New Testament readings?

LexiMS · December 2009

So I am Jewish, FI is Episcopalian. We are getting married by a rabbi and his uncle, who is an episcopal priest. In almost all of my research and multiple "interfaith wedding" books the main New Testament reading they suggest that in non-offensive to jews is corinthians.

However, one of my bridesmaids and FI have a running joke about wedding crashers and the only thing I think about when I hear this reading is that scene from the movie..and I am fairly certain my goofy bridesmaid (who I love!) will start giggling in this reading is part of the wedding.

Any suggestions on short new testament readings that focus on love or charity/peace and do not explicitly say Jesus? We are planning on talking to FI uncle next weekend for suggestions, but wanted to have a few we liked before we talked to him.

kmt_cas · December 2009

Ugh...I hear you on this. FI and I are both catholic and really, really didn't want to use the Corinthians, but that's what we're settling on since we can't find anything else that makes sense with us.

I'm really interested to see if someone else has some ideas that we overlooked.

spuccio · December 2009

Don't settle for a reading that doesn't speak to you. There are so many Scripture readings that are beautiful for a wedding ceremony. Is it mandatory that you contain one from the New Testament? That might open your options a bit. Either way, here are the ones that we used. The first two would be good for you, Lexi, since they don't mention Jesus.

Romans 12: 2, 9-13

{2}Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.{9}Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;{10}love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. {11}Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve God.{12}Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.{13}Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

John 15:9-12

{9} As God has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. {10} If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept God’s commandments and abide in God’s love. {11} I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. {12} This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Colossians 3:12-17

{12} As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. {13} Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as God has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. {14} Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. {15} And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. {17} And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Creator through him.

Ainslie325 · December 2009

Philippians 4:4-9 – The God of peace will be with you.

Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.

Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b – Let marriage be held in honor by all.

Brothers and sisters:
Let mutual love continue.
Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly
entertained angels.
Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.
Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.
Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.

Shazzie116 · December 2009

We are using the first one that Ainslie posted from Philippeans as our 2nd reading. Love it. Our first reading is from Song of Songs:

Song of Songs 2:8-16, 8:6-7

My lover speaks; he says to me,

"Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one, and come!

"O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff,

Let me see you,

let me hear your voice,

For your voice is sweet,

and you are lovely."

My lover belongs to me and I to him.

He says to me:

"Set me as a seal on your heart,

as a seal on your arm;

For stern as death is love,

relentless as the netherworld is devotion;

its flames are a blazing fire.

Deep waters cannot quench love,

nor floods sweep it away."

Ainslie325 · December 2009

(Sings): "Wherever you go, I will go-- wherever you live I'll be with you." (-: I love that whole book.

Shazzie116 · December 2009

That's our meditation song. I love it. Love, love, love.

Play song from iLike.com

lundar · December 2009

Those are all so beautiful. I'm so glad this question was posted. It really helped me out. I can't wait to go read over them with my FI. Happy Holidays everyone!!!

EKobrenski · December 2009

Great thread! Does anyone have ideas for the Gospel reading?

spuccio · December 2009

The passage from John I posted earlier was our Gospel reading.

Shazzie116 · December 2009

Here's ours:

John 15:12-16

Jesus said to his disciples:

"This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one's life for one's friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves,

because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends,

because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you,

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,

so whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you."

EKobrenski · December 2009

Oh, I didn't notice the John! Thanks girls

LexiMS · December 2009

These are super helpful, thanks so much! We are trying to do both a old testament and new testament, I am more familiar with the new testament (for obvious reasons) but I knew you girls would be helpful!

kmt_cas · December 2009

Yes you ladies were super helpful! Thanks

I'll take a look at these!

kmt_cas · December 2009

Ekob - we're doing John 17:20-23 for our gospel reading...

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: ²³I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

(sorry that copied weird) but just another option.

New Testament readings?

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