Weekly Update – 14 June 2026

by Takalani Musekwa | Jun 12, 2026 | News

3^rd Sunday of Pentecost

Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 • Genesis 18:1–15, (21:1–7) • Romans 5:1–8 • Matthew 9:35–10:8, (9–23)

Coming Events to Diarise:

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 13 June 2026

Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 17 June 2026

Women’s Monthly Bible Study – 14 July 2026

Denominational Conference 2026 – 23-26 July 2026, Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre, Dallas, Texas, USA. (Registration Closed on 15 April)

Women’s Retreat 2026 – 4-6 September 2026

Spiritual Equipping Program (SEP) – 12-19 December 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our compassionate Triune God.

As Jesus travelled from town to town proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, he was often moved by what he saw around him. Matthew tells us that when he looked at the crowds, “he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

I was reminded of this recently during a visit to a hospital. Walking through the wards was both sobering and heartbreaking. I saw patients battling illness, anxious family members sitting at bedsides, and hospital staff doing their best under immense pressure. Everywhere I looked, I saw people carrying burdens that were often invisible but very real.

Sickness remains one of humanity’s greatest fears because it confronts us with our vulnerability. It reminds us that our lives are fragile and that, despite all our advances, there are limits to what we can control. Perhaps that is why the Gospels repeatedly tell us that wherever Jesus went preaching, he also went healing. Matthew writes that Jesus was “healing every disease and sickness” (Matthew 9:35).

What stands out in these verses is not merely Jesus’ power to heal, but the heart behind his healing. Before Jesus performed miracles, he was moved by compassion. He saw people not as problems to be solved, but as beloved children of God. He entered their pain, shared their burdens, and brought hope into their darkest moments.

The good news for us today is that Jesus has not changed. The same compassionate Lord who walked the dusty roads of Galilee continues to see us in our struggles. He sees those facing illness, those caring for loved ones, those weighed down by anxiety, grief, financial pressures, or uncertainty about the future. He knows our fears, our questions, and our tears.

While we may not always experience immediate physical healing, we can be assured that we are never abandoned. Christ meets us in our suffering. He comforts us through his presence, strengthens us through his Spirit, and surrounds us with his people. In him, we find a hope that sickness cannot destroy and a peace that circumstances cannot take away.

As followers of Jesus, we are also called to reflect his compassionate heart. Let us ask God to help us notice those who are hurting around us. A kind word, a visit, a prayer, a phone call, or a simple act of care can become a powerful reminder of God’s love to someone who is struggling.

My prayer this week is that we may be people who not only proclaim the good news but also embody it through lives of compassion, and that all who encounter us catch a glimpse of the loving heart of Jesus—the One who sees, cares, heals, and restores. Amen!

PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES:

Offerings: Please remember to pray for the church’s offerings. There has been a drop in May. We are now 3.7% (3% end of April) below budget for the period January to May.

Sick Brethren: Please continue to pray for the brethren who are suffering from various sicknesses.

Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!

Takalani

SPIRITUAL EQUIPPING PROGRAM (SEP) 2026 – Applications Open

Applications for SEP 2026 are open. The closing date for applications is 27 September 2026. A non-refundable deposit of R600 is payable by 30 September 2026. The balance is payable by 31 October.

Please read the terms and conditions, camper and staff fees, and other details on the application form. The application form must be completed online by computer or mobile phone. To access the relevant application form 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

Women’s Retreat 2026

The Women’s Retreat 2026 will be held as follows:

Date: 4-6 September 2026

Venue: Rocklands Centre, Simon’s Town, Cape Town

Cost: R1,600, payments due by 31 July

Registration Form

Further details: Speak to your local Women’s Ministry Coordinators for payment details. There are no private rooms available, only shared accommodation. Bedding is supplied. Bring own towels.

Women of Faith Monthly Online Bible Study – 2^nd Tuesday of the month

The National Women’s Ministry has started a women’s monthly bible study every second Tuesday of the month, from 7pm to 8pm. The next Bible Study will be on the 9^th of June. Please diarise it and join.

NATIONAL BUILDING FUND NOW OVER R1.7 MILLION

The National Building Fund has now exceeded R1.7 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 June 2026

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 13 June 2026. 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:

· June 13

· July 11

· August 8

· September 12

· October 10

· November 7

· December 12

May 2026 ISSUE OF FACE TO FACE PUBLISHED

Our May 2026 issue of the online Face To Face magazine has been published. Please find it here: Face To Face

Hands Held Out

Mission Possible

Stop Doubting and Believe

Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study – 17 June 2026 – Ephesians

Please diarise and join the biweekly Online Bible study every second Wednesday at 19:00. The current series is: The Book of Ephesians.

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