offered his life in perfect obedience and trust.
By his death,
Christ delivered us from our sins,
reconciling us to you.
Risen from the tomb,
he gives us new and abundant life,
and offers healing for every human relationship.
By his sacrificial love,
Christ sanctified the church to be his holy bride.
Even now he prepares the wedding banquet.

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If they have not already been said, the words of institution may be said here or in

relation to the breaking of the bread.

We give you thanks that the Lord Jesus,
on the night before he died,
took bread,

and after giving thanks to you,
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.

In the same way he took the cup, saying:
This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,
shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,

do this in remembrance of me.

Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts,

we take this bread and this wine
from the gifts you have given us,
and celebrate with joy
the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ.
Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
as a living and holy offering of ourselves,
that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.

The people may sing or say one of the following:

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.

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According to his commandment:

We remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory.

Christ is the bread of life:

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.

The minister continues:

Gracious God,
pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon these your gifts of bread and wine,
that the bread we break
and the cup we bless
may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
that we may be one with all who share this feast,
united in ministry in every place.

Give N. and N. the spirit of peace,
that they may become one in heart and mind,
and rejoice together in your gift of marriage.
Let their love for each other
witness to your divine love in the world.
Strengthen the church
to proclaim your justice, joy, and peace
and to live for your kingdom in the world.
Keep us faithful in your service
until Christ comes in final victory
and we shall feast with all your saints
in the joy of your eternal realm
at the marriage supper of the Lamb,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor are yours, almighty God,
now and forever.[798]

Amen.

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Lord’s Prayer

The minister invites all present to sing or say the Lord‘s Prayer.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:

All pray together.

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 forever.Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

If the words of institution have not previously been said, the minister breaks the bread, using A.

If the words of institution were said in the invitation to the Lord’s table, or were included in the great thanksgiving, the minister breaks the bread, using B. Or the bread may be broken in silence.

1 Cor. 11:23-26; Luke 22:19-20

The minister breaks the bread in full view of the people, saying:

The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread,
and after giving thanks to God,
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.

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The minister lifts the cup, saying:

In the same way he took the cup, saying:
This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood,
shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this in remembrance of me.
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord,
until he comes.

1 Cor. 10:16-17

Because there is one loaf,
we, many as we are, are one body;
for it is one loaf of which we all partake.

The minister takes the loaf and breaks it in full view of the congregation.

When we break the bread,
is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

Having filled the cup, the minister lifts it in the view of the people.

When we give thanks over the cup,
is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?

Communion of the People

Invitation

Then holding out both the bread and the cup to the people, the minister says:

The gifts of God
for the people of God.

Communion

The minister and those assisting receive Communion and then serve the bread and the cup to the people.

In giving the bread:

The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.Amen.

In giving the cup:

The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.Amen.

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During Communion, psalms, hymns, anthems, or spirituals may be sung.

Prayer After Communion

After all have been served, the following, or a similar prayer (pp. 76-77, 157-158), may be prayed by the minister, or by all together, the people standing.

Loving God,
we thank you that you have fed us in this holy meal,
united us with Christ,
and given us a foretaste of the marriage feast of the Lamb.
So strengthen us in your service
that our daily living may show our thanks,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.[799]

Amen.

Sending

Hymn, Spiritual, Canticle, or Psalm

A hymn, spiritual, canticle, or psalm may be sung.

Charge and Blessing

Charge

The minister, a deacon, or an elder dismisses the congregation, using one of the following or a similar charge (pp. 78, 82-83, 159-160):

1 Cor. 16:13; 2 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 6:10;
1 Thess. 5:13-22; 1 Peter 2:17

Go out into the world in peace;
have courage;
hold on to what is good;
return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted;
support the weak, and help the suffering;
honor all people;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Blessing

The minister gives God‘s blessing to the congregation, using one of the following or another scriptural benediction (pp. 78, 83, 161). Traditionally, the Alleluia is omitted during Lent.

2 Cor. 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.

Alleluia!Amen.

See Num. 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord be kind and gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor
and give you peace.

Alleluia!Amen.

Instrumental music is appropriate.

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IF THE LORD’S SUPPER IS NOT CELEBRATED, THE SERVICE CONTINUES HERE FROM PAGE 867.

Offering

If there is an offering, an anthem or other appropriate music may accompany the gathering of the people‘s offerings.

The offerings may be brought forward. A psalm, hymn of praise, doxology, or spiritual may be sung, the people standing.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

The minister leads the people in one of the following or a similar prayer of thanksgiving:

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The minister continues, using one of the following, or a similar prayer.

O holy Father, creator of all things
and source of every blessing,
by your power and wisdom
you brought the universe into being
and created us in your image.
You made us male and female,
and gave us the freedom to be joined as husband and wife,
united in body and heart.
In your providence you gave us this earth,
to care for it and delight in it,
and with its bounty you preserve our life.

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We praise you, O Lord our God,
for out of your great love for the world
you gave your only Son to be our Savior.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
Christ was born as one of us,
shared our joys and sorrows,
and offered his life in perfect obedience and trust.
By his death
Christ delivered us from our sins,
reconciling us to you.
Rising from the tomb,
he gives us new and abundant life,
and offers healing for every human relationship.
By his sacrificial love
Christ sanctified the church to be his holy bride.
Even now he prepares the wedding banquet.

Give N. and N. the spirit of love and peace,
that they may become one in heart and mind,
and rejoice together in your gift of marriage.
Let their love for each other
witness to your divine love in the world.
Strengthen thechurch in every place
to proclaim your justice, joy, and peace,
and to live for your kingdom in the world.
Keep us faithful in your service
until Christ comes in final victory
and we shall feast with all your saints
in the joy of your eternal realm
at the marriage supper of the Lamb,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor,
now and forever.[800]

Amen.

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Almighty and merciful God,
from whom comes every good,
we praise you for your mercies,
for your goodness that has created us,
your grace that has sustained us,
your discipline that has corrected us,
your patience that has borne with us,
and your love that has redeemed us.

Help us to love you,
and to be thankful for all your gifts
by serving you and delighting to do your will,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.[66]

Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

The minister invites all present to sing or say the Lord‘s Prayer.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:

All pray together.

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 forever.Amen.

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Sending

Hymn, Spiritual, Canticle, or Psalm

A hymn, spiritual, canticle, or psalm may be sung.

Charge and Blessing

Charge

The minister, a deacon, or an elder dismisses the congregation, using one of the following or a similar charge (pp. 78, 82-83, 159-160):

See 1 Cor. 16:13; 2 Tim. 2:1; Eph. 6:10;
1 Thess. 5:13-22; 1 Peter 2:17

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Blessing

The minister gives God’s blessing to the congregation, using one of the following or another scriptural benediction (pp. 78, 83, 161). Traditionally, the Alleluia is omitted during Lent.

2 Cor. 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.

Alleluia!Amen.

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See Num. 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord be kind and gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor
and give you peace.

Alleluia! Amen.

Instrumental music may follow the blessing.

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