Weekly Update – 9 August 2026

by Takalani Musekwa | Aug 7, 2026 | News

11^th Sunday of Pentecost

Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b • Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 • Romans 10:5-15 • Matthew 14:22-33

Coming Events to Diarise:

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 8 August 2026

Women’s Monthly Bible Study – 11 August 2026

Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 12 August 2026

Annual General Meeting (AGM) – 23rd August 2026 (3-5pm)

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 Jesus, Our Saviour!

One of the things I enjoyed most at the denominational conference two weeks ago was the worship through music. We had a brilliant band made up of members from various churches in the US, led by Pastor Tamara Gray of GCI Cleveland, Ohio. I like the playlist of the songs they used.

One of the songs that keeps ringing in my mind is Trust in God by Chris Brown and Isaiah Templeton. “I trust in God, My Savior. The One who will never fail.”

This songs calls us to trust more in God. Listen to it on Youtube when you get a chance. Trusting in God doesn’t come easy. When you are in the pit in which you were thrown by your own brothers (Gen. 37), or facing a strong wind whilst trying to walk on water, trusting in God becomes theoretical. There are many moments in my own life when I find myself doubting like Peter, even though I have seen and experienced God’s deliverance many times before.

The name Jesus means Saviour. It means God the Saviour or God who saves. So when we call on the name of Jesus, we are calling on the name of the one who saves us. Last week I mentioned that names matter to God, that is why Joseph and Mary were told by the angel to name him Jesus.

In this life we are always facing one challenge or the other. At all times we need to remember who Jesus is. This is something we must meditate on often, to help walk through the storms, knowing that Jesus will meet us in the middle of the storm. Often, Jesus does not appear until the storm is fierce. It is for us to continue trusting in those moments when he has not appeared yet.

My prayer for us this week is that we grow in trusting God each day Amen!

PRAYER REQUESTS & UPDATES:

Offerings: Our budgeted income shortfall has cleared as at the end of July 2026 to 0% from -0.4% in June. It is now 4.5% higher than 2025. Thank you for your continued generosity as God has blessed you.

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

Have a blessed weekend!
Shalom!

Takalani

SEP GROCERY DRIVE.

In order to keep the cost of SEP low, we are asking for donations of grocery in kind or cash. If you are able to donate a bag of potatoes, rice or mealie meal, please complete the attached form and indicate your selection. Please add a comment on how many items you are able to provide, for example, 2 bags of 10kg rice, etc. The attached form will guide you on how to indicate your donation. The donation can be delivered to a Pretoria address which we will provide to those who have pledged at the end of November.

SEP Grocery Donations Pledge

https://forms.gle/CX1xJjXzSrMccgnd7

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)

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^ndTuesday 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 11^thof 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

Hands Held Out

Mission Possible

Stop Doubting and Believe

Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study – 12 August 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