Weekly Update 9 May 2025

by Takalani Musekwa | May 9, 2025 | News

4th Sunday of Easter – 11 May 2025

Psalm 23:1-6 • Acts 9:36-43 • Revelation 7:9-17 • John 10:22-30

Coming Events to Diarise:

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 10 May 2025

National Church Board – 17-18 May 2025

National Women’s Retreat 2025 – 8 – 10 August 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 the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ!

Some of the descriptions used to describe Jesus are strange to 21st century people who live in cities. Many have never seen a sheep alive, let alone a shepherd. It is because of this lack of familiarity with the biblical imagery that we miss the essence of what is being communicated.

Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. There are many ideas expressed in the image of a shepherd. A shepherd is a provider, a guide, a teacher, a companion, a protector, a healer and many other things. The famous Psalm 23 gives us a glimpse of what a shepherd does, and what it means for the sheep. I have found that Psalm 23 provides me with great comfort and assurance when I am facing various challenges.

When you are facing challenges like lack of food, finances, persecution, discouragement, loneliness, sickness or feeling lost – instead of praying, just read Psalm 23 prayerfully.

My prayer for this week is that you may experience Jesus’ care as your great shepherd, today and always. Amen!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Mozambique: Please pray for the safety of Pastor Manuel Vasco and the church in Mozambique, as the unrest continues.

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

___________________________

NATIONAL WOMEN’S RETEAT 2025 – 8 – 10 AUGUST 2025

Registration for the National Women’s Retreat 2025 is now open. The retreat will take place in Polokwane, Limpopo at the Silver Exclusive Lodge. The cost per person is R2000 sharing, and R2400 single room (non-sharing).

Further details are available on the registration form available here: Register

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 click below:

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 10 May 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 10 May 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:

· 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 14 May 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