February 08, 2026
The Fifth Sunday of the Epiphany Season
The Messiah’s Message
An elder of the church was talking to a young mechanic who was telling the elder that he was sure God was calling him to give up his shop and go into the pastoral ministry. “I feel,” said the young man, “that God has given me a call to preach His Word.” The wise, old elder was well-aware of the young man’s deficiencies as a speaker. And so he shrewdly, but gently, asked, “Have you ever noticed whether or not people appear to have any calling from God to listen to you?”
The Apostle Paul knew that God had called him to preach His Word to others. And Paul knew what He was supposed to preach: Christ perfect, crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of souls. In fact, that emphasis of Paul’s preaching and teaching will be the focus of our Children’s Lesson this morning.
This morning we find ourselves at the second-last Sunday of the Epiphany season. During the season of Epiphany (the word comes from a Greek word meaning “to reveal” or “to make known”) Christian churches that follow the traditional “church calendar” – as our church does – often focus their attention in worship on various portions of God’s Word that present us with (or “reveal”/”Epiphany” to us) proofs of Christ’s deity either through the various miracles He performed or the authoritative messages that He presented. So far during this Epiphany season 2026 we have
Throughout the course of His three year-long public ministry, Jesus undoubtedly preached many “sermons” that the Gospels haven’t recorded for us (see John 21:25). But the Holy Spirit did guide the four Gospel writers to record some very notable messages that Jesus preached (such as His “Sermon on the Plain” [Luke 6:17-49]; His “Olivet Discourse” [Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21]; and His “Upper Room Discourse [John 13-17]). Jesus’ messages were distinctively different from the messages that His audiences’ Jewish religious leaders had been preaching to them, since their emphasis was consistently on “salvation by ones’ works and heritage as Jews” (which was impossible for anyone to attain….and so left its hearers with a feeling of hopelessness.) However, more than just distinctively different from the utterly human (and false-teaching) messages of the Jewish Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus’ messages had a Divine origin to them….because Jesus is the One, True God. He always taught the truth! In fact, His divine preaching was one of the proofs that He was/is the Promised Messiah.
And so, on this second-last Sunday of the Epiphany season as our Gospel Lesson/Sermon Text we’re going to give our attention to the opening portion of what is widely regarded as Jesus’ most famous sermon….The Sermon on the Mount. Matthew has recorded for us in chapters 5 through 7 of his Gospel. For our Sermon we’ll focus our attention especially on the last half of today’s reading…..about the importance of our living out our faith in Christ (being salt and light) and about the utter futility of the Pharisee’s and Scribe’s message (and natural religion’s) of salvation by works.
In our Old Testament Lesson God speaks through the prophet Isaiah to condemn the Jewish people’s “outward obedience” to and worship of the LORD, compared to the lives of selfishness and disobedience that they lived outside of their visits to God’s temple.
Finally, in our Epistle Lesson the writer of Hebrews urges his readers, in the face of persecution, not to give up their faith in Christ, but to remain faithful to Jesus, and to continue to participate in Christian fellowship as an important part of their staying faithful. He also urges them not to succumb to the temptation to indiscriminantly, impenitently sin…..since they could end up forfeiting their salvation.
Scripture quotations in this worship flyer, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Evangelical Heritage Version of the Bible. Copyright 2019 by the Wartburg Project;
Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Pre-Service Prayer
Lord Jesus, though but two or three
In Your dear name assembled be,
You will among them show Your face
And bless them with Your saving grace.
In Your dear name again we meet
And worship humbly at Your feet;
You will Your gracious Word fulfill
And cheer us with Your presence still.
Jesus, from Whom all blessings flow,
Your peace and comfort now bestow;
Abide with us till life is o’er
And keep us Yours forevermore. Amen.
Silent Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service music
Pre-Service Hymn Singing, beginning at 9:25 a.m.
We Praise Our God
The Welcoming and Introduction to Worship
The Opening Hymn The Morning Sun is Dawning”
To the tune of “The Morning Light Is Breaking”………
vv 1 & 3 adapted from Johannes Nuhlmann’s “Dank Sei Gott in der Hohe”
vv 2 & 4 by cwh, 2001 (CW 566)
The morning sun is dawning, And I thank God once more
Beneath Whose care awaking I find the night is o’er:
I thank Him that He’s called me To be His child and heir;
I know, whatever happens I’m safely in His care.
O Lord of all creation, Watch over me this day;
In all I do be near me, For others too I pray –
To You I do commend them: Our church, our youth, our land;
Direct them and defend them, When dangers are at hand.
You are the Vine, O Savior, May we, Your branches be,
Connected to You firmly, And for eternity.
Your Spirit place within us, And let His gifts of grace
Empower us to serve You – throughout our earthly race.
So grant us, Lord, Your blessing That we may do Your will,
No more Your ways transgressing, Our calling to fulfill;
To go and tell the Good News: Christ died for all, that we –
through faith in Him, forgiven — Have heaven eternally.
After which the Congregation will rise for the invocation
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
P: And of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And of the Holy Spirit
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P: Amen.
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To the LORD
P: Brothers and sisters in Christ, in preparation for confessing our sins together, please join me in examining our lives according to God’s Ten Commandments, along with Martin Luther’s explanations for each of those commandments:
C: You shall have no other gods.
P: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
C: You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not use His name to curse, swear, lie or deceive, or use witchcraft, but call upon God’s name in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
C: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but regard it as holy, and gladly hear and learn it.
C: Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them, and give them love and respect.
C: You shall not murder.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need.
C: You shall not commit adultery.
P: We should fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions, and that husband and wife love and honor each other.
C: You shall not steal.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not take our neighbor’s money or property or get it by dishonest dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of income.
C: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, or give him a bad name, but defend him, speak well of him, and take his words and actions in the kindest possible way.
C: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house or obtain it by a show of right, but do all we can to help him keep it.
C: You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, workers, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
P: We should fear and love God that we do not force or entice away our neighbor’s spouse, workers, or animals, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
Pastor: And now, beloved in the Lord, let us draw near to the Lord with sincere hearts and confess all our sins to God, our Father, pleading that He might, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us the forgiveness of all our sins.
Congregation: Miserable person that I am, I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, that I am a weak and sinful creature, guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. I also confess that Your Word has not brought forth good fruit in me. I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. I am full of anger, hate, and envy. I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, strengthen my faith, and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, that I may obtain Your promised grace.
The Assurance of God’s Forgiveness
Having just heard your sincere confession of sins and plea for pardon may these words of our Savior in Matthew 8:31 comfort and encourage you: “It will be done for you as you believe.” And now, in the place of and according to the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. God be gracious unto you and strengthen your faith. Go in peace. Amen.
The Order of Matins
Pastor O LORD, open my lips.
Congregation (Sung) And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
Pastor Hasten, O God, to deliver me.
Congregation (sung) Hasten to help me, O LORD.
Glory be to the Father And to the Son And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning Is now and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen.
Psalm 95
Pastor – O come, let us worship the Lord.
Congregation (Sung) For He is our Maker
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord
Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving.
Let us make joyful noise to Him
with songs of praise.
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
The deep places of the earth are in His hands;
The heights of the hills are also His.
The sea is His, for He made it.
And His hands formed the dry land.
Oh, come, Let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker
For His is our God.
And we are the people of His pasture
and the sheep of His hand.
The Prayer for Today
O LORD, God + We implore You to mercifully hear + and to grant the prayers of Your people, + because we are certain that + although we deserve to be punished for our transgressions, + we will instead receive the undeserved benefits + of Your boundless grace and mercy: + namely, the full forgiveness of all our sins + and everlasting life in heaven — not because of our good works or personal worthiness — but only because of the merits of Jesus Christ, + Your Son, our Savior, + Who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, + as the One true God + now and forever. + Amen.
after which the Congregation may be seated as
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 58:1-9
Cry out with a full-throated shout.
Do not hold back.
Shout like the blast of a ram’s horn.
Declare to my people their rebellious deeds.
Declare to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 They seek me day by day,
and they are delighted to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right,
as if they had not forsaken the just ways of their God.
They ask me for just verdicts.
They are delighted to approach God:
3 “Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why do we afflict ourselves, but you are not aware?”
This is what you do!
On the same day when you fast, you do whatever you please,
and you oppress all your workers.
4 You fast so you can fight and quarrel,
so you can strike with a wicked fist.
You should not fast the way you are doing it today
if you expect God on high to hear your voice.
5 Is this the kind of fast that I would choose:
a day when a person afflicts himself
and bows his head like a reed
and makes his bed on sackcloth and ashes?
Do you call this a fast, a day to gain the Lord’s favor?
6 On the contrary, isn’t this the kind of fast that I would choose:
to loosen the chains of wickedness,
to tear apart the ropes of a yoke,
to release the oppressed so they go free,
and to tear every yoke to pieces?
7 Isn’t a true fast that you share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless and afflicted into a house?
Yes, when you see a naked person, you are to cover him,
and do not hide yourself from your own flesh and blood.
8 Then your light will break forth like dawn,
and your healing will spring up quickly.
Your righteousness will go out ahead of you,
and the Glory of the Lord will follow you.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer.
You will cry out, and he will say, “Here I am!”
The Epistle Lesson Hebrews 10:19-39
19 Brothers, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place through the blood of Jesus. 20 It is a new and living way he opened for us through the curtain, that is, his flesh. 21 We also have a great priest over the house of God. 22 So let us approach with a sincere heart, in the full confidence of faith, because our hearts have been sprinkled to take away a bad conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold on firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.
24 Let us also consider carefully how to spur each other on to love and good works. 25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have the habit of doing. Rather, let us encourage each other, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 For if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the full knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains any sacrifice for sins. 27 Instead, there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a raging fire that is going to consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses was put to death without pity, on the basis of the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much greater punishment do you think will be deserved by the person who trampled the Son of God underfoot, who considered insignificant the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, and who insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who said: “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” And again: “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember the former days when, after you were enlightened, you patiently endured a great struggle of sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly shamed by insults and persecutions. At other times you became companions of those who were treated this way. 34 Indeed, you also sympathized with those in prison, and when your possessions were seized, you accepted it with joy, because you knew that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession. 35 So do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 Certainly you need patient endurance so that, after you do God’s will, you may receive what was promised. 37 For in just a little while: “The one who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 And my righteous one will live by faith, but if he shrinks back, my soul takes no pleasure in him.
39 Now we are not part of those who shrink back, resulting in destruction, but of those who have faith, resulting in the soul’s salvation.
After which, out of respect for Jesus’ words, the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 5:1-20
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up onto a mountain. When he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He opened his mouth and began to teach them. He said these things:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
because they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the gentle,
because they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
because they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
because they will receive mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
because they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
because they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. + And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; + Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; + Born of the Virgin Mary; + Suffered under Pontius Pilate; + Was crucified, dead and buried; + He descended into hell; + The third day He rose again from the dead; + He ascended into heaven + And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; + From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. + I believe in the Holy Ghost; + The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; + The forgiveness of sins; + The resurrection of the body; + And the life everlasting. Amen.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Children’s Lesson I Corinthians 2:2
2 For I had no intention of knowing anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
It’s All – Always – Only – About Jesus!
Hymn of the Day Hymn 376 “Jesus Your Blood and Righteousness”
1 Jesus, your blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
2 Bold shall I stand in that great day–
Who can a word against me say?
Fully through you absolved I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
3 Lord, I believe your precious blood,
Which at the very throne of God
Forever will for sinners plead,
For me — e’en for my soul — was shed.
4 Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
You have for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.
5 When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
E’en then this shall be all my plea:
Jesus has lived and died for me.
6 Jesus, be worshiped endlessly!
Your boundless mercy has for me,
For me and all your hands have made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon Salutation
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord! Amen.
The Sermon Text Matthew 5:1-20
today’s Gospel Lesson
There’s No Rotten Meat In Heaven
after the Sermon, the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED
for the post-sermon blessing
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
The Offering
The Offering Hymn “The Te Deum Laudaums“
(Latin for “We Praise You, O God”)
We praise You, O God, we acclaim You as Lord;
all creation worships You the Father everlasting.
To You all angels, all the powers of heaven,
cherubim and seraphim sing in endless praise.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts,
heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise You.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise You.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise You.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims You;
Father of majesty unbounded, Your glorious, true and only Son,
and the Holy Spirit, Advocate and Guide.
You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.
When You became man to set us free,
You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You sit at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father.
We believe that You will come to be our Judge.
Come then, Lord, and help Your people,
bought with the price of Your own blood
and bring us with Your saints to glory everlasting.
As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer
The Prayers of the Church
Included in our prayers this morning is A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Janice and Steve Davis who will be celebrating their wedding anniversary this coming Tuesday.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Benediction
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Closing Hymn Hymn 382 “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less”
1 My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare to make no other claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
2 When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
3 His oath, his covenant and blood
Support me in the raging flood;
When ev’ry earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4 When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before his throne.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Silent Prayer,
Announcements,
Post-Worship Music