Page 108 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

108 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

Ceremony 2: Traditional

Address to the Assembly

We are gathered together to celebrate the uniting of this man, (groom’s name), and this woman, (bride’s
name), in marriage, which is to be held in honor among all men. Let us remember that marriage has been
established and sanctified for the welfare and happiness of humankind. It has been declared that a man shall
leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in building their home.
In being created from man, woman was not made from his head to be over him, nor from his feet to be
beneath him. She was made from his side, under his arm, to be protected and near his heart to be loved.
Those who choose to enter this relationship are to cherish a mutual respect and love, to bear with each other’s
weaknesses, to comfort each other and their household, and to encourage each other in spiritual things, and
to live together as heirs of earthly and heavenly rewards. This marriage is more than just a marriage of two
people who love each other with all their being and want to live the entirety of their lives as man and wife, for
their marriage includes a third Person—God. He will be their leader, their strength, a guide and sustainer in the
maturing of their love for each other, and He will be their purpose for living.

Giving of the Bride
Who gives this woman to be married to this man? [Reply.]

Address to Couple

You are about to assume mutual relationships and responsibilities. You are about to pledge to each other
your undying devotion and love. Henceforth, you will no longer be two, but of one flesh. Your paths will be
parallel, your responsibilities will increase, but your joy will be multiplied, if you are sincere and earnest in
your relationship one with another and with God, with whom you make this covenant. When companions share
a sorrow, the sorrow is halved, and when they share a joy, the joy is doubled. Remember that love and loyalty
alone will avail as the foundation of a happy home. The virtue of love is best portrayed in the thirteenth chapter
of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians—“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not
proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails . . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”
(1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13). If you will faithfully keep the solemn vows you are about to take, and steadfastly
endeavor to always do the will of God, your life will be full of joy, and the home you are establishing will
abide in peace. Let us pray.
Prayer

Declaration of Intent
(Groom’s name), do you take (bride’s name) to be your wedded wife, to live after God’s ordinance in
the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in health and sickness, in
prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, keeping only unto her, so long as you both shall live? If so,
answer, “I do.”
(Bride’s name), do you take (groom’s name) to be your wedded husband, to live after God’s ordinance in
the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in health and sickness, in
prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all others, keeping only unto him, so long as you both shall live? If so,
answer, “I do.”

Vows

Since it is your desire to take each other as husband and wife, you will please indicate this by joining right
hands and by repeating in this presence the wedding vows.