St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

February 8, 2026 Epiphany 5

JESUS CALLS YOU SALT AND LIGHT

WELCOME – we will be using the BLUE HYMNAL today.

HYMN 582 “Not Unto Us”

THE SERVICE – Setting Two - page 172ff

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Almighty God, you sent your one and only Son as the Word of life for our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Help us to believe what the Scriptures proclaim about him and do the things that are pleasing in your sight; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Exodus 19:1-8

God made something special out of Israel, a nation of slaves.

1In the third month after the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, on that same day of the month, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim and came to the Wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and to tell the people of Israel: 4‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special treasure out of all the nations, although the entire earth is mine. 6 You will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.” 7 Moses went and summoned the elders of the people, and he set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, “Everything that the Lord has said, we will do.”

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM 112 “Light Dawns in the Darkness”

SECOND LESSON: 1 Peter 2:9-12

St. Peter encourages us to be what God has declared us to be.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and temporary residents in the world, to abstain from the desires of the sinful flesh, which war against your soul. 12 Live an honorable life among the Gentiles so that even though they slander you as evildoers, when they observe your noble deeds, they may glorify God on the day he visits us.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Alleluia.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – sung (page 179)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus is the light – of the world; - in him we have the – light of life Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL: Matthew 5:13-20

Jesus explains that his disciples are blessings to this dark, decaying world.

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again? Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy them but to fulfill them. 18 Amen I tell you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter, or even part of a letter, will in any way pass away from the Law until everything is fulfilled. 19 So whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 Indeed I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and experts in the law, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ.

HYMN 630 “Thy Strong Word”

SERMON: Know Who You Are & What You Are Matthew 5:13-16 APOSTLES’ CREED - page 181

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH - page 182

HYMN 697 “May We Your Precepts, Lord, Fulfill”

PRAYER: C: Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

BLESSING: C: Amen.

HYMN 770 “God of Grace and God of Glory”

WELS Connection Video

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING. It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

ASH WEDNESDAY, February 18 – You are cordially invited to join the members of Redeemer, Scottville, for their midweek Lenten worship. Worship is on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm. Meals will be served at 12:30 pm on February 25, March 11, and March 25

This year’s theme is: “It is Finished”. The series of sermons will take us through the prophecies of Zechariah that relate to Holy Week. Plan to attend as we deepen our understanding of what those prophecies mean for us.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

➢ Tuesday, 10 am - Ladies’ Book Study – “Taboo” at the parsonage

➢ Tuesday, 3:30 pm - Youth Confirmation Class at Pastor’s house

➢ Tuesday, 7 pm - Bible Study on Romans at Pastor’s house

➢ Sunday, 9 am - Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

➢ Sunday, 10 am - WORSHIP

UPCOMING EVENTS

➢ Saturday, February 21 – Men Alive Rally – in Bay City

➢ Friday – Sunday, April 10-12 – Sisters in Christ Retreat – in Traverse City

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)