5th Sunday after Epiphany BLACK HISTORY MONTH 02-08-2026 10:00 AM Worship (in person and online)
5TH Sunday after Epiphany
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
02-08-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ GATHERING +
OPENING RITE:
L The WORD became flesh and, full of grace and truth lived among us.
C We have seen his glory, the glory which he received as God’s only SON!
L If you are a follower, then you are – in and through the presence of Christ – the salt of the earth.
C We will preserve God’s Word in our hearts
and add the distinct flavor of God’s loving grace to the lives of others.
L If you are a follower, then you are – in and through the power of Jesus in your life – the lights of the world.
C We will not hide ourselves under a basket,
but will shine forth with good deeds, giving God all the glory.
L My sisters and brothers, the time is fulfilled, God’s Kingdom is at hand, positive change is in the air!
And there is much to do in Jesus’ name!
C Let us meet Him in worship, proclaim Him in service, and love Him forever,
JESUS THE CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR AND LORD! Alleluia!
OPENING SONG: “HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT”
Hold out your light, you heav’n bound soldier! Hold out your light, you heav’n bound soldier!
Hold out your light, you heav’n bound soldier! Let your light shine around the world!
(1) O brother, can’t you hold out your light? [3X] Let your light shine around the world!
(2) O sister, can’t you hold out your light?
(3) O children, can’t you hold out your light?
(4) O { name }, can’t you hold out your light?
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY:
Father in heaven, You sent your Son Jesus to embody, reveal, and announce your Kingdom.
He, in turn, has sent us to be salt and light.
This is my purpose, this is our mission – to be different and to make a difference.
Now that I know Him, I want to love Him; now that I love Him, I want to serve Him.
Lord, keep me thirsty in my heart and busy in my witness. Amen.
+ THE HOLY WORD +
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 58:1-12
[Returning from exile in Babylon, Israel is troubled by the ineffectiveness of their fasting. The “new fast” God
requires results in acts of justice, such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked.]
BLACK HISTORY MOMENT – “Lift Every Voice in His and Her Story”
Narrator, Juanita R. Williams
Jackie Robinson presented by Micah Gillum
Shirley Chisholm presented by Stephanie McDonald
Song of Response: “Royalty” by Sounds of Blackness
SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-31
[Paul speaks about the gospel message, his own ministry, and God’s wisdom. If the cross is really the
message, then our ministry ought to be done with humility and the guidance of the Spirit.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Always remember Jesus, Jesus.
Always remember Jesus, Jesus.
Always keep Him on your mind.”
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 5:13-20
[Salt does not exist for its own sake. A light has no purpose but to shine. Jesus says that you are salt and light.
So be it and do it!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Neil or Pastor Gwen
SONG RESPONSE: “IN MY LIFE, LORD, BE GLORIFIED” Brown #248
THE PRAYERS… We pray that the joy and light of JESUS CHRIST will touch all lives!
+ THE HOLY MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
Can you be the salt of the earth and light of the world with your time, abilities, resources?
Here in person or online, you can respond to Christ’s love and command right now. Give or send your offering. If you are farther away than the Sanctuary, you might: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138…give online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or recurring weekly gift to selected categories…or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution. Don’t ignore the love and call of Jesus to think, say, and do right.
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE”
(1) This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
(2) Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X) (3) Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O Lord our God, You have anointed us to bring good news and to proclaim liberty, to bind up the
brokenhearted and to liberate the oppressed. Help us to shine forth always and in all ways with the
bright glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C AND ALSO WITH YOU!
L Lift up your hearts! C WE LIFT THEM UP IN LOVE FOR GOD!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! C IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST COMES TO US IN BREAD AND WINE AND BLESSING, BRINGING US PEACE, UNITY, STRENGTH, AND HOPE!
COMMUNION SONGS: “WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE” Brown #295
“I’M GONNA SING” Brown #109
“VICTORY IS MINE” Brown #266
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ SENDING +
BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God sends us TO SHINE with the Light of Jesus Christ in a shadowy world!
CLOSING SONG: “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING”, verse 1 Brown #296