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 104
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. ♦
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
2 You are clothed with majesty and honour, ♦
wrapped in light as in a garment.
3 You spread out the heavens like a curtain ♦
and lay the beams of your dwelling place in the waters above.
4 You make the clouds your chariot ♦
and ride on the wings of the wind.
5 You make the winds your messengers ♦
and flames of fire your servants.
6 You laid the foundations of the earth, ♦
that it never should move at any time.
7 You covered it with the deep like a garment; ♦
the waters stood high above the hills.
8 At your rebuke they fled; ♦
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
9 They rose up to the hills and flowed down to the valleys beneath, ♦
to the place which you had appointed for them.
10 You have set them their bounds that they should not pass, ♦
nor turn again to cover the earth.
11 You send the springs into the brooks, ♦
which run among the hills.
12 They give drink to every beast of the field, ♦
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
13 Beside them the birds of the air make their nests ♦
and sing among the branches.
14 You water the hills from your dwelling on high; ♦
the earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
15 You make grass to grow for the cattle ♦
and plants to meet our needs,
16 Bringing forth food from the earth ♦
and wine to gladden our hearts,
17 Oil to give us a cheerful countenance ♦
and bread to strengthen our hearts.
18 The trees of the Lord are full of sap, ♦
the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,
19 In which the birds build their nests, ♦
while the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork.
20 The mountains are a refuge for the wild goats ♦
and the stony cliffs for the conies.
21 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, ♦
and the sun knows the time for its setting.
22 You make darkness that it may be night, ♦
in which all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
23 The lions roar for their prey ♦
and seek their food from God.
24 The sun rises and they are gone ♦
to lay themselves down in their dens.
25 People go forth to their work ♦
and to their labour until the evening.
26 O Lord, how manifold are your works! ♦
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
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
Jesus asked them “But who do you say that I am ?”.
Mark8:29
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
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.
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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