SERVICE OF RENEWAL OF MARRIAGE VOWS

SERVICE OF RENEWAL

 OF MARRIAGE VOWS

Groom Name

&

Bride Name

date

time

at

place

ORDER OF SERVICE

Welcome family and friends.

Family and friends stand as bride enters.

When couple are standing before the Minister, the family and friends are seated.

Minister:    

I would like to welcome you here today. I am Pastor ……… of Riverview Church in Perth.

We have come together today in the presence of God to witness and to celebrate a Renewal of the Vows that Groom and Bride have already made to one another in …………………….(place), on ……………… (date) and to share in their joy.

Before we go ahead with the renewal, I would like to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you have already entered.

When you are married in Australia, the law declares that this union is between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

MINISTER’S INTRODUCTION

1.         Our Lord Jesus Christ said of marriage that “From the beginning of creation God made them male and female.          For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one: (Matthew 19:5-6):

So they are no longer two, but one. What therefore God

has joined together, let no one separate.”

2.        “The Bible teaches that marriage is a lifelong union

symbolising God’s unending love and faithfulness and the

union between Christ and His church.

3.        The Bible also teaches that the husband must love his wife as Christ loves the church, and that the wife must give due honour to her husband.

4.        Marriage should be honoured by all, and is not to be

entered into lightly or selfishly, but with reverent and

serious consideration for the purpose and plan God has

for a successful marriage.

5.        Marriage, and all it entails, is a gift from God for the

blessing of humankind and for the expression of love and affection, which He has given us.

6.        It is a lifelong commitment, in which a man and

bride are called to give themselves to each other, and

from their union will grow a  deepening knowledge and

love for each other. They are to cleave to each other, to

share companionship, faithfulness and life, both in

prosperity and adversity. The mutual commitment of a

man and a bride to each other, in a bond of love, causes

marriage to be a strong and secure covenant.

READING

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, it never gives up

Love is kind, it cares more for others than for self

It does not envy, doesn’t want what it doesn’t have

It does not boast

It is not proud

It is not rude, doesn’t force itself on others

It is not self-seeking, isn’t always ‘me first’

It is not easily angered, doesn’t fly off the handle

Love is not touchy, or fretful or resentful

It keeps no record of wrongs

Love does not delight in evil

But rejoices with the truth

It always protects

It always trusts

Always looks for the best, is ever ready to believe the best of every person

Always hopes and perseveres

It never looks back

Love never fails

MINISTER’S CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION:

I would like to encourage you all to support bride and groom in your prayers. They believe God has led them to be married and so we must do everything in our power to see that this union remains solid, strong, happy and prosperous.

PRAYER – would you join me in prayer?

“Heavenly Father, we pray for groom and Bride as they make this renewal of their covenant together today. We thank you that you have caused them to come into union together so that they may be one in your sight. Help them to complete each other, and fulfil each other in every area. Bless them with your peace and security, in the knowledge of your care and love for them. Protect them and guard them from evil and bless them with a long and satisfying life together. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Minister:    

Groom, Do you affirm that you have given yourself to Bride to be her husband, that you will live together according to God’ s Word and give her the honour due her as your wife and, forsaking all others, love, comfort, encourage, cherish and protect her, as long as you both shall live?

Groom:        “I do”

Minister:    

Bride: Do you affirm that you have given yourself to Groom to be his wife, that you will you live together according to God’s Word? Will you give him the honour due him as your husband and, forsaking all others, love, comfort, encourage and protect him, as long as you both shall live?

Bride:           “I will”

Minister:

GROOM AND BRIDE WILL NOW RENEW THEIR VOWS

I groom/ in the presence of God/ and these family and friends/affirm that you are my wife/; My commitment is to you/to love and to cherish you/in every situation and challenge of life/as long as we both shall live./This is a renewal of my faithful vows and promise.”

I bride/ in the presence of God/ and these family and friends/affirm that you are my husband/; My commitment is to you/to love and to cherish you/in every situation and challenge of life/as long as we both shall live./This is a renewal of my faithful vows and promise.”

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

The minister receives the wedding rings if being used.

Prayer:

I ask, Lord, in the name of Jesus, that these rings may be a token and constant sign of the pledge of love and faithfulness which these two people have already made and are reminding themselves of today.  Amen.

Groom places the ring on Bride’s ring finger, and holding it there repeats after the Minister:

Bride /as you receive this ring afresh from me today, look on it as a renewed sign of my faithfulness/and my pledge to you/with all that I am and all that I have/I declare again today that I honour you.

Bride says:

Groom/ I receive this ring afresh/,in token of our marriage./May God enable us/ to continue in love together.”

Bride places ring on his finger saying:

Groom /as you receive this ring afresh from me today, look on it as a renewed sign of my faithfulness/and my pledge to you/with all that I am and all that I have/I declare again today that I honour you.

Groom says:

Bride/ I receive this ring afresh/,in token of our marriage./May God enable us/ to continue in love together.”

PRONOUNCEMENT

Minister to family and friends:

Before God and in the presence of us all, by solemn consent and promise, Groom and Bride have now rededicated themselves to each other in marriage.

It gives me great joy, in the presence of God, to affirm you as husband and wife in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You may kiss your bride.”

Groom and Bride have decided that the first thing they would like to do after their Renewal of Vows is to take communion as a symbol of their remembrance and acceptance of the work of Jesus and of their invitation of God’s presence into their marriage.  

GROOM AND BRIDE WILL TAKE COMMUNION

BLESSING OF THE UNION

Numbers 6:24-26

“May the Lord bless you, and keep you.  May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.  May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace”. 

THE PRESENTATION OF Mr & Mrs ……………………….