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.
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.
Lent Doxology
Grant, ever blessèd Trinity
And ever perfect Unity
That this, our fast of forty days,
May work our profit and your praise. Amen.
The Word of God
Some verses from the Penitential Psalms (6/ 32/ 38/ 51/ 102/ 130/ 143)
1 Out of the depths have I cried to you, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice; ♦
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2 If you, Lord, were to mark what is done amiss, ♦
O Lord, who could stand?
3 But there is forgiveness with you, ♦
so that you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; ♦
in his word is my hope.
5 My soul waits for the Lord,
more than the night watch for the morning, ♦
more than the night watch for the morning. [R]
6 O Israel, wait for the Lord, ♦
for with the Lord there is mercy;
7 With him is plenteous redemption ♦
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins
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
When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith towards the Lord Jesus.
Philemon 4
Waymark
Do not forgive too easily or too soon. Certainly let the hurt be warmed into compassion not frozen into bitterness, but you may need to wait for a sign of repentance if reconciliation is to be real.
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 Lord God 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)
Inspire me while waking
restore me while sleeping
that awake in the night i may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in your 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.
Inspire me while waking
restore me while sleeping
that awake in the night i may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in your 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
Almighty God
may we, by the prayer and discipline of Lent
enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings;
that by following in the Way we may come to share in the glory.
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 this day, let us pray
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.
A moment of silence is kept
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 God bless us
that in us may be found love and humility,
obedience and thanksgiving,
discipline and gentleness and 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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