ACK DIOCESE OF SOUTHERN NYANZA
ALL SAINTS AKOKO PERISH
Order of Service
Wedding Service
(Holy Matrimony)
RACHEL & AGREY
SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST 2024
PRESIDED OVER BY:
PARISH PRIEST. REV KENNETH OBUNDE
Wedding services he performed his first miracle,
It is God's intention in marriage that
(Holy Matrimony) husband and wife commit
themselves to each other in love and
Order of service in so doing reflect Christ's
Bridegroom's procession enters first relationship with his church.
by the priest, and then likewise the In Marriage, husband and wife
bridal procession belong to each other and they
Priest: The Lord be with you. commit themselves to one another in
absolute fidelity, love and respect.
All:And also with you.
They are to comfort and fulfill each
other's needs, emotional and
Hymn physical, marriage makes possible
The priest facing the people and the the full expression of love between
persons to be married (with the man husband and wife.
to the left and the woman to the Marriage provides an environment
right) addresses the congregation into which children may be born and
saying; brought to maturity in the knowledge
and fear of the Lord for the wellbeing
of the family and the community at
early beloved, we have large,
This is a solemn state of life and is
come together at this time before God,
not
to witness and celebrate the union in to be undermined.
marriage, of Agrey, and Rachel and Those who enter marriage must
pray for His blessings upon them now respect and uphold each other
faithfully and lovingly, to the
and in the years ahead. honour of God and the glory of his
Marriage is a gift of God and a name.
means of grace. God himself ordained It is to this manner of life that
it when, in the Garden of Eden he Rachel and Agrey come now to be
created our first parents, Adam and Eve, joined
and joined them for a life-long If any of you can show just cause
companionship. Jesus blessed this manner
why they should not be joined, you
of when he responded to a wedding
must declare it now (pause), or
invitation in Cana of Galilee where
forever hold your peace.
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The priest says to the persons to be married:
Priest: Agrey and Rachel, you are about to exchange marriage vows. As you
have heard, marriage is a solemn state and it's not to be taken lightly;
therefore I charge y o u before God who is judge of all and before
whom nothing can be hidden, that if any of you has a just reason why
you two should not be joined together, you are to state it now.
Bridegroom: I, Agrey declare that I do not know any reason why I
may not be joined to Rachel, in holy matrimony.
Bride: I, Rachel declare that I do not know any reason why I
may not be joined to Agrey, in holy matrimony.
MAKING PROMISES
The Priest says to the bridegroom
Agrey, will you take Rachel, to be your wife, and be united with her in the
covenant of marriage? Will you love her? Will you cherish her, honour her,
comfort and protect her; and forsaking all others, be faithful to her, as long as you
both shall live?
Answer: I will
The Priest says to the bride:
Rachel, will you take Agrey, to be your husband, and be united with him in the
covenant of marriage? Will you love him? Will you cherish him, honour him,
comfort and protect him; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, as long as
you both shall live?
Answer: I will the Priests asks:
Priest: Who presents Agrey, and Rachel for Marriage?
Presenters from each side present their son/daughter to the Priest with the
following words:
Presenters: We present our daughter/son before the Lord, to be married.
MAKING VOWS
The Priest leads them in making the vows. Facing each other, the bridegroom
takes the bride 's right hand and tells her
I Agrey. Take you Rachel, to be my 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 and to honour In the Lord, till we are
separated by death, according to God's holy law; and this is my solemn vow.
Amen.
They loose hands, the bride takes the bridegroom 's right hand in hers and make
the vow:
I Rachel, take you Agrey, to be my 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 and to honour In the Lord, till we are separated
by death, according to God's holy law; and this is my solemn vow. Amen.
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They loose hands
The Priest receives the rings and prays:
Priest: Bless O Lord, these rings to be a reminder of the vows by which Agrey
and Rachel now affirm their commitment to each other; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The bridegroom puts the ring on the third finger of the bride 's left hand, or the
symbol in its appropriate place, and says:
Groom: Rachel, I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage. With the
help of God, I shall love you and honour you with all that I am and
all that I have, all the days of my life. In the name of the Father,
Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Likewise the bride to the bridegroom
Bride: Agrey, I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage. With the
help of God, I shall love you and honour you with all that I am and
all that I have, all the days of my life. In the name of the Father,
Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Priest joins the right hands of the couple and says:
Now that Agrey, and Rachel, have committed themselves to each other
by the solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and
receiving of tings in the presence of God and you all, I pronounce them
husband and wife, in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Priest Those whom God has joined together,
All No one should separate.
Priest God the maker of marriages
All Unite their hearts in one.
Ululation and clapping as the couple hugs. A doxology may follow. The
couple faces the congregation. The priest says:
Priest: Brothers and sisters in the Lord, Agrey and Rachel are going to
begin a new life of partnership in marriage. The two will require
your love, support and encouragement as they seek to uphold
this honourable state. Do you promise to do your best to uphold
them in their marriage covenant?
All We will uphold them.
The priest, standing before the couple, may use the following prayer of
commitment.
O God our Father and author of marriage, we rejoice on this our
wedding day. True to each other help us to stay, safely guarding all the
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solemn vows we have taken today. Never should the memories of this day
grow dim with each passing day.
Progressing through life with many hurdles, may selfless love be our
banner; seeking ever to promote the other;
Rejoicing in our strength and bearing with each other's
weaknesses.
In all our days together, may we draw strength and comfort from you and
from each other.
Guide us as we begin this new life; we know not what lies ahead.
You are our refuge and underneath are your everlasting arms.
Bless our marriage Lord, and grant us many happy years together
until we come to the wedding banquet of the Lamb. Amen.
Ululation, and a song.
The priest, standing before the couple, may use the following prayer of invocation.
Priest May the Lord bless your marriage
All Bless your marriage,
Priest May he bless you with children,
All Bless you with children,
Priest May he give you joy and happiness,
All Joy and happiness.
Priest May love and forgiveness be the banner in your marriage
All Forgiveness and love,
Priest May you be actively involved in the life of the Church,
All Be actively involved.
Priest May your fields yield abundantly,
All To bless your going out and your coming in.
The couple kneels.
Priest : Eternal God, creator and preserver of all humankind, giver of all
spiritual grace and author of everlasting life, send your blessing
upon Agrey, and Rachel, whom we bless in your name, that as
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so Agrey and Rachel
may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant made
between them, may ever remain in perfect love and peace
together and live according to your laws; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.
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Then this blessing
God bless you and keep you, may he look upon you and fill you with all
blessings that spring from his gracious favour, that you may have a wonderful
life together, and in the world to come share in the life everlasting; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s prayer Psalm 168
MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Old testament reading
Epistle readings
Gospel reading
Praise and worship
Hymn
SERMON: REV. FRREDRICK KASORICH
THE NICENE CREED
Minister: We stand together with Christians throughout the centuries and
throughout the world today, to affirm our faith in the words of
the Nicene Creed.
All: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven
and earth, of all at is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus
Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God
from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not
made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were
made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by
the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate of the Virgin
Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under
Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day
he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into
heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come
again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will
have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and
the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the
Prophets. We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look
for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
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INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Minister: Let us pray
Leader: May the Priests and leaders of churches have wisdom and
speak with one voice.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Leader: May the leaders of our country rule with righteousness.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Leader: May justice be our shield and defender.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy,
Leader: May the country have peace and the people be blessed.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Leader: May the flocks and the herds prosper and the fish bound in our lakes
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Leader: May the fields be fertile and the harvest plentiful.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Leader: May we and our enemies turn towards peace.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
Leader: May the love of the Father touch the lonely, the bereaved and
the suffering.
People: Amen. Lord have mercy.
leader: leaden May the path of the world be swept of all dangers.
People: Alleluia. The Lord of Mercy is with us.
PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
Minister: Hear the words of challenge and comfort our Saviour Christ says to all
who follow him. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will
lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
(Luke 9:23-24)
Come to me all of you who are tired of carrying your heavy loads, and
I will give you rest (Mathew 11:28)
So, all of you who repent of your sins, who love your neighbors and
intend to lead a new life, following the way of Jesus, come with faith
and take this holy sacrament to strengthen you. Let us reverently
confess our sins to Almighty God.
All: Almighty God, creator of all you marvelously made us in your
image: but we have corrupted ourselves and damaged your
likeness by rejecting your love and hurting our neighbours. We
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have done wrong and neglected ta do right. We are sincerely
sorry and heartily repent of our sins. Cleanse us and forgive us by
the sacrifice of your Son; Remake us and lead us by your Spirit
the Comforter. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Priest: Almighty God, whose steadfast love is as great as the heavens are high
above the earth, remove your sins from you as far as the east is from
the west, strengthen your life in his kingdom and keep you upright to
the last day, through Jesus Christ our merciful High Priest. Amen.
All Thank you father, for forgiveness; We come to your table as your
children, not presuming but assured, not trusting ourselves but
your word; we hanger and thirst for righteousness, and ask for our
hear to be satisfied with the body and blood of your Son, Jesus
Christ the righteous. Amen.
MINISTRYOF THE SACRAMENT
Sharing of peace
People Stand
Priest The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People : And also with you.
Priest Let us offer one another a sign of peace
(People wave at each other)
OFFERTORY
Priest All things come from you O Lord.
People: And of your own have we given you.
Prayer of thanksgiving
People remain standing
Priest: We remain standing for thanksgiving and remembrance Is the Father
with us?
People: He is.
Priest: Is Christ among us?
People: He is.
Priest: Is the Spirit here?
People: He is
Priest: This is our God
People: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Priest: We are his people.
People: We are redeemed.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
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People: We lift them to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise
Priest: It is right and our delight to give you thanks and praise,
great Father, living God, supreme over the world. Creator,
Provider, Saviour and Giver. From a wandering nomad you
created your family, for a burdened people you raised up a
leader; for a confused nation you chose a king; for a
rebellious crowd you sent your prophets. In these last days
you have sent us your Son, your perfect image, bringing
your kingdom, revealing your will, dying, rising, reigning
remarking your people for yourself. Through him you have
poured out your Holy Spirit, filling us with light and life.
Therefore with angels, archangels, faithful ancestors and
all in heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name,
forever praising you and saying.
All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in
the highest.
THE BREAKING OF BREAD
People remain standing
Priest: Almighty God, owner of all things, we thank you for
giving up your Son to die on the cross for us who owe
you everything. Pour your refreshing Spirit on us as we
remember him in the way he commanded, through these
gifts of your creation. On the same night that he was
betrayed he took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it
and gave it to his disciplines, saying, "Take, eat, this is
my body which is given for you; Do this in remembrance
of me'.
People: Amen. His body was broken for us.
Priest: In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you
thanks; he gave it to them saying: Drink this, all of you, this
is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and
for many, for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
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People: Christ had died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again.
Priest: We are brothers and sisters through his blood.
People: We have died together, we will rise together, we will
live together.
Priest Therefore, heavenly Father, hear us as we celebrate this
covenant with joy, and await the coming of our Saviour, Jesus
Christ. He died in our place, making a full atonement for the
sins of the whole world the perfect sacrifice, once and for all.
You accepted his offering by raising him from death, and
granting him great honour at your right hand on high.
People: Amen. Jesus is Lord.
Priest: This is the feast of victory
People: The lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia
THE COMMUNION
The people Kneel
Priest: As our Saviour taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will
be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive
us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into
temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and
the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Priest: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
People: Though we are many we are one body, for we all share one
bread.
Priest: The cup of blessing which we bless
People: is a sharing in the blood of Christ.
Priest: Draw near with faith and receive.
People: Christ is the host and we are his guests.
Priest: Christ is alive for ever.
People: We are because he is.
Priest: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
People: Have mercy on us
Priest: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
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People: Have mercy on us
Priest: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
People: Give us your peace.
Priest: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was broken
for you, keep your body and soul in eternal life.
Take and eat this, in remembrance that Christ died for you, and
feed on him in your hearts, by faith, with thanksgiving.
Assistant: The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we shed for you, keep
your body and soul in eternal life.
Drink this, in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for you
and be thankful.
AFTER COMMUNION
The congregation may observe a brief moment of silence People stand.
One of the following prayers is said.
All: O God of our ancestors, God of our people, before whose
face the human generations pass away; We thank you that
in you we are kept safe for ever, and that the broken
fragments of our history are gathered up in the redeeming
act of your dear Son, remembered in this holy sacrament of
bread and wine. Help us to walk daily in the Communion of
saints, declaring our faith in the forgiveness of sins and the
resurrection of the body. Now send us out in the power of
your Holy Spirit to live and work for your praise and glory.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
Priest : All our problems
People : We send to the cross of Christ
Priest • All our difficulties
People : We send to the cross of Christ
Priest • All the devil's works
People : We send to the cross of Christ
Priest • All our hopes
People : We set on the risen Christ.
Priest: Christ the Sun of Righteousness Shine upon you and scatter the
darkness from before your path: And the blessing of God
Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you, and
remain with you, always.
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Opening Hymn
KRISTO MA JAWAR: 178 There shall be showers of blessing: 72
KRISTRO ma Jawar, nobiro e piny ka,
There shall be showers of blessing
Mar waro joge maluwo hera mar Jawar. Showers of blessing,
Hera, hera maduong', Showers of blessing we need;
Wan duto wadwaro Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
luwo hera,
Hera, maduong', There shall be showers of blessing—
Ma Ruoth noweyo epiny. Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
Jo ma luwo hera ginine Jawar,
Kobiro e piny ka, mar There shall be showers of blessing;
waro joge moyie kuome. Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Ka wadhi e polo Come, and now honor Thy Word.
wanayud osimb locho,
Mar loyo richo manie There shall be showers of blessing;
O that today they might fall,
piny ka mwaseweyo. Now as to God we're confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!
Kalagi Jawar, dala maber, shall be showers of blessing,
Maonge richo manie piny ka If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
mwaseweyo, If we let God have His way.
Ngima, ngima mar duong' polo,
DISMISAL
Wan duto wadwaro luwo ngima
Priest: Go in peace and serve the lord
Ngima mar duong' polo, People: In the name of Christ. Amen
Mor lilo Jerusalem
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