Betrothal Service

This service is derived from the Order on page 186 of Common Worship: Pastoral Services.
It is not promulgated by authority. Any minister using it should be satisfied that its use gives rise to no legal anomalies.

¶	Introduction

The Welcome

The minister welcomes the people, introduces the service informally and invites those present to pray.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you
and also with you. 

This sentence may be used

God is love, and those who live in love live in God 
and God lives in them.	1 John 4.16

Prayer of Preparation

God our Father, 
you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law;
grant to your servants N and N 
that, loving one another,
they may continue in your love until their lives’ end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

A hymn or song may be sung.

Preface 

We have come together in the presence of God
to give thanks [with N and N] 
for their growing love and commitment 
and to ask for God’s blessing on their engagement.

Let us rejoice together as we prepare 
for the marriage of N and N,
Marriage is a gift of God in creation
and a means of his grace; 
it is given that a husband and wife
may comfort and help each other, 
living faithfully together
in times of need as well as in plenty,
in sadness and in joy, in sickness and in health;
it is given that with delight and tenderness
they may know each other in love.
[It is given as the foundation of family life 
in which children may be born and nurtured
in accordance with God’s will, to his praise and glory.]
In marriage a couple belong together
and live life in the community;
it is a way of life created and hallowed by God,
that all should honour.

Therefore today we seek to understand 
God’s purpose for us all in Holy Matrimony,
and we pray with N and N  that, 
strengthened and guided by God,
they may fulfil their commitment to each other 
and realise his purpose for their life together.

Readings and Sermon

This section may precede or follow the Betrothal Promises
One or more passages from the Bible is read. 
Psalms or hymns may follow the readings. Other songs and readings may be used. 
A sermon may be preached.
A hymn or song may be sung.
.

¶	Betrothal Promises

The minister says to the couple.

I invite you now to affirm your intention to marry.

The engaged couple face each other and hold hands.

The man says

I, N, promise you, N;
that I will be faithful and true
to you, my betrothed;
that I will work to strengthen
the love between us;
and that I will give my whole self to you
on the day of our marriage,
in the presence of God.

The woman says 

I, N, promise you N;
that I will be faithful and true 
to you, my betrothed;
that I will work to strengthen
the love between us;
and that I will give my whole self to you
on the day of our marriage
in the presence of God.

 The minister says to the congregation

Will you, the family and friends of N and N,
continue to support and uphold them
as they prepare for their marriage?
We will.

The Rings

The Priest blesses the engagement rings.

Heavenly Father, source of everlasting love, 
by your blessing, let these engagement rings be to N and N
symbols to remind them of their betrothal today,
through your grace,
in the love of your Son 
and in the power of your Spirit. 
Amen.

The man says to his betrothed.

I give you this ring
as a sign of my commitment.
We are bound together
to seek one another’s welfare,
to bear one another’s burdens
and to share one another’s joys,
in the love of God.

The woman says to her betrothed.

I give you this ring
as a sign of my commitment.
We are bound together
to seek one another’s welfare,
to bear one another’s burdens
and to share one another’s joys,
in the love of God.

The couple may pray together

Heavenly Father,
we offer you our souls and bodies,
our thoughts and words and deeds,
our love for one another.
Unite our wills in your will,
that we may grow together
in love and peace
all the days of our life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

The couple kneel together.
The minister says one of these or another suitable blessing

The love of the Lord Jesus
draw you to himself,
the power of the Lord Jesus
strengthen you in his service,
the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. 
Amen.

(or)

The Lord bless you and watch over you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you,
the Lord look kindly on you and give you peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

A hymn or song may be sung.

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer

A hymn or song may be sung.

The Dismissal 

The minister blesses the couple and the congregation, saying

God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. 
Amen.