Unity Cross Ceremony
This element is usually done right after the ring exchange. Keep in mind all wordings can be mixed/matched and tailored to you desires.
You may like to have very soft music playing in the background during this element. A favorite hymn such as Amazing Grace works well.
You may like to have very soft music playing in the background during this element. A favorite hymn such as Amazing Grace works well.
Option 1: Officiant: Now we shall celebrate this new union with a Unity Cross Ceremony (We step over to the table. Bride and Groom should stand behind it so they do not have their backs to their guests) _____ and _____ will assemble the Unity Cross, a beautiful sculpture they will display in their home to remind them of the covenant they are making today. (Optional line let me know if you would like to include this): This cross represents the faith of _________ and_________, showing that they place Christ first at the center of their marriage and trust Him to lead them on this new journey that they begin together today. |
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In Genesis (chapter
1), we read that God created man in His own image. That means that He created
man bold, strong, to be a leader, to be a protector of his wife and family.
(Holding the groom's piece of the Unity Cross, the Officiant says):
The outer form of the Unity Cross represents the strength, leadership, and protection of the man. The book of Ephesians reminds husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, totally and completely giving himself for her.
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the groom and he places his cross onto the base.)
(Holding the bride's piece of the cross, the Officiant says):
Genesis (Genesis 2:20-23) also tells us that the woman was taken from man. The bride's piece of the Unity Cross represents the beauty and the many capabilities of the woman, designed with intricate, beautiful detail and is placed inside the protection of the groom's cross, completing the sculpture and representing the two becoming one.
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the bride and she places her piece inside the cross)
To complete this sculpture, representing the couple's covenant, we are placing three pegs to hold it together. These pegs represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, showing God's place in this covenant and the security and completeness that only our Heavenly Father can give.
(At this time the three pegs will be placed into the Unity Cross -the Officiant places the one at the top, the groom the one on his side and the bride the one on her side, completing the sculpture.)
The scriptures tell us that a three stranded cord is not easily broken (Ecc. 4:12), Matthew (19 5-6) "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
(We walk back to our places to continue the ceremony)
Let us pray: (use this prayer or choose one form my build a ceremony menu)
God of love, bless the marriage of ________ and ________. Surround their relationship and their home with an ever-growing love. May they always be aware of your presence and your care in their lives. And now, ________ and ________, May the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you and the Holy Spirit keep you. Amen.
(Holding the groom's piece of the Unity Cross, the Officiant says):
The outer form of the Unity Cross represents the strength, leadership, and protection of the man. The book of Ephesians reminds husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, totally and completely giving himself for her.
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the groom and he places his cross onto the base.)
(Holding the bride's piece of the cross, the Officiant says):
Genesis (Genesis 2:20-23) also tells us that the woman was taken from man. The bride's piece of the Unity Cross represents the beauty and the many capabilities of the woman, designed with intricate, beautiful detail and is placed inside the protection of the groom's cross, completing the sculpture and representing the two becoming one.
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the bride and she places her piece inside the cross)
To complete this sculpture, representing the couple's covenant, we are placing three pegs to hold it together. These pegs represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, showing God's place in this covenant and the security and completeness that only our Heavenly Father can give.
(At this time the three pegs will be placed into the Unity Cross -the Officiant places the one at the top, the groom the one on his side and the bride the one on her side, completing the sculpture.)
The scriptures tell us that a three stranded cord is not easily broken (Ecc. 4:12), Matthew (19 5-6) "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
(We walk back to our places to continue the ceremony)
Let us pray: (use this prayer or choose one form my build a ceremony menu)
God of love, bless the marriage of ________ and ________. Surround their relationship and their home with an ever-growing love. May they always be aware of your presence and your care in their lives. And now, ________ and ________, May the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you and the Holy Spirit keep you. Amen.
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Option 2:
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Officiant:
Now we shall celebrate this new union with a Unity Cross Ceremony
(We step over to the table. Bride and Groom should stand behind it so they do not have their backs to their guests)
Groom and Bride, the covenant that you are making today is a three part covenant- Bride, Groom, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Through this covenant, from this moment forward you will both be together on your journey through life and you will never be alone.
Throughout life you will experience much joy and happiness, victories and many blessings. During these times, remember that the Lord is there to celebrate with you.
You will also experience times of tough decisions, sorrow and defeat. These are the times that you will need to remember that the Lord is also with you. It is during these moments that, He will be your strength, your rock, your refuge.
*(this last part is optional let me know if you would like to include it) He will be there to carry you both through and He will never break covenant with you. You will be able to turn to His word, for He freely gives wisdom to those who ask. His word is true and it never changes. His word is the same yesterday, today and forever.
To demonstrate you’re becoming one in this three part covenant, you have chosen to assemble The Unity Cross. The Unity Cross represents the two of you becoming one with Christ.
This cross represents the faith of _________ and_________, showing that they place Christ first at the center of their marriage and trust Him to lead them on this new journey that they begin together today.
(Holding the groom's piece of the Unity Cross, the Officiant says):
The outer piece of the cross represents you (Groom). It is strong and bold. It represents your roll as the leader and protector of your family. In the book of Ephesians you are reminded to love (Bride) as Christ Loved the Church, totally and completely giving yourself for her.
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the groom and he places his cross onto the base.)
(Holding the bride's piece of the cross, the Officiant says):
In Genesis the scripture tells us that woman was created from man.
(Bride), the inside piece of the cross represents you. It is delicate and it is beautiful. It represents your many capabilities and how God created you with such intricate detail and how you fit perfectly inside the protection of (Groom). completing the sculpture and representing the two becoming one
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the bride and she places her piece inside the cross)
These three pegs represent the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. They represent how the Lord holds together this covenant with His security and the Completeness that only our Heavenly Father can give. We will insert the pegs completing the sculpture showing God’s place in Groom and Brides marriage.
(At this time the three pegs will be placed into the Unity Cross -the Officiant places the one at the top, the groom the one on his side and the bride the one on her side, completing the sculpture.)
The scriptures tell us that a three stranded cord is not easily broken (Ecc. 4:12), Matthew (19 5-6) “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
(We walk back and take our places to continue the ceremony)
Let us pray: (use this prayer or choose one form my build a ceremony menu)
God of love, bless the marriage of ________ and ________. Surround their relationship and their home with an ever-growing love. May they always be aware of your presence and your care in their lives. And now, ________ and ________, May the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, and the Holy Spirit keep you. Amen.
Now we shall celebrate this new union with a Unity Cross Ceremony
(We step over to the table. Bride and Groom should stand behind it so they do not have their backs to their guests)
Groom and Bride, the covenant that you are making today is a three part covenant- Bride, Groom, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Through this covenant, from this moment forward you will both be together on your journey through life and you will never be alone.
Throughout life you will experience much joy and happiness, victories and many blessings. During these times, remember that the Lord is there to celebrate with you.
You will also experience times of tough decisions, sorrow and defeat. These are the times that you will need to remember that the Lord is also with you. It is during these moments that, He will be your strength, your rock, your refuge.
*(this last part is optional let me know if you would like to include it) He will be there to carry you both through and He will never break covenant with you. You will be able to turn to His word, for He freely gives wisdom to those who ask. His word is true and it never changes. His word is the same yesterday, today and forever.
To demonstrate you’re becoming one in this three part covenant, you have chosen to assemble The Unity Cross. The Unity Cross represents the two of you becoming one with Christ.
This cross represents the faith of _________ and_________, showing that they place Christ first at the center of their marriage and trust Him to lead them on this new journey that they begin together today.
(Holding the groom's piece of the Unity Cross, the Officiant says):
The outer piece of the cross represents you (Groom). It is strong and bold. It represents your roll as the leader and protector of your family. In the book of Ephesians you are reminded to love (Bride) as Christ Loved the Church, totally and completely giving yourself for her.
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the groom and he places his cross onto the base.)
(Holding the bride's piece of the cross, the Officiant says):
In Genesis the scripture tells us that woman was created from man.
(Bride), the inside piece of the cross represents you. It is delicate and it is beautiful. It represents your many capabilities and how God created you with such intricate detail and how you fit perfectly inside the protection of (Groom). completing the sculpture and representing the two becoming one
(At this time the Officiant hands the piece to the bride and she places her piece inside the cross)
These three pegs represent the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. They represent how the Lord holds together this covenant with His security and the Completeness that only our Heavenly Father can give. We will insert the pegs completing the sculpture showing God’s place in Groom and Brides marriage.
(At this time the three pegs will be placed into the Unity Cross -the Officiant places the one at the top, the groom the one on his side and the bride the one on her side, completing the sculpture.)
The scriptures tell us that a three stranded cord is not easily broken (Ecc. 4:12), Matthew (19 5-6) “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
(We walk back and take our places to continue the ceremony)
Let us pray: (use this prayer or choose one form my build a ceremony menu)
God of love, bless the marriage of ________ and ________. Surround their relationship and their home with an ever-growing love. May they always be aware of your presence and your care in their lives. And now, ________ and ________, May the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, and the Holy Spirit keep you. Amen.
*The beautiful graphics on this page are from http://www.trulytruly.net
