|
Liturgy for Holy Union Adapted from Marriage Liturgy,
Second Form, in A New Zealand Prayer Book.
Introduction and
Declarations
The Priest says to the
people
We have come together
to ask God’s blessing on N.
and N.,
to witness their union
and to bring them our love and
support.
I ask you now to pray for
them;
and not just to pray today
or only in this place
but to pray in your hearts
continually
and over the years.
We long to see God’s purposes
for N. and N. fulfilled,
and we pray God will create a
union
making love and forgiveness
life-long.
Eternal love never fails;
so in love we forgive one
another and seek
reconciliation.
Those who join together in
holy union
are God’s ministers to each
other
of reconciliation and change.
As they grow together,
these two men/women
foster one another’s strengths.
They provide each other with
the reassurance and love
needed to overcome their
weaknesses.
From the beginning
God draws them now to a
completely new life.
They become awake to each
other,
aware of each other,
sensitive to each other’s
needs.
The Priest says to the
couple
N. and N., we
welcome you.
Pray that God will uphold and
cheer your life together,
that your promises be honored,
your words true,
now and in time to come.
For our part we ask you to
make your public declaration.
Each partner says in turn
I love N., and I want
to be united with her/him.
The Priest may say to the
sponsors
N. and N., will
you accept and support this union?
The sponsors respond
We will. May God bless you
both.
The Priest may say to any
children of the partners
N., will you help N.
and N. in their life together?
Children Yes, I will.
The Priest may say
May God’s grace surround you
and keep you all,
and so we pray
The peace of God
which is beyond our
understanding,
keep and guard over your
thoughts and hearts.
God keep you friends with one
another,
forgiving one another in
kindness.
May you follow Jesus in
happiness or suffering.
May hope keep you joyful.
Stand firm in trouble.
Be strong in prayer.
May God make you compassionate
and brave.
Above all,
may love always
bind you and keep you whole.
The Ministry of the Word
A suitable Reading (or
Readings) follow here or before The Prayers.
A homily or other response
to the Readings may follow.
The Vows
The Priest may pray
Jesus, do for N. and
N.
as you did in Cana of Galilee.
Take the old water, their busy
individual lives,
and turn them into gospel
wine.
The partners face each
other, join hands.
One says
N, I take you to be my spouse
(or partner, or some equivalent term).
All that I have I offer you;
what you have to give I gladly
receive;
wherever you go I will go.
You are my love.
God keep me true to you always
and you to me.
The other says the same
vow.
The Priest receives the
rings and prays
Christ our light,
encircle these rings with your
blessing,
to show the love of N.
and N.
Bind them together
and keep them in your love
eternally.
The giver places the ring
on the other’s finger and says
N., this ring I give to
you,
with my body I honor you.
God make me you true spouse (or
partner, or some equivalent term)
in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
The Priest joins their
hands together and says
God so joined you together
that nothing shall ever part you.
Blessed are you, heavenly
Father:
You give joy to this couple.
Blessed are you, Jesus our
Redeemer:
You have brought new life to
us all.
Blessed are you, Holy Spirit
of God:
You bring us together in love.
Blessed are you, Creator,
Savior, and Giver of life:
One God to be praised for
ever. Amen.
The Priest continues
N. and N.,
May Christ’s love purify your
love for each other,
Christ’s humanity keep you
sensitive and practical.
May the Light of the world
illuminate your way ahead,
the Bread of heaven nourish
you,
the true Vine enliven you.
May Christ be the beginning
of a new life, fulfilled and
blessed life,
and Christ the end.
The register may be signed
here in the presence of the congregation.
The Ministry of the Word
may follow here.
The Prayers
The Priest may say to the
couple
N. and N., we
welcome you now, united by your love and your vows.
Pray, and we will pray with
you.
May God enrich the life you
have chosen,
and fulfill your hopes.
Some or all of these
petitions may be used, the People responding as indicated
Gracious God we pray for N.
and N. and give thanks that you have brought them together in love.
Spirit of God, bless this
Union.
We thank you for the love and
care which[, through their parents,] has
guided N. and N.
to maturity, and prepared them for this commitment.
Spirit of God, bless this
Union.
Help them [to be wise and
loving parents and] to grow together in
faithfulness and honesty, in
mutual support and patience.
Spirit of God, bless this
Union.
Make their life together a
sign of your love in this broken world; may
forgiveness heal injury and
joy triumph over sorrow.
Spirit of God, bless this
Union.
Guide them in their work and
renew them in their leisure.
Spirit of God, bless this
Union.
May they welcome into their
home both friends and strangers and so reflect Christ’s love for all people.
Spirit of God, bless this
Union.
In all their future together
may they find joy in each other’s lives and grow
through the love they share.
Amen.
One or more of these
prayers may be said
Father of all: We thank you
for this family,
and for everything these
parents
and their 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.
Dear God: You are merciful and
forgiving.
Grant that N. and
N.,
their families, and all who
care for them,
may accept your generous love.
Heal their memories, comfort
them
and send them all from here,
renewed and hopeful. Amen.
Creator Spirit:
We thank you for your gift of
sexual love,
by which this couple
may express their delight in
each other,
find refreshment,
and share with you the joy of
creating new life.
By your grace may N.
and N. remain lovers,
rejoicing in your goodness.
Amen.
God, the source (or
author) of love:
We pray now for all who are
committed to each other in love.
Through their love may they
know your love,
and so be renewed for your
service in the world. Amen.
The Blessing
The Priest blesses the
couple, saying
All praise and blessing to
you, God of love,
Creator of the universe, maker
of humankind in your likeness,
Source of blessing for all of
life.
All praise to you for you have
created the love between two people,
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.
Then the Priest blesses the
People, saying
And the blessing of God
almighty:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with
you forever. Amen.
The Peace
The Priest says
The peace of the Lord [or
Christ] be always with you.
People And also with
you.
The newly joined couple
then greet each other, after which greetings may be exchanged throughout
the congregation.
When Communion is not to
follow, the couple and their attendants leave the church.
The Holy Communion
This rite may be used with
any authorized liturgy for the Holy Eucharist.
The Dismissal
The Deacon gives a suitable
dismissal.
|
