Friday in Easter — Open Word

FIRST READING

Isaiah 6:1-4

Verse 1. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Verse 2. Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. Verse 3. And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” Verse 4. At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

PSALM

Psalm 30

A Psalm. A song for the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me.

O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit.

Sing to the LORD, O you His saints, and praise His holy name.

For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

In prosperity I said, “I will never be shaken.”

O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

To You, O LORD, I called, and I begged my Lord for mercy:

“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?

Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper.”

You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.

SECOND READING

Revelation 4:1-11

Verse 1. After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” Verse 2. At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. Verse 3. The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. Verse 4. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads. Verse 5. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God. Verse 6. And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back. Verse 7. The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Verse 8. And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Verse 9. And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, Verse 10. the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: Verse 11. “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”