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
Most merciful God, we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins, heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
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
Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; ♦
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You mark out my journeys and my resting place ♦
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 For there is not a word on my tongue, ♦
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4 You encompass me behind and before ♦
and lay your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, ♦
so high that I cannot attain it. [R]
6 Where can I go then from your spirit? ♦
Or where can I flee from your presence?
7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; ♦
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning ♦
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9 Even there your hand shall lead me, ♦
your right hand hold me fast.
10 If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me ♦
and the light around me turn to night,’
11 Even darkness is no darkness with you;
the night is as clear as the day; ♦
darkness and light to you are both alike.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; ♦
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13 I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; ♦
marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.
14 My frame was not hidden from you, ♦
when I was made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; ♦
already in your book were all my members written,
16 As day by day they were fashioned ♦
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How deep are your counsels to me, O God! ♦
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I count them, they are more in number than the sand, ♦
and at the end, I am still in your presence.
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
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5.6,7
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.
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
Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All 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 as our Redeemer 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.
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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