Weekly Update – 11 April 2025

by Takalani Musekwa | Apr 11, 2025 | News

Palm Sunday – 13 April 2025

Isaiah 50:4–9a • Psalm 31:9–16 • Philippians 2:5–11 • Luke 22:14–23:56

Coming Events to Diarise:

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 12 April 2025

SEP 2025 – 13 – 20 December 2025

Denominational Conference 2026 – 23-26 July 2026, Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, Dallas, Texas, USA.

**Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,**

Greetings in the name of our Servant King, Jesus Christ.

This Sunday is called Palm Sunday. Sometimes I think it should be called Donkey Sunday. When you read the gospel accounts of Jesus entering Jerusalem, what stands out in all the narratives is the donkey that Jesus rode on into Jerusalem. Donkeys were primarily seen as lowly animals of labour and service, often associated with farmers and labourers. By riding a donkey, Jesus was displaying what kind of king he was – a servant, humble king.

In fact, this is what prophet Zechariah prophesied about Jesus. “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.” (Zech. 9:9 NLT)

In our world, kings and presidents are not known for their humility. Even in Jesus’ time, humility was never associated with kings. Yet, being king of the universe Jesus decided to ride a lowly donkey. This is what Palm Sunday is about – Humility.

We are implored to be like Jesus in our humility. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, … … made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. …he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:5-8)

It is this humility that should characterise our interactions with one another. We should never make ourselves to be more important than others.

My prayer for this week is that we may all join in the celebrations of our humble king’s victory over evil and death. Amen!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Building Fund: Please continue to pray for our building fund and other financial needs of the church in 2025.

Bereaved Families: Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who have lost loved ones, and the children they left behind.

Have a blessed weekend!

Shalom!

Takalani

___________________________

SPIRITUAL EQUIPPING PROGRAM (SEP) 2025 – Applications Open

Applications for SEP 2025 are open. The closing date for applications is 21 September 2025. A non-refundable deposit of R600 is payable by 30 September 2025. The balance is payable by 31 October.

Please read the terms and conditions on the application form. The application form must be completed online by computer or mobile phone. To access the application forms please click below on the relevant form:

Camper Application Form 2025 (13-18 years)

Vacation Bible School Form (9-12 Years)

Staff Application Form

REPEAT ANNOUNCEMNTS NOT TO BE READ IN CHURCH SERVICES

NATIONAL BUILDING FUND NOW OVER R1.3 MILLION

The National Building Fund has now passed R1.3 million. The balances for the various congregation are as follows as at the end of March 2025:

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 12 April 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 12 April 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:

· April 12

· May 10

· June 14

· Jul 12

· August 9

· September 13

· October 11

· November 8

· December 13

March 2025 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED

Our March 2025 issue of the online Face To Face magazine has been published. Please find it here: Face To Face

Use the gifts we have been given

Messenger of God

The Art of Godly Restoration

Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study

Next Bible Study on 16 April 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