11th Sunday after Pentecost – 24 August 2025
Psalm 71:1-6 • Jeremiah 1:4-10 • Hebrews 12:18-29 • Luke 13:10-17
Coming Events to Diarise:
Annual General Meeting – 31 August 2025
Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 13 September 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.
This week, our Scripture focus comes from Jeremiah 1:4–10. In this passage, the Lord tells Jeremiah that before he was formed in his mother’s womb, God knew him, set him apart, and appointed him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah felt unworthy, too young, and unprepared, but the Lord assured him: “Do not be afraid… I am with you and will rescue you.”
Just as Jeremiah was called, the church today has also been called and appointed to be God’s prophetic witness in the world. We are a sent people of God, commissioned to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Our mission is not limited to the walls of our church buildings, but extends to our neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools, and the nations.
Like Jeremiah, many of our young people may feel too young or inexperienced to carry this great responsibility. But God delights in using the young to accomplish His purposes. To our youth: do not say, “I am too young.” Instead, step forward in faith, trusting that God will put His words in your mouth and empower you with His Spirit. Make it your mission to live and share the gospel wherever you are.
To our older members: you play an equally vital role. Jeremiah needed encouragement, guidance, and support to walk in his calling. In the same way, our young people need us to stand with them, to encourage them, and most importantly, to allow them to learn by doing. They may not get everything right the first time, but through mentorship, patience, and love, they will grow into faithful witnesses of Christ.
Together, young and old, we are God’s prophetic community; called, appointed, and sent. Let us embrace this calling with courage and joy, knowing that the One who sends us also goes with us.
My prayer for us this week is that we all embrace our calling like Jeremiah, and go where God sends us. Amen!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025: Please remember the AGM next Sunday (31 August) at 15:30. The AGM is an opportunity for us to connect and get an update about GCI South Africa, and any other GCI news. All are welcome. Please look out of the Zoom link next week.
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
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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.
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)
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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 13 September 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)
Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 13 September 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:
· 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
He is more than Enough
God’s Grace
Growing Older
Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study
Next Bible Study on 3 September 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.