14th Sunday of Pentecost
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c • Exodus 3:1-15 • Romans 12:9-21 • Matthew 16:21-28
Coming Events to Diarise:
Women’s Retreat 2026 – 4-6 September 2026
Women’s Monthly Bible Study – 8 September 2026
Bi-weekly Online Bible Study – 9 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!
Every so often Scripture stops describing what we do and simply tells us who we are as people of Christ. Who we are must be reflected in what we do, and what we do must reflect who we are. Romans 12:9–21 is one of those passages — a picture of a people shaped by the mercy of God (v.1) and now living it out in ordinary relationships, every day. Read it slowly this week. Let it examine your heart before you examine it.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (v9-10)
Real love isn’t performance. Before anything else is asked of us, we’re asked to actually mean it — and to let that sincere love shape who we are, and who we are becoming.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (v11-13)
Paul mentions zeal nine times in his letters, and twice in the Book of Romans. Here he says we must never lack in zeal. Without zeal serving is burdensome, prayer is a drag. Our zeal and devotion to the Lord was never meant to stay private — it overflows in hospitality toward the people around us, especially in their need.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (v14-16)
This is where the passage gets costly. Blessing an enemy, weeping with a grieving friend, staying humble enough to sit with “people of low” position — none of this is natural. It’s supernatural, and it’s exactly who Christ is forming us to be. In Christ there are no people of low position.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (v17-18)
We don’t control how others treat us. We do control our response — and as far as it depends on us, there should be peace. However, it does not always depend on us, and it’s okay.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (v19-21)
This is the summit of the passage — and the summit of what it means to belong to Christ. We are not called to go pound for pound with evil, but to overcome it with a love that only makes sense if God is real and His justice is sure.
My prayer for us this week is that God may show each one of us a person to bless instead of resent, a burden to help someone carry, an old score to leave in God’s hands rather than settle ourselves. This is who we are. Let’s live like it. 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
NATIONAL OFFICE UPDATE
Gill Khoury will be away from 9 – 30 September. Any disbursement requests will be processed as normal by Carrie and Nowakhe. Please let me know if there is anything you need assistance with during that time.
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)
___________________________
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 8th 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 – 9 September 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.