17 Aug GS 2010 art 137
GS 2010 Article 137 – Hymns: O Gracious Lord and Lord, Today Bless this New Marriage
1. Material
- 1.1 Letter from Chilliwack (8.3.J.14).
- 1.2 SCBP Report, Section Four, 10.3.II.15 (8.2.j).
2. Observations
- 2.1 These hymns are intended to be used when couples get married.
- 2.2 Chilliwack observes that we have no hymns about marriage in the Book of Praise.
- 2.3 Regarding Augment #14, the SCBP notes that this hymn is not about marriage as a subject, but is in fact a prayer for a blessing on the couple being married, and therefore would not be appropriate for use in the public worship services.
- 2.4 Regarding Augment #15, the SCBP observes that most churches consider that hymns intended for use in wedding ceremonies should not be included in the Book of Praise.
3. Considerations
- 3.1 These hymns are intended specifically for use in the context of a wedding ceremony. The Book of Praise was created as the songbook for the worship services of the churches. Since marriages are virtually never solemnized in the worship services, they need not be included in the Book of Praise.
- 3.2 There is freedom for those who are getting married to choose songs for the wedding ceremony from a variety of sources.
4. Recommendation
That Synod decide to approve the recommendation of the SCBP that Augment Hymn # 14 O Gracious Lord andAugment Hymn # 15 Lord, Today Bless This New Marriage not be included in the Book of Praise.