Church of England home page Common Worship   Publications Site Map
  Marriage
     
    Invitation to Confession  
     
    A minister uses these or other suitable words
     
    As we prepare to hear God's word
    and to celebrate the marriage of N and N,
    we remember our human frailty
    and our need for God's help in all that we do.
     
    (or)
     
    Gathered together as God's family,
    let us ask forgiveness from our heavenly Father,
    for he is full of gentleness and compassion.
     
    (or)
     
    We come to God as one from whom no secrets are hidden,
    to ask for his forgiveness and peace.
     
    Confession and Absolution  
     
All
  Lord our God,
    in our sin we have avoided your call.
    Our love for you is like a morning cloud,
    like the dew that goes away early.
    Have mercy on us;
    deliver us from judgement;
    bind up our wounds
    and revive us;
    in Jesus Christ our Lord. 
    Amen.
     
    The president says
     
    The Lord forgive you your sin,
    unite you in the love which took Christ to the cross,
    and bring you in the Spirit to his wedding feast in heaven.
All
  Amen.
     
    (or)
     
    Lord, in our weakness you are our strength.
    Lord, have mercy.
All
  Lord, have mercy.
     
    Lord, when we stumble, you raise us up.
    Christ, have mercy.
All
  Christ, have mercy.
     
    Lord, when we fail, you give us new life.
    Lord, have mercy.
All
  Lord, have mercy.
     
    The president says
     
    May God in his goodness forgive us our sins,
    grant us strength in our weakness, 
    and bring us to eternal life,
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All
  Amen.
     
    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.
    Gospel Acclamation  
     
    Alleluia, alleluia.
    God made them male and female
    and the two will become one. 
   
cf Mark 10.8
All
  Alleluia.
     
    (or)
     
    Alleluia, alleluia.
    God is love;
    let us love one another
    as God has loved us.                                                     
   
cf 1 John 4.8-11
All
  Alleluia.   
     
    Introduction to the Peace  
     
    To crown all things there must be love.
    Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
    The peace of the Lord be always with you
All
  and also with you.
     
    (or)
     
    We have celebrated the love of N and N.
    We now celebrate God's love for all of us.
    Peace, in Christ, to all of you                                              
   
1 Peter 5.14
All
  and also with you.
     
    Preparation of the Table and the Gifts  
     
    In your goodness, Lord,
    accept the gift of our love,
    and with a father's affection watch over this couple
    you have joined in the covenant of marriage;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All
  Amen.
     
    Eucharistic Prefaces  
     
    Short Proper Preface
    And now we give you thanks
    because you have made the union between Christ and his Church
    a pattern for the marriage between husband and wife.
    Therefore with angels …
     
    (traditional language)
    And now we give thee thanks
    because thou hast made the union between Christ and his Church
    a pattern for the marriage between husband and wife.
    Therefore with angels …
     
    Extended Proper Preface
    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:
   
Post Communion
 
    Gracious God,
    may Nand N, who have been bound together
    in these holy mysteries,
    become one in body and soul.
    May they live in faithfulness and peace
    and obtain those eternal joys
    prepared for all who love you;
    through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All
  Amen.
     
    Blessings  
     
    Simple Blessing
    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.
     
    Solemn Blessing
    The Lord bless you and keep you:
All
  Amen.
     
    The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
    and be gracious to you:
All
  Amen.
     
    The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
    and give you peace:
All
  Amen.
     
    The Lord God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
    the holy and undivided Trinity,
    guard you, save you,
    and bring you to that heavenly city,
    where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.                
   
Numbers 6.24-26
All
  Amen.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.