Sacramental Hymns: Matrimony 468-473

Matrimony

468

O God of love, to thee we bow – W Jenkins

O God of love, to thee we bow,
and pray for these before thee now,
that, closely knit in holy vow,
they may in thee be one.

Whatever comes to be their share
of quickening joy or burdening care,
in power to do and grace to bear,
may they in thee be one.

Eternal love, with them abide;
through change and chance be thou their guide,
let nothing in this life divide
those whom thou makest one.

469

O God, to those who here profess – C Price and C Wesley

470

Your love, O God, has called us here – R Shulz-Widmar

Your love, O God, has called us here,
for all love finds its source in you,
the perfect love that casts out fear,
the love thatChrist makes ever new.

O gracious God, you consecrate
all that is lovely, good, and true.
Bless us who in your presence wait,
our trust in your desires renew.

Your love will send us from this place;
reveal your will in all we do,
that every path of love we trace
may show the world its source in you.

471

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending – D Gurney

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
that theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
whom thou forevermore dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance,
of tender charity and steadfast faith,
of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
with childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
and to life's day the glorious unknown morrow
that dawns upon eternal love and life.

472

Lord, who at Cana's wedding feast – A Thrupp & G Thring

Lord, who at Cana's wedding feast
didst as a Guest appear,
thou dearer far than earthly guest,
Vouchsafe thy presence here.
For holy thou indeed dost prove
the marriage vow to be,
proclaiming it a type of love
between the Church and thee.

This holy vow that man can make,
the golden thread in life,
the bond that none may dare to break,
that bindeth man and wife,
which, blest by thee, whate'er betides,
no evil shall destroy,
through careworn days each care divides
and doubles every joy.

On those who now before thee kneel,
O Lord, thy blessing pour,
that each may wake the other's zeal
to love thee more and more.
O grant them here in peace to live,
in purity and love,
and, this world leaving, to receive
a crown of life above.

473

May the grace of Christ our Savior – J Newton

May the grace of Christ our Savior
and the Father's boundless love
with the Holy Spirit's favor,
rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
with each other and the Lord,
and possess, in sweet communion,
joys which earth cannot afford.