Compline

Order of Service for Compline
Holy Week 2021

An Introduction to Compline
The ancient office of Compline derives its name froma Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). Itis above all a service of quietness and reflection beforerest at the end of the day. It is most effective whenthe ending is indeed an ending, without additions,conversation or noise.This service may be said either as an individual, or in ahousehold, but is intended to be used alongside thelive-streaming of compline, Monday-Wednesday 8pmduring Holy Week at: www.facebook.com/stgregorychurchsudbury

If you are joining in online, during the psalm and themcanticle, please join with me in saying the even numbered verses, taking a short pause at the red diamond. Everywhere else, please respond in where it
says ‘All’.

 

Preparation
+ The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a
perfect end.
All  Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
All  who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence for reflection on the past day may
follow.
The following words of penitence are said

All  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.

+ O God, make speed to save us.
All  O Lord, make haste to help us.
All  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.

Liturgy of the word
Psalmody
Psalm 139.1-18
1 O Lord, you have searched me out and known
me; ♦
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You mark out my journeys and my resting
place ♦
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 For there is not a word on my tongue, ♦
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4 You encompass me behind and before ♦
and lay your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, ♦
so high that I cannot attain it.
6 Where can I go then from your spirit? ♦
Or where can I flee from your presence?
7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; ♦
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning ♦
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9 Even there your hand shall lead me, ♦
your right hand hold me fast.
10 If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me ♦
and the light around me turn to night,’11 Even darkness is no darkness with you;
the night is as clear as the day; ♦
darkness and light to you are both alike.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; ♦
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13 I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made; ♦
marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.
14 My frame was not hidden from you, ♦
when I was made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; ♦
already in your book were all my members
written,
16 As day by day they were fashioned ♦
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How deep are your counsels to me, O God! ♦
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I count them, they are more in number than the
sand, ♦
and at the end, I am still in your presence.
All  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 - Each reading is ended with the words  This is the word of the Lord.
Monday
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow.
Lamentations 1.12
Tuesday
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,
it remains just a single grain;
but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12.24
Wednesday
May I never boast of anything except the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6.14

All  Thanks be to God

The following responsory is said
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
All  Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
All  I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
All  Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
All  Hide me under the shadow of your wings.Gospel Canticle

The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is said
All Christ himself bore our sins in his body on thetree, that we might die to sin and live in righteousness.

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
All   Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is nowand shall be for ever. Amen.
All  Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live in righteousness.

Prayers
Your own intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.

Collects
Almighty God,
as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son,
help us to see and know your love for us,
so that in humility, love and joy
we may place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All Amen.

Visit this place, O Lord we pray,
and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in
peace,and may your blessing be always upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.

Watch, dear Lord,
with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend your sick ones, rest your weary ones; bless your
dying ones, soothe your suffering ones; shield your
joyous ones, all for your love’s sake.
All Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
All 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;
All for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
All for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
All 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,
gentleness and peace.
All Amen