Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Genesis 25:12-18

Verse 12. This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. Verse 13. These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Verse 14. Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Verse 15. Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. Verse 16. These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments — twelve princes of their tribes. Verse 17. Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. Verse 18. Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.

PSALM

Psalm 86:11-17

Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.

For great is Your loving devotion to me; You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol.

The arrogant rise against me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life; they have no regard for You.

But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.

Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant.

Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 26:1-12

Verse 1. At the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: Verse 2. “This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word. Verse 3. Perhaps they will listen and turn— each from his evil way of life— so that I may relent of the disaster I am planning to bring upon them because of the evil of their deeds. Verse 4. And you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘If you do not listen to Me and walk in My law, which I have set before you, Verse 5. and if you do not listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent you again and again even though you did not listen, Verse 6. then I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.’” Verse 7. Now the priests and prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD, Verse 8. and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! Verse 9. How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. Verse 10. When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. Verse 11. Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!” Verse 12. But Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.

PSALM

Psalm 6

For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?

Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion.

For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?

I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

SECOND READING

Revelation 2:8-11

Verse 8. To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life. Verse 9. I know your affliction and your poverty — though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. Verse 10. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Verse 11. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.