“Light in the Forest” our stunning chapel is reflective of our mission – simplicity, inclusivity, beauty & light. The work of the church happens collaboratively.
This Sunday: October 11, 2026
SERMON
This Sunday: The Rev. Dr. Mike Harbert
“God’s Extravagant Feast”
Matthew 22:1-14
Bible Passages:
Isaiah 25:1-9; Psalm 23; Matthew 22:1-14
Lector:
Hilary Landry
Crucifer:
Will Jansma
Ushers:
Marilynn Gustafson and Carle Mowell
Flowers:
Howard Colehower
“In memory of Linda Colehower.”
Fellowship:
Kathy Gray and Evelyn Copeland
Musicians
Seán Boulware, cantor
Janneke Hoogland, cello
Cathryn Wilkinson, piano
Prelude
Music for Cello and Piano
Ave Maria (Hail, Mary)
Astor Piazzolla
Tanti anni prima (Many years before)
Bachiana Brasileira No. 5 (Aria)
Heitor Villa-Lobos, arr. G. Arnon
Overture from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Piazzolla
Offertory
Chanson de la Naissance (Song of Birth)
Astor Piazzolla, adapt & arr. H. Davies
Organ Postlude
Variation and Finale on “Hyfrydol”
R. Vaughan Williams / H. Coleman
Welcome to Dr. Seán Boulware and Janneke Hoogland, guest musicians.
Dr. Boulware is a conductor, worship leader, vocalist, and music educator with extensive experience in sacred music, choral conducting, and church worship leadership. He has served churches across multiple Christian traditions and currently conducts Monterey Peninsula Voices and Aria Women’s Choir while teaching, directing, and consulting throughout the Central Coast and beyond. His work centers on helping communities sing with beauty, faith, and shared purpose.
A Bay Area native, cellist Janneke Hoogland graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and later earned a masters degree in cello performance from The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. She performed for over twenty years with the Rochester Philharmonic and was professor of cello performance, chamber music, and string methods at Houghton College and Roberts Wesleyan College. Currently Janneke is the cello coach for Youth Music Monterey and maintains a private music studio on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Harbert
Pastor's Letter
Dear CitF Family,
These past weeks we’ve been looking at some pretty heavy and intense truths, culminating with last week’s focus on “fearing God.” Hopefully we realize that “fearing God” simply means fearing anything that seeks to separate us from God’s loving will.
This week we’re focusing on something truly marvelous. This week’s scriptures (Isaiah 25:1-9, Psalm 23 and Matthew 22:1-14) describe the lavish feast which God invites us all to share.
Hear these words from Isaiah 25:
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples…The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces;God will remove the people’s disgrace from all the earth.In that day we will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in God, and God saved us.”
Jesus also describes the wedding feast God prepares for us in Matthew 22. And of course, Psalm 23 describes the feast God makes available to us, even feasting in the very presence of our enemies.
Spend time this week reflecting on these amazing scripture passages. Let them seep into your soul, replacing any doubts about the infinite goodness of God. And come ready this Sunday to celebrate the rich abundance we have in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grateful to share this journey into God’s rich feast with all of you!
Pastor Mike
Small Groups & Bible Study
Growth Groups
These are gatherings where CitF members and friends can explore faith and deepen fellowship.
Sunday Bible Study
We meet every Sunday in the Multipurpose Room
from 9:00 – 9:40 a.m.
to discuss the scripture passages of the day.
Pastor Mike leads our weekly discussions.
Women’s Bible Study
Discussion led by Laura Harbert
The FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of each month 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
The next meeting is October 20th
At Mia Jarick’s home in Pacific Grove
Contact Mia to RSVP
miajarick1@yahoo.com
831-917-3202
Men’s Bible Study
The Thursday morning Men’s Bible Study
meets every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
in the Multipurpose Room at the church
(and on Zoom for those who cannot attend in-person).
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Mike at
(831) 915-4413 or pastormike@churchintheforest.org.