GCI: Renewal of Wedding Vows
Introduction
The officiant says: “[Husband’s first name] and [wife’s first name], you have asked to renew your marriage vows on this occasion of your wedding anniversary. Therefore, in the presence of God, your family, and all of these witnesses, your friends, we are pleased to honor your request.
“We know that the commitment you made to each other at your wedding has been an enduring one. No doubt you have renewed it in your hearts many times in your years together.”
Readings
The officiant, relatives, friends of the couple, or members of the congregation may be asked to read one or more of the following scriptural passages:
- Genesis 1:27-28; 2:18-24
- Mark 10:6-8
- Ephesians 5:21-28
- Philippians 2:1-5
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
- Revelation 19:6-9
Sermon
[Husband’s first name] and [wife’s first name] have lived together in marriage in the name of Christ for [number of years the couple has been married] years.
Together, as one flesh, they have faced many challenges over the years that have tested the depths of their love and the bonds that unite them to one another. Difficult as those times have been, they have never faced them alone. By faith they know that their marriage has been, and will continue to be, even in their weakness, participation by grace in the divine life of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
In marriage, as in all things, Jesus is in us and we are in him. Just as he loved us and gave himself for us, so we are urged to love our spouses. In Jesus, we are free to love without condition, to forgive without bearing a grudge, and to be faithful in the face of adversity. In Jesus, we can say to our spouse, “I have freely chosen never to be myself without you; and I give my life, and all that I am, to you.”
In the book of Revelation, John had a vision of the day when all humanity will at last see that we have always been the children of the Father in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we always will be.
Because marriage is a divine institution, and we are asking the Father to renew your union together as husband and wife through his Son Jesus Christ and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, it is fitting that each of you should faithfully promise to continue in the marriage covenant.
Vows of Renewal
Then the officiant says to the husband:
[Husband’s first name], [wife’s first name] has given you her life and her love. Do you promise, as her faithful husband in the presence of God, to continue to live together with her in the holy estate of marriage, to love her, cheer her, build her up, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and give yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?
The husband answers, “I do.”
Then the officiant says to the wife:
[Wife’s first name], [husband’s first name] has given you his life and his love. Do you promise, as his faithful wife in the presence of God, to continue to live together with him in the holy estate of marriage, to love him, cheer him, build him up, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and give yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
The wife answers, “I do.”
Minister says:
Since it is your desire to renew your marriage covenant today, please join hands and repeat your promises in turn.
The husband repeats after the minister:
I, [his full name], promise to continue to take you, [her first name], to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.
The wife repeats after the minister:
I, [her full name] promise to continue to take you, [his first name], to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.
Exchange of Rings
The officiant asks the husband:
[Husband’s first name], is there a token of your love for [wife’s first name]?
Husband answers: “A ring, as a token of my unending love for my wife.”
The officiant asks the wife:
[Wife’s first name], is there a token of your love for [husband’s first name]?
Wife’s answer: “Yes, a ring, as a token of my unending love for my husband.”
Minister then says: “You may now exchange the rings.”
Blessing of the Marriage
The officiant says:
Let us kneel (optional).
Let me join your hands as we ask our Father to bless your marriage.
Sample prayer:
Our Father in heaven, thank you for [husband’s first name] and [wife’s first name]. As they renew their marriage vows with each other in the name of Jesus, we pray that you will continue to bless their union [and their family (optional)]. Defend them from evil. Lead them in the peace of your Spirit. Bless them in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows. Bless them in their mutual love, that it never cease. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.