of your own Spirit and love.
Thanks be to you in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
Presentation
(Minister takes baby)
N, all around you now are God’s family – people who love Jesus Christ and try to follow him.
We are so delighted to have you here among us.
People of God, meet baby N. Welcome him/her in Jesus’ name and care for him/her with all Christian kindliness and grace.
Dedication of Parents
X and Y will now ask God’s help as parents.
Parents say together:
God our Father, we thank you for the gift of baby N.
Help us to live together as a family in love, joy and peace.
Give us wisdom to be good parents that we may love and serve you faithfully, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
(Minister returns baby to parents)
Blessing
Let us pray:
Gracious God,
We ask your blessing on baby N, on his/her parents, (brother/s/sister/s) and their home.
And may they always walk in your ways and to your glory.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Section 2
Weddings
A Wedding Talk on Trust
REV. SHIRLEY FRASER
This contribution is a wedding address, which is printed off to give to newly-weds, often with the gift of a Bible. I have received many positive comments on an address that is short and easily remembered.
John 2:1–11: Jesus at the wedding in Cana
Mary’s trust in her son that he would respond to her plea
The servants’ trust in Jesus’ order
The bridegroom’s trust in the evidence before his eyes: that a miracle had taken place.
TRUST in the marriage relationship:
T is for TRUTHFULNESS. That means working hard at open, honest, real communication, especially at a feeling level.
R is for RESPECT. That is such an essential quality in a good marriage, because to respect the other is to value him or her very highly, and to want to be utterly loyal, throughout life together.
U is for UNSELFISHNESS. It may be as practical as asking one another daily: ‘What would you like? What can I do to show my love for you? What can we do together to share our lives and our home with others?’
S is for SENSITIVITY. That is about learning to interpret the subtle, unspoken cues which we give to one another; about noticing each other’s smallest needs. It may be reflected in the frequency with which we use expressions such as ‘I love you’, ‘I am here for you’ and ‘I am sorry’, or ‘I was wrong’.
T is for THOUGHTFULNESS. Love is far more than just a wonderful feeling. Love is an attitude of mind. As we think lovingly, so we will act lovingly.
Proverbs 3:5–7
Marriage was Invented by God
REV. MARJORY MACLEAN
These statements slot in among the more traditional words of the three Orders for Marriage in Common Order, pages 195–224.1
Marriage was invented by God so that people could be friends in the most profound of ways, and make the world a more noble place by their example.
Marriage was invented by God so that people could be lovers and teach the world lessons of tenderness that this tired earth desperately needs to learn.
Marriage was invented by God so that people could become families . . . and perhaps one day share their lives with children . . . on loan from heaven.
or, where it is not appropriate to anticipate the birth of children, and if either party has children already,
Marriage was invented by God as a basis for family life, sometimes for very young new families but just as importantly as a place of welcome and refuge for families that already exist.
A Silver Wedding Ceremony
REV. LYNN BRADY
This liturgy grew out of the desire of friends of mine to go back to the church they were married in twenty-five years earlier and reflect on the personal journey of marriage. Though it is very personal to them, I hope it will help others to reflect on their anniversary and write their own liturgy.
Introduction: spoken by either wife or husband.
Twenty-five years ago, we came to this building, and in the presence of God and our closest friends and family we declared our love for each other and made a commitment to love each other for the rest of our days. At that time, we sang the hymn ‘Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ the head and cornerstone’. That foundation is as sure to us now as it was then, and we wanted to come together in this place again to give thanks for what has been and to renew the vows that we made to each other before God and before our friends. Our relationship has not existed in a vacuum. We were born of love, and our families first showed us love and taught us how to love, and we are the people we are today because of them. Our friends have journeyed with us, old friends and new friends, who have loved and supported us and who have allowed us to love them in return. We are so grateful for that, and hope you will continue on this journey with us. May this short time today affirm our friendship and commitment to each other, and may you all find blessing through these words.
Reading: Ephesians 3:14–21
Prayer of thanks for what has been, by yourself if that’s suitable (including for health, happiness, and for never having been wanting in any respect).
Prayer of thanks for husband and wife
Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker,
O Lord our God, how wonderful is life!
How rich its variety of joy and sorrow!
How
