The Service of Compline

Since October of 2002, the choir of St. Paul’s has sung Compline on the fourth Sunday of every month at eight o'clock in the evening. The transcendent quality of the Gregorian Chant, along with the beauty of St. Paul's Church bathed in candlelight, has made the service an oasis of peace in the lives of those who attend, both Christians and Non-Christians.

The ancient office of Compline derives its name from the Latin word meaning “to complete” (complere). Originally the last of the daily offices celebrated by monastic communities, it eventually found a place in local liturgical settings. Compline consists of psalms, short passages from scripture, a hymn, a canticle (Nunc Dimittis), a litany, collects, and additional prayers, including a Marian hymn.

Compline is offered when the work of the day is finished. Gregorian chant, polyphony of Byrd, Tallis, Victoria, is sung by St. Paul's Choir. There is no sermon. Silence before, during and following this service allows time to pray, reflect, and grow in communion with God, in this candlelit sacred place.

The candles are lit at 7:50pm and the church remains open for a half hour after the service ends (usually around 8:40pm).

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2017 Schedule

Fourth Sundays 8:00 pm

January 22
February 26
March 26
April 23
May 28
June 25
July 23
August 27
September 24
October 22
November 26
​December 24 (TBD)

The Service of Compline

Our Compline service is derived from various sources, including Liber Usualis and the Book of Common Prayer (BCP p.127). It is sung by the choir in English and Latin. References to full texts are to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), the Bible, and the Hymnal 1982.

Officiant:  The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night
and a perfect end.
Choir:  Amen.
Officiant: Brethren, be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil
walketh about like a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour;
whom resist, steadfast in the faith.
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.         I Peter 5:8, 9
Choir:  Thanks be to God.
Officiant:  Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Choir:  The maker of heaven and earth.
Officiant:  O God, make speed to save us.
Choir:  O Lord, make haste to help us.

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.  (Alleluia.)

THE PSALMS
Antiphon:  Have mercy on me, Lord, and hear my prayer.
Psalms:  4, 91, 134    BCP pp.128-131

OFFICE HYMN   
Te Lucis Ante Terminum    Hymn 44

A READING OF SCRIPTURE    Jeremiah 14:9, 22

Responsory
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth;
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.    Ps. 17:8

NUNC DIMITTIS        Luke 2:29;  BCP p.66

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

THE LORD’S PRAYER    BCP p.132-133

COLLECTS
Be present, O merciful God    BCP p.133
Look down, O Lord    BCP p.133
Keep watch, dear Lord    BCP p.134

THE DISMISSAL   
Officiant:  Let us bless the Lord.
Choir:  Thanks be to God.
Officiant:  The almighty and merciful Lord,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us.
Choir:  Amen.

MARIAN HYMN
Advent Sunday through Purification:  Alma Redemptoris Mater
February 3 through Palm Sunday:  Ave Regina Caelorum
Easter Day though Pentecost:  Regina Caeli
Trinity Sunday until Advent:  Salve Regina