Wednesday Message

February 4, 2026

 

A Little Light (and Salt)

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:13–14

Most of us have had this moment: the lights are off, the room is dark, and you’re trying to make your way across the bedroom without stubbing your toe.  You don’t turn on a lamp.  You don’t flip on the overhead light.  You just tap your phone screen.

That small rectangle of light is enough.

Not enough to flood the room.  Not enough to banish every shadow.  Just enough to help you see where you’re going.

Jesus says that’s what faith looks like in the world.

We hear “light of the world” and imagine stadium lights, spotlights, floodlights.  Something big enough to fix everything all at once.  And when we look at the size of the world’s pain—violence, injustice, poverty, fear—it’s easy to feel like “this little light of mine” is far too small.

But Jesus doesn’t say, “Be brighter.”  He says, “You already are the light of the world.”

Light doesn’t have to overpower the darkness to matter.  It only has to show the next step.

Salt works the same way.  No one eats a spoonful of salt.  Just a pinch changes the whole dish.  Without it, food is bland.  With it, flavor comes alive.  When there’s no salt, a little goes a long way.

The same is true of faith.  A little goes a long way.

A kind word spoken when someone feels invisible.  A word of protest in the face of injustice.
A meal shared.  A prayer offered.  A voice raised when silence would be easier.

None of it fixes everything.  But it shows the way forward.

Being salt and light isn’t about saving the world by yourself.  It’s about trusting that God works through small faithfulness, quiet courage, and ordinary acts of love.  The kingdom of heaven doesn’t arrive with fireworks.  It grows like a seed.  It shines like a phone screen in a dark room—just enough to help us keep moving forward.

And sometimes, that’s all we need.

Prayer

God of light, when the darkness feels overwhelming, remind us that you have already placed your light within us.  Give us courage to trust that small acts of love matter, that faithfulness counts, and that even a little light can make a real difference.  Show us the next step, and help us take it with hope.  Amen.

 

 

 

Sunday Coffee,  February 8, Lynn Forbush                                                                

Church Council Meeting, Monday, February 9, at 6:00 pm

Meals On Wheels, Monday, February 9 through Friday, February 13, if you are able to help deliver meals,

please call Lynne Forbush, 605-880-5379, to let her know.  Your help is always appreciated.

 

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Worship services, 5:30 pm, please join us, everyone is always welcome.

 

Sunday, February 22, 2026, pancake meal after church with “Jazz for Christ Trio” featuring Bruce Reinhardt.

 

Sign up in the narthex if you would like to volunteer to serve coffee on Sunday mornings.

Join us upstairs before church and downstairs in the Fellowship Hall following the worship service

on Sunday mornings for coffee and treats, everyone is always welcome.  

Bible Study, the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month at 3pm with Pastor Dustin, everyone is always welcome to join us.

 

Every other Thursday of the month Kimmie Schmieg will have her Girl Scout meeting in the Fellowship Hall from 6 pm to 7pm.

 

 

 

 

Money Counters:     

      

             Feb. 01      Tina Harte

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