Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Genesis 24:1-9

Verse 1. By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. Verse 2. So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, Verse 3. and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, Verse 4. but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” Verse 5. The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” Verse 6. Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there. Verse 7. The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’— He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there. Verse 8. And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” Verse 9. So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

PSALM

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice — my appeal for mercy.

Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?

I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.

I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,

in the courts of the LORD’s house, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Exodus 4:27-31

Verse 27. Meanwhile, the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. Verse 28. And Moses told Aaron everything the LORD had sent him to say, and all the signs He had commanded him to perform. Verse 29. Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites, Verse 30. and Aaron relayed everything the LORD had said to Moses. And Moses performed the signs before the people, Verse 31. and they believed. And when they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and had seen their affliction, they bowed down and worshiped.

PSALM

Psalm 100

A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.

For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.

SECOND READING

Acts 7:35-43

Verse 35. This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. Verse 36. He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness. Verse 37. This is the same Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’ Verse 38. He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us. Verse 39. But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. Verse 40. They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ Verse 41. At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. Verse 42. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? Verse 43. You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’