An Order for Compline
Book of Common Prayer page 127
Prelude
For The Procession: Hymn 24 The day thou gavest
1 The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
the darkness falls at thy behest;
to thee our morning hymns ascended,
thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
2 We thank thee that thy church unsleeping
while earth rolls onward into light,
through all the world her watch is keeping,
and rests not now by day or night.
3 As o’er each continent and island
the dawn leads on another day,
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.
4 So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never,
like earth’s proud empires, pass away:
thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
till all thy creatures own thy sway.
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.
Psalm 4 Cum invocarem
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.
Officiant
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.
Homily The Rt. Rev. Brian R. Seage, Bishop of Mississippi
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates Prayer Book 415
The Bishop says
The Candidate(s) will now be presented.
Presenters I present these persons for Confirmation.
or I present these persons to be received into this Communion.
or I present these persons who desire to reaffirm their baptismal vows.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidate I do.
Bishop
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate
I do, and with God’s grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
The Bishop then says these or similar words
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
Bishop Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Bishop Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Bishop Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Bishop Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
Prayers for the Candidates Prayer Book 305
The Bishop then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
A Person appointed leads the following petitions
Leader Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Bishop
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Confirmation
The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit; empower him for your service; and sustain him all the days of his life. Amen.
For Reception
N., we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
For Reaffirmation
N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop concludes with this prayer
Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace is then exchanged
Bishop The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements
Oblations brought forward (congregation stands)
Offertory The Holy Trinity Prayer
Presentation Hymn 380 (vs. 3) From all that dwell below the skies
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him all creatures here below.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen!
The Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
The Celebrant adds an additional prayer (Proper Preface) followed by
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus S124
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People say together
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant:
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
The Lord’s Prayer Prayer Book 364
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, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread as a period of silence is kept.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
Celebrant:
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Communion of the People
Wherever you are on your journey of faith you are welcome at this table.
For the Communion: So the day dawns for me choir
Post Communion Prayer Prayer Book 365
Celebrant Let us pray.
Celebrant and people
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
For The Retiring Procession:
Hymn 25, The Hymnal 1982
- O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
In you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is he,
And blest are you, his holy Son. - Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God
Who dwells in the eternal light. - Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Son of God, Life-giving Lord;
Wherefore you are through all the earth
And in the highest heaven adored.
Text: Greek, 3rd cent; tr. F. Bland Tucker
Copyright © 1985. The Hymnal 1982. The Church Hymnal Corporation, 800 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
Dismissal
Menu
Tune in at 5:30 each Wednesday for Evening Compline.
PLEASE REFRESH YOUR BROWSER AT SERVICE TIME.
