A pastor who is retiring from ministry created this closing litany to celebrate the many years of ministry in his congregation.

I helped my mom and dad celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was a wonderful time. We celebrated 50 years of sharing life through thick and thin. But we also celebrated the gift of marriage and family for today. In a world marred by divorce and division we could affirm that God meant us for each other. As our Genesis text reminds us, "It is not good that man should be alone."

This blessing was originally written for a couple that has two children, one from a precious relationship and one from their union. The blessing took place at the center of the service, just after the couple had said their vows and exchanged rings. Prior to the service, the couple had purchased rings for the children (which the six year-old proudly showed off to people at the reception). Other tokens could be given - a different couple had purchased pendants for their boy and girl children. This blessing was significant and meaningful to both the adults and the children.

You have asked to celebrate your marriage at University Lutheran Church because you desire God's blessing. The Lutheran Church understands marriage to be an act of God's creation. Be believe and teach that whatever God creates, God intends to support and protect through blessing. Central to the Order of Marriage is the Nuptial Blessing.

The Sunday closest to Valentines day was chosen by the outreach committee as a day to honor and pray for marriages in our congregation.

The following information and guidelines are set forth by First Lutheran Church to help couples have an orderly, worshipful wedding and to help them prepare for a life-long relationship with each other. As you prepare to become husband and wife, may God bless your preparations, your wedding, and the commitment you are making to one another.

People from all cultures and all religions get married. As a result, marriage is not the sole possession of the church. That you have chosen to be married in the Christian Church means your wedding at St. John's will be a worship service. Therefore, as is the case in all Christian worship, our primary focus is on God. We come together to praise and thank God for the good gifts that the Creator has showered upon the human family and upon the church.

This worship service takes the form of a hymn festival, alternating the singing of hymns with scripture readings and prayers. The hymns are taken from the many voices of those who live on this land, both hymns brought with them and those written on this land. This land of God's creation, never empty, is becoming fuller of more and more voices and cultures. Let us work in the Spirit that all voices be raised to God in praise. (As is tradition, each hymn is identified by the name of its tune).

Welcome everyone to our Rogation Service, Rogation comes from the Latin "rogare" which means to beseech. And so, today we beseech God's blessing for the seed, for the soil, for those who labor in the fields and for all of God's creation . . . this includes you. May God bless and keep you during the coming year. A special welcome to our guests. We're glad you are worshipping with us this morning.

This Service has been prepared by Pastors Ruth and Dick Schaefer, Coordinators of the Farm Advocacy Resource Ministries of the Northeast Pennsylvania Synod. The service is intended for Urban, Suburban, Town and Country congregations. This Service may be celebrated on the 6th Sunday after Easter. Or, if you wish at an early time in the Spring when the planting of the fields has begun.