Sunday 8th February 2026 - Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

REFLECTION: Matthew 5:13-20 “Salt & Light”

What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world?

Jesus tells his disciples in John 17 that though they are in the world, they do

not belong to the world. Paul tells us in Romans 12 “Do not be conformed to

this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds” Romans 12:2.

How do we live faithfully for God in a corrupted world so that we are not

shaped by it or conformed to it?

Are we to live separately from the people of this world, and have our own

schools and our own clubs so that we are not contaminated by the sin of the

world?

In today’s reading from Matthew, Jesus tells us that we are to be in the world

shining as lights in the darkness, and working like salt to stop the world from

moral decay. Here is an outline of the message for this Sunday.

Introduction: Qumran – Salt that has lost its saltiness & a light that is hidden.

1. You are the salt of the earth (13)

a. Salt holds back the rot.

b. But what if the salt loses its saltiness?

c. We are called to be as salt in the world but not to be “of the world”.

2. You are the light of the world (14-16)

a. Jesus is the light of the world.

b. We are called to be the light of the world.

c. But what if the light is hidden?

To think about:

Where is your light shining for Christ? Who can see it?

Hymns

TIS 143 Immortal invisible

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

MP 1201 Longing for light (Christ be our light)

MP 652 The light of Christ

VICAR TO TAKE LEAVE IN FEBRUARY

Graeme and Jane will be taking 26 days leave from Feb 23rd for a much

longed for return trip to Chile where they worked for 18years as missionaries

with CMS. This trip has been put off various times because of COVID, cancer,

studies and buildings but now they finally get to do it. Ian Oates has agreed to

come back as Locum during this period. Friends will be staying in the

vicarage.

MISSION SUNDAY

A correction. Mission Sunday is the 15th of February, not the 22nd as

mentioned last week. Oyem will be speaking on the church project we are

supporting in South Sudan. Please remember to bring your mission boxes and

to consider prayerfully a donation for the retiring offering that will be taken on

the day for the church in South Sudan.

VICAR at Archdeacons and Bishops planning retreat from Sunday Afternoon

until Tuesday evening.

BAPTISM

Today we welcome Corey Tully into the life of the church through Holy

Baptism, A warm welcome to all his family and friends.

JONATHAN CHAINTRIER

Will be commissioned as vicar of St Mark's Emerald this Thursday Feb 12th at

7:30pm, 1-3 Church Street, Emerald. I'm sure your attendance would be a

great encouragement to Jonathan.

THE WEDNESDAY GROWTH STUDIES

Will be back in February starting on Wednesday 4 Feb at 7:30 in meeting

room 1 of the Parish Centre. All are welcome. We will look at bible readings,

discuss, and have fellowship, usually with some small nibbles.

We will first look at the story of Noah for two weeks, reading Gen 6:9 - 9:29.

Then during Lent we will be guided by the Lenten studies booklet compiled by

Bishop Paul. Please let us know if you want to order a booklet by adding your

name to the form in the foyer.

WORKING BEE

There will be a working Saturday Feb 14th from 8:30am. There is much

weeding, watering, trimming and leaf raking to be done. All welcome.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 7 February - Rusty

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: Parish of Upwey/Belgrave Heights with St

George's Monbulk; The Diocese of Willochra; Archdeaconry of Stonington.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY - 15th February: Exodus 24:12-18;

Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Nigel, Jen, Glen, Sherene,

Gloria, & Ron.