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Brief notes on books and resources from various Christian
traditions
by Harry Boonstra
A Christian
Celebration of Marriage: An Ecumenical Liturgy. Prepared by the
Consultation on Common Texts. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987. 32
pp.
This liturgy consists of an Order of Service
(Gathering, Word of God, The Marriage, Prayers, Conclusion),
intended for the minister, followed by an abbreviated version of the
order which can be used as a wedding "program." As is often true
with ecumenical texts, the eclectic dimension of this service makes
it useful for many denominational settings, but it lacks the flavor
of a particular tradition.
Christian Marriage: The
Worship of God. Prepared by the Office of Worship for the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986, 120 pp. $7.95.
This
volume is a very valuable source for all Presbyterian and Reformed
pastors. The basic premise of this book is that "the marriage rite
is public worship, and it includes affirmations about the nature of
worship and marriage that transcends the concerns of one wedding"
(p. 83). The first part of the book contains three wedding services
("General Use"; "Based Upon the Lord's Day"; "Recognizing a Civil
Marriage"), and a section containing additional formularies and
prayers. The second part is a "Commentary on an Order for Christian
Marriage." The final section includes a list of music suggestions
and an annotated bibliography.
Abingdon Marriage
Manual (Revised). Perry H. Biddle. Nashville: Abingdon, 1987. 192
pp. $12.95
Biddle is especially strong in emphasizing
the wedding service as a worship service. Therefore, "unless
a song can pass the test of music fitting for a Christian worship
service, it should be reserved for a social gathering" (p. 96).
The Marriage Manual consists primarily of the
services of five denominational wedding services (Baptist,
Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist), with
commentary. Biddle is flexible about some issues but insists that
"the wedding rehearsal and ceremony are under the sole
direction of the minister" (p. 68). He also includes an extended
discussion about marrying couples who have already shared board and
bed.
Christian Reformed Church. Psalter
Hymnal. Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications, 1987.
The Psalter Hymnal contains a traditional form,
derived largely from the sixteenth century, and a second service,
approved by Synod 1979. This service begins with a longish
explanation on the "institution and meaning of marriage." The
"Pastor's Message" follows the vows and Declaration of
Marriage--the only service I've seen that places the message at this
point. I assume pastors will feel free to speak their message
before the vows. (Interestingly, when this form appeared in
an earlier Service Book, the vows of bride and groom were
identical; but Synod 1986 revised the form so that the bride's vows
again include "I will love you and submit to youÉ.")
Planning a Christian Marriage. M. Lawrence Snow.
Nashville, TN (P.O. Box 189; Zip 37202), Discipleship Resources,
1988. 24 pp.
Addressed to the couple, this no-nonsense
guide for planning a wedding includes the following: 1) First Things
First (general decisions about the wedding); 2) A Service of
Christian Marriage; 3) The Wedding Rehearsal; 4) Wedding Checklist;
and two Appendices--Suggested Scripture Readings and Suggested
Hymns.
Most of the discussion concerns the service of
Christian Marriage. Snow walks us through the service, explaining
the various components and listing different options. The
explanations include mention of divorce (previous divorce of couple
or divorced parents), the suggestion that the wedding party might
sit down during the "sermon or witness," and the observation that
the couple might "go immediately from the church to a hospital room
or nursing home to embrace an absent parent or family member" (p.
16). Serving communion as part of the liturgy is listed as a
desirable option.
Toward a Christian Marriage.
Alvin L. Hoksbergen. Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications, 1985. 39
pp. $.80.
This compact pamphlet deals with both the
wedding ceremony and with Christian marriage and contains the two
Christian Reformed forms.
Reformed Church in
America. "Order of worship for Christian Marriage," in Worship the
Lord. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987. $3.95
The RCA
form is structured as a regular worship service, containing the
familiar Approach-Word-Response sequence. The prayers of this
service are especially meaningful. The traditional "You may kiss the
bride" has been liturgized to "The husband and wife greet each other
with the kiss of peace." If the framers of the service were serious
about that change, they should have been consistent and extended the
"passing of the peace" to the congregation.
The
Minister's Marriage Handbook. James L. Christensen. Old Tappan, NJ:
Revell, 1985, 221 pp. $11.95.
The Handbook will
answer most questions one might have about wedding preparations,
including floral decorations, (male) minister's attire, common-law
marriage, and wedding music. Also included are ten complete wedding
services ranging from the traditional Book of Common Prayer
service to a "Liberated Service" (ÒThis is a day for singing and
rejoicing, for balloons and butterflies"). The book is longer on
planning details than on reflection, but is nevertheless helpful.
Words for Your Wedding. David Glusker and Peter
Misner. San Francisco: Harper, 1986. 155 pp.. $7.95.
The
options in this book are largely denominational. Each part of the
wedding ceremony is explained briefly, followed by the forms of five
denominations: United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, the
American Lutheran Church, the Episcopal Church, and the United
Church of Canada. In addition, the author offers several more
options under "Contemporary Services."
A number of
Roman Catholic books are very thoughtful. However, the strong
emphasis on marriage as a sacrament and the highlighting of the
eucharist may make these less useful for Protestant readers. But let
me list one fine example.
Celebrating Marriage: Preparing
the Wedding Liturgy; A Workbook for Engaged Couples. Paul Corino
(ed.), Washington D.C.: The Pastoral Press, 1987. 131 pp.
$4.95. |