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Summary
- The script is one complete Christian ceremony a friend can read aloud, in order, from the processional to the signing of the license.
- The first and last sentences of the welcome, the prayer and the Lord’s Prayer come from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; the declaration, vows, ring words and pronouncement come from the 1979 edition. A few linking lines are ChristianPure’s own and are marked.
- The reading is 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a and the blessing is the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24–26, both from the World English Bible (the blessing in its British edition, which reads “the LORD”).
- The homily is an outline to fill in: the passage, a true story about the couple, a charge, and a turn to the vows.
- The declaration of intent and the vows are where the couple say they take each other in marriage, the part state laws commonly require.
- With a six-minute homily the ceremony runs about 15 minutes, not counting music.
- Ask the clerk who issued the license what your state requires and when the license must be returned.
Bibliography (Click to show)
- “The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony,” The Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal Church, 1928), transcription by the Society of Archbishop Justus. http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/1928/Marriage.htm
- The Book of Common Prayer (Protestant Episcopal Church, 1929 printing of the 1928 book), pp. 300–304, scan at the Internet Archive, used to check the 1928 wording. https://archive.org/details/bookofcommonpray00prot_25
- The Book of Common Prayer (Episcopal Church, 1979), The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, pp. 423–428. https://www.bcponline.org/PastoralOffices/marriage.htm
- World English Bible: 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a; 1 Corinthians 1:11; Matthew 19:6. Public domain. https://ebible.org/eng-web/1CO13.htm , https://ebible.org/eng-web/1CO01.htm , https://ebible.org/eng-web/MAT19.htm
- World English Bible, British Edition: Numbers 6:24–26. Public domain. https://ebible.org/eng-webbe/NUM06.htm
- World English Bible: Numbers 6:22–26, for the American edition’s wording and the setting of the blessing. https://ebible.org/eng-web/NUM06.htm
- California Family Code § 420. https://california.public.law/codes/family_code_section_420
- “Marriage Officiant Frequently Asked Questions,” California Department of Public Health (the 10-day return). https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/Marriage-Officiant-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx
- “Conducting the Ceremony,” Marriage in Texas, Texas State Law Library. https://guides.sll.texas.gov/marriage-in-texas/conducting-the-ceremony
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