Compline

Compline service | Compline concert, May 18

From the ancient monastic practice of ending the day in prayer and praise of God, a Compline service is held every Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. This stunningly beautiful candlelit service features a small group of singers, "Sanctuary," offering Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony. The service was inaugurated in September 2010 and continues weekly throughout the year.

The word "Compline" is from the same root as the word "complete." As the last service of the day, it is the completion of our worship of God until the next morning, when we pray, "O Lord, open thou our lips." In monastic communities, Compline is the beginning of silence lasting until the morning.

All are welcome at this service, and we encourage you to make yourself comfortable when attending it--perhaps even lie down in a pew and enjoy the beautiful sounds and stillness. Listen to a recording of part of this service here. You can also watch a short video about the service below.

Compline can be found on page 127 of the Book of Common Prayer. While this simple service is spoken in many churches, homes, and other settings, our Sunday evening service is sung by the choir.

Compline Concert and CD

Sanctuary, the choir that sings our weekly Compline service, will give a concert in the church on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. In response to numerous requests for a CD of Sanctuary singing pieces from the Compline service, this concert will be recorded.

What people say about Compline at St. Stephen's:

I thought Compline was simply exquisite tonight....The most interesting event was toward the end of the service. The front three of the hanging lights on the lectern side went out and all the lights behind the cross aisle came on full force and then after a few seconds everything went back to normal. It seemed as if the Spirit had personally entered the room.

Photos: Sanctuary, the Compline choir; a family lights votive candles at the conclusion of the Compline service on Easter Day.