Renewal of Marriage Vows or On the Anniversary of a Marriage

Document 10

Concerning the Service

The service may take place in the home with friends and family, or at a special church service. The service may occasionally be shortened and adapted to commemorate special anniversaries during the Prayers of the People, but is not to be used as the principal Sunday liturgy. The eucharist may be celebrated.

Renewal of Marriage Vows
or
On the Anniversary of a Marriage

Gathering of the Community

The people stand. The celebrant greets the community.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you all.

And also with you.

The celebrant may address the congregation in these or similar words.

Friends in Christ,
we are gathered together with ______ and _______
who have come today to give thanks
for God's blessing upon them,
and to reaffirm their marriage covenant.

Let us pray.
Gracious and everliving God,
look with favour on N and N
who come to renew the promises
they made at their wedding.
Grant them your blessing,
and assist them with your grace,
that with steadfast love
they may continue to honour­
and keep their vows;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Or

Grant, O God, in your love,
that ______ and _____who now reaffirm the covenant
which they have made with each other,
may continue to grow
in loyalty, love, and forgiveness;
and come at last to the eternal joys
which you have promised­
through Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Word

The Readings

Two or more readings, including a Gospel reading, shall normally be read. Members of the family and friends of the husband and wife may read the lessons. A psalm, canticle, hymn, anthem or period of silence may follow the lessons. Suggested readings may be found in The Book of Alternative Services The readings and the response may be selected in consultation with the husband and wife. A sermon may follow.

The husband and wife present themselves before the celebrant, who asks them in turn the following question, to which each immediately makes response.

do you here,
in the presence of God and this congregation,
renew the commitment you made
when you bound yourself to _______ in holy marriage?
Answer, I do.

The husband and wife may say together,
Gracious God,
we remember with thanksgiving
our vows of love and commitment
to you and to each other in marriage.­
We pray for your continued blessing.­
May we learn from our joys and sorrows,
and discover new riches in our life together in you.­
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The celebrant then blesses them. The following form may be used.

______ and ________
may the power of God keep you,
the love of God be in your life and work together,
the grace of God strengthen your love­
that it may endure for ever. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

The Prayers of the People may be led by a friend or member of the family of the husband and wife, or by the celebrant, or another minister. If the eucharist is celebrated, the gifts may be presented by the husband and wife. If the eucharist is not celebrated, the Lord's Prayer and the Peace follow.

When this form is used where there has been a reconciliation in a marriage, the celebrant may adapt it in consultation with the husband and wife. The following prayer may be said by the couple.

God of peace,
forgive us as we forgive each other
for all the hurt we have brought into our lives.­
Let your healing love
rest upon the wounds we have caused.
Deepen our love in a new understanding
for each other and for you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ
who carried on his cross our discord and our grief. Amen