THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]