SAMPLE CEREMONY

of a

Traditional Christian Renewal

of Wedding Vows

 Celebration Of The Anniversary Of A Marriage

Celebrant:  The Lord Be With You.

People :     And Also with you.

Celebrant: 

O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and His Church. Send your blessing upon     and        , who come to renew their promises to each other, and grant them your grace, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true Godliness, that their lives together may be a witness to your love and forgiveness, and that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING     From The Song Of Solomon 

                              or

NEW TESTAMENT READING    I Corinthians 13:4-8a

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never dies."

Celebrant:

Dear Friends, we are gathered here together with            and            , who have come today to give thanks to God for his blessing upon their marriage, and to reaffirm their marriage covenant.

The Celebrant asks the husband:

                 , do you here in the presence of God and this group of family and friends, renew the promises you made when you bound yourself to          in holy matrimony?

The man answers; I do.

The Celebrant asks the wife:

                  , do you here in the presence of God and this group of family and friends, renew the promises you made when you bound yourself to           in holy matrimony? 

The woman answers; I do.

If there is an anniversary ring the Celebrant says:

The circle without beginning or end and with no point of weakness, is a reminder of the eternal quality of God and of unending strength.                  , as you place this ring on               let the seamless circle of this ring become an additional symbol of your endless love.

Will all of you witnessing the renewal of these vows do all in your power to support these two persons in theuir marriage.

The people answer; We will.

The Celebrant with the husband and wife standing or kneeling say together:

We thank you most gracious God, for consecrating our marriage. Lead us further in companionship with each other and with you. Give us grace to live together in love and fidelity, with care for one another. Strengthen us all our days, and bring us to that holy table where with those we love, we will feast forever and ever in our heavenly home through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Celebrant says:

Loving Father, we gather here today to ask your blessing upon this man and this woman who are renewing the vows they made        years ago. Watch over them in the coming years through their ups and downs, their doubts and fears, their good times and bad. Reassure them of your loving care which they in turn will bestow on each other.

The Celebrant then blesses them saying:

May God the Father, who at creation ordained that man and woman become one flesh, keep you one.

May God the Son, who adorned this manner of life by his first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, be present with you always.

May God the Holy Spirit, who has given you the will to persevere in your love and in your covenant with each other, strengthen your bond.

And may God the Holy and undivided Trinity, the source of all unity, bless you this day and forever more. Amen.

Name and Name, The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

The People: And also with you.