Church service - what did you have

Hi :0) we have just finished putting together our OOS. We have chosen to have 1 bible reading, 1other reading and 2 hymns. I would have liked more hymns but am aware of the fact that alot of our guests won't really know hymns very well and I don't want themto feel like the service is dragging. So we are having the choir sing hymns during the signing of the register instead.... That way I get to hear the music but it's not making an already fairly lengthy service too long- we will have nearly 20 young children there and I don't want them to feel they have to sit still and quiet for too long. Xx

We're having 3 hymns and 2 readings as suggested by the vicar!

Hmmm Yes i'm thinking 3 hymns and two readings - I have a meeting with her in a couple of weeks (we have to have at least 2 or 3 before the rehersal). Has your church given any indication of the lengh of the service - Ours has said an hour bt other people have said to me that they're only normaly about 40 minutes.

We are having 3 hymns and 2 readings-one bible and one not. This was the structure that the vicar recommended. She has also said that the service will be about an hour including the register signing.

I think this is the best way to go - I have decided on my non bible reading any hymns i think, just have to decide on the bible reading and final decisions on entrance and exit music!

KarenJane - What hymns and reading are you having?

We're having Morning has broken, Loves divine all loves excelling and Jeuruselum - We're also lighting a candle and i think whilst thats being done the choir will sing amazing Grace. The reading is one i found on here i think! I think its lovely

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment.

At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way.

All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years.

Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you.

For

after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.

Where can you pull non-bible readings from, anywhere?

I had 2 hymns, calon lan and guide me o thy great redeemer ( bread of heaven) and only had the one reading which was a bible one

We intend on having two hymns (One more step along the world I go, and Jerusalem) and then two readings.

We haven't decided on our biblical one yet, but as long as the vicar allows it, we'll be having The Invitation by Oriah Mountain Dreamer as a non-biblical reading.

We had 3 hymns, Christ is made the sure foundation, King of Glory and Now than we all our god. Two readings favourite was song of songs My beloved Spake. During the signing of the register our guests sang Christmas carols, (it was dec 29th) I'd do it all the same tomorrow if I could, it was perfect.

We're having three hymns (Bread of heaven, colours of day, Sing hosanna) and two biblical readings.

Had 3 hymns and 2 readings (both biblical as we really struggled to find a non biblical one we both liked, and considered appropriate for us and our friends and families) Hymns were Hills of the North Rejoice (advent hymn really, but we both like outdoorsy things this kind of fit), Love Divine (Stainer version) and Guide me O thou Great Redeemer (Bread of Heaven). We wanted things that were quite well known and this worked as we felt surrounded by the sound of singing - having the choir was worth every penny!

For readings we had both the extracts from the Song of Solomon on the CofE website as one reading and Paul's letter to the Romans 1.2 1-2 and 9-18 as the other

We are in the process of choosing readings and hymns.

Interesting that two of you are going for Jerusalem - our vicar has said absolutely no to that as he feels it is not a hymn at all and he won't allow it! I am not too worried as I didn't really want it anyway but surprising how much it varies between churches.

I am struggling with Hymns so useful to have a thread like this

For hymns we are having, all things bright and beautiful, lord of all hopefulness and one more step along the world I go.

Readings we are having a poem called on your wedding day and either Corinthians or collossians for our bible reading.