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 and 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.
Pentecost Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son
And God the Spirit praise be done:
May Christ the Lord upon us pour
The Spirit’s gift for evermore. Amen.
The Word of God
Verses from Psalm 86
1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, ♦
for I am poor and in misery.
2 Preserve my soul, for I am faithful; ♦
save your servant, for I put my trust in you.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; ♦
I call upon you all the day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, ♦
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, Lord, are good and forgiving, ♦
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer ♦
and listen to the voice of my supplication.
7 In the day of my distress I will call upon you, ♦
for you will answer me.
9 All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord, ♦
and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wonderful things; ♦
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; ♦
knit my heart to you, that I may fear your name.
12 I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, ♦
and glorify your name for evermore;
15 You, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, ♦
slow to anger and full of kindness and truth.
16 Turn to me and have mercy upon me; ♦
give your strength to your servant.
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
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. The old shall dream dreams and the young see visions.
Joel2.28
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. Alleluia ! Alleluia !
For you have redeemed me o Lord of truth.
Alleluia ! Alleluia !
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands o Lord I commend my spirit. Alleluia ! Alleluia !
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon)
Alleluia ! The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, Alleluia !
shall teach you all things. Alleluia ! Alleluia !
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.
Alleluia ! The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, Alleluia !
shall teach you all things. Alleluia ! Alleluia !
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
Come, o Spirit of God
and make within us your dwelling place and your home.
May our darkness be dispelled by your light and our troubles calmed by your peace;
may all evil be redeemed by your love
all pain transformed through the suffering of Christ
and all dying glorified in his risen life.
Amen.
Keep watch dear Lord
with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend the sick, give rest to the weary,
sustain the dying, calm the suffering,
have compassion on the distressed;
in your love.
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.
May the Holy Spirit of God bless and sanctify us
so that we may be consecrated in the truth.
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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