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
Holy God
holy and strong
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.
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.
Epiphany Doxology
Your glory, Christ, is manifest:
All peoples, Lord, by you are blest;
Whom with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore. Amen.
The Word of God
Psalm 16
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge; ♦
I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,
all my good depends on you.’
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, ♦
upon those who are noble in heart.
3 Though the idols are legion that many run after, ♦
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
4 The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; ♦
in your hands alone is my fortune.
5 My share has fallen in a fair land; ♦
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
6 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, ♦
and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
7 I have set the Lord always before me; ♦
he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8 Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; ♦
my flesh also shall rest secure.
9 For you will not abandon my soul to Death, ♦
nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
10 You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is the fullness of joy ♦
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
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 grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.
Titus 2.11
A period of silence for reflection on the reading may follow
Into your hands o Lord I commend my spirit. Alleluia Alleluia !
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 ! Christ the light of the world, Alleluia !
has manifest his glory. 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 ! Christ the light of the world, Alleluia !
has manifest his glory. 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
King of kings and Lord of lords
making the true light to shine;
lighten our darkness now and evermore
that with our lips and in our lives we may praise you;
for you are 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.
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 living waters of Christ cleanse us
may the Spirit descend upon us
and the blessing of God be with 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
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