9th Sunday after Pentecost
Psalm 105:1–11, 45b • Genesis 29:15–28 • Romans 8:26–39 • Matthew 13:31–33, 44–52
Coming Events to Diarise:
Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 29 July 2026
Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 8 August 2026
Women’s Monthly Bible Study – 11 August 2026
Women’s Retreat 2026 – 4-6 September 2026
Singles & Young Adults Retreat – 2- 4 October 2026
Spiritual Equipping Program (SEP) – 12-19 December 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of God, the Covenant Promise Keeper.
Margaret and I have travelled safely to Dallas, Texas for the denominational conference. Other African delegates have also arrived safely. The conference started yesterday, Thursday 23 July 2026. It is exciting to see all the GCI brethren from around the world.
As I reflected on this week’s scripture passages, I was reminded of these words:
“I, Joe Bloggs, take you, Joyce, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. I promise you this.”
These familiar marriage vows have been spoken by countless couples on their wedding day. At the heart of these vows are the powerful words: “I promise you this.” A marriage is built on a promise—a covenant between two people who commit themselves to one another for life.
The idea of covenant did not begin with marriage. Its roots are found in God’s relationship with his people. In Psalm 105, the psalmist celebrates God’s unwavering faithfulness:
“He remembers his covenant forever,
the promise he made, for a thousand generations;
the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant.” (Psalm 105:8–10)
This week’s reading from Genesis 29 reminds us that marriage has not always reflected God’s ideal. Jacob married two sisters, yet his heart belonged to only one of them. It is a painful story of favouritism, heartache, and broken relationships. Sadly, while we may view this account with discomfort, many women in our world continue to experience similar realities today.
Against that backdrop, the covenant of God shines even more brightly. Marriage vows give us perhaps the closest human picture of how God relates to us. He does not love us selectively or conditionally. He loves us with an everlasting love—a love grounded in the covenant he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the bridegroom of the church.
Yet even the finest marriage vows fall short of God’s covenant. Human promises end with the words, “till death do us part.” God’s covenant promise has no such ending. It is eternal.
This week we are also reminded of Paul’s triumphant declaration in Romans 8:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life… nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)
Death may bring an earthly marriage to its conclusion, but it cannot end God’s covenant love. His promise extends beyond the grave. Nothing—not even death itself—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
This week’s passages remind us to rest in the assurance that our God is the Promise Keeper. His covenant is everlasting, his love is unfailing, and his faithfulness will never come to an end.
My prayer this week is for all of us to come to know the covenant promise of God in Jesus Christ, and the deep love that He has for us. Amen!
PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES:
Offerings: Thank you for your continued generosity as God has blessed you. Our budgeted income shortfall has improved as at the end of June 2026 to -0.4%, from -3.7% in May. It is now 4.1% higher than 2025.
Peace: Please pray for peace in South Africa and across the world.
Sick Brethren: Please continue to pray for the brethren who are suffering from various sicknesses.
Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!
Takalani
SINGLES & YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT.
A Singles and Young Adults Retreat is being planned as follows:
Date: 2-4 October 2026
Venue: Aruka, Bela Bela
Cost: R1600 per person, including all meals, plus a complimentary copy of Marriage is Not Obsolete by Pastor Takalani Musekwa. To book, please complete the booking form here: Singles & Young Adults Retreat.
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)
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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
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 – 2ndTuesday 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 11thof August. 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 8 August 2026
Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 8 August 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:
· 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
Mission Possible
Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study – 29 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
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.