Season after Pentecost
Saturday in Season after Pentecost
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Semicontinuous (Track 1)
FIRST READING
Genesis 31:1-21
Verse 1. Now Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.” Verse 2. And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed. Verse 3. Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” Verse 4. So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were, Verse 5. and he told them, “I can see from your father’s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me. Verse 6. You know that I have served your father with all my strength. Verse 7. And although he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, God has not allowed him to harm me. Verse 8. If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore speckled offspring. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then the whole flock bore streaked offspring. Verse 9. Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me. Verse 10. When the flocks were breeding, I saw in a dream that the streaked, spotted, and speckled males were mating with the females. Verse 11. In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’ Verse 12. ‘Look up,’ he said, ‘and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you. Verse 13. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” Verse 14. And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house? Verse 15. Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us. Verse 16. Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.” Verse 17. Then Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels, Verse 18. and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan. Verse 19. Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols. Verse 20. Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away. Verse 21. So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
PSALM
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Complementary (Track 2)
FIRST READING
Isaiah 44:1-5
Verse 1. But now listen, O Jacob My servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. Verse 2. This is the word of the LORD, your Maker, who formed you from the womb and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. Verse 3. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. Verse 4. They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams. Verse 5. One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD,’ another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and still another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name of Israel.”
PSALM
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
SECOND READING
Matthew 7:7-11
Verse 7. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. Verse 8. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Verse 9. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Verse 10. Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? Verse 11. So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!