Thursday in Season after Pentecost

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Exodus 24:1-8

Verse 1. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD — you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders — and you are to worship at a distance. Verse 2. Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.” Verse 3. When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.” Verse 4. And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Verse 5. Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. Verse 6. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splattered on the altar. Verse 7. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” Verse 8. So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

PSALM

Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23

Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD or fully proclaim His praise?

Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.

Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor to Your people; visit me with Your salvation,

that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, and rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, and give glory with Your inheritance.

We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped a molten image.

They exchanged their Glory for the image of a grass-eating ox.

They forgot God their Savior, who did great things in Egypt,

wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.

So He said He would destroy them— had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Isaiah 22:1-8a

Verse 1. This is the burden against the Valley of Vision: What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the rooftops, Verse 2. O city of commotion, O town of revelry? Your slain did not die by the sword, nor were they killed in battle. Verse 3. All your rulers have fled together, captured without a bow. All your fugitives were captured together, having fled to a distant place. Verse 4. Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.” Verse 5. For the Lord GOD of Hosts has set a day of tumult and trampling and confusion in the Valley of Vision— of breaking down the walls and crying to the mountains. Verse 6. Elam takes up a quiver, with chariots and horsemen, and Kir uncovers the shield. Verse 7. Your choicest valleys are full of chariots, and horsemen are posted at the gates. Verse 8. He has uncovered the defenses of Judah.

PSALM

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

SECOND READING

1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14

Verse 1. As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Verse 2. Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; Verse 3. not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. Verse 4. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Verse 5. Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Verse 12. Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. Verse 13. The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark. Verse 14. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.