Open Word

Semicontinuous (Track 1)

FIRST READING

Isaiah 65:17-25

Verse 17. For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Verse 18. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. Verse 19. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. Verse 20. No longer will a nursing infant live but a few days, or an old man fail to live out his years. For the youth will die at a hundred years, and he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. Verse 21. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. Verse 22. No longer will they build houses for others to inhabit, nor plant for others to eat. For as is the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands. Verse 23. They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD — they and their descendants with them. Verse 24. Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. Verse 25. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the food of the serpent will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain,”

PSALM

Isaiah 12

In that day you will say: “O LORD, I will praise You. Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,

and on that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD; proclaim His name! Make His works known among the peoples; declare that His name is exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things. Let this be known in all the earth.

Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.”

Complementary (Track 2)

FIRST READING

Malachi 4:1-2a

Verse 1. “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” Verse 2. “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

PSALM

Psalm 98

A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.

The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth — let your cry ring out, and sing praises!

Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp.

With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, the world, and all who dwell in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy

before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

SECOND READING

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Verse 6. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. Verse 7. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, Verse 8. nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. Verse 9. Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. Verse 10. For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” Verse 11. For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. Verse 12. We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. Verse 13. But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.

GOSPEL

Luke 21:5-19

Verse 5. As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said, Verse 6. “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Verse 7. “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” Verse 8. Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. Verse 9. When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.” Verse 10. Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Verse 11. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven. Verse 12. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors. Verse 13. This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses. Verse 14. So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. Verse 15. For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Verse 16. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. Verse 17. And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. Verse 18. Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. Verse 19. By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.