8 February 2026

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Bible readings for today

• Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) 
• Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) 
• Matthew 5:13-20

Liturgical Colour: GREEN

This is also the Sunday closest to Waitangi Day (Feb 6)

Waitangi Day resources >>

Collect

We praise you, God, 
that the light of Christ shines in our darkness 
and is never overcome; 
show us the way we must go to eternal day; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord 
Amen. 

E te Atua, ka whakamoemiti mātou ki a koe,
e tīaho nei te māramatanga o te Karaiti i roto i ō mātou pōuritanga, ā e kore hoki e taea te tinei;
​whakaaturia mai te huarahi e tae atu ai mātou ki te rā mutungakore; 
Ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki. 
Āmine.

Back to School 

With some school students and teaching staff preparing to head back to school this week and the next, consider how you can pray for your tamariki or your local school this Sunday. You can find a *new* Back to School Blessing on our Strandz website. 

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

This gospel reading is given as part of the Sermon on the Mount, and challenges us to live in a way that encourages change in the lives of others. 

Input for Leaders

Gospel Conversations 2023 (Diocese of Dunedin) Year A Ordinary 5
​We start off the Year of Matthew by plunging right into Matthew and a joyful exploration of what it could mean to be Salt and Light to the world.

Visio Lectio
A beautiful free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission.
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Intergenerational Worship

​Year A, Epiphany 5 ​(Intergen Australia).
Epiphany 5, Year A 2023.
​
Bible references: 1 Corinthians, Isaiah, Matthew.
Written and compiled by Elizabeth Waldron Anstice.

Kids Talks

Salt and Light (Missio Dei Communities) - full lesson plan.

​Matthew 5:13-16 (Gary Neal Hansen) - Paraphrased retelling of 'You are the light of the world'.

Salt and Light for Kids (Kids Bible Lessons) - Full lesson plan.

Let your light shine (Bible Lessons 4 Kids) - short and simple talk for younger  kids)​

Questions

• What is your favourite salty food?
• What do you think it means to be "salty"?
• I wonder, what might we use salt for? 
• If salt is for seasoning, flavouring, zest, purifying, cleansing, cooking, what does it mean for christians to be 'salt in the world?'
• Why is light important?
• What do you think it means to let your light shine?
• I wonder what kinds of things you and I do that shine like light?
• I wonder if people think about God when you and I do things?
• ​How can you be 'salty' this week? How can you shine?

Pray it!

Salt Tray Prayers (Flame Creative).
Sit in a circle and pass the tray from person to person so each person can have a go. This is a great activity for kids who are too shy to pray aloud.

Activities

• Light of the World Playdough Mat (Flame Creative Kids)
• Lantern Craft (Flame Creative Kids)
• Paper and Oil Suncatchers (Flame Creative Kids)
• Night Light (Nothing but Country)
• Glow Art (Play at Home Mom)
• Salt Dough Tea Lights (Emma Owl)
• Glow Jar (Pastor on Brooks)
• Light of the world suncatchers (Flame Creative)

Preschool Play

Tell the story

• Share the verses simply but use practical demonstrations to help make it real for the kids.
  
• Try sharing plain popcorn versus buttery salty popcorn. 
  
• Or use the object lesson in this simple talk ​Let your light shine (Sermons 4 Kids).

Light Sensory Box - You will need a plastic container with a clear smooth opaque lid (clear lids don't work as well), and with fairy lights inside. Pour some play sand (or a large quantity of SALT) on the top, and encourage kids to write messages and draw pictures. You can add some extra WOW factor by adding this rainbow coloured glow art tray to your Light Sensory Tray (The Imagination Tree). 
Talk about - how/why the light shines through, how different patterns let the light shine in different ways. What does Jesus light look like when it shines through us?

Taste test - Have a selection of different foods. Get kids to taste each one and decide if it is sweet, salty, or something else? [Safety Note: be aware of allergies and whether kids are eating solids].
Talk about - do some taste better than others? Why? 

Light of the World Playdough Mat (Flame Creative Kids)

Media

Songs