Weekly Update – 21 June 2026

by Takalani Musekwa | Jun 19, 2026 | News

4^th Sunday of Pentecost

Psalm 69:7–10, (11–15), 16–18 • Jeremiah 20:7–13 • Romans 6:1b–11 • Matthew 10:24–39

Coming Events to Diarise:

Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 1 July 2026

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 11 July 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 Triune God.

There are more than eight billion people in the world today. You and I are just one among those billions. At times, that can make us feel small, unseen, and insignificant.

In South Africa alone, millions are unemployed. Many are sick. Hospitals are under pressure. Families are carrying heavy burdens. Some are grieving, some are anxious, and some are quietly wondering whether God sees what they are going through.

When we pray, it is easy to wonder: Do my needs really matter to God? Why would God listen to my small cry when so many people around the world are facing the same or even greater struggles?

This week’s Gospel passage gives us a beautiful and comforting answer. Jesus reminds us that our Father is attentive even to the smallest creatures and the smallest details of life. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Mat. 10:29-30 NIV)

When a sparrow falls to the ground and die, it does not “fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Sometimes we may feel like God is not aware of our trials and suffering. Yet, the good news from Jesus is that the Father is fully aware, and all our trials and suffering are within his care, not outside. This is hard to understand when you are facing the trial. However, this is a truth we must never forget.

My prayer this week is that we may be assured of God’s care and love even in our trials and suffering, knowing that God’s plans for us are far greater than anything we can see or imagine. 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 14^th of July. 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 11 July 2026

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 11 July 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:

· 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 – 1 July 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