Celtic Eventide Compline 196 th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine October 23 rd at 8:30 p.m. Come as you are, for God s embrace is wide. A warm welcome to you. We are delighted that you are here. As you arrive, please enjoy the silence.
Celtic Eventide Compline Notes on the service In our hurried and noisy world, we offer gracious space and an evening's hour to enjoy the power of quiet... gently touched by candlelight, music and prayer. The Celtic tradition holds that we find God in Christ in our hearts, in each other, and in all creation. Through moments of reflection and calm, quiet words, fine music and the words of a Celtic Compline, we refresh this tradition. This spirituality, part of our Anglican and Episcopal heritage, took root in Scotland, Ireland, North Umbria and the coastal islands. It seems particularly appropriate to our Maine coastal life where we often seek to be part of God's creation and long for thoughtful connection to the natural world and to one another. We have found this to be a rich experience for frequent church-goers and those who have never attended church-- indeed all who seek God's grace in their lives. As always, we welcome the faithful, the seeker, the doubter, the hopeful, the troubled and the joyful. Come as you are, for God's embrace is wide. With God s help, our gifts become the blessings we seek for the world. 2
Welcome The Rev. Timothy Boggs Bell at the Opening Prelude Opening Word Mindful by Mary Oliver Every day I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight, that leaves me like a needle in a haystack of light. It is what I was born for to look, to listen, to lose myself inside this soft world to instruct myself over and over in joy, and acclamation. Nor am I talking about the exceptional, the fearful, the dreadful, the very extravagant but of the ordinary, the common, the very drab, the daily presentations. Oh, good scholar, I say to myself, how can you help but grow wise with such teachings as these the untrimmable light of the world, the ocean s shine, the prayers that are made out of grass? 3
Bell at the Prayer for the Evening Silence A Prayer for the Evening Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all who are dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen. People: All: People : All: Our help is in the Name of the Lord; The maker of heaven and earth Let us confess our sins to God. 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. May the Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, make speed to save us. 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 for ever. Amen. 4
Opening Hymn Spirit I have heard you calling 5
PSALM 91 Qui habitat Read responsively by half verse. Lower voices beginning, higher voices follow. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, * abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the LORD, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, * my God in whom I put my trust." He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter * and from the deadly pestilence. He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings; * his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, * nor of the arrow that flies by day; Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, * nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, * but it shall not come near you. Your eyes have only to behold * to see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, * and the Most High your habitation, There shall no evil happen to you, * neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, * to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, * lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the adder; * you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet. Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him; * I will protect him, because he knows my Name. 6
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; * I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him to honor. With long life will I satisfy him, * and show him my salvation. 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 for ever. Amen. Music for Meditation 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. Music at the Candle lighting During the meditative music and the hymn that follows, you are welcome to light a single votive candle to shine a light on your prayers or concerns, hopes or thanksgivings. 7
Prayers for ourselves and others V. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; R. For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. V. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; R. Hide us under the shadow of your wings. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Let us pray together Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, And deliver us from evil. People : All: Lord, hear our prayer; And let our cry come to you. Let us pray. Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Gracious God, you have called us to serve you. Grant that we may walk in your presence: your love in our hearts, your truth in our minds, your strength in our wills, until, at the end of our journey, 8
Music for Meditation we know the joy of our homecoming and your Peace. Amen The Grace-- We Marvel from The Rabbinical Assembly of the United Synagogue of America We marvel at the mystery of the stars. Moon and sky, sand and sea. We marvel at the mystery of the sun. Twilight, high noon, dusk and dawn. Though we are mortal, we are Creation s crown. Flesh and bone, steel and stone. We dwell in fragile, temporary shelters. Grant steadfast love, compassion, grace. Sustain us, Lord; our origin is dust. Splendor, mercy, majesty, love endure. We are but little lower than the angels. Resplendent skies, sunset, sunrise. The grandeur of Creation lifts our lives. Evening darkness, morning dawn. Renew our lives as You renew all time. 9
The Hymn at the Closing All praise to thee 10
The Dismissal 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 for ever. Amen. Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen. People: The Officiant concludes: Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen. Postlude Please depart in quiet whenever you wish 11
The Rev. Timothy A. Boggs, Rector tboggs@stalbansmaine.org The Rev. Reed Loy, Assistant Rector rloy@stalbansmaine.org 12 St. Alban s Episcopal Church 885 Shore Road Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 (207)799-4014 stalbansmaine.org