The Office of

Virtual Compline

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

February 17, 2021

8:00 pm Central

(or, see other services)

Ash Wednesday

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.

Philip will substitute for Stacy as officiant today.

Penitential Rite

Tim 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.

Officiant:

We have wounded your love.

All:

O God, heal us.

Officiant:

We stumble in the darkness.

All:

Light of the world, transfigure us.

Officiant:

We forget that we are your home.

All:

Spirit of God, dwell in us.

Officiant:

Eternal Spirit, living God,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
all that we are, have been, and shall be is known to you,
to the very secret of our hearts
and all that rises to trouble us.

Living flame, burn into us,
cleansing wind, blow through us,
fountain of water, well up within us,
that we may love and praise in deed and in truth.

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

All:

Amen

Opening Sentences

Luke 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

Those designated sing the Compline hymn:

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

Philip will sing verses 1 and 3; Luke will sing verse 2.

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 130 (Coverdale)

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

incipit ◊ flex Leader Responder

Leader:

Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord  *

Responder:

Lord, hear     my voice.

Leader:

O let thine ears con-sid-er well *

Responder:

the voice of my com-plaint.

Leader:

If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done a-miss,  *

Responder:

O Lord, who may a-bide it?

Leader:

For there is mercy with thee,  *

Responder:

therefore shalt thou be feared.

Leader:

I look for the Lord;
my soul doth wait for him; *

Responder:

in his word is my trust.

Leader:

My soul fleeth unto the Lord  *

Responder:

before the morning watch, I say, be-fore the morn-ing watch.

Leader:

O Israel, trust in the Lord,
for with the Lord there is mer-cy, *

Responder:

and with him is plen-teous re-demp-tion.

Leader:

And he shall redeem Is-rael *

Responder:

from all     his sins.

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 143 (NZPB)

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

incipit ◊ flex Leader Responder

Leader:

Hear my prayer O Lord:
in your faithfulness give heed to my plead-ing, *

Responder:

and answer me in your right-eousness.

Leader:

Do not put your servant on tri-al: *

Responder:

for in your sight no one li-ving is in-nocent.

Leader:

For my enemies have hunted me down,
and beaten me to the ground:  *

Responder:

they have made me inhabit darkness, like those who have long     been dead.

Leader:

Therefore my spirit faints with-in me: *

Responder:

and my heart is numb with grief.

Leader:

Yet I remember times past,
I think about all you have done:  *

Responder:

I meditate on the works of your hands.

Leader:

I stretch out my hands to you: *

Responder:

I thirst for you as a parched land thirsts for rain.

Leader:

Make haste to answer me Lord, for my spirit is fail--ing:
do not hide your face from me, *

Responder:

or I shall be like those who go down to the dead.

Leader:

Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morn-ing: *

Responder:

for in you I have put     my trust.

Leader:

Show me the way I should walk in: *

Responder:

for to you I lift up my soul.

Leader:

Deliver me Lord from my en-emies: *

Responder:

for I have fled to you for ref-uge.

Leader:

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God:  *

Responder:

let your good spirit lead me on an ev-en path.

Leader:

Keep me safe O Lord for your name’s sake: *

Responder:

and for your righteousness’ sake bring me out of trou-ble.

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.

Psalm 67 (Coverdale)

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

incipit ◊ flex Leader Responder

Leader:

God be merciful unto us, and bless us *

Responder:

and shew us the light of his countenance, and be merci-ful un-to us;

Leader:

That thy way may be known upon earth  *

Responder:

thy saving health a-mong all na-tions.

Leader:

Let the people praise thee, O God  *

Responder:

yea, let all the peo-ple praise thee.

Leader:

O let the nations rejoice and be glad *

Responder:

for thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the na-tions up-on earth.

Leader:

Let the people praise thee, O God  *

Responder:

let all the peo-ple praise thee.

Leader:

Then shall the earth bring forth her in-crease *

Responder:

and God, even our own God, shall give us his bles-sing.

Leader:

God shall bless us *

Responder:

and all the ends of the world shall fear him.

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.

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

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

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

The leader chants the reading:

Mark 12:28–31 (NRSV)

One of the scribes asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the first of all?”

Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

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

Responsories

Philip will serve as leader and Luke 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. Philip sings the melody once, ending on “oo.”
  2. All join in the unison “oo” while Luke 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

Philip will serve as leader and Luke 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.

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

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 Tim will serve as “all.”

Leader:

Let us pray:

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:

Be present, Spirit of God,
within us, your dwelling place and home,
that this house may be one where
all darkness is penetrated by your light,
all troubles calmed by your peace,
all evil redeemed by your love,
all pain transformed in your suffering,
and all dying glorified in your risen life.

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 a responsory:

In Jejunio et Fletu (after Joel 2:12, 17)
Gregorian Chant

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

With mourning and weeping,
let the priests pray, saying,
“Spare your people, Lord,
and give not your heritage into destruction.”

Between the great hall and the altar,
let the priests cry, saying,
“Spare your people, Lord,
and give not your heritage into destruction.”

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 Luke 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

Tim 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:

Ave, Regina Caelorum
(Gregorian Chant, Simple Tone)

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

Hail, Queen of the heavens.
     Hail, Lady of angels.
Hail, O root; hail, O gate
     from whom light has dawned for the world.
Rejoice, glorious maiden,
     most beautiful of all.
Farewell, exceedingly elegant woman,
     and pray for us to Christ.

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