Order for Renewal of the Marriage Covenant

This order is for couples who are celebrating an anniversary of their marriage or for couples who are celebrating reconciliation in their marriage.
If the renewal takes place within a Sunday service of the congregation, it may follow the sermon. The couple may be invited to come forward and stand before the pastor, if they are able. At the conclusion of the renewal, the couple may return to the congregation, and the service may continue according to the customary order. This order also may be used on an occasion set aside for the renewal of the marriage covenant alone.

The couple may wish to use the Order for Marriage as the basis for the renewal of their covenant. If so, it will be necessary to reword the text to indicate reaffirmation.

It is the responsibility of the one presiding to confirm that a valid marriage has previously taken place.

The couple, their family, or friends may share memories and special symbols during the service.

OUTLINE
This order may be used alone or as part of a Service of Word and Sacrament or a Service of the Word following the sermon. If this order is not incorporated into another service, add the starred (*) items and music.
Greeting
Introduction
Prayer*
Reading of Scripture*
Sermon*
Renewal of Covenant Promises
Recognition of Renewal
Blessing and Thanksgiving
Benediction*

A Service of Word and Sacrament or a Service of the Word may continue.

GREETING
The married couple, with special guests invited to join them, may stand facing the pastor, if they are able. The greeting may be omitted if the renewal of the marriage covenant takes place within another service.

PASTOR
Dear friends,
let us love one another,
because love comes from God.
Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God.

PEOPLE
Whoever does not love
does not know God,
for God is love.

INTRODUCTION

[A] at an anniversary
PASTOR
[wife] and [husband]
we rejoice to celebrate
with you the renewal
of your marriage covenant,
on your ___ anniversary.
We celebrate the delight
you have found
in each other
and thank you
for being a sign of God’s
love among us.

[B] at a time of reconciliation
PASTOR
[wife] and [husband]
we rejoice to celebrate
with you the renewal
of your marriage covenant,
as you recommit yourselves
as wife and husband.
We celebrate the delight
you have found
in each other
and thank you
for being a sign of God’s
love among us.

The couple may describe one or two memories, or other family members or friends may bring greetings or reminisce as a way of celebrating the years of marriage.

The service may continue with the prayer, recommendations for scripture reading, and sermon from the Order for Marriage. The prayer begins on page 328. I/the renewal of the marriage covenant takes place within another service, the reading of scripture and sermon will have occurred earlier in the service.

RENEWAL OF COVENANT PROMISES
The husband and wife, if they are able, may face each other and join hands. The following promises may be made, or the couple may write their own. It is recommended that those who have experienced reconciliation write promises which clearly express their newly reestablished relationship to say to each other now.

[A] at an anniversary
PASTOR
[wife] and [husband]
on this____ anniversary
of your marriage,
I invite you to renew
your covenant promises.

WIFE
[husband]
I am blessed to be your wife,
and I promise anew
to love and sustain you
in the covenant of marriage,
in sickness and in health,
in plenty and in want,
in joy and in sorrow,
as long as we both shall live.

HUSBAND
[wife]
I am blessed to be your husband,
and I promise anew
to love and sustain you
in the covenant of marriage,
in sickness and in health,
in plenty and in want,
in joy and in sorrow,
as long as we both shall live.

[B] at a time of reconciliation
PASTOR
[wife] and [husband]
as you recommit yourselves
to each other in marriage,
I invite you to renew
your covenant promises.

RECOGNITION OF RENEWAL
If they are able, the couple may stand or kneel and join hands, and the pastor may place a hand on their joined hands while addressing the couple with these or similar words.

PASTOR
Those whom God has joined together let no one separate.
[wife] and [husband]
you have spoken again your covenant of love.
God grant you grace
to fulfill in your life together
the solemn promises you made
in the springtime of your love
and renewed today
in the presence of the church.

BLESSING AND THANKSGIVING
The blessing on page 337 and the prayer of thanksgiving on page 338 from the Order for Marriage may be used.

If Holy Communion is to be celebrated, consult the instructions on page 341. This order may be concluded with a benediction from the Order for Marriage on page 345 or another benediction, or a Service of the Word may continue.