23rd Sunday after Pentecost – 16 November 2025
Isaiah 12:1-6 • Isaiah 65:17–25 • 2 Thessalonians 3:6–13 • Luke 21:5–19
Coming Events to Diarise:
National Church Board – 15-16 November 2025
Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 13 December 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.
“The world is going to end soon!” — we hear such claims whenever global crises dominate the news. There is war in Ukraine, in Palestine, in the DRC, and in Sudan. There are floods and earthquakes in places like the Philippines. The list seems endless.
Over the past two thousand years, more than 200 predictions about the end of the world have been made by religious leaders — among them several Popes, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Herbert Armstrong, and even modern-day preachers, including some as recently as 2025. In every generation, wars, earthquakes, famines, and pandemics have led people to believe the end was near. Sadly, some leaders have used such fears to discourage people from living productive lives, telling them to stop contributing to society and simply wait for Jesus’ imminent return.
But two thousand years ago, Jesus already warned us that such things would happen. Yet many still ignore His clear advice. This week, we are reminded of His words:
“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” (Luke 21:8)
Jesus made it clear that no one knows the day or the hour of His return — not even Himself. His coming will be like a thief in the night.
It is deeply saddening to see Christians still being deceived by the very things Jesus warned us about. Let us stay awake, discerning, and faithful — living each day with hope and purpose, not fear and confusion.
Let’s continue to live responsibly, work diligently, love one another, and spread the Gospel — until He comes.
My prayer for this week is that none of us fall victim to any form of deception. Amen!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Special Service at Aruka: For those who are able to attend the special church service at Aruka on 7 December, please give your names to your pastors, who will submit your names to Nowakhe at the national office at nowakhe@gci.org.za or 066 250 8265 for catering purposes. Food will be for sale, and we need to make sure there will be enough for everyone. Please let us have the numbers by 30 November.
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 as we count down to the end of 2025. Income is still 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.
SPIRITUAL EQUIPPING PROGRAM (SEP) 2025
Applications for SEP 2025 are closed. The fees are now due, as the deadline of 31 October has passed.
___________________________
REPEAT ANNOUNCEMENTS 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.
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 December 2025 (2nd Saturday of the Month)
Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 13 December 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:
· December 13
SEPTEMBER 2025 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED
Our September 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 12 November 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.