Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - Scout Sunday - February 8, 2026

SummaryOn Scout Sunday, Mother Suzanne uses the beloved children's song "This Little Light of Mine" to illustrate Jesus's teaching about being salt and light from the Sermon on the Mount. She emphasizes that God works through simple, ordinary acts of service, praising the scout troop at Grace Episcopal Church for their faithful work tending the playground, collecting food for the blessing box, and serving the homeless community. Mother Suzanne encourages the scouts to continue being salt and light in the world through their everyday acts of courage, service, and putting others before themselves.THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Matthew 5:13-20Jesus said, “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.“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 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.“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 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. 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. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” On Scout Sunday, we celebrate the anniversary of the Scouting movement (founded Feb 8, 1910), recognize volunteers and Scouts, and foster faith-based relationships with the scouts and leaders of Troop and Pack 400.