WEEKLY READINGS

The First Lesson

Isaiah 16:1-5

Reader: A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

"Send a lamb to the ruler of the land,

from Sela, from the wilderness,

to the mount of Daughter Zion.

And it will be that like a wandering bird

pushed from the nest,

so shall the daughters of Moab be

as the fords of the Arnon.

Receive counsel, daughter; grant justice;

make your shade like night at the midpoint of noon, daughter.

Daughter, shelter the outcasts, the fugitive, do not expose.

Le them settle among you, daughter, the outcasts of Moab;

be a shelter to them from the destroyer."

For when the violence is no more,

and destruction has ceased,

and those who trample have vanished from the land,

then in faithful love shall a throne be established

and on it one shall sit in faithfulness in the tent of David,

rendering judgement and seeking justice and swift to do right.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 33:11-22

11. The counsel of the Just One stands for all time,

the thoughts of her heart to all generations.

12. Happy is the nation for whom the Creator of All is their God,

the people whom she has chosen as her heritage.

13. From the heavens the Most High looks down;

she sees all the woman-born.

14. From her eternal throne she gazes upon

all who dwell upon the earth.

15. She who fashions their hearts alike

is the one who discerns all their doings.

16. A monarch is not saved by a great army;

a warrior is not delivered by great strength.

17. False hope is a horse for salvation,

and its great might cannon save.

18. Look, the eye of the Faithful One is on those who revere her,

on those who hope in her faithful love,

19. to deliver their souls from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.

20. Our soul waits for She Who Saves;

she is our help and shield.

21. In her is our heart glad,

because we trust in her holy Name.

22. Let you faithful love, Compassionate God, be upon us,

for it is you in whom we trust.

The Gospel

Luke 3:21 - 38

Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now when all the people were baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him bodily in the shape of a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Now Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. He was the child of [Mary and], as was thought, of Joseph the child of Heli, . . . son of Nathan, the child of [Bathsheba and] David, the child of Jesse, the child of Obed, the child of [Ruth and] Boaz, the child of [Rahab and ] Sala, the child of Nahshon, the child of Amminadab, the child of Admin, the child of [Leah and ]Jacob, the child of [Rebekah and ]Isaac, thie child of [Sarah and] Abraham, the child of Tera, the child of Nahor, the child of Serug, the child of Reu, the child of Peleg, the child of Eber, the child of Shelah, the child of Cainan, the child of Arphaxad, the child of Shem, the child of Noah, the child of Lamech, the child of Methuselah, the child of Enoch, the child of Jared, the child of Mahalaleel, the child of Cainan, the child of Enos, the child of Seth, the child of [Eve and ] Adam, the child of God.

Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.