Third Sunday after Epiphany – 26 January 2025
Psalm 19:1-14 · Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 · 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a · Luke 4:14-21
Coming Events to Diarise:
Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 8 February 2025
Pastoral Conference: 20-23 March 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
This week’s scripture passages remind us of the diversity in creation, and how that diversity declares the glory of God (Ps. 19). Paul then shows us how that diversity is built into the fabric of the church as the diverse Body of Jesus Christ. He talks about how the different parts of the body, the foot, the hand, the ear, the eye and so on; are united in the body despite their diversity.
He describes how the church is meant to be a communion of diverse individuals with different roles, working together for the glory of God. There is nothing that detracts from the ministry of the church than lack of unity, individualism and competition amongst members with different gifts, and who are supposed to be doing different things that build the church.
When we compete with one another, we stop caring for one another. When we are united, we show it through how we show compassion for one another. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” (1. Cor. 12:26). As the unionists used to say, “an injury to one is an injury to all”. This is not a political or socialist statement. It is a Christian principle. We cannot be united unless we are in fellowship together. We need to spend time together in fellowship to deepen our bonds. It is only when we know and understand each other’s personal situations that we can show care and concern.
When we live in that unity, we reflect the kingdom of God. We develop a kingdom culture in the church and amongst ourselves. The GCI theme for 2025 is Kingdom Culture. One of the ways we can display a kingdom culture is through our unity and love for one another as believers in Christ.
My prayer for this week is that we can immerse ourselves into the kingdom culture through our love for one another. Amen
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Building Fund: Please continue to pray for our building fund and other financial needs of the church in 2025.
Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!
Takalani
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REPEAT ANNOUNCEMNTS NOT TO BE READ IN CHURCH SERVICES
NATIONAL BUILDING FUND NOW OVER R1.2 MILLION
The National Building Fund has now passed R1.2 million. The balances for the various congregation are as follows as at the end of December 2024:
Please support your congregation’s Building Fund by contributing additional offerings monthly or once off to the dedicated bank account as follows:
· Bank: First National Bank (FNB)
· Name: GCI Building Fund
· Account No: 6304 180 7835
· Deposit Reference: Name and Surname
You can also fundraise as a group or alone. You may have items that you no longer need or use which you can pawn and donate the funds, or approach friends and family who may be able to donate to the fund. If you need a letter to request donations please feel free to contact me.
Monthly Day of Prayer and Fasting –Saturday 8 February 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)
Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 8 February 2025. Please see the dates for the rest of the year below, and diarise accordingly.
Please find some video links on Prayer and Fasting if you want to know more. Here are the links:
1. Fasting- The Forgotten Spiritual Discipline – https://youtu.be/7MgrVj_w9sY
2. Fasting Questions and Answers 1 – https://youtu.be/Mkk3U2KvPHg
3. Fasting Questions and Answers 2 – https://youtu.be/CghD-uxBbFk
4. Fasting Question and Answer #3 – https://youtu.be/ajKaWRgreLw (Question #3: How should I fast? Are there different types of fasts?)
Future Days of Prayer and Fasting:
· February 8
· March 8
· April 12
· May 10
· June 14
· Jul 12
· August 9
· September 13
· October 11
· November 8
· December 13
December 2024 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED
Our December 2024 issue of the online Face To Face magazine has been published. Please find it here: Face To Face
The Invisible God became visible
Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study
Next Bible Study on 5 February 2025
Please diarise and join the biweekly Online Bible study every second Wednesday at 19:00. The current series is: The Book of Acts.
To connect to the biweekly Bible Study, here are the details: Click
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89054374373?pwd=NFZVaFJjVGxqQjc5K0YyeWEzVVZMUT09
OR enter the details below to join the meeting:
Meeting ID: 890 5437 4373
Passcode: GCI2021
Time: 19:00
OFFERINGS: (should Christians pay a tithe?)
Even though some churches are not able to meet, we urge you to continue to give your weekly Thanksgiving offering that you would normally give during church services. The bank details for EFT and Cash deposits are below:
The Banking details for both the weekly Thanksgiving Offerings and the monthly Freewill Offerings are as follows:
EFT PAYMENTS
GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL-S.A –
Account No: 593 800 27523 – FNB Current Account Number
Ref. NameSurname Church
Please reference your offering so that we can send a receipt.
CASH PAYMENTS
GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL-S.A –
FNB Account No: 74451599946
Account Type: 32 Day Notice account
Ref. NameSurname Church
Please reference your offering so that we can send a receipt.