Scriptures for
February 8, 2026
Light and Salt
• Isaiah 58: 1-9a
• Psalm 112:1-10
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-12
• Matthew 5: 13-20
We continue reading the sermon on the Mount
this week. Jesus is urging his followers to be Salt
and Light in world.
We are to live out the Law and the admonitions
of the prophets and teach it to others. Our
righteousness should exceed that of the Pharisees.
Exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees is a demanding challenge. They saw fulfilling
the law as their mission in life. St. Paul was a Pharisee and proud of it. How were you going to
top him and those like him? Jesus even goes on to say at the end of chapter 5 that we are to
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (vs 48). How can we do that?
The answer is we cannot. We only move beyond the righteousness of the Pharisees if we
focus not on fulfilling the law for our own personal betterment but understand the Grace of
God and allow the love of God to flow freely through us.
St Paul, the proud Pharisee, had his life turned around in dynamic fashion through
revelation of Jesus on the road to Damacus. When his eyes were opened, he saw that he no
longer tried to fulfill all the law for himself. Jesus had done that for him. He lived the life of
Grace now, freely for others. As he writes in 1 Corinthians 2:2: “I decided to know nothing
among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” He learned that: “What no eye has seen, nor
ear heard, not the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”.
Resting in Grace of God, we are made perfect in Christ. We can: In everything do to others
as you could have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
This is how we are to be salt and light in the world. Aware and appreciative of “What God
has prepared for those who love him.”
We exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees by moving beyond a focus on our self and
live for the life of the world. Jesus later (Matthew 22:24-36) summarizes the Law and the
Prophets for the Pharisees: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul
and with all your mind. . .You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.
Salt at the time of Jesus and in previous generations was precious: Preserving what was
good, keeping corruption at bay and flavoring what was dull. If you read the sides of packages,
most processed foods have plenty of salt for those purposes.
In our lives we are called to preserve the life we see in the world around us. We can keep
bitterness at bay. I was talking to Bob Jensen Monday morning. He is moving forward with
procedures on the sist in his kidney. Happily, he has connected with a urologist friend of his.
He has not been with us in worship, to avoid any infections.
He told me about a friend of his, another retired Marine sergeant, who has no family. He
calls him and others like him regularly. Like salt he helps keep bitterness and decay at bay.
There is temptation at times to be overwhelmed by our own difficulties and allow our lives
to become like tasteless salt. Hiding our faith rather than letting it flavor the world. Me First is
a theme on our times, words of Grace are needed.
I try to include words of grace as much as I can as I interact with people.
Being Light in the world can be a challenge. At her baptism, our granddaughter Lily was
given a lit candle with the words from Matthew 5:16: “May your Light so Shine before others
that they see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.”
We used the same candle that was used at our daughter Brie’s baptism. Brie was certainly a
person who let her Light shine, encouraged by the congregations I served. Now she is using
her gifts to encourage Lily to shine. Wonderful to see, as she documents the daily joys on her
phone and shares them with us. We also get to hear our grandson Blake’s glee, all through the
phone, good times.
Faith has been in encouraging the youth of our church. Most recently you gave amazing
support to Elisha Mkanza. His High School Choir tour is nearly fully funded. He and Rachael
have been blessed by the music lessons from Irm. Thank you to Rachael for sharing her talents
by playing the prelude on Sunday. Melody also shared her remembrance of the New
Testament books and the Mureaux boys were open to taking me on in a twist and shout
contest. As summer approaches you always support campership richly as well.
This little Light, we encourage it to shine, all within a place of Grace.
Connie and I recently added a small night light to our living room area. It disappears during
the day, but shines brightly at night. Light shines most brightly in darkness and as John writes
the amazing thing is that: “The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not
overcome it.” (John 1:5). Let your light shine.
Light guides lost hearts home. Light reveals what is true. We should not fear shining
brightly even though at times we may be misunderstood, judged, or rejected. Do not hide the
lamp. Even a little salt makes a difference, even a small flame pushes back darkness.
Prayer: Lord may your Light continue to shine through Faith. Gives us courage to be Salt
and Light in the world, living openly for You. Not out of pride but in humble confidence. Loving
You and our neighbor with patience, forgiveness and peace. May Your grace work within us.
Scattered our Salt, Illumine our way, at home, at work, during our daily routines. As your
faithful servants may we be rooted in you, savoring life with a light that does not grow dim.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor John
Reminder: Ash Wednesday Service is February 18 @ 7pm. Lenten Souper Bible Studies
follow each Wednesday @ 5:30 pm. February 25 – April 1. (no fooling). You can sign up to
bring soup in the narthex. Pastor Bunge will be in the office Mondays and Tuesdays.
Offerings Thanks for all your support, giving statements for 2025 are available in the
narthex.
Let your Light so Shine
We added more light to our sign out front. Let us know what you think. We also added
more lighting to the front of the church sanctuary, so the streaming of our service is
improved. The sound for the streaming is much improved and does include Closed
Captioning.
Thanks:
Kyle for working on the drainage by the sacristy door and working on the walls of the
sacristy. He also added metal strips by the oven in the Fireside room.
Lou repaired wood vents by the front of the sanctuary.
Connie will be doing the touch-up painting in our updated kitchen.
Thanks to Karen Hall who provided a new coffee pot for Fellowship and Pantry use!
Thanks to Kim & Cesar for their donation of coffee creamers and juice and tea for the
Sunday Fellowship Hour.
Elisha’s Yucaipa Choir Elisha Mkanza made an appeal for support for his High School
Choir’s trip in the Southern California area competition. Wow what a response, we are
just $65 short of a full sponsorship. If you can help sponsor him, it would be best to give
through Faith so the church can be recognized in their program. Just indicate your gift on
your envelope or check for Elisha YHS Choir.
Pantry – We were blessed with two vans loads of cereal so we are good there and your
extra sweaters, coats or sweatpants are much appreciated. Note the date of the next
pantry is February 14. If you know of someone with needs between now and then give
Carol Jensen a call. We are glad to help but do need to track who we are helping with the
pantry.
QUILTING – 36 quilts were made in 2025. 16 were boxed for Lutheran World Relief, which
distributes them around the world. 10 were given to our San Bernardino Wellness Center.
Thanks to the group who helping to make prayer cloths that will be blessed and available
on Sunday, February 15.
PRAISE
• Jennifer Maldonado is done with radiation treatments. She plans on being back in our
Preschool in April.
• Jan Wheeler hopes to be closing in on the issues with her leg.
• Bob Jensen is back with his urologist and is moving forward on what procedure would
best deal with the sist on his kidney. Avoiding crowds for now to avoid infections.
• Judy Martin likes her new apartment at Golden Oaks. She is hoping home in Calimesa
will be sold.
PLEASE PRAY FOR
• Heather Lewis’s mother Rosalind Lara is regaining her strength at Arrowhead Springs
Healthcare, but still not home.
• Maria Baker is facing back pain from a former car accident.
• Barbara Kuerzinger’s son Ian, who was fortunate to have his colon cancer discovered
early but now will likely face chemotherapy.
• Lauren Shaffer’s surgery has not happened yet. They are still working on the swelling
in her right leg.
• Jeanne Koening’s surgery was also postponed.
• Bonnie Strack is seeking relief from back pain. She also appreciates prayers for her
son Brendan Simms, who has suffered years from a series of strokes.
• Michael Shea has continuing health issues and would also appreciate prayers for his
and Ann’s son, Andrew.
• Eloise still has some double vision. She has a checkup schedule for February 6.
Parkinsons is acting up.
• Bonnie Hallberg is still awaiting shoulder surgery. The blood clot discovered in her leg
has not dissolved. She sees a doctor next Monday. The shoulder is painful, but not
overwhelming and the clot must be taken care of first.
• Nelson Hall continues to have health concerns including his heart function and
breathing but he and Karen were able to move to their new home, and he is doing
better in that situation.
• Kim Guevara appreciates your prayers for granddaughter, Kayla, who is now living
with her father, their son, Kyle.
• Continued prayers for Jacque Kottmeier who, due to her eyesight, is no longer able to
drive. Nice to have her neighbor Elaine Risso back with us in worship.
Thanks to all who continue to give shoes for Soles 4 Souls. The box
was full and so was taken for its good use. The box is still in the
Narthex for continued donations. Thanks to David Strack for
coordinating. Thanks to Holly from Family Assistance Center in Yucaipa for
making donations as well.
FELLOWSHIP/OUTREACH
SMALL PRAYER QUILTS – With the help of the Quilting
Group, we are working on prayer quilts with crosses on the
inside. Thanks to Barbara for the idea, and Emily, Dana, Dona,
Linda D, Connie B. for willingness to help to make them.
Thanks to Linda D. for her beautiful fabric card creations. –
One of the members of the congregation who has received and treasured
monthly one of her fabric cards for the last year has now asked us to make
them into prayer quilts so she can use in her Bible/Prayer Study.
They will be blessed on February 15 and will be available for you to pick up in the Narthex.
HANDMADE CARDS – We will still mail about 37 BIRTHDAY CARDS AND
ANNIVERSARY CARDS AND CARDS TO THOSE ON THE PRAYER LIST monthly. And
provide CARDS IN THE NARTHEX for members to mail.
Thanks to Linda D. for her marvelous fabric creations.
Thank you to our watercolor color class that
met that Sunday – Holly, Kim, Alec, Sharon,
Barbara, Pat T., Connie for their fabulous heart
creations.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES WILL BE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. WE’LL
PAINT CARDS FOR THE MONTH. NEXT CLASS ON MARCH 1
(No class fee, materials provided if you do not have own. For taking the class, we ask you
to please donate to the Camp fund for youth.)
PRAYER SHAWLS – Thanks to Karen’s idea, we will also be providing PRAYER
SHAWLS to those who are homebound and people who have received a challenging
medical diagnosis. Thanks to Sharon & Steve Cady for their willingness to provide an
action team to help with this. Thanks to Chris Ladd for donating a special shawl made by
her mother.
PRAYER/FRIENDSHIP ROCKS –
Karen, Connie B., Sharon C., and Carol Hamre continue to paint prayer/friendship rocks
for you to keep, give to someone, surprise someone, or put in your garden, etc.
Rocks are available in the Narthex, Chapel and Fireside Room for members, friends and
the AA, NA, Al-anon, pantry etc. groups.
SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP HOUR
FEBRUARY – CELEBRATING LOVE
1 Thanks to Kim for Taco Soup – Fabulous! She will provide recipe
8 Thank you to WELCA
15 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
Thanks to Nancy for her fantastic Spaghetti
Thanks to special Diane Watson for cookies from the Cookie Company!
22 POTLUCK – note the 4th Sunday will be Themed Potlucks
THEME: LOVE IS IN THE AIR WITH APPETIZERS
Please sign up in the Narthex to bring food or help clean up
Some of you have asked us to publish a list of donations that are needed for the
Fellowship Hour on Sundays & Outreach Projects. Thank you.
o Thanks to Kim & Cesar for donating creamers, tea and juice!
o Any monetary donations can be given through the offering, marked Fellowship
o Stamps can be left at the office marked card ministry.
o Thanks to Pat T. for donating Bingo prizes.
o Thanks to Mimi for the monetary donation for stamps for the card ministry.
