Personalizing the Introductory Sermon
If you wish,
you may add a more personal touch to the introductory sermon by telling
your officiate a little about yourselves: how you met, a funny story,
shared interests. We'll weave these details into the sermon. You may
also wish to incorporate prayers, poems, or rituals which are part
of either family's traditions.
Optional addition
and prayer #1 to add at
the end of either sermon #1 or sermon#2
_______________________________________ and _______________________, you are about to make vows and promises to one another. Today, these vows are beautiful words representing even more beautiful intentions. My prayer for you is that as you live these vows over the years, offering freely your time and your love to one another, the meaning of these words will deepen, and the happy times of your life will be twice as joyous, because you'll be sharing them with someone you love. And when life gets tough, it will only be half as difficult, because there will be someone by your side to help carry the burden. For those times when life presents all of us with challenges, I would like to offer you this simple prayer to remember:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Optional Prayer #2: Our 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, forever and ever. Amen.
Optional Prayer #3: O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, and Author of everlasting life, send Thy blessing upon these Thy servants, _________ and _____________, whom we bless in thy name, that they, living faithfully
together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant made between them, and may ever remain in love and in peace together, living according to Thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Optional Prayer #4: O God, look mercifully upon these thy servants, that they may love, honor and cherish each other, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Other Additions:
Some wording that may be helpful for encouraging your guests to display appropriate behavior on your special day:
___________ and __________ are deeply grateful to you are that you are sharing this
sacred day with them and committing to them your support of their marriage. This
is a day that both of them will remember the rest of their lives. This entire
day is sacred, not just the ceremony. Later, as we celebrate in joy together,
let us also be mindful of the promise we have just made to them, so that all of
our actions through this day will reflect the commitment of support we have just
made.
If this is not strong enough, you could add: Let us remember that Jesus performed his first miracle at
Cana of Galilee, where as a wedding guest he changed water into wine. Jesus is a
guest at this wedding as well. He has been offered a seat of honor at the table,
and so let us all be joyous throughout the day and mindful of His presence at
this sacred celebration.
More Optional Additions
Continue to Part Four: Vows, Rings, Declaration of Marriage
Back to Sample Ceremonies
