Liturgical Resources 1 Revised and Expanded

I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing, Revised and Expanded

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• Publisher: Church Publishing
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9780898699494
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Rituals & Practice

**Newly revised, expanded, and perfected text from the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, held in Salt Lake City in July 2015. **

Church Publishing is honored to work with the General Convention Office and the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to provide this important resource for the church.

V. Liturgical Resources

1. The Witnessing and Blessing
of a Lifelong Covenant

Concerning the Service

This rite is appropriately celebrated in the context of the Holy Eucharist and may take place at the principal Sunday Liturgy. This rite then replaces the Ministry of the Word. A bishop or priest normally presides. Parallel texts from Enriching Our Worship 1 are included as options for elements of this rite.

At least one of the couple must be a baptized Christian.

Two or more presenters, who may be friends, parents, family members, or drawn from the local assembly, may present the couple to the presider and the assembly.

As indicated in the opening address, the consent, and the blessing of the rings, the rite may be modified for use with a couple who have previously made a lifelong commitment to one another.

The Witnessing and Blessing
of a Lifelong Covenant

The Word of God

Gathering

The couple to be blessed joins the assembly.
A hymn of praise, psalm, or anthem may be sung, or instrumental music may be played.
The Presider says the following, the People standing
Presider	Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People	Blessed be God, now and for ever. Amen.
In place of the above may be said
Presider	Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
People	Glory to God for ever and ever.
From Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost
Presider	Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People	The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
In place of the above may be said
Presider	Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People	Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Then may be said
Presider	Beloved, let us love one another,
People	For love is of God.
Presider	Whoever does not love does not know God,
People	For God is love.
Presider	Since God so loves us,
People	Let us love one another.
The Presider may address the assembly in these words
	Dear friends in Christ [or Dearly beloved,] in the name of God and the Church we have come together today with N.N. and N.N., to witness the vows they make, committing themselves to one another. Forsaking all others, they will bind themselves to one another in a covenant of mutual fidelity and steadfast love, remaining true to one another in heart, body, and mind, as long as they both shall live.
	Such a lifelong commitment is not to be entered into lightly or thoughtlessly, but responsibly and with reverence. Let us pray, then, that God will give them the strength to remain steadfast in what they vow this day. Let us also pray for the generosity to support them in the commitment they undertake, and for the wisdom to see God at work in their life together.
Or this, for those who have previously made a lifelong commitment to one another
	Dear friends in Christ [or Dearly beloved], in the name of God and the Church, we have come together with N.N. and N.N., to witness the sacred vows they make
	as they solemnize [or reaffirm] their commitment to one another.
	Today they renew their covenant of mutual fidelity and steadfast love,
	forsaking all others and remaining true to one another in heart, body, and mind, as long
	as they both shall live.
	Let us pray, then, that God will give them the strength to remain steadfast in what they vow this day. Let us also pray for the generosity to support them in the commitment they undertake,
	and for the wisdom to see God at work in their life together.

The Collect of the Day

Presider

The Lord be with you....

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• I. Introduction to the Revised and Expanded Edition
• II. Introduction to the First Edition (2012)
• III. Faith, Hope, and Love: Theological Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships
• IV. Hearing, Seeing, and Declaring New Things: Pastoral Resources for Preparing Couples for a Liturgy of Blessing or Marriage
• V. Liturgical Resources
• VI. Discussion Guide to “I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing” (revised and expanded edition)
• VII. Appendices: