LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 469

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CHURCH AND CULTURE
that would intend to allow or support the false concept of same-sex
marriage; and be it further
Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District submit this resolution to the 2016 LCMS convention for its consideration and adoption.
Examples of changes needed:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Holy Matrimony
(Taken from pp. 64–70 of Lutheran Service Book: Agenda)
General Notes
1. Holy Matrimony is the union of a man and a woman. Under no circumstances is this rite or any other form of blessing to be used for
any other type of union.
2.1. The rite of Holy Matrimony may be used at the beginning of the
Divine Service or Daily Office. It may also stand by itself as an
independent order of service.
3.2. If the rite is used at the beginning of the Divine Service, it comes
before the Introit, Psalm, or Entrance Hymn. If it is used at the beginning of the Daily Office (Matins or Morning Prayer, Vespers or
Evening Prayer), it precedes the opening versicles or psalmody.
4.3. Because of the solemn character of Holy Week, it is inappropriate
to schedule a marriage during that time.
5.4. When used within the Divine Service, Holy Communion is offered
to all eligible communicants and is not to be limited to the bride and
bridegroom or the wedding party.
6.5. As in all worship in the house of God, the rite of Holy Matrimony
invokes the presence and blessing of God. Therefore, it should avoid
triteness and empty sentimentality.
7.6. Music selected for this rite should embody high standards of quality
and be within the ability of the performers. The music should reflect
the praise of God and His steadfast love in Christ as the foundation
and model for marriage.
8.7. This rite is a more complete version of the corresponding rite in
Lutheran Service Book, pages 275–277.
Stand
At the conclusion of the procession to the foot of the chancel, the pastor says:
P In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P	Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and before
His Church to witness the union of this man and this woman in holy
matrimony. This is an honorable estate instituted and blessed by God
in Paradise, before humanity’s fall into sin.
In marriage we see a picture of the communion between Christ and
His bride, the Church. Our Lord blessed and honored marriage with
His presence and first miracle at Cana in Galilee. This estate is also
commended to us by the apostle Paul as good and honorable. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into inadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which
it was instituted by God.
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended
by God for the mutual companionship, help, and support that each
person ought to receive from the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Marriage was also ordained so that man and woman may
find delight in one another. Therefore, all persons who marry shall
take a spouse every man who marries shall take a wife for himself
in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust, for God has not
called us to impurity but in holiness. God also established marriage
for the procreation of children who are to be brought up in the fear
and instruction of the Lord so that they may offer Him their praise.
For these reasons God has established the holy estate that name
of man and name of woman wish to enter. TheyThis man and this

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woman desire our prayers as they begin their marriage in the Lord’s
name and with His blessing.
If this wedding rite is being used as an independent service (or when
the rite precedes a regularly scheduled service of the congregation), the
following or other appropriate passages from Holy Scripture are now
read. Each reading may conclude with the response:
L This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Scripture Readings
When the rite stands alone, a sermon is also preached. A hymn may
precede or follow. The wedding party may be seated throughout.
If the wedding party has been seated, they now stand and take their
places before the chancel steps.
The pastor asks the bridegroom:
P Name of bridegroom , will you have this woman to be your wedded
wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony as God ordained
it? Will you nourish and cherish her as Christ loved His body, the
Church, giving Himself up for her? Will you love, honor, and keep
her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, remain united
to her alone, so long as you both shall live? Then say: I will.
R I will.
The pastor asks the bride:
P Name of bride , will you have this man to be your wedded husband,
to live together in the holy estate of matrimony as God ordained it?
Will you submit to him as the Church submits to Christ? Will you
love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health and, forsaking
all others, remain united to him alone, so long as you both shall live?
Then say: I will.
R I will.
If the bride is being given in marriage, the pastor may ask:
P Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
R We/I do.
The pastor may address the parents of the bridegroom and bride as follows:
P	Do you give your consent and blessing to this couple man and this
woman? Then say: We do.
R We do.
P	Will you pray for and encourage name and name in their marriage,
remembering at all times that God wills them to live within their
vows until they are parted by death? Then say: We will.
R We will.
The pastor leads the bridegroom and bride to the altar. The bridegroom,
taking the right hand of the bride and facing her, says after the pastor:
I, name of the man, take you name of the woman, to be my wedded
wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,
till death us do part, according to God’s holy will; and I pledge to you
my faithfulness.
The bride, in the same way, says after the pastor:
I, name of the woman, take you name of the man, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish,
till death us do part, according to God’s holy will; and I pledge to you
my faithfulness.
The rings are presented to the pastor; then the following prayer is said:
P	Almighty Father, You have generously created all things to serve us
for our good. Send your blessing upon this couple man and this woman who shall wear these rings as a constant reminder of their marital
fidelity. Grant that by Your mercy they may live gladly and faithfully
in this holy estate; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
C Amen.
The bridegroom and bride exchange rings beginning with the bride-

2016 Convention Workbook