2nd Sunday after Pentecost – 22 June 2025
Psalm 42:1–11 and 43:1–5 · 1 Kings 19:1–4, (5–7), 8–15a · Galatians 3:23–29 · Luke 8:26–39
Coming Events to Diarise:
Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 12 July 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 Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
South Africa celebrated Youth Day on Monday in commemoration of the youth uprisings of 1976. Some historians have argued that if 16 June 1976 did not happen, Apartheid could have been still alive today.
For me this event highlights a more critical issue about the role of young people in moving society forward. Pentecost, which we celebrate this time as Christians also reminds us of the role of young people in the story of the church.
You will remember that in Acts 2 Peter quotes prophet Joel in saying that when God pours out his Spirit on humans, young men and young women will prophesy. The New Testament church was started by young men and young women, moved by the Spirit of God. Throughout the history of the church, key Christian leaders like Paul, Athanasius, Augustine, Martin Luther, and even Herbert Armstrong, where young men in their 20s and 30s when they started their ministries.
This Youth month I call upon all of our young people to reflect on their own roles, both in the church, and in society in general. I also call upon our older members to create spaces for young people to participate in ministry as the Holy Spirit enables them.
My prayer for this week is for all our young people to hear the call of God in their lives and rise up. Amen!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Disaster in Eastern Cape: At the time of writing, over 90 people have lost their lives due to the floods in the Eastern Cape. Please pray for the families and all the people whose lives have been devastated by these floods.
Sick Brethren: Please continue to pray for the brethren who suffering from various sicknesses.
Offerings: Please continue to pray for the offerings and 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)
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 April 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 July 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)
Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 12 July 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:
· 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
Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study
Next Bible Study on 25 June 2025
Please diarise and join the biweekly Online Bible study every second Wednesday at 19:00. The current series is: The Book of Proverbs.
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.