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
Verses from Psalm 31
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; ♦
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; ♦
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me,
for you are my rock and my stronghold; ♦
guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake.
4 Take me out of the net
that they have laid secretly for me, ♦
for you are my strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, ♦
for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
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
The one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations.
Matthew 24. 13,14a
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)
O King most blessed, on the day of judgement number us among your chosen.
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.
O King most blessed, on the day of judgement number us among your chosen.
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
Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne o heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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.
Merciful God
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you in all things and above all things
may obtain your promises
which exceed all that we can desire.
Amen.
Be present o merciful God
and protect us through the silent hours of this night
so that we who are wearied by the changes
and chances of this fleeting world
may rest upon your eternal changelessness;
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 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 light of Christ the King of all shine ever brighter in our hearts
that with all the saints in light we may shine forth as lights in the world.
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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