Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1993

182 1993 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEThe man shall present the ring to the minister, who shall instmct himto place it on the finger of his bride. As he does so, the minister may say:"In token of your marriage vows, you (man's name) do give, and you(woman's name) do receive this ring. May it be to both of you a symbol ofthe value, the constancy and the purity of your wedded love, and a seal ofthe solemn vows which you have made to one another before God."e. A prayer shall be offered for the blessing of God upon the new family.f. The minister shall then pronounce the relation constituted:"By virtue of the authority vested in me as a minister of the Gospel, andin accordance with the laws of God of this Commonwealth, I pronounceyou husband and wife. What therefore God hath joined together, let notman put asunder."g. The ceremony shall be concluded with the benediction.10. The minister should make it clear to the bride and groom and theirfamilies that nothing inconsistent with the Biblical view of marriageshould be planned for the reception following the marriage ceremony.11. A marriage certificate should be filledout at once, signed by theminister and by the official witnesses, and presented to the newly marriedcouple.If the marriage license has a form to be returned to the issuing office,it should be filledout prompdy and with care. The minister should keep arecord of all marriages performed by him with the names, the date and theplace. Notice should be sent to the local newspaper, and if either party isa member of the church, notice should be sent to the church paper.* If it is a double-ring ceremony, the minister wUl then say to thewoman, "What pledge do you give of your marriage vows?" The womanwill present the ringto the minister, who shall instmct her to place it on thefinger of her bridegroom. Then the minister may say, "In token of yourmarriage vows you do give and receive these rings. May they be to bothof you a symbol of the value, the constancy and the purity of your weddedlove, and a seal of the solemn vows which you have made to one anotherbefore God."REPORT OF THE COMMITTEEON SYMBOLISM IN WORSHIPThe assignment of this committee is stated as follows: "To study theappropriateness of symbolism in worship and its display in the auditoriumwhere the congregation gathers for worship in the light of the Biblicalteachings, the confessional standards of the church and their historicapplications."