Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

164 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEentered into soberly and reverently, in the fear of God, and inaccordance with His law."b. Prayer should be offered asking God's blessing on the union about tothe effected. Selected portions of Scripture may be read, and a very briefaddress may be given. An assisting minister may be asked to take any of theseparts of the service.c. The minister shall next ask the parties to join their right hands and giveassent to the marriage vows:"Do you (man's name) take (woman's name), whose handyou hold in yours, to be your lawfully wedded wife, and do youpromise before God, and in the presence of these witnesses,that you will be to her a true, a faithful and a loving husband aslong as you both shall live?"The man shall answer, "I do."The minister shall then address the woman:"Do you (woman's name) take (man's name), who holdsyour hand in his, to be your lawfully wedded husband; and doyou promise before God and these witnesses that you will be tohim a true, a faithful, and a loving wife, as long as you bothshall live?"The woman shall answer, "I do. "d. If rings are used, the minister shall say to the man:"What pledge do you give of these your marriage vows?"The man shall present the ring to the minister, who shall instruct him toplace it on the finger of his bride.The minister shall then say to the woman:"What pledge do you give of your marriage vows?"The woman will present the ring to the minister, who shall instruct herto place it on the finger of her bridegroom.Then the minister may say,"In token of your marriage vows, you do give and receivethese rings. May they be to both of you a symbol of the value,the constancy and the purity of your wedded love, and a sealof the solemn vows which you have made to one anotherbefore 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 theGospel, and in accordance with the laws of God of thisCommonwealth, I pronounce you husband and wife. Whattherefore God hath joined together, let not man 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 marriage should beplanned for the reception following the marriage ceremony.