Weekly Update – 23 August 2026

by Takalani Musekwa | Aug 21, 2026 | News

13^th Sunday of Pentecost

Psalm 124::1-8 • Exodus 1:8-2:10 • Romans 12:1-8 • Matthew 16:13-20

Coming Events to Diarise:

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

Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 26 August 2026

Women’s Retreat 2026 – 4-6 September 2026

Women’s Monthly Bible Study – 8 September 2026

Monthly Day of Prayer & Fasting – 12 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 our Lord Jesus Christ!

We live in an individualistic society. Everything around us is designed for the individual — your preferences, your choices, your journey. I was speaking to someone recently who believes the church works the same way. His view was that since all of us have received the Spirit of God, all of us are sons of God just as Jesus was.

Each one of us, he said, can do whatever Jesus did. We don’t need teachers or preachers or leaders, and nothing should restrict what we choose to do. He was adamant that scripture itself demands we function this way.

One of this week’s scriptures says otherwise. Writing to the Romans, Paul says:

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”(Rom. 12:6-8)

Paul returns again and again to the image of the body. Maybe he’s describing something far more solid than we realise. A body works well because its parts are different, each one gifted for a different function. He starts from that point: we have differing gifts, according to God’s grace.

Then he names some of them. Prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy — some we’d never even think to call a gift. And his list isn’t meant to be complete. That’s the nature of gifts: all of us can do these things, but not all of us are good at all of them.

So Paul’s point isn’t independence. It’s the opposite — it’s knowing what your gift is, and giving yourself to it. Not doing everything. Doing your part, well.

What is your gift?

My prayer for us this week is that we may all desire to excel in our gifts for the sake of the body of Jesus Christ, the church. 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 8^th of September. 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 12 September 2026

Our next Day of Prayer and Fasting is on Saturday 12 September 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:

· September 12

· October 10

· November 7

· December 12

Online Bi-Weekly Bible Study – 26 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