9th Sunday after Pentecost – 10 August 2025
Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 • Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 • Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 • Luke 12:32-40
Coming Events to Diarise:
Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 9 August 2025
National Women’s Retreat 2025 – 8 – 10 August 2025
Annual General Meeting – 31 August 2025
Regional Leadership Conference – 5 – 7 December 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.
August is Women’s Month in South Africa, a time to honour and reflect on the immense contributions of women in our society, especially those whose humanity and worth have too often been overlooked. Within our GCI family, our women will be gathering in Polokwane this weekend for their annual Women’s Retreat. Women’s Day, observed on Saturday the 9th, serves as a focal point in this national celebration.
It feels especially fitting that one of this week’s lectionary passages is Hebrews 11, the famous “faith chapter.” In GCI South Africa, our national women’s ministry is aptly named “Women of Faith.” When I read Hebrews 11, I’m reminded why: among the many heroes listed are Sarah and Rahab, women whose trust in God shaped history. In verse 35, we even read of unnamed women whose faith led them through unimaginable trials.
This week, I want to remind our GCI Women of Faith that the story of faith is still being written and your names are being added to that divine narrative. The role of women in the life of the church is not only valuable; it is indispensable. Our churches would not be what they are today without the tireless service, leadership, and devotion of our women.
So, as we mark this Women’s Month, I invite you to join me in saluting our Women of Faith. They continue the legacy of women like Sarah, Rahab, Rebekah, Ruth, Mary the mother of our Lord, Mary Magdalene, the many women who supported Jesus’ ministry, and countless others throughout the history of the faith, many of them unnamed, but never forgotten by God.
Happy Women’s Day!
My prayer this week is for every woman in our church: that you may persevere through every challenge, strengthened by the unshakable faith of Jesus Christ. May His faith carry you, sustain you, and empower you to the very end. Amen!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Sick Brethren: Please continue to pray for the brethren who are suffering from various sicknesses.
Offerings: Please continue to pray for the offerings and needs of the church in 2025. Our income in the first six months was 8.3% below budget.
Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!
Takalani
___________________________
Regional Leadership Conference – 5 – 7 December 2025
We are pleased to announce a Special Regional Leadership Conference taking place from 5 to 7 December 2025 at Aruka.
GCI President, Dr. Greg Williams, and his wife Susan will be joining us as the special guests, along with the Superintendent for Africa, Pastor Kalengule Kaoma and all Africa Regional Directors.
A special worship service is scheduled for Sunday, 7 December, and all members are warmly invited to attend. Please watch out for more details soon.
NATIONAL WOMEN’S RETEAT 2025 – 8 – 10 AUGUST 2025
Women’s Retreat takes place this weekend. Please pray for a successful retreat.
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 R1.4 MILLION
The National Building Fund has now passed R1.4 million. The balances for the various congregation are as follows as at the end of July 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 9 August 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)
Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 9 August 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:
· August 9
· September 13
· October 11
· November 8
· December 13
JUNE 2025 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED
Our June 2025 issue of the online Face To Face magazine has been published. Please find it here: Face To Face
Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study
Next Bible Study on 20 August 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.