Marriage Service #4

Opening: Greeting to guest and Pastor's homily

Reading: "blessing of hands" These are the hands of your best friend,
young and strong and full of love for you,
that are holding yours on your wedding day
as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from
your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when
wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours,
still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.Vows: I,________, take you,________, to be my wife\husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep,Ring: I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my wife\husband this day and every dayCandle Ceremony:
Now, we're going to engage in a ceremony of spiritual symbolism. Ancient sages tell us that for each of us, there is a candle, a symbol of our own inner light, but that no one can kindle his or her own candle. Each of us needs someone else to kindle it for us.
When two people fall in love, they kindle each other's candles, creating great light and joy and glorious expectations.
Now, ___________ and ________), I'd like you to remember when it was in your relationship that you first realized you were truly in love and wanted to spend the rest of your lives together. And holding that thought . . .
(Groom_______), (pick up candle), take this candle, symbol of the inner light in (Bride_________), light it by the eternal light, with the dedication to rekindle it again and again, whenever necessary. And (Bride__________), (pick up candle), take this candle, symbol of the inner light in (Groom________), light it by the eternal light, with the dedication to rekindle it again and again, whenever necessary.
With these candles, we can see how to achieve a beautiful marriage. In your marriage, you will try to bring these lights, the symbols of yourselves, closer and closer to each other, until they become (join the flames) ONE one great torch of light a radiant symbol of love, joy, peace and harmony. (hold flames together) This is the mystery of the union two becoming one.Yet, it is vitally important to remember that there are always really two (divide the flames) in a marriage, each with his or her own desires, yearnings, dreams and wishes. And these must be respected and responded to with great love, with great compassion and with genuine tenderness.
We know that it is the prayer of your beloved, as it is the prayer of each of us here, that you will continuously light these candles of love, so that there will always be light and joy, peace and harmony in your hearts and in your home.
(put candles back on table)Pronouncement
________ and _________, now that you have made promises to each other which will be the foundation of the wonderful marriage you are going to build, I (name of pastor____________), under the authority of the laws of the state of _______, sanctioned by Divine authority, pronounce you lawfully married, husband and wife in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.What the two of you, with the help of these, your friends and family who love you, have chosen to put together, let no one "mess with"!Would you care, now, to share with us your first **Married** kiss?Allow me to introduce to you _______________ and ______________, now legally married!

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Call to discuss your wedding:
513 853 6180 (Pastor's Office)
800 825 4332 Toll-Free
859 757 4062 Kentucky

Pastor Eastman:
Pastor@MarriageChaplain.com