The Office of

Virtual Compline

According to the Use of Brent House, the Episcopal Campus Ministry at the University of Chicago

November 18, 2020

8:00 pm Central

(or, see other services)

Feast of St. Hilda of Whitby (c. 614–680)

Leaders: here’s the music for today’s reading and the collects.

How this service works

One complication of holding services over the internet is that congregational responses don’t really work. Instead, we’ll take turns being the “designated all” for different parts of the service: everyone else can follow along with their microphones muted. Since the office liturgies don’t require an ordained minister, we’ll also take turns as leader.

Please volunteer to take a part! We welcome anyone who’d like to participate, and we can teach you what to do: just get in touch with Philip if you’re interested.

There are more details about today’s service at the end.

A young St. Hilda stands by the seashore, centered in a group of children and elderly people.

James Clark (1858–1943), Saint Hilda at Hartlepool, 1925, oil on canvass, 126×100 cm, Hartlepool Museums and Heritage Service (HAPMG 1927.18)

Penitential Rite

Luke will serve as “all.”

- - The Lord Almighty grant us a peace ful night and a per fect end. Officiant - - A men. Our help is in the name of the Lord, All Officiant The maker of heaven and earth. All

Officiant:

Friends, it is in vain that we rise up so early, and go so late to rest, and eat the bread of anxiety: for God gives sleep to his beloved.

Dear God,
thank you for all that is good,
for our creation and for our humanity,
for the stewardship you have given us of this planet Earth,
for the gifts of life and of one another,
for your love, which is unbounded and eternal.

Let us come to God as one from whom no secrets are hidden, to ask for forgiveness and peace.

A moment of silence is kept.

May the God of Love have mercy on us, pardon us, and set us free. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. May God strengthen us in all goodness and keep us in life eternal.

All:

Amen

Opening Sentences

Philip will serve as “all.”

- - Turn us, O God our sav ior, And in thy love re store us. Officiant All O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant All - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spi rit, Officiant - As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. A men. All - - - A le lu ia.

Those designated sing the Compline hymn:

Te Lucis ante Terminum
(Sarum Rite Plainchant, Festal Tone)

Philip will sing verse 1, Stacy will sing verse 2, and Luke will sing verse 3.

Before the end of the light,
we beg you, creator of all,
that you, with familiar mercy,
might be the leader of our care.

Let troubled dreams withdraw to the distance.
Silence our enemy
and all deceptions of the night,
that our bodies may rest secure.

Be present, omnipotent father,
through the Lord, Jesus Christ,
who with you forever
reigns with the Holy Spirit.

Psalmody

The psalms are sung antiphonally. You are invited to join either the “leader” or the “responder” part (with your microphone muted).

Luke will sing the opening antiphon.

Antiphon: Have mercy on me, Lord, and hear my prayer.

- - - - - - - - Mi se re mi hi, mi ne, - - - - - - - - et ex áu di o ra ti ó nem me am.

Psalm 4 (Coverdale)

Luke will serve as leader and Philip will serve as responder.

incipit ◊ flex Leader Responder

Leader:

Hear me when I call, O God of my right-eousness *

Responder:

thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy upon me, and hearken un-to my prayer.

Leader:

O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine hon-our *

Responder:

and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek af-ter leas-ing?

Leader:

Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is god-ly *

Responder:

when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

Leader:

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still  *

Responder:

Offer the sacrifice of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord.

Leader:

There be many that say,  *

Responder:

“Who will shew us an-y good?”

Leader:

Lord, lift thou up  *

Responder:

the light of thy counte-nance up-on us.

Leader:

Thou hast put gladness in my heart  *

Responder:

since the time that their corn, and wine, and oil increased.

Leader:

I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest  *

Responder:

for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safe-ty.

Leader:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,  *

Responder:

and to the Ho-ly Ghost,

Leader:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, *

Responder:

world with-out end. A-men.

Psalm 45:1–10a, 11a, 12–15, 17 (NZPB)

Stacy will serve as leader and Philip will serve as responder.

incipit ◊ flex Leader Responder

Leader:

My     heart overflows with a noble theme I utter the song I have made for a king,  *

Responder:

my tongue is like the pen of a rea-dy wri-ter.

Leader:

You are the fairest of men, grace is upon your lips  *

Responder:

therefore God has blessed you for-ever.

Leader:

Gird your sword upon your thigh O might-y one *

Responder:

in splendour and in sta-(a)te.

Leader:

In your majesty ride on to con--quer, in the cause of truth and jus-tice *

Responder:

and let your right hand teach by its awe-some deeds.

Leader:

Your arrows will be very sharp, in the heart of the king’s en-emies *

Responder:

and the nations shall fall at your feet.

Leader:

Your throne is as God’s throne, it endures for ev-er *

Responder:

your royal sceptre is a scep-tre of right-eousness.

Leader:

You are a lover of right and a hater of wrong  *

Responder:

therefore God your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness a-bove oth-er kings.

Leader:

All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cas-si-a *

Responder:

music of strings from ivory pa-la-ces makes you glad.

Leader:

Kings’ daughters are among your ladies of hon-our *

Responder:

on your right hand is the queen in gold of O-phir.

Leader:

Listen my daughter, hear and ponder my words  *

Responder:

The king desi-res your beau-ty:

Leader:

The people of Tyre will come with their gifts  *

Responder:

the richest in the land will court your fa-vour.

Leader:

The bride is a king’s daugh--ter, in the palace all honour a-waits her *

Responder:

her clothes are embroi-dered with go-(o)ld.

Leader:

In robes of many colours she is brought to you, O king *

Responder:

her maiden companions with her to bring her in-to your pres-ence.

Leader:

With joy and gladness they bring her *

Responder:

they enter the roy-al pa-lace.

Leader:

And I will cause your name to be remembered from one generation to an-oth-er *

Responder:

therefore the peoples shall praise you for e-ver.

Leader:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, *

Responder:

and to the Ho-ly Spir-it,

Leader:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, *

Responder:

world with-out end. A-men.

Philip will sing the ending antiphon.

Antiphon: Have mercy on me, Lord, and hear my prayer.

- - - - - - - - Mi se re mi hi, mi ne, - - - - - - - - et ex áu di o ra ti ó nem me am.

Short Reading

Luke will serve as leader and Philip will serve as “all.”

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Leader All

The leader chants the reading:

The Venerable Bede,
Ecclesiastical History of England (trans. Sellar, adapted),
book 4, chapter 23 (details)

The life of Hilda, abbess of Whitby, falls into two equal parts, for the first thirty-three years of it she spent living most nobly in the secular habit; and still more nobly dedicated the remaining half to the Lord in the monastic life. For she was nobly born, being the great-niece of King Edwin, and with that king she also received the faith and mysteries of Christ, at the preaching of Paulinus, of blessed memory, the first bishop of the Northumbrians, and preserved the same undefiled till she attained to the vision of our Lord in Heaven.

When she had resolved to quit the secular habit, and to serve Him alone, she undertook either to build or to set in order a monastery in the place called Whitby; and taught there the strict observance of justice, piety, chastity, and other virtues, and particularly of peace and charity; so that, after the example of the primitive Church, no one there was rich, and none poor, for they had all things common, and none had any private property. Her prudence was so great, that not only meaner men in their need, but sometimes even kings and princes, sought and received her counsel …

Thus this handmaid of Christ, the Abbess Hilda, whom all that knew her called Mother, for her singular piety and grace, was not only an example of good life, to those that lived in her monastery, but afforded occasion of amendment and salvation to many who lived at a distance, to whom the blessed fame was brought of her industry and virtue.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Leader All

Responsories

Luke will serve as leader and Philip will serve as “all.”

- - - In to your hands, O Lord, I com mend my spi rit: Leader All - For you have re deemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. Leader - - - In to your hands, O Lord, I com mend my spi rit. All Keep us, Lord, as the apple of your eye; Leader Guard us in the shadow of your wings. All

All sing an aleatoric responsory:

Epitaph
Text by Sarah Williams; music by F.J. Haydn (details)

  1. Luke sings the melody once, ending on “oo.”
  2. All join in the unison “oo” while Philip repeats the melody, ending on “oo.”
  3. Everyone sings the melody, starting at different times and moving at different speeds, ending by returning to “oo.”
  4. Once everyone is singing “oo,” gradually fade into silence.
- Though = c. 60 my soul may set in dark ness, - it will rise in per fect light: I have loved the stars too - - - fond ly to be fear ful of the night. Fear ful of the night. (oo)

Prayers

Luke will serve as leader and Stacy will serve as “all.”

- - - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Lord, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Christ, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - - - Christ, have mer cy up on us, Christ, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Lord, have mer cy up on us, Leader All - - Lord, have mer cy up on us, Leader

The leader begins the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father, Leader

All continue silently until “and lead us not …”:

… 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 then conclude:

- - And lead us not into tempta tion, But deliver us from e vil. Leader All In peace, in perfect peace, I will lie down and sleep. Leader All - Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spi rit. Leader - - Let us praise and highly exault him forev er. All - Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of hea ven, Leader - And worthy of praise, and glorious, and highly exalted forev er. All May the almighty and merciful Lord preserve us Leader - - and give us his bles sing. A men. All

A moment of silence is kept.

O God, we trust that you will turn and make us live, Leader - And your people will rejoice in you. Show us, O Lord, your mer cy, All Leader - And grant us your salva tion. Lord, grant us grace this night; All Leader - Guard us against all fail ings. Have mercy upon us, Lord. All Leader - Have mercy on us. Let your mercy, Lord, be o ver us, All Leader Just as we have hoped in you. Lord God of virtue, turn us, All Leader And show us your face, and we shall be safe. Lord, hear our prayer, All Leader And let our cry come to you. The Lord be with you. All Leader And also with you. All

The leader begins the collects:

Philip will serve as leader and Stacy will serve as “all.”

Leader:

Let us pray:

Leader:

O God of peace,
by whose grace the abbess Hilda
was endowed with gifts of justice, prudence, and strength
to rule as a wise mother
over the nuns and monks of her household
and to become a trusted and reconciling friend
to leaders of the Church:
Raise up these gifts in us,
that we, following her example and prayers,
may build up one another in love
to the benefit of your Church;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

All:

- A men.

Leader:

O most mighty and merciful God,
in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour.
Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril;
give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick;
prosper the means made use of for their cure;
and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is,
we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom
which leadeth to eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All:

- A men.

Leader:

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.

All:

- A men.

Leader:

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord,
and by thy great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
through Jesus Christ our savior,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.

All:

- A men.

After the collects, we will keep a moment of silence to call to mind our concerns, reflections, intentions, and reasons for thankfulness. Those who wish to share them aloud will be invited to do so.

Those designated sing:

Cædmon’s Hymn (c. AD 670)
Text edited by Daniel Paul O’Donnell
Translation by Miller Oberman
(details)

Luke will sing part A; Philip will sing part B.

Old English

Nu scylun herganhefaenricaes uard,
metudæs maecti,end his modgidanc,
uerc uuldurfadur—sue he uundra gihuaes,
eci dryctin,or astelidæ!

He aerist scopeordu barnum
heben til hrofe,haleg sceppend;
tha middungeard,moncynnæs uard,
eci dryctin,æfter tiadæ
firum foldu,frea allmectig.

Translation

Now we will honor the heaven-kingdom’s keeper,
the measurer’s might, and his mind thoughts,
the work of the wonder father, as he wrought,
boundless lord, the beginning of every beauty.

The first poet made, for the souls of soil,
heaven for a roof, holy maker.
After that, mankind’s keeper made
middle-earth, master almighty,
eternal lord, earth, for everyone.

Canticle

The canticle is sung antiphonally. You are invited to join either the “leader” or the “responder” part (with your microphone muted).

Philip will serve as leader and Stacy will serve as responder.

- - Guide us wak ing, O Lord, and guard us sleep ing, Leader - that a wake we may watch with Christ, - and a sleep we may rest in peace.

Nunc Dimittis: Luke 2:29–32

incipit Leader Responder

Leader:

Lord, you     now have set your ser-vant     free *

Responder:

to go in peace as you have pro-mised,    

Leader:

For with     my eyes I have     seen *

Responder:

your sal-va-tion,    

Leader:

which you have pre-pared *

Responder:

before the sight of all peo-ple:    

Leader:

A light     to shine through all na    -tions *

Responder:

and the glory of your peo-ple,Isra-el.    

Leader:

Glo    -ry be to the Fa-ther, and to the     Son, *

Responder:

and to the Ho-ly Spi-rit,    

Leader:

As it     was in the be-gin-ning, is     now, *

Responder:

and will be fore-ver. A-men.    

- - Guide us wak ing, O Lord, and guard us sleep ing, Responder - that a wake we may watch with Christ, - and a sleep we may rest in peace.

Benediction

Luke will serve as “all.”

Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. Officiant All - - - The almighty and mer ci ful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spi rit, Officiant - bless us and keep us. A men. All

Those designated sing the Marian antiphon:

Salve, Regina
(Gregorian Chant, Simple Tone)

Philip will sing part A; Luke will sing part B.

Hail, Queen, mother of mercy;
Our light, our sweetness, and our hope, hail!
We cry out to you, we exiles, children of Eve.
We sigh for you, groaning and weeping, in this valley of tears.
Ah! Therefore, our advocate, those merciful eyes of yours—turn them to us.
And Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb—after this exile, point him out to us.

O gentle, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

It is traditional to end Compline with a few moments for silent reflection.