Parish of Wigston Magna
All Saints and St Wistan

Wedding
of
Jill Hill and Jack Crown
31st February 2006

The Marriage Service
¶ Pastoral Introduction
This may be read by those present before the service begins.
A wedding is one of life’s great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana, and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.
Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians, marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before witnesses.
On this their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make their promises and receive God’s blessing. You are witnesses of the marriage, and express your support by your presence and your prayers. Your support does not end today: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and years ahead of them.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13.4-7
The Marriage Service
Arrival of the Bride
Die Walkure—Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
¶ Introduction
The Welcome
The minister welcomes the people using these or other appropriate words
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
All and also with you.
This sentence may be used
God is love, and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.
1 John 4.16
This prayer may be said
All God of wonder and of joy: grace comes from you, and you alone are the source of life and love. Without you, we cannot please you; without your love, our deeds are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, that we may worship you now with thankful hearts and serve you always with willing minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn
Dear Lord and Father of mankind, forgive our foolish ways! Reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence praise. In simple trust like theirs who heard, beside the Syrian sea, the gracious calling of the Lord, let us, like them, without a word _ rise up and follow thee. O Sabbath rest by Galilee! O calm of hills above, where Jesus knelt to share with thee the silence of eternity, interpreted by love! Drop thy still dews of quietness, till all our strivings cease; take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace. Breathe through the heats of our desires thy coolness and thy balm; let sense be dumb let flesh retire; speak through the earthquake wind and fire, O still small voice of calm.
Preface
In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to witness the marriage of N and N, to pray for God’s blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love.
Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.
The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are [born and] nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love.
Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. It enriches society and strengthens community. No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God.
N and N are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will [each] give and receive a ring. We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may fulfil God’s purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.
The Declarations
The minister says to the congregation
First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.
The minister says to the couple
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
The minister says to the bridegroom
N, will you take N to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
He answers
I will.
The minister says to the bride
N will you take N to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers
I will.
The minister says to the congregation
Will you, the families and friends of Nand N, support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?
All We will.
The Collect
The minister invites the people to pray, silence is kept and the minister says the Collect
God our Father, from the beginning, you have blessed creation with abundant life. Pour out your blessings upon N and N, that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment to each other. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.
Readings
2 Samuel 1.17,23-27
1After the death of Saul, when David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag.
17David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. 18(He ordered that The Song of the Bow be taught to the people of Judah; it is written in the Book of Jashar.) He said: 19Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 20Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon; or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, the daughters of the uncircumcised will exult.
21You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor bounteous fields! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, anointed with oil no more.
22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, nor the sword of Saul return empty.
23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with crimson, in luxury, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
25How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
Jonathan lies slain upon your high places. 26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; greatly beloved were you to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
27How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
Sermon
¶ The Marriage
Hymn
Fight the good fight with all thy might, Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; lay hold on life, and it shall be _ thy joy and crown eternally. Run the straight race through God’s good grace, lift up thine eyes, and seek his face; life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path, and Christ the prize. Cast care aside, upon thy guide lean, and his mercy will provide; lean, and the trusting soul shall prove Christ is its life, and Christ its love. Faint not nor fear, his arms are near, he changeth not, and thou art dear; only believe, and thou shalt see that Christ is all in all to thee.
The couple stand before the minister.
The Vows
The minister introduces the vows
N and N, I now invite you to join hands and make your vows, in the presence of God and his people.
The bride and bridegroom face each other. The bridegroom takes the bride’s right hand in his, and says
I, N, 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, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.
They loose hands. The bride takes the bridegroom’s right hand in hers, and says
I, N, 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, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God I make this vow.
They loose hands.
The Giving of Rings
The minister receives the rings, and says
Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let these rings be to N and N a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride’s left hand and, holding it there, says
N, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
They loose hands and the bride places a ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom’s left hand and, holding it there, says
N, I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Proclamation
The minister addresses the people
In the presence of God, and before this congregation, N and N have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
The minister joins their right hands together and says
Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.
The Blessing of the Marriage
The husband and wife kneel
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, for you have created joy and gladness, pleasure and delight, love, peace and fellowship. Pour out the abundance of your blessing upon N and N in their new life together. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, and a crown upon their heads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; awake and asleep, in joy and in sorrow, in life and in death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that banquet where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.
The minister says to the couple
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace, that you may please him both in body and soul, and, living together in faith and love, may receive the blessings of eternal life.
All Amen.
Registration of the Marriage
Hymn
Onward, Christian soldiers! marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ the royal Master leads against the foe; forward into battle, see, his banners go! Onward, Christian soldiers! marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. Onward, etc. Like a mighty army moves the Church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod: we are not divided, all one body we, one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. Onward, etc. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the Church of Jesus constant will remain: gates of hell can never ’gainst that Church prevail; we have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail. Onward, etc. Onward, then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph song: glory, laud, and honour unto Christ the King, this through countless ages men and angels sing. Onward, etc.
Prayers
These or other suitable prayers are used. The prayers usually include these concerns and may follow this sequence:
¶ Thanksgiving
¶ Spiritual growth
¶ Faithfulness, joy, love, forgiveness and healing
¶ Children, other family members and friends
Prayer
Faithful God, holy and eternal, source of life and spring of love, we thank and praise you for bringing N and N to this day, and we pray for them. Lord of life and love:
All hear our prayer.
May their marriage be life-giving and life-long, enriched by your presence and strengthened by your grace; may they bring comfort and confidence to each other in faithfulness and trust. Lord of life and love:
All hear our prayer.
May the hospitality of their home bring refreshment and joy to all around them; may their love overflow to neighbours in need and embrace those in distress. Lord of life and love:
All hear our prayer.
May they discern in your word order and purpose for their lives; and may the power of your Holy Spirit lead them in truth and defend them in adversity. Lord of life and love:
All hear our prayer.
May they nurture their family with devotion, see their children grow in body, mind and spirit and come at last to the end of their lives with hearts content and in joyful anticipation of heaven. Lord of life and love:
All hear our prayer.
The prayers conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
All 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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn
Through the night of doubt and sorrow onward goes the pilgrim band, singing songs of expectation, marching to the promised land. Clear before us through the darkness gleams and burns the guiding light; brother clasps the hand of brother, stepping fearless through the night. One the light of God’s own presence o’er his ransomed people shed, chasing far the gloom and terror, brightening all the path we tread: One the object of our journey, one the faith which never tires, one the earnest looking forward, one the hope our God inspires: One the strain that lips of thousands lift as from the heart of one: one the conflict, one the peril, one the march in God begun: one the gladness of rejoicing on the far eternal shore, where the one almighty Father reigns in love for evermore. Onward, therefore, pilgrim brothers, onward with the cross our aid; bear its shame, and fight its battle, till we rest beneath its shade. Soon shall come the great awaking, soon the rending of the tomb; then the scattering of all shadows, and the end of toil and gloom.
The minister says
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
Recessional
The Liberty Bell—John Philip Sousa
Copyright acknowledgement (where not already indicated above):
Some material included in this service is copyright: © The Archbishops' Council 2000
Hymns reproduced under CCLI Licence Number: 510489

All Saints and St Wistan’s, Wigston Magna

All Saints and St Wistan’s, Wigston Magna

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Jill and Jack’s Wedding Service

Jill and Jack’s Wedding Service

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