Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

2 Samuel 23:1-7

Verse 1. These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: Verse 2. The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. Verse 3. The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, Verse 4. is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’ Verse 5. Is not my house right with God? For He has established with me an everlasting covenant, ordered and secured in every part. Will He not bring about my full salvation and my every desire? Verse 6. But the worthless are all like thorns raked aside, for they can never be gathered by hand. Verse 7. The man who touches them must be armed with iron or with the shaft of a spear. The fire burns them to ashes in the place where they lie.”

PSALM

Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18)

A song of ascents. O LORD, remember on behalf of David all the hardships he endured,

how he swore an oath to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

“I will not enter my house or get into my bed,

I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,

until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob. ”

We heard that the ark was in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.

Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.

Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.

May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy.

For the sake of Your servant David, do not reject Your anointed one.

The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne.

If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.”

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Verse 9. As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. Verse 10. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. Verse 13. In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. Verse 14. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

PSALM

Psalm 93

The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Your throne was established long ago; You are from all eternity.

The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves.

Above the roar of many waters— the mighty breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is majestic.

Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for all the days to come.

SECOND READING

Revelation 1:4b-8

Verse 4. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, Verse 5. and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, Verse 6. who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father — to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Verse 7. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him — even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. Verse 8. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come — the Almighty.

GOSPEL

John 18:33-37

Verse 33. Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Verse 34. “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” Verse 35. “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” Verse 36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.” Verse 37. “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”