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….. so those present depart in silence; if at home, they go quietly to bed. The Advent Antiphons are refrains which predate the 8. Century and they were sung in the evening on the seven days preceding Christmas Eve. they are addressed to God, calling for him to come, using a tapestry of scriptural titles and pictures that describe his saving work.
it being Advent – light candles or your wreath…..
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 stillness for reflection on the past day may follow.
Advent being a penitential season we are invited to use the following or other suitable words of penitence
2. A voice cries out in the wilderness ‘make straight the way of the Lord’ so let us listen and turn to the Lord in penitence and faith….
Turn to us again o God our Saviour and let your anger cease from us:
Lord have mercy Lord have mercy
Show us your compassion o Lord and grant us your salvation:
Christ have mercy Christ have mercy
Your salvation is near for those that fear you, that glory may dwell in our land:
Lord have mercy Lord have mercy
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 Word of God
1 The Lord, the most mighty God, has spoken ♦
and called the world from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth; ♦
our God comes and will not keep silence.
3 Consuming fire goes out before him ♦
and a mighty tempest stirs about him.
4 He calls the heaven above, ♦
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 ‘Gather to me my faithful, ♦
who have sealed my covenant with sacrifice.’
6 Let the heavens declare his righteousness, ♦
for God himself is judge.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak: ♦
‘I will testify against you, O Israel;
for I am God, your God.
8 ‘I will not reprove you for your sacrifices, ♦
for your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 ‘I will take no bull out of your house, ♦
nor he-goat out of your folds,
10 ‘For all the beasts of the forest are mine, ♦
the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 ‘I know every bird of the mountains ♦
and the insect of the field is mine.
12 ‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you, ♦
for the whole world is mine and all that fills it.
13 ‘Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, ♦
or drink the blood of goats?
14 ‘Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving ♦
and fulfil your vows to God Most High.
15 ‘Call upon me in the day of trouble; ♦
I will deliver you and you shall honour me.’
16 But to the wicked, says God: ♦
‘Why do you recite my statutes
and take my covenant upon your lips,
17 ‘Since you refuse to be disciplined ♦
and have cast my words behind you?
18 ‘When you saw a thief, you made friends with him ♦
and you threw in your lot with adulterers.
19 ‘You have loosed your lips for evil ♦
and harnessed your tongue to deceit.
20 ‘You sit and speak evil of your brother; ♦
you slander your own mother’s son.
21 ‘These things have you done, and should I keep silence? ♦
Did you think that I am even such a one as yourself?
22 ‘But no, I must reprove you, ♦
and set before your eyes the things that you have done.
23 ‘You that forget God, consider this well, ♦
lest I tear you apart and there is none to deliver you.
24 ‘Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honours me ♦
and to those who keep my way
will I show the salvation of God.’
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
Keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.
Mark 13.35-end
A period of stillness 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 Lord God 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)
Come, o Lord, and visit us in peace;
that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart.
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.
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.
Come, o Lord, and visit us in peace;
that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here
Watchful at all times, let us pray for strength to stand with confidence before our Maker and Redeemer.
That God may bring in his kingdom with justice and mercy,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That God may establish among the nations his sceptre of righteousness,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That God may bind up the broken hearted and restore the sick and raise up all who have fallen,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That the light of God’s coming may dawn on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death,
let us pray to the Lord…..
That with all the saints in light we may shine forth as lights for the world,
let us pray to the Lord….. Lord have mercy.
One or more of the following Collects is said One or more of the following Collects is said
Stillness may be kept
Collect(s) for Advent:
Stir up your power, o God, and come among us.
Heal our wounds, calm our fears and give us peace;
through Jesus our Redeemer.
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.
Amen.
Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her,
our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer may be said.
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.
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 and the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
A moment of stillness may follow
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.
Restore us again, O God of hosts;
show us the light of your countenance and we shall be saved.
Bless and keep us, this night and always.
Amen.
the people blow out their candles and log off in silence…….
© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005 © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005
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