GETTING MARRIED
Why get married in church?
A marriage service is a public declaration of love and commitment to your partner.
If you choose to get married in church, there is an added dimension - the assurance that God cares about your relationship and that his resources and strength are available to help you. Including God in your marriage doesn't mean that you will avoid all the usual ups and downs, but you will know that you can look to God for help and guidance and that his love will sustain you. You will also have the support and encouragement of the Christian Church family.
Below are some resources which we hope will help you in the planning of your big day.
Preparing for the service: frequently asked questions
Q| Where can I get married?
A| You are entitled to be married in the church of the Church in
If the church you wish to be married in is not the local church of either of you, you will have to go on the electoral roll of that parish: you will be expected to attend the church services for six months before going on the roll. In certain circumstances you can apply for a Special License. It is not normally possible to have your church wedding in other venues.
If you are from another Christian denomination it is likely that not only will you have to contact the Priest or Minister of that church but also engage the services of a Registrar via the local County Hall.
Q| How do I book the church?
A| As soon as you have decided you would like to get married in St.Peter's or St.Illtyd's, get in touch with the Vicar to see whether the church is free on your preferred date, and take some details.
Q| What are the legal requirements?
A| The normal preliminary to getting married in the Church in
Banns are an announcement of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place. Banns need to be read in the parish where each of you lives as well as at the church in which you are to be married if that is another parish. There are circumstances where some form of licence, such as a common licence or special licence, is more appropriate. The Vicar will discuss with you what you need to do.
If you are under the age of eighteen, you must have your parents' consent to marry.
There are special guidelines on church marriage if you have been divorced. Please contact the Vicar to discuss this.
Q| How much will it cost?
A| The fees for a marriage cover the publication of the banns, certificate of banns, the marriage service and a certificate of marriage as well as the organist, video recording (if required) and the use of the church building.
Q| Can I choose what kind of service I want?
A| You can choose to have the standard Church in
The minister will probably give a brief talk or sermon.
If you have friends or family members you would like to involve in the service, for example by doing a reading or playing a musical instrument, discuss this with your parish priest at an early stage of your planning.
Q| Which hymns and songs can I have?
A| Your parish priest or the church organist can advise on suitable hymns and songs, as well as music for coming in, going out and during the signing of the register. If you want to set out the words and/or music on a printed service sheet, you will need to comply with the copyright laws - you should consult the Vicar about this.
Q| Should we have one or two rings?
A| A wedding ring is a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, and of the commitment you are making to each other. It is entirely up to you whether you have one ring or two.
Q| Do I need to contact a registrar
A| No, as the Vicar or Curate in the Church in Wales are permitted to conduct weddings. To all intenets and purposes therefore, the Vicar and Curate are the registrars.
Q| Can we have a video recording of the service?
A| You will need to ask permission from the Vicar and from any organist/worship leader. There may be a small fee to pay: ask the Vicar about this. There are also issues of copyright involved and in most cases some kind of video license is required.
Q| What if one of us is divorced?
A| The Church in
Please make an appointment to speak to the Vicar before setting a date. The minister will want to talk to you frankly about the past, your hopes for the future and your understanding of marriage. If it is not possible for your proposed marriage to take place in church, you may wish to consider other alternatives with you, such as a Service of Prayer and Dedication after a civil ceremony.
QI Do either or both of us need to be baptized?
AI It is preferable for both persons to be baptized. The fact that you have chosen to get married in church rather than a registry office or a hotel suggests that you consider the Christian faith important to your marriage. Baptism is a sign of that faith and a demonstration of a person's willingness to be identified with Jesus and his teachings. Although baptism is not a condition for getting married in church, you are strongly encouraged to consider it as a necessary part of your marriage preparation. Please talk to the Vicar about this.
The parish has two churches. The mother church of St.Peter's has the largest capcity and can hold up to about 300 people. The daughter church, St. Illtyd's, has a smaller capacity (holds about 70 people) and is ideal for smaller weddings. It is situated on Ystrad Road, opposite John Long's furniture store. Below are some pictures of St.Illtyd's,
QI We are already married, do you have any service of blessing?
AI Yes we often bless the marriiages of those who have married abroad and want something at home for family and friends to be part of. Also people who have been married in a Registry Office and feel that something was missing and would like God to bless their new life together. People who have been married 20, 25, 30 or more years also like to mark the event with a renewal of vows and have approached us to hold a special service in Church. In all of these cases we are more than happy to help people seek God's involvement in their married life. Just contact the Vicar and he will be able to offer you some advice on how to proceed.
What do Christians believe about marriage?
Christians believe that marriage is a gift from God. In the marriage ceremony, a couple make a public declaration of lifelong commitment to love each other, come what may.
The Bible compares married love with the love Jesus has for his followers. He expressed his love by being prepared to sacrifice himself, even to die for the people he loved. This is amazing, unconditional love. Jesus never said 'I love you, but'. In our marriages we can try to follow his model by loving our partners in a self-sacrificial way, putting their needs before our own.
The marriage ceremony gives you a new legal status as husband and wife and a new stability within which your relationship can flourish and grow. Christians believe that marriage offers the right place for the fulfillment of our sexuality and that it provides a stable and secure environment for bringing up children.
The Marriage service
Beginning the service
Traditionally, the bride and groom enter the church separately - the groom first with the best man, and the bride at the time set for the start of the service, on the arm of her father or another relative or friend (it does not need to be a man). However, the bride may enter alone if she wishes, or the couple may enter together.
The minister will welcome the congregation. Your family and friends have an important role to play as witnesses and supporters of your marriage.
The minister will read an introduction explaining what Christians believe about marriage. He or she will also ask, as the law requires, if anyone knows any reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.
Declarations
You will be asked to promise before God, your friends and your families, that you will love, comfort, honour and protect your partner and be faithful to them as long as you both shall live.
The minister will also ask the congregation to declare that they will support and uphold your marriage.
It is usual to have one or more readings (one of which should be from the Bible) and the minister will generally give a talk or sermon.
Vows
Turning to each other, the bride and groom take each other?s right hand and make vows (see below).
Rings
The couple then exchange a ring or rings as a 'sign of their marriage' and a reminder of the vows:
Proclamation
The minister will then declare that you are now husband and wife. The minister does not 'marry you'; you marry each other. The minister just directs you in this and then tells everyone that you have done it properly.
Prayers
In the prayers God's blessing and help is asked for you. There may be a prayer for the gift of children, but every couple will have their own feelings about this, so it's best to discuss the details with your minister. You may wish to help choose the prayers or to write your own.
Signing of the register
After you have exchanged your vows, the bride, groom and two witnesses must sign the register. This is a legal requirement and the minister will give you a copy of the marriage certificate.
A wedding is one day - a marriage is a lifetime
You have probably already spent many hours planning your wedding. There are so many things to think about - the dress, the cake, whom to invite, the honeymoon. All of these are important, but the wedding is just one day, while marriage should last for the rest of your lives.
Alongside the wedding preparations it is also important to spend time as a couple talking through your expectations of marriage. However much you think you have in common, you are still two separate individuals with different backgrounds, personalities, experiences, hopes and fears. The minister who is taking your service will probably want to spend some time with you talking through these issues.
Churches sometimes offer marriage preparation, perhaps as part of a group with other couples. This gives you an opportunity to think through possible areas of difficulty and how you will handle them as a couple.
Topics might include:
- Communication
- Money
- Coping with conflict
- Sex
- In-laws and family issues
- Children
We hope that you have a wonderful wedding day and that it will mark the beginning of a long and very happy marriage.
'Marriage', says the Church in Wales Service of Holy matrimony, 'is a gift of God to mankind.'
Links
Local artists: If you would like to hire a good local string quartet to perform music classical and contemporary you can contact the Cariad Quartet at www.cariad-quartet.co.uk
Wedding music - www.pianobrothers.com/music/ADayToRemember/elegantmusic.asp and
www.classicalwedding.co.uk/2003/
Wedding decorations etc - www.llinosdesigns.com
Wedding sites - www.weddingguide.co.uk
Marriage Application
Please click here for a wedding application form.
Below are a few tried and tested photographers etc which we have found to be good and which we would recommend:
First class photography service: http://www.edendigital.co.uk
Hymns
In choosing hymns it is important that they reflect the themes of the service. In our increasingly secular society it is getting harder and harder to choose appropriate hymns that are known (and liked) by the bridal couple and congregation alike. Here are a selection of some of the more popular ones:
All things bright and beautiful celebrates God's creation. Many people will be familiar with it through school assemblies or Sunday School. Although there is no reference to marriage or love in it, surely these are as much a part of God's creative order as trees, mountains and rivers etc..
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
All things bright...
The purple-headed mountains,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky;
All things bright...
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
All things bright...
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God almighty,
who has made all things well.
All things bright...
Amazing grace is one of the most popular hymns of all times and is the testimony, in verse, of the conversion to Christianity of John Newton, a former slave-trader turned Vicar. Not wholly suited to a marriage service ("dangers, toils and snares" notwithstanding) it is popular at wedding services because it is well-known.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fear relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
When we've been here ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we've first begun.
Be still for the presence of the Lord is a modern hymn sung in many church services througout the land. It reminds us of God's presence all around us and especially when we are doing something that God approves of - like getting married. It has a lovely tune and wonderful words.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One, is here;
some bow before Him now
with reverence and fear:
in Him no sin is found -
we stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
the Holy One, is here.
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining al around;
He burns with holy fire,
with splendour He is crowned:
how awesome is the sight -
our radiant King of light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
is shining all around.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place:
He comes to cleanse and heal,
to minister His grace -
no work too hard for Him.
In faith receive from Him.
Be still, for the power of the Lord
is moving in this place.
Love divine, all loves excelling to the welsh tune Blaenwern is a big wedding favourite. The words celebrate the love of God as seen in the person of Jesus, who is the master and the model of what love should 'look like'. The words can also be sung to the tune we normally associate with Calon Lan.
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
As man and woman we were made is a modern hymn with words by Brian Wren. The words to this hymn are under copyright. If you wish to print, copy, cut/paste or duplicate these lyrics you must obtain permission from Hope Publishing Company The tune is a rather bright one called "The Sussex Carol"
As man and woman we were made
That love be found and life begun,
So praise the Lord Who made us two,
And praise the Lord when two are one;
Praise for the love that comes to life
Through child or parent, husband, wife.
Now Jesus lived and gave His love
To make our life and loving new;
So celebrate with Him today
And drink the joy He offers you;
That makes the simple moment shine
And changes water into wine.
And Jesus died to live again,
So praise the love that, come what may,
Can bring the dawn and clear the skies,
And waits to wipe all tears away;
And let us hope for what shall be,
Believing where we cannot see.
Then spread the table, clear the hall,
And celebrate till day is done;
Let peace go deep between us all
And joy be shared by everyone;
Laugh and make merry with your friends,
And praise the love that never ends!
Lord of all hopefulness will be familiar to many from school assemblies or Sunday School. It's a great tune and the words by Jan Struther (1901-1953) refer to the Lord, present in the marriage service.
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.
Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.
Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.
Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.
Be our chief guest Lord is a modern hymn set to the tune for "Morning Has Broken". the words are very appropriate as they remind us that we are married in church in the presence of God who is, of course, "our chief guest". It's a smashing tune too.
Be our chief guest, Lord,
Lord of all living,
Lord of all loving,
This wedding day:
Bind us together
In your sure keeping,
So we may never
Wander away.
Bless all who have brought us
Up from our childhood,
Caring, forgiving,
Through the long day:
May the same spirit
Shine in our home, Lord,
Lighting our pathway,
We humbly pray.
Bless all our friends, Lord,
Happy and true friends,
Laughing or crying,
Always the same:
Bright with this friendship,
May our own home be
Ready to welcome
All in your name.
Be our chief guest, Lord,
Lord of all living,
Warm with compassion
Showing the way:
Keep us together
In loving service,
Families and friends, Lord,
This wedding day.
Morning has broken. Alternatively you may want to use the original words which, although refer to the beginning of creation, can equally be effective in referring the new start a husband and wife have in their marriage. Again please ensure you have the premission of the publishing company David Higham Associates 5-8 Lower John Street,
Morning has broken,
Like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird;
Praise for the singing,
Praise for the morning,
Praise for them springing
Fresh from the Word.
Sweet the rain's new fall,
Sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass;
Praise for the sweetness,
Of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness
Where his feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight,
Mine is the morning,
Born of the one light
Eden saw play;
Praise with elation,
Praise every morning,
God's re-creation
Of the new day.
God of all living. There is yet one more variation on the same hymn, shown below although it includes a verse asking for children which may not always be appropriate.
God of all living,
Father, we praise you,
Full of thanksgiving,
For so much love;
Now in this wedding,
Come down among us,
Pour out your blessing,
Heavenly Dove.
Perfect companion,
God's gift in marriage,
One true communion,
Help on life's way;
May we be mindful,
In need and plenty,
May we be faithful
Every new day.
With love's true splendour,
Father, delight us,
Each giving honour,
With faithfulness;
And may the sharing
Of this sweet union
Deepen our caring,
With tenderness.
May there be children,
Fruit of our loving,
True men and women,
With faith beside;
Grant us your keeping
In all our future,
Your love caressing
Bridegroom and bride.
Bind us together is a modern song and although is meant to refer to the Church can equally be used most effectively as a wedding hymn. Please bear in mind the hymn is copyright and permission must be sought from the following: Kingsway Thankyou Music PO Box 75, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 6NW,
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together,
Bind us together with love.
There is only one God,
There is only one King,
There is only one Body,
That is why we sing:
Made for the glory of God,
Purchased by His precious Son,
Born with the right to be clean,
For Jesus the victory has won.
You are the family of God,
You are the promise divine,
You are God's chosen desire,
You are the glorious new wine.
Blest be the dear uniting love is a hymn I recently discovered on an order of service. I have no idea where it came from but it fits the tune to Amazing Grace and the words are perfect for a wedding service.
Blest be the dear uniting love
that will not let us part;
our bodies may far off remove,
we still are one in heart.
Joined in one spirit to our head,
where he appoints we go,
and still in Jesus' footsteps tread,
and do his work below.
O may we ever walk in him,
and nothing know beside,
nothing desire, nothing esteem,
but Jesus crucified.
We all are one who him receive,
and each with him agree,
in him the One, the truth, we live;
blest point of unity.
Partakers of the Saviour's grace,
the same in mind and heart,
nor joy, nor grief, nor time, nor place,
nor life, nor death can part.
Lord of love and holy gladness is a hymn that recently featured in our Diocesan Newsletter 'Yr Eryr' . It was written by Dr. Elvet Lewis for Thomas Davies and Catherine Mary Richards who were married at the welsh Tabernacle, King's Cross,
Lord of love and holy gladness,
grant that weThy love may share.
Turning into joy all sadness,
into trust our every care.
From Thy fount of love unending
these two hearts with gladness fill:
soul with soul in union blending
to obey and do Thy will.
Thou their Guardian and their Teacher,
day by day Thy mercy show;
shine or shadow, ever richer
make their life in pureness flow:
may the hands today united
hold for others, gifts of Thine;
in their home, by faith united
come and dwell, O Guest Divine.
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder is another well known and well loved hymn which always features in the top ten of most hymn-singing congregations. Although not specifically mentioning marriage or love it does delebrate the glory of God and so would not be out of place on any celebratory occasion. The following version is shorter and more appropriate for a wedding.
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Praise my soul the King of Heaven is another old favourite and a very popular choice of wedding hymn from years past.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me his praise should sing?
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favour
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us,
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him;
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
Dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Give me joy in my heart is not normally associated with weddings but is growing in popularity owing to its upbeat tune and memories of assemblies and Sunday school. We have included the more appropriate verses.
Give me joy in my heart, keep me singing.
Give me joy in my heart I pray.
Give me joy in my heart, keep me singing.
Keep me singing till the break of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of Kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King!
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving,
Keep me serving till the break of day.
Sing hosanna.....
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Keep me resting till the break of day.
Sing hosanna....
Give me faith in my heart, keep me trusting,
Give me faith in my heart, I pray.
Give me faith in my heart, keep me trusting,
Keep me trusting till the break of day.
Sing hosanna...
One more step along the world I go is another in the same category as the above. Again I have excluded some of the less appropriate verses.
One more step along the world I go,
One more step along the world I go,
From the old things to the new
Keep me travelling along with You.
And it's from the old I travel to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you.
Round the corners of the world I turn,
More and more about the world I learn.
And the new things that I see
You'll be looking at along with me.
And it's from the old.....
As I travel through the bad and good
Keep me travelling the way I should.
Where I see no way to go
You'll be telling me the way, I know.
And it's from the old....
Give me courage when the world is rough,
Keep me loving though the world is tough.
Leap and sing in all I do,
Keep me travelling along with You.
And it's from the old...
Other hymn choices can be found by following this link.
There are many choices for readings from the Bible that can be used on the occasion of a marriage. There is always a reading from one of the Gospels (and below are the main ones used to choose from) and from the Old or New Testament (again a few choices).
Old Testament
Genesis 1:26-28, 31
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
Genesis 2:18-24
18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, '
for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up.But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Song of Solomon 2:8-17
8 Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.
10 My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me."
14 My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
15 Catch for us the foxes,
the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards,
our vineyards that are in bloom.
16 My lover is mine and I am his;
he browses among the lilies.
17 Until the day breaks
and the shadows flee,
turn, my lover,
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the rugged hills.
New Testament
Matthew 5:1-10
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:21,24-end
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Mark 10:6-9, 13-16
"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
John 2:1-11
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in
John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:9-17
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
These are just a small selection of the more famous ones but there are others. Please contact you Minister or Parish Priest for alternatives.
