5th Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday, February 8, 2026
9 a.m. Worship
Prelude
Announcements
Temple Talk: Egypt Trip
Opening Song "Gather Us In”
Greeting
Kyrie ELW p, 184
Canticle of Praise "This is the Feast"
Prayer of the Day
Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12
1 Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side. 3 “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day and oppress all your workers. 4 You fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9a Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” 9b If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail. 12 Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Children's Message
Gospel Acclamation "Speak, Lord, Your Servant is Listening"
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20
The holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 5th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, 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 does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day "This Little Light of Mine"
Prayers of Intercession
Offering & Special Music: "Lead On O King Eternal" Kool Kids Bell Choir
Offertory Hymn: “Sing a Happy Alleluia”
Offertory Prayer
Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Communion
Communion Hymns: "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"
"Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service" ELW 712
Post Communion Blessing
Prayer after Communion
Sending Hymn: “We Are the Light of the World”
Dismissal
Adapted from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #014958
Weekly Calendar
Sunday, February 8—8:30 a.m. Kool Kids Bell Choir (Spirit Center), 9 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 10 a.m. Sunday School (begins in sanctuary), Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), Grace Notes Bell Choir (Spirit Center), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional), 12:15 p.m. Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 10—10:30 a.m. Bible Study (Narthex), 2 p.m. Card Ministry (Classroom #1)
Wednesday, February 11— 1:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry (Parlor)
Thursday, February 12—10 a.m. Quilting Ministry (Classroom #1), 6 p.m. Agape Bell Choir (Spirit Center), Carillon Bell Choir (Spirit Center)
Friday, February 13—6:30 p.m. Game Night (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, February 15—8:30 a.m. Kool Kids Bell Choir (Spirit Center), 9 a.m.—Worship (Livestreamed), 10 a.m. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex), Shrove Pancake Breakfast (Fellowship Hall), 11 a.m. Worship (Traditional), 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Class
Announcements:
Lenten Devotionals are available in the narthex beginning February 8th.
Shrove Pancake Breakfast is Sunday, February 15th, between services.
Ash Wednesday Worship is Wednesday, February 18, at noon & 7 p.m. **If you would like ashes for at-home use to follow along with the 7 p.m. livestream, please contact the church office on Monday and Tuesday, February 16th & 17th, to make a request and schedule pick up.
Souper Bowl of Caring: On Sundays, February 1st and 8th, a special offering will be collected as we'll be participating in Souper Bowl of Caring for Angels & Sparrows in Huntersville. How does it work? 3 “soup bowls” will be in the narthex on February 1st and 8th. Place your donation in the bowl of the team you would like to win or are predicting will win this year’s Super Bowl. An update on which team is in the lead will be given between Sundays.
Have you joined CIC's new online photo directory yet? The directory is through a program called Church Center, which
is also an app. Follow the QR code to get started.
February Grocery Cart: This month we will be partnering with the CIC Preschool collecting Packs or Cups of Ramen noodles. Please no shrimp flavored ramen. When you’re grocery shopping this month please consider picking up some ramen and add to the CIC grocery cart. Your generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of many in and around our neighborhood.
Preschool Registration for 2026/2027: Tuitions for 2026/2027: $340.00 for 2-year-old classes, $310 for 3-year-old classes, $360.00
for 4-year-old & PK class and $370 for TK class. There is an $85 non refundable registration fee.
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Priority Registration Begins January, 20 for currently enrolled students, siblings and church members. Open registration is open to the public February 2, 2026. Questions? Contact Morgan Naum at preschooldirector@communityinchrist.net to learn more!
Happy Times Seniors: It's Mardi Gras time! We will be dining at Razoos Cajun Cafe located at 8011 Concord Mills Boulevard in Concord 28027, on Wednesday, February 25th, at 11:30 a.m. For questions and to RSVP contact Linda Muhlbach at 704-905-5847 or lindamuhlbach@gmail.com
Prayer Shawl Ministry: We meet in the CIC Parlor Room on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us for some fellowship, idea-sharing, and fun! Questions? Contact Kathy Dutton at mamabissy@gmail.com. Of course, you can also participate in this important ministry at home by crafting items, and bringing them to CIC.
Card Ministry: We’ll be meeting Tuesday, February 10th, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, February 27th, at 6:30 p.m. in Classroom One. Participants are asked to enter through the doors nearest the Spirit Center. If you would like information contact: Kathy Shugarman at shugs02@gmail.com or 940-300-2290.
Quilting Ministry: We will meet on Thursdays, February 12 & 26, in Classroom 1@ 10:00 AM. Questions? Contact Barbara Eaker at 704-483-2060.
All women of CIC are welcome to The 5:11s. 1st Thessalonians 5:11, we are a women’s group that “encourages one
another and builds one another up, just as you are doing.” We meet monthly between services to discuss ways we can
continue to encourage and build each other up and support our church. Contact Tracy Lyon (vikingtk@hotmail.com) or
Susan Kullstam (skulls01@me.com) with any questions.
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Please refer to the newsletter for ways to connect with this group.
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See the February newsletter for information about the Women's Retreat - April 24-26.
First Communion Instruction: If your 2nd grader or older would like to receive First Communion instruction this year during the season of Lent, with First Communion taking place on Maundy Thursday (April 2nd), please email Pastor Lisa (pastorlisa@communityinchrist.net) by February 4th.
GET READY - softball season is fast approaching and we are looking for players - men and women. We play in a church co-ed league. You need to be at least 16 years old sometime during this year. The season usually goes from the middle of March until sometime in May (depending on the weather). We play on Sunday afternoons at North Meck Park on Old Statesville Road. If you are interested, please contact Paul Miller (p.k.miller1@gmail.com) or Pastor Michael.
SAVE THE DATE! This is the time of year families begin to plan their summer activities. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2026 Sunday-JULY 26 –Thursday-July 30, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Watch for more details and registration information.
Help Needed: Station Leaders: to lead stations during VBS, Faith Leaders: travel with children to VBS stations. Other opportunities to serve will be announced later. If interested in learning more, Please contact Suzi Hinrichs or Kathy Shugarman at suzihinrichs@gmail.com or shugs02@gmail.com.
Game Night: Friday, February 13th, 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Bring a snack, dessert, or drink to share.
