An Order for Compline

The Officiant begins The God of Love grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.

Officiant Our help is in the Name of God;
People The Source of Life and Love.

The Officiant may then say

Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Officiant and People

Almighty God, Creator of all, you marvellously made us in your image; but we have corrupted ourselves and damaged your likeness by rejecting your love and hurting our neighbors. We have done wrong and neglected to do right. We are sincerely sorry and heartily repent of our sins. Cleanse us and forgive us, we pray; remake us and lead us by your Spirit, the Comforter.
Amen.


Officiant

May the Beloved grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Officiant O God, make speed to save us.
People O God, make haste to help us.


Officiant and People

Glory to God, source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit:*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Except in Lent, add Alleluia.

One or more of the following Psalms are sung or said. Other suitable selections may be substituted.

Psalm 4 Cum invocarem

Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *
you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
“You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?”
Know that God does wonders for the faithful; *
when I call, God will hear me.
Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
Offer the appointed sacrifices, *
and put your trust in the Most High.
Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O God.
You have put gladness in my heart, *
more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
for only you, God, make me dwell in safety.


Psalm 31 In te, Domine, speravi

In you, O God, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your name, lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength
Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me, O God of truth.

Psalm 91 Qui habitat

They who dwell in the shelter of the Most High *
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
They shall say to God, “You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust.”
For God shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter *
and from the deadly pestilence.
God’s pinions shall cover you,
and under God’s wings you will find refuge; *
God’s faithfulness shall be a shield and a
buckler.
You shall not be afraid of any terror by night *
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the plague that stalks in the darkness *
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, *
but it shall not come near you.
Your eyes have only to behold, *
to see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made God your refuge *
and the Most High your habitation,
There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your
dwelling.
For God shall give the angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
Because you are bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver you; *
I will protect you, because you know my Name.
You shall call upon me, and I will answer you; *
I am with you in trouble;
I will rescue you and bring you honor.
With long life will I satisfy you *
and show you my salvation.


Psalm 134 Ecce nunc

Behold now, bless God, all you servants of God, *
you that stand by night in the house of God.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless God; *
God who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.


At the end of the Psalms is sung or said

Glory to God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

One of the following, or some other suitable passage of Scripture, is read

God, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God. Jeremiah 14:9,22

People Thanks be to God.


or this

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

People Thanks be to God.



or the following

May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Savior Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do God’s will, working in you that which is pleasing in God’s sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21

People Thanks be to God.

or this

Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.
1 Peter 5:8-9a

People Thanks be to God.

A hymn suitable for the evening may be sung.

Then follows

V. Into your hands, O God, I commend my spirit;
R. For you have redeemed me, O God of truth.
V. Keep us, O God, as the apple of your eye;
R. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.

God, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
God, have mercy.

Officiant and People

Our Lover who is in all the world
your name and presence are holy.
May your dreams be made real
and your will of peace and justice accomplished in all of your creation.
Give us today your holy meal
and let us see a path to forgiving the trespasses of our brothers and sisters
just as our own trespasses againsy them, and you, our creator,
have been forgiven.
Let us not be lead, lead ourselves or lead others into unhealth,
but deliver us from injustice.
For yours is creation, the presence and the glory.
AMEN
~ Rev Jason Derr

Officiant God, hear our prayer;
People And let our cry come to you.
Officiant Let us pray.

The Officiant then says one of the following Collects

Be our light in the darkness, O God, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your Son, our Brother Jesus Christ. Amen.

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our brother. Amen.

Look down, O God, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our brother. Amen.

Visit this place, O God, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our brother. Amen.
One of the following prayers may be added

Keep watch, O Christ, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

or this

O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil. Amen.

Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.

The service concludes with the Song of Simeon with this Antiphon, which is sung or said by all

Guide us waking, O God, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

In Easter Season, add Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

God, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to God, Source of all being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

All repeat the Antiphon

Guide us waking, O God, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

In Easter Season, add Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Officiant Let us bless Our God.
People Thanks be to God.

The Officiant concludes

The all loving and merciful God,
Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.



compiled and written by:
Rev. Melissa McClellan
Rev. Roger McClellan
Prince of Peace PCA