Thursday Compline (Easter 3)

An Order for Compline

The Officiant begins

The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect
end. Amen.

Officiant	Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
People	The maker of heaven and earth.

The Officiant may then say

Let us confess our sins to God.

Officiant and People

Almighty God, our heavenly Father:
We have sinned against you,
through our own fault,
in thought, and word, and deed,
and in what we have left undone.
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
forgive us all our offenses;
and grant that we may serve you
in newness of life,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Officiant

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

The Officiant then says

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

Officiant and People

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as
it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Except in Lent, add    Alleluia.

     Psalm 4

1    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.

2    "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *
         how long will you worship dumb idols
         and run after false gods?"

3    Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; *
         when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.

4    Tremble, then, and do not sin; *
         speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.

5    Offer the appointed sacrifices *
         and put your trust in the LORD.

6    Many are saying,
         "Oh, that we might see better times!" *
         Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.

7    You have put gladness in my heart, *
         more than when grain and wine and oil increase.

8    I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; *
         for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety. 

At the end of the Psalms is sung or said

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.  Alleluia

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.

Then follows

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

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Officiant and People

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.

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

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

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; 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.

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

Guide us waking, O Lord, 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.

Lord, 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 the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

All repeat the Antiphon

Guide us waking, O Lord, 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 the Lord.
People	Thanks be to God.

The Officiant concludes

The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless us and keep us. Amen.