Compline at the start of an event

Officiant: The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen. Our help is in the Name of the Lord;

People:  The maker of heaven and earth.


Officiant: Let us confess our sins to God.

ALL: 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.

Officiant:  O God, make speed to save us.

People:  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 will be forever. Amen.

Except in Lent, add Alleluia.

A Psalm selection is read

  • We will read Psalm 133 together.

    1 It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace.

    2 It is as beautiful as olive oil poured on Aaron's head

    and running down his beard and the collar of his robe.

    3 It is like the dew from Mount Hermon, falling on Zion's mountains,

    where the Lord has promised to bless his people with life forevermore.

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

A lesson is read

  • The Gospel According to Matthew:

    When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the side of a mountain and sat down.

    Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them:

    3 God blesses those people who depend only on him.

    They belong to the kingdom of heaven!

    4 God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!

    5 God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!

    6 God blesses those people who want to obey him more than to eat or drink.

    They will be given what they want!

    7 God blesses those people who are merciful.

    They will be treated with mercy!

    8 God blesses those people whose hearts are pure.

    They will see him!

    9 God blesses those people who make peace.

    They will be called his children!

    10 God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right.

    They belong to the kingdom of heaven.

    11 God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.

    12 Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.

All: Thanks be to God.

A hymn suitable for the evening may be sung and/or a reflection may sometimes be inserted

Officiant: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;

People: For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.

Officiant: Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;

People: Hide us under the shadow of your wings.

Officiant: Lord, have mercy.

People:  Christ, have mercy.

Officiant: Lord, have mercy.

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.

Officiant: Lord, hear our prayer;

People: And let our cry come to you.

Officiant: Let us pray.

Officiant:  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.

Officiant: 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.

Officiant:  I Invite your intercessions and thanksgivings spoken aloud or prayed silently. (silent pause)

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

ALL: 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 forever. Amen.

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

Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Officiant: The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.