The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant

SourceLR 1 p. 79

The Witnessing and Blessing
of a Lifelong Covenant

Concerning the Service

This rite is appropriately celebrated in the context of the Holy Eucharist and may take place at the principal Sunday Liturgy. This rite then replaces the Ministry of the Word. A bishop or priest normally presides. Parallel texts from Enriching Our Worship 1 are included as options for elements of this rite.

At least one of the couple must be a baptized Christian.

Two or more presenters, who may be friends, parents, family members, or drawn from the local assembly, may present the couple to the presider and the assembly.

As indicated in the opening address, the consent, and the blessing of the rings, the rite may be modified for use with a couple who have previously made a lifelong commitment to one another.

The Word of God

Gathering

The couple to be blessed joins the assembly.

A hymn of praise, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.

The Presider says the following, the People standing

PresiderBlessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

PeopleBlessed be God, now and for ever. Amen.

PresiderBlessed be the one, holy, and living God.

PeopleGlory to God for ever and ever.

From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost

PresiderAlleluia. Christ is risen.

PeopleThe Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

PresiderAlleluia. Christ is risen.

PeopleChrist is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Then may be said

PresiderBeloved, let us love one another,

PeopleFor love is of God.

PresiderWhoever does not love does not know God,

PeopleFor God is love.

PresiderSince God so loves us,

PeopleLet us love one another.

The Presider may address the assembly in these words

Dear friends in Christ, [or Dearly beloved], in the name of God and the Church we have come together today with N. N. and N. N., to witness the vows they make, committing themselves to one another. Forsaking all others, they will bind themselves to one another in a covenant of mutual fidelity and steadfast love, remaining true to one another in heart, body, and mind, as long as they both shall live. Such a lifelong commitment is not to be entered into lightly or thoughtlessly, but responsibly and with reverence. Let us pray, then, that God will give them the strength to remain steadfast in what they vow this day. Let us also pray for the generosity to support them in the commitment they undertake, and for the wisdom to see God at work in their life together.

Dear friends in Christ [or Dearly beloved], in the name of God and the Church, we have come together with N. N. and N. N., to witness the sacred vows they make as they solemnize [or reaffirm] their commitment to one another. Today they renew their covenant of mutual fidelity and steadfast love, forsaking all others and remaining true to one another in heart, body, and mind, as long as they both shall live. Let us pray, then, that God will give them the strength to remain steadfast in what they vow this day. Let us also pray for the generosity to support them in the commitment they undertake, and for the wisdom to see God at work in their life together.

The Collect of the Day

PresiderThe Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

PresiderLet us pray.

PresiderGod be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

PresiderLet us pray.

God of abundance: assist by your grace N. and N., whose covenant of love and fidelity we witness this day. Grant them your protection, that with firm resolve they may honor and keep the vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Almighty and everliving God: look tenderly upon N. and N., who stand before you in the company of your Church. Let their life together bring them great joy. Grant them so to love selflessly and live humbly, that they may be to one another and to the world a witness and a sign of your never-failing love and care; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, to the ages of ages. Amen.

O God, faithful and true, whose steadfast love endures for ever: we give you thanks for sustaining N. and N. in the life they share and for bringing them to this day. Nurture them and fill them with joy in their life together, continuing the good work you have begun in them; and grant us, with them, a dwelling place eternal in the heavens where all your people will share the joy of perfect love, and where you, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Holy Trinity, one God, three Persons perfect in unity and equal in majesty: Draw together with bonds of love and affection N. and N., who with their families seek to live in harmony and forbearance all their days, that their joining together will be to us a reflection of that perfect communion which is your very essence and life, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who live and reign in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Lessons

The people sit. Then one or more of the following passages of Scripture is read. If the Holy Communion is to be celebrated, a passage from the Gospels always concludes the Readings. When the blessing is celebrated in the context of the Sunday Eucharist, the Readings of the Sunday are used, except with the permission of the Bishop.

The First Lesson

Ruth 1:16–17

A Reading from the Book of Ruth.

16 But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die, I will die— there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!”

The First Lesson

1 Samuel 18:1b, 3; 20:16–17; 42a

A Reading from the First Book of Samuel.

1 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 16 Thus Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord seek out the enemies of David.” 17 Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own life. 42 Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever.’” He got up and left; and Jonathan went into the city.

The First Lesson

1 Samuel 18:1-4

A Reading from the First Book of Samuel.

1 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

The First Lesson

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The First Lesson

Song of Solomon 2:10–13; 8:6–7

A Reading from the Song of Songs.

6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned.

The First Lesson

Micah 4:1-4

A Reading from the Book of Micah.

1 In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, 2 and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; 4 but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

After the Reading, the Reader may say

The Word of the Lord.

PeopleThanks be to God.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

PeopleThanks be to God.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.

PeopleThanks be to God.

Between the Readings, a psalm, hymn, or anthem may be sung or said. Appropriate psalms are Psalm 65, Psalm 67, Psalm 85:7–13, Psalm 98, Psalm 100, Psalm 126, Psalm 127, Psalm 133, Psalm 148, and Psalm 149:1–5.

65

Te decet hymnusBCP p. 672

1You are to be praised, O God, in Zion; *to you shall vows be performed in Jerusalem.

2To you that hear prayer shall all flesh come, *because of their transgressions.

3Our sins are stronger than we are, *but you will blot them out.

4Happy are they whom you choose and draw to your courts to dwell there! *they will be satisfied by the beauty of your house, by the holiness of your temple.

5Awesome things will you show us in your righteousness, O God of our salvation, *O Hope of all the ends of the earth and of the seas that are far away.

6You make fast the mountains by your power; *they are girded about with might.

7You still the roaring of the seas, *the roaring of their waves, and the clamor of the peoples.

8Those who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble at your marvelous signs; *you make the dawn and the dusk to sing for joy.

9You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous; *the river of God is full of water.

10You prepare the grain, *for so you provide for the earth.

11You drench the furrows and smooth out the ridges; *with heavy rain you soften the ground and bless its increase.

12You crown the year with your goodness, *and your paths overflow with plenty.

13May the fields of the wilderness be rich for grazing, *and the hills be clothed with joy.

14May the meadows cover themselves with flocks, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; *let them shout for joy and sing.

67

Deus misereaturBCP p. 675

1May God be merciful to us and bless us, *show us the light of his countenance and come to us.

2Let your ways be known upon earth, *your saving health among all nations.

3Let the peoples praise you, O God; *let all the peoples praise you.

4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth.

5Let the peoples praise you, O God; *let all the peoples praise you.

6The earth has brought forth her increase; *may God, our own God, give us his blessing.

7May God give us his blessing, *and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.

85

Benedixisti, DomineBCP p. 708

7Show us your mercy, O Lord, *and grant us your salvation.

8I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.

9Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *that his glory may dwell in our land.

10Mercy and truth have met together; *righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11Truth shall spring up from the earth, *and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *and our land will yield its increase.

13Righteousness shall go before him, *and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

98

Cantate DominoBCP p. 727

1Sing to the Lord a new song, *for he has done marvelous things.

2With his right hand and his holy arm *has he won for himself the victory.

3The Lord has made known his victory; *his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6Sing to the Lord with the harp, *with the harp and the voice of song.

7With trumpets and the sound of the horn *shout with joy before the King, the Lord.

8Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *the lands and those who dwell therein.

9Let the rivers clap their hands, *and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth.

10In righteousness shall he judge the world *and the peoples with equity.

100

Jubilate DeoBCP p. 729

1Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

2Know this: The Lord himself is God; *he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

3Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; *give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

4For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; *and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

126

In convertendoBCP p. 782

1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *then were we like those who dream.

2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3Then they said among the nations, *“The Lord has done great things for them.”

4The Lord has done great things for us, *and we are glad indeed.

5Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *like the watercourses of the Negev.

6Those who sowed with tears *will reap with songs of joy.

7Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

127

Nisi DominusBCP p. 782

1Unless the Lord builds the house, *their labor is in vain who build it.

2Unless the Lord watches over the city, *in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.

3It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *vain, too, to eat the bread of toil, for he gives to his beloved sleep.

4Children are a heritage from the Lord, *and the fruit of the womb is a gift.

5Like arrows in the hand of a warrior *are the children of one’s youth.

6Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them! *he shall not be put to shame when he contends with his enemies in the gate.

133

Ecce, quam bonum!BCP p. 787

1Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *when brethren live together in unity!

2It is like fine oil upon the head *that runs down upon the beard,

3Upon the beard of Aaron, *and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

4It is like the dew of Hermon *that falls upon the hills of Zion.

5For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *life for evermore.

148

Laudate DominumBCP p. 805

1Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; *praise him in the heights.

2Praise him, all you angels of his; *praise him, all his host.

3Praise him, sun and moon; *praise him, all you shining stars.

4Praise him, heaven of heavens, *and you waters above the heavens.

5Let them praise the Name of the Lord; *for he commanded, and they were created.

6He made them stand fast for ever and ever; *he gave them a law which shall not pass away.

7Praise the Lord from the earth, *you sea-monsters and all deeps;

8Fire and hail, snow and fog, *tempestuous wind, doing his will;

9Mountains and all hills, *fruit trees and all cedars;

10Wild beasts and all cattle, *creeping things and wingèd birds;

11Kings of the earth and all peoples, *princes and all rulers of the world;

12Young men and maidens, *old and young together.

13Let them praise the Name of the Lord, *for his Name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven.

14He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants, *the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!

149

Cantate DominoBCP p. 807

1Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; *sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.

2Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; *let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

3Let them praise his Name in the dance; *let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

4For the Lord takes pleasure in his people *and adorns the poor with victory.

5Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; *let them be joyful on their beds.

The Second Lesson

Romans 12:9–18

A Reading from the Letter to the Romans.

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

The Second Lesson

1 Corinthians 12:31b–13:13

A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians.

31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10 but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

The Second Lesson

2 Corinthians 5:17–20

A Reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians.

17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The Second Lesson

Galatians 5:14, 22–26

A Reading from the Letter to the Galatians.

14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

The Second Lesson

Ephesians 3:14–21

A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians.

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Second Lesson

Colossians 3:12–17

A Reading from the Letter to the Colossians.

12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The Second Lesson

1 John 3:18–24

A Reading from the First Letter of John.

18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.

The Second Lesson

1 John 4:7–16, 21

A Reading from the First Letter of John.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

After the Reading, the Reader may say

The Word of the Lord.

PeopleThanks be to God.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

PeopleThanks be to God.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches.

PeopleThanks be to God.

All standing, the Deacon or Priest reads the Gospel, first saying

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _____________.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to _____________.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel

Matthew 5:1-16

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

The Gospel

Mark 12:28–34

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Mark.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; 33 and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ —this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.

The Gospel

Luke 6:32-38

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

The Gospel

John 15:9–17

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

The Gospel

John 17:1–2, 18–26

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.

PeopleGlory to you, Lord Christ.

1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 ”I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

After the Gospel, the Reader says

The Gospel of the Lord.

PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

The Witnessing of the Vows and the Blessing of the Covenant

The couple comes before the assembly. If there is to be a presentation, the presenters stand with the couple, and the Presider says to them

PresiderWho presents N. and N., as they seek the blessing of God and the Church on their love and life together?

PresentersWe do.

PresiderWill you love, respect, and pray for N. and N., and do all in your power to stand with them in the life they will share?

PresentersWe will.

The Presider then addresses the couple, saying

PresiderN. and N., you have come before God and the Church to exchange [and renew] solemn vows with one another and to ask God’s blessing.

The Presider addresses one member of the couple, saying

PresiderN., do you freely and unreservedly offer yourself to N.?

AnswerI do.

PresiderWill you [continue to] live together in faithfulness and holiness of life as long as you both shall live?

AnswerI will, with God’s help.

The Presider addresses the other member of the couple, saying

PresiderN., do you freely and unreservedly offer yourself to N.?

AnswerI do.

PresiderWill you [continue to] live together in faithfulness and holiness of life as long as you both shall live?

AnswerI will, with God’s help.

The assembly stands, the couple faces the People, and the Presider addresses them, saying

PresiderWill all of you gathered to witness these vows do all in your power to uphold and honor this couple in the covenant they make?

AnswerWe will.

PresiderWill you pray for them, especially in times of trouble, and celebrate with them in times of joy?

AnswerWe will.

The Prayers

The Presider then introduces the prayers

PresiderThen let us pray for N. and N. in their life together and for the concerns of this community.

A Deacon or another leader bids prayers for the couple.

Prayers for the Church and for the world, for the concerns of the local community, for those who suffer or face trouble, and for the departed are also appropriate. If the rite takes place in the principal Sunday worship of the congregation, the rubric concerning the Prayers of the People on page 359 of the Book of Common Prayer is followed.

Adaptations or insertions may be made to the form that follows.

A bar in the margin indicates a bidding that may be omitted.

For N. and N., seeking your blessing and the blessing of your holy people; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For a spirit of loving-kindness to shelter them all their days; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For friends to support them and communities to enfold them; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For peace in their home and love in their family; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For the grace and wisdom to care for the children you entrust to them [or may entrust to them]; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For the honesty to acknowledge when they hurt each other, and the humility to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For the outpouring of your love through their work and witness; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For the strength to keep the vows each of us has made; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

The leader may add one or more of the following biddings

For all who have been reborn and made new in the waters of Baptism; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For those who lead and serve in communities of faith; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For those who seek justice, peace, and concord among nations; Loving God
Hear our prayer.

For those who are sick or suffering, homeless or poor; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For victims of violence and those who inflict it; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

For communion with all who have died, [especially those whom we remember this day: ___________]; Loving God or Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

The Presider concludes the Prayers with the following or another appropriate Collect

Giver of every gift, source of all goodness, hear the prayers we bring before you for N. and N., who seek your blessing this day. Strengthen them as they share in the saving work of Jesus, and bring about for them and for all you have created the fullness of life he promised, who now lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

If the Eucharist is to follow, the Lord’s Prayer is omitted here.

LeaderAs our Savior Christhas taught us,we now pray,

People and LeaderOur Father in heaven,hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

LeaderAnd now, as our SaviorChrist has taught us,we are bold to say,

People and LeaderOur Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Commitment

The People sit. The couple stands, facing the Presider.

PresiderN. and N., I invite you now, illumined by the Word of God and strengthened by the prayer of this community, to make your covenant before God and the Church.

Each member of the couple, in turn, takes the right hand of the other and says

In the name of God, I, N., give myself to you, N., and take you to myself. I will support and care for you by the grace of God: in times of sickness, in times of health. I will hold and cherish you in the love of Christ: in times of plenty, in times of want. I will honor and keep you with the Spirit’s help: in times of anguish, in times of joy, forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.

In the name of God, I, N., give myself to you, N., and take you to myself. I will support and care for you: in times of sickness, in times of health. I will hold and cherish you: in times of plenty, in times of want. I will honor and love you: in times of anguish, in times of joy, forsaking all others, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.

If rings are to be exchanged, they are brought before the Presider, who prays using the following words

Let us pray.

Bless, O God, these rings as signs of the enduring covenant N. and N. have made with each other, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The two people place the rings on the fingers of one another, first the one, then the other, saying

N., I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God.

N., I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

If the two have previously given and worn rings as a symbol of their commitment, the rings may be blessed on the hands of the couple, the Presider saying

Let us pray.

By the rings which they have worn, faithful God, N. and N. have shown to one another and the world their love and faithfulness. Bless now these rings, that from this day forward they may be signs of the vows N. and N. have exchanged in your presence and in the communion of your Church, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pronouncement

The Presider joins the right hands and says

Now that N. and N. have exchanged vows of love and fidelity in the presence of God and the Church, I now pronounce that they are bound to one another as long as they both shall live. Amen.

Blessing of the Couple

As the couple stands or kneels, the Presider invokes God’s blessing upon them, saying

Let us pray. Most gracious God, we praise you for the tender mercy and unfailing care revealed to us in Jesus the Christ and for the great joy and comfort bestowed upon us in the gift of human love. We give you thanks for N. and N., and the covenant of faithfulness they have made. Pour out the abundance of your Holy Spirit upon them. Keep them in your steadfast love; protect them from all danger; fill them with your wisdom and peace; lead them in holy service to each other and the world.

The Presider continues with one of the following

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you, and mercifully grant you rich and boundless grace, that you may please God in body and soul. God make you a sign of the loving-kindness and steadfast fidelity manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, and bring you at last to the delight of the heavenly banquet, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

God, the holy and undivided Trinity, bless, preserve, and keep you, and mercifully grant you rich and boundless grace, that you may please God in body and soul. God make you a sign of the loving-kindness and steadfast fidelity manifest in the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, and bring you at last to the delight of the heavenly banquet, where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

The Peace

The Presider bids the Peace.

PresiderThe peace of the Lord be always with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

PresiderThe peace of Christ be always with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

The liturgy continues with the Holy Communion. When the Eucharist is not celebrated, the Presider blesses the people. The Deacon, or in the absence of a Deacon, the Priest, dismisses them.

At the Eucharist

The liturgy continues with the Offertory, at which the couple may present the offerings of bread and wine.

The following proper preface may be said.

Because in the giving of two people to each other in faithful love you reveal the joy and abundant life you share with your Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

The following postcommunion prayer may be said.

God our strength and joy, we thank you for the communion of our life together, for the example of holy love that you give us in N. and N., and for the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that it may renew our hope and nourish us for the work you set before us to witness to the presence of Christ in the world, through the power of your Spirit, and to the glory of your Name. Amen.

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