The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. It is most effective when the ending is indeed an ending, without additions, conversation or noise. If there is an address, or business to be done, it should come first. If the service is in church, those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed.
Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.
The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used
Creator of all,
we praise you for the gift of life
and for the faith that unites us in care for our common home.
We confess how estranged we have become—
from one another, from your Creation, and from our truest selves.
We acknowledge that our greed and destructive impulses
have fractured our relationships with you, with others, and with the Earth.
Fertile fields have become barren,
forests lie desolate,
oceans and rivers are polluted.
Thriving communities have become places of suffering,
and the earth cries out.
Sometimes the words of penitence may be omitted and the service may begin here
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia !
The following or another suitable hymn may be sung
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.
The Word of God
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. ♦
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
21 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons ♦
and the sun knows the time for its setting.
22 You make darkness that it may be night, ♦
in which all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
23 The lions roar for their prey ♦
and seek their food from God.
24 The sun rises and they are gone ♦
to lay themselves down in their dens.
25 People go forth to their work ♦
and to their labour until the evening.
26 O Lord, how manifold are your works! ♦
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
27 There is the sea, spread far and wide, ♦
and there move creatures beyond number, both small and great.
28 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan ♦
which you have made to play in the deep.
29 All of these look to you ♦
to give them their food in due season.
30 When you give it them, they gather it; ♦
you open your hand and they are filled with good.
31 When you hide your face they are troubled; ♦
when you take away their breath,
they die and return again to the dust.
32 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, ♦
and you renew the face of the earth.
33 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; ♦
may the Lord rejoice in his works
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by your name;
leave us not, O Lord our God.
Jeremiah 14.9
A period of silence for reflection on the reading may follow
Into your hands O Lord I commend my spirit.
Into your hands O Lord I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me O Lord of truth.
I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands O Lord I commend my spirit.
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon)
Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: ♦
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations ♦
and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2.29-32
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.
Save us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep may rest in peace.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.
A suggested focus from 1st September – 4th October is the Season of Creation
Silence may be kept
Let us commend ourselves and all for whom we pray
to the mercy and protection of God.
One or more of the following Collects is said
Beloved Christ,
who spoke “Shalom” to frightened hearts,
stir us to compassionate action.
Inspire us to work for the end of conflict,
and for the full restoration of broken relationships—
with you, with the ecumenical community,
with the human family,
and with all Creation.
Prince of Peace,
through your wounds, teach us to stand in solidarity
with the woundedness of others,
of creation, and of the world.
Through your resurrection,
make us people of hope—
with a vision of swords turned into ploughshares
and tears transformed into joy.
May we come together as one family,
to labor for your peace—
a shalom where all your people
may dwell in safety,
and rest in quiet places.
Amen.
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray,
and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace,
and may your blessing be always upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lighten our darkness Lord we pray
and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night,
for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father,who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
A moment of silence may follow
The Conclusion
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you, O Christ.
The Lord bless us and watch over us
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us
the Lord look kindly upon us and grant us his peace.
Amen.
the people blow out their candles and log off in silence…….
© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005
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