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This Sunday: August 31, 2025
SERMON
This Sunday: The Rev. Dr. Mike Harbert
“True Wisdom”
Bible Passages:
Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Hebrews 13:5-8, 15-16; Luke 14:7-11
Lector: Lettie Bennett
Crucifer: Maureen Sanders
Ushers: Dave Nee and Gerry Williams
Fellowship: Joan and Peter McKee
Flowers: Joan and Peter McKee
“Happy Birthday, Joan McKee.”
Prelude
Janneke Hoogland, cello
Cathryn Wilkinson, piano
Aria for Cello……….Antonio Lotti
Meditation on Prelude in C……….Bach-Gounod
Song Without Words, Opus 109……….Felix Mendelssohn
Offertory
“Largo” from Cello Sonata in G Minor……….Frédéric Chopin
Organ Postlude
Variation on “St. Anne”……….Franklin D. Ashdown
Welcome to Janneke Hoogland, returning to play favorites by Lotti, Gounod, Mendelssohn, and Chopin on the cello for us this morning.
Today’s offertory hymn is based on a tune from Nachtstücke, Opus 23, a solo piano work by Robert Schumann. In 1876, J. Ireland Tucker, an Episcopal priest and editor of several music books, set Schumann’s melody as one of several hundred in Hymnal with Tunes, Old and New (New York). In The New Century Hymnal (1995), this melody is paired with “Lord, Speak To Me.” These words are by Miss Frances Havergal, a 19th-c. British poet who authored and translated dozens of beloved hymns. She was something of a prodigy, reading at age three and later mastering Hebrew and Greek. Havergal expressed the depths of her faith in God through her poems. She explained:
“Writing hymns is like praying, for I never seem to write even a verse by myself. I feel like a child writing. . . A child will look up at every sentence and ask, ‘What shall I say next?’ That is what I do. Every line and word and rhyme comes from God.” (Excerpt from WholesomeWords.org © 2025, use for non-commercial, not-for-profit, or educational purposes.)
Last Sunday’s Service
Sunday Services Archive
The Rev. Dr. Michael Harbert
Pastor's Letter
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, but encouraging one another”
(Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV).
Dear CitF Family,
In Hebrews 10:24-25 we are given a clear directive on the importance of gathering in-person as Christians so we can “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” which simply means gathering and sharing our hearts so we can support one another in our ongoing journey of growing and serving as disciples of Jesus Christ.
We have various opportunities to gather at CiftF. We have our weekly worship service. We also have smaller gatherings that allow for informal sharing, dialogue and prayer for one another.
Bob Axely will begin his Men’s Bible Study on Thursday, September 4th. This group will meet in person and online every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in our church’s Multipurpose Room off the patio. If you have questions about this gathering, please reach out to Bob at (214) 384-1023 or rjaxley@icloud.com.
Mia Jarick leads the Women’s Insight on Faith gathering each month. The next gathering will be on Thursday, September 18th, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Mia’s home. If you’d like more information on this gathering, please reach out to Mia at (831) 917-3202 or miajarick1@yahoo.com.
I will begin my Sunday morning Bible Study on September 7th. We’ll meet every Sunday in the Multipurpose Room from 9:00 – 9:40 a.m. to discuss the scripture passages I will preach on. We’ll also end each gathering by praying for one another.
As we approach this Sunday’s worship gathering, I encourage us all to prayerfully reflect on Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Hebrews 13:5-8, 15-16 and Luke 14:1, 7-11, the passages I will preach on.
I’m grateful to share this journey of growing, serving and celebrating God’s gifts with all of you!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mike
Small Groups & Bible Study
Small Groups
These are gatherings where CitF members and friends can explore faith and deepen fellowship.
Small Group Bible Study
The Sunday Small Group Bible Study will resume September 7th.
We will l meet every Sunday in the Multipurpose Room from 9:00 – 9:40 a.m.
to discuss the scripture passages of the day.
Pastor Mike will lead our weekly discussions.
Men’s Bible Study
Men’s Bible Study will resume on Thursday, September 4th at 10:30 a.m.
in the multipurpose room and on Zoom.
We will be studying Romans and using a study guide by Pastor Art Ross.
For more information contact Bob Axley at rjaxley@icloud.com
Women’s Insight on Faith
Women’s Insight on Faith will meet on Thursday, September 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Mia Jarick’s home. Anyone interested in joining can contact Mia Jarick at 831-917-3202 or miajarick1@yahoo.com.