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Compline for Holy Week

by Andy and Pr. Elise Pokel

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1.
Almighty God, grant us a peaceful night. You are worthy of our praise–– silent prayer and loudest song. You hear the questions that we raise, when faith is weak and doubt is strong. Your justice lights our path each day–– pillar of fire, pillar of smoke. Your mercy makes a place to stay–– pillow of rest, blanket of hope. Your steadfast love is a lullaby…
2.
My song is love unknown–– my Savior’s love for me. Love for the loveless, shown that they might lovely be. Oh, who am I that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die? Sometimes we walk His way and His sweet praises sing; resounding all the day, Hosannas to our King. Then, “Crucify!” is all our breath, and for His death we thirst and cry. In life, no house nor home in which my Lord might rest. In death, no friendly tomb but what a stranger giveth. What may I say? Heaven was His home, and mine the tomb in which He lay. Your love is my endless song–– no story so divine! Never was love so strong, nor was grief like thine. This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend!
3.
Holy Mother Hen, I confess that I have not allowed you to gather me in. I confess that I’ve been running from the refuge you offer. I’ve been fighting with my siblings and neighbors because I want to be right more than I want to be in right relationship; my pride and fear keep my arms crossed and my heart closed. I long to be seen and known, but I’m terrified of what you will see and know. I confess that you know me, despite my efforts to hide. You gave me life and sustain me now with your very body. Help me to trust that I can rest in your arms. Shelter me under your wings. Forgive me for the ways I have rebelled against you and wounded my siblings in thought or deed. Remind me that there is nothing to strive for –– you know what I need and gladly provide it. Grant me rest in my body and my spirit this night, and grant me the courage to imagine your Kingdom on earth. Amen. Hear this, beloved little one: God rejoices when you turn and return. Search, and you will find. Find, and you will be found. Loosen your grip, that you may be more tightly held, more warmly comforted, and more tenderly nourished. Your stony heart will soften like the river’s frozen mouth, your stiff neck will relax to better see the pain around you. The more you love, the more you will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. God forgives your sins and remembers them no more. In the name of the Mother, Son, and Holy Spirit, receive this divine peace. Amen.
4.
The day is done and night has come; I’ll put away my cares. You’ve heard my fears, and dried my tears, and counted all my hairs. The sun has set, its light is spent; there’s no more time for toil or labor. You’ve felt my hurts, and seen my worst, and still you give your favor. Mother of All, you answer my call, and I am safe in your arms. Your lullaby closes my eyes and makes me rest, safe from harm.
5.
Psalm Prayer 00:31
Holy God, You have been calling for me to find my rest in you. Gather me into your arms and pull me close. As I listen for your reassuring heartbeat in the world, help me to make space for others who long to be gathered into your lap. You hold the whole world in your hands. Help me to find my hope and help in your capable love. Amen.
6.
Were you there when she dreamed about her son, and how those feet in her ribs would some day run over the hills and into the troubled world? She trembled, trembled, trembled. Were you there, when she dreamed about her son? Were you there, when he wouldn’t sleep at all? Cutting teeth, growing bones, and trying to crawl. All through the night, she held him against the world; he trembled, trembled, trembled. Were you there, when he wouldn’t sleep at all? Were you there, when he cried out from the pain? Mary held him in her heart and in her gaze. Here is your son. Here is your mother. They trembled, trembled, trembled. Were you there, when he cried out from the pain? Were you there, when she went to see the tomb? Folded hands, folded linens, empty room. She fell to her knees and lifted her hands to God. She breathed out, breathed in, breathed out. Were you there, when she went to see the tomb?
7.
Isaiah 66: 13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; John 16:20 You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
8.
Three crosses on a hill. Three women standing still, and each of them named Mary. Third hour of the day. Three nails to make Christ hang from the cross He carried. In the manger, in the moonlight, Christ had come into his birthright: three decades on this earth. In the morning, there before Him, Mary mourned Him and adored Him, as she had before His birth. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. Three friends upon a mountain; light streaming like a fountain from Jesus, God with us. Three tents for holy prophets–– an overeager promise–– from Simon, known as Cephus. In the courtyard, in the moonlight, three times, he denied Christ, and he cried bitter tears. In the morning, on the third day, Peter heard the Shepherd’s voice say, "Set aside your fear.” You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
9.
God of tenderness, You hold our hands as we walk through this world. You celebrate us and clap for joy at our smallest victories and successes. As we continue to walk over uneven ground, help us to step confidently and boldly, knowing that even if we stumble, you will be there to make all things well. Merciful God, hear our prayer. Jesus, our Prince of Peace, We pray for the places in the world where peace seems like a far-off dream. We pray for Yemen, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, and Myanmar - nations filled with innocent people caught in the middle of violence and never-ending war. We pray for families fleeing. For children and infants who have never known stability. For elders, desperate to feed and protect. We pray for refugees, asylum seekers and any who find themselves in the in-between. Jesus, change our hearts and open us up to their suffering so that your peace will finally reign. Merciful God, hear our prayer. Compassionate God, You wept at the loss of your dear friend, Lazarus. You, who would lay down your life for our rescuing. You, who would overcome death and the grave. You hold us in our grief and anger. Surround all who are in mourning. Comfort those who are sick or lonely. Fill the hungry with good things and shelter those without homes. Give us the ability to hear and see the suffering around us. As spring blossoms, renew our spirits and help us to flower. Merciful God, hear our prayer. We pray with hope and boldness, trusting that you hear us. In your holy name we pray. Amen.
10.
Holy Mother, up above, your name is Most High, your name is Love. Turn this greedy world upside down; turn this dust and dirt to holy ground. Fill our cup and fill our bowl, let your mercy overflow; as we receive it, help us to share it. Help us rise above temptation. Help us to be kind, help us to be patient. All the power and the glory all the poems, all the stories, all the wonder and the awe, all the beauty, all the flaws belong to you. Amen. In you, Father all-mighty, we have our preservation and our bliss. In you, Christ, we have our restoring and our saving. You are our mother, brother, and Savior. In you, our Lord the Holy Spirit, is marvelous and plenteous grace. You are our clothing; for love you wrap us and embrace us. You are our maker, our lover, our keeper. Teach us to believe that by your grace all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Amen.

about

Compline (or Night Prayer) is an ancient Christian worship service. From Wikipedia: "The English word is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the waking day." In monasteries and convents, this service takes place at a set time of day, but in the modern Lutheran tradition, Compline has become an alternative to Vespers.

We wrote this service in collaboration with Pr. Jennifer Grangaard, Luther Seminary Chapel, and Augsburg University Student Ministries as part of their Liturgy of the Hours podcast series. You can (and should!) check out the podcast here: liturgyofthehours.libsyn.com

John 16:20 is the heart of this Compline service: "You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." We explore this idea from the perspective of Mary, Jesus' mother, as believers in a maternal God, and as new parents who have suffered loss on the path to parenthood. We hope this Compline service will bring you comfort.

Please feel free to follow along with the .pdf worship booklet, which is included with every download of the album.

You can also listen and read at the same time on YouTube, here: youtu.be/DEaMYDZc230

credits

released March 27, 2021

My Song is Love Unknown was adapted from ELW 343, and Were You There? was adapted from ELW 353.

We also consulted the ELW Compline liturgy for the overall structure and specifically the opening prayer.

The Bible readings are from the NRSV translation.

The final blessing is from Julian of Norwich, an English anchorite and mystic of the Middle Ages.

All other music was composed / arranged, performed, and produced by Andy Pokel with Pr. Elise Pokel in a Bloomington, MN basement.

All other text was written and recited by Pr. Elise Pokel.

The album art is a public domain image of an Italian diptych from 1400-1425, courtesy of the Met.

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Andy Pokel Minneapolis, Minnesota

Andy Pokel is a church musician and seminary student who lives in Minneapolis, MN with his wife and son.

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