Ruimsig Anglican Community - RAC

06/09/2026

The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Priest: Reverend Helen
Parish Minister: Mary-Anne
Readers: Grace & Mary-Anne

Readings:
First: Exodus 3:1–15
Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45
Second: Romans 12:9–21
Gospel: Matthew 16:21–28

14th Sunday after PentecostRev Helen ElsSister Mary-Ann Jones

06/09/2026

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST on the 30th August 2026

“TAKE OFF YOUR SANDALS…” WHEN GOD CALLS, WILL WE LISTEN?

We extend our gratitude for the shared word and prayers from all our fellow church family that led the ministerial process namely: Priest: Reverend Helen
Parish Minister: Mary-Anne
Readers: Grace & Mary-Anne

Readings:
First — Exodus 3:1–15
Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45
Second — Romans 12:9–21
Gospel — Matthew 16:21–28

We reflected on what it means to encounter God and respond when He calls us. In the story of Moses, God speaks from the burning bush and calls him by name:

“Moses, Moses!”

Before Moses can be sent, however, God tells him to take off his sandals, for the ground on which he stands is holy. What a beautiful reminder that sometimes we become so focused on where we are going that we forget to recognise where God has placed us right now.

Our ordinary places can become holy ground.
Our difficult seasons can become places of encounter.
And our questions, fears and uncertainties do not disqualify us from God's calling.

Psalm 105 calls us to remember what God has done, to seek His presence continually and to tell the stories of His faithfulness.

Romans takes us deeper, reminding us that Christian love must be genuine. We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, practise hospitality, overcome evil with good and live peaceably with others.

And then Jesus challenges His disciples with the cost of discipleship:

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Following Christ is not always the easiest road.

It asks us to surrender our pride, to choose love when anger feels easier, to forgive when resentment feels justified and even to serve when we would rather be served. Including asking of us to trust God even when we cannot see the whole journey.

Perhaps the question for us is not simply, “Is God calling me?”

Perhaps the question is:

“Am I willing to take off my sandals, recognise the holy ground beneath my feet, and say: Here I am, Lord?”

Wherever you find yourself, remember that God can meet you there.

Even when you may feel uncertain like Moses, or seeking direction.
You may be carrying a burden that nobody else sees, or even wondering whether your life still has purpose.

God still calls.

And when He calls, He does not ask us to have everything figured out. He asks us to trust Him enough to take the next step.

Prayer:
Lord, open our hearts to recognise Your presence. Give us courage to answer Your call, humility to serve, strength to carry our crosses, and love that overcomes evil with good. May our lives become holy ground where Your love can be seen and experienced always.
Amen.

May we lead each day remembering:
We are called. We are loved. We are sent. And wherever God leads us, we do not walk alone.

Come, worship with us. Come as you are. Come and discover the God who still calls our names.

Ora brought some party packs in celebration of his 8th Birthday, all the kids had tons of fun with him during Sunday School including after church.

Glory to God Almighty Family.
Stay Blessed.

05/09/2026

The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Priest: Revd. Denzall Snell
Parish Minister: Cecilia
Readers: Nontombi & Charrissa

Readings:
First: Exodus 1:8–2:10
Psalm: 124
Second: Romans 12:1–8
Gospel : Matthew 16:13–20

05/09/2026

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST as held on the 16 AUGUST 2026

Jesus asked his disciples, ''WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?''

When we reflect on a question that reaches deeply into our faith:

“But who do you say that I am?” — Matthew 16:15

In the Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples not simply what others are saying about Him, but what they believe. Peter responds with courage and conviction: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

It is a question that also invites us to look inward:

Who is Jesus to us?
Who is He when life becomes difficult?
Who is He when we are uncertain about our future?
Who is He when we are called to stand for what is right?

The story of Moses reminds us that God can work through the most unexpected beginnings. A child preserved through courage, compassion and faith would eventually become part of God's greater purpose for His people.

Psalm 124 reminds us that when we look back, we can recognise that the Lord has been on our side. There are moments we may not understand how we made it through, but faith allows us to say: If the Lord had not been on our side, where would we be?

Romans then reminds us that faith is not only about what we believe, it is about how we live and what we contribute. We are one body with many members, and each person has gifts that matter.

Remember that we all:
- have a place, are gifted, filled with purpose and can contribute to the kingdom principles. Perhaps this message is an invitation to stop comparing our calling with someone else's and instead ask:

“Lord, what have You placed in me, and how can I use it to serve You and others?”

As a church community, may we become people who know whose we are, recognise the gifts God has given us, and use those gifts with humility, love and courage.

May we also remember that the Church is not built by one person. We are the body of Christ different gifts, different stories, different journeys, but one body and one Lord.

Lord Jesus, help us to know You more deeply, to recognise Your presence in our lives, and to understand the gifts You have entrusted to us. Give us courage to use those gifts in service of Your people and Your Kingdom.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

And perhaps even more importantly:

Who is He calling YOU to become?

Come, worship with us. Come, discover your place. Come, grow with us in Christ.

Our Readings were:
First: Exodus 1:8–2:10
Psalm 124
Second: Romans 12:1–8
Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20

We thank our ministerial team for their service by helping to reflect upon the good news proclaimed in the book of life. Priest: Revd. Denzall, Parish Minister: Cecilia, Readers: Nontombi & Charrissa

Blessings to you and your families.

04/09/2026

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost as held on the 16 August 2026

Priest: Revd. John
PM: Vuyelwa
Readers: Sinah and Debra
Readings:
First: Genesis 45: 1 - 15
Psalm 133
Second: Romans 11:1 - 2a, 29 - 32
Gospel: Matthew 15: 10 - 2-, 21 - 28

12th Sunday after PentecostRev John WarrenSister Vuyelwa Mahlangu

04/09/2026

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost was on the 16 AUGUST 2026

WHEN GOD RESTORES, BROKEN THINGS CAN BECOME WHOLE

Always remember that God’s grace is bigger than our wounds, our failures, our differences and even our past.

Joseph stood before the very brothers who had betrayed and sold him. Yet instead of allowing bitterness to have the final word, Joseph chose reconciliation. He recognised God’s hand even in a painful journey and declared that God had sent him ahead “to preserve life.”

Psalm 133 reminds us of the beauty and blessing found when people live together in unity. In terms of Romans reminds us that God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable and that God’s grace and mercy extends to all.

And in the Gospel, we encounter a Canaanite woman whose faith refuses to give up. She comes to Jesus carrying the pain of her daughter, crying, “Lord, help me.” Her persistence becomes a powerful testimony of faith, and Jesus responds: “Woman, great is your faith!”

What a beautiful message for us not sometimes but all times, God is working through the very circumstances we cannot understand. This is often the hard truth to accept yet it leads us to receive the healing we need through time.

Sometimes healing begins when we choose forgiveness over bitterness. Hopefully it will not take you, years and years to forgive
someone who has angered, hurt, offended, betrayed or even did the unimaginable against you. Because, forgiveness is not for them to acquire anything from your healing, but for you to gain peace of mind.

Sometimes belonging means opening our hearts wider than our comfort zones. And having faith means continuing to cry out to God when the answer seems delayed or the silence is far more lounder than you anticipated.

May we be a church where no one is forgotten, no one is excluded, and everyone can experience the dignity of belonging.

May our words bring healing rather than hurt.
Our hearts make room for mercy.
Lead with faith that is persistent.
And may our lives become instruments of reconciliation, unity and hope.

We ask that the Lord, would continue to teach us to see one another through His loving eyes. By guiding us towards forgiveness, and perseverance in faith, so that we build a community that leads with love for restoration, and hearts that warmly welcome those seeking a new home and helping your people Lord to come together for your glory and honor.

How good and lovely it is when families live together in unity. Psalm 133

Come as you are.
Journey with us.
Grow in faith together.

03/09/2026

The Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Priest: Revd. Snell
PM: Harry
Readers: Sybil and Cecilia
Readings
First: Genesis 37: 1 - 4, 12 - 28
Psalm 105: 1 - 6, 16 - 22
Second: Romans 10: 5 - 15
Gospel: Matthew 14: 22 - 23

11th Sunday after PentecostRev Denzall SnellBrother Harry Jijita

03/09/2026

The Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost was on the 09th AUGUST 2026

Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid. Matthew 14:27

We were invited into a powerful journey of faith, struggle, perseverance and trust in God’s presence.

Joseph is thrown into a pit and sold by his own brothers, yet his story reminds us that what looks like an ending can become part of God’s greater purpose.

The Psalm calls us to remember God’s wonders and continually seek His strength, even when circumstances are difficult.

Romans reminds us that faith is not distant or unreachable for the Word is near us, and we are called to proclaim the Good News. We are not only hearers of faith; we are people who are sent.

And in the Gospel, the disciples face a storm. Peter steps out of the boat in faith, but when he focuses on the wind, fear takes over. As he begins to sink, he cries, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reaches out His hand and said oh, ye of little faith.

Sometimes faith means stepping out of the boat. It can also mean holding on when the storm becomes overwhelming. And othertimes faith simply means crying out, “Lord, save me,” and trusting that Christ will reach for us.

Whatever storm you may be facing, do not allow the wind to make you forget who is walking towards you.

May we have the courage to believe even in the darkness of the night, to seek God’s strength, to encourage one another, and to become messengers of peace, justice and hope.

Lord, strengthen our faith, calm our fears and help us recognise Your presence in every storm.

Come, worship, reflect and journey with us.

02/09/2026

The Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

Priest: Revd. Karen
Readers: Nontombi and Zodwa
Readings:
First: Genesis 32: 22 - 31
Psalm 17: 1 - 7
Second: Romans 9: 1 - 5
Gospel: Matthew 14: 13 - 21

02/09/2026

On the Tenth Sunday After Pentecost was on the 2 August 2026

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 32:30

This question is meant to assist us to reflect on our journey not to only look at what has not worked but also on the aspects, where God came through in the way only, he could have in such a moment. Our faith, perseverance, compassion and transforming power of encountering God shapes these ideas.

It leads to us looking at our readings from Genesis 32:22–31, Psalm 17:1–7, Romans 9:1–5 and Matthew 14:13–21 which bring us a powerful message: on how sometimes the greatest transformation happens when we refuse to give up.

In Genesis, Jacob wrestles through the night and emerges changed. His encounter reminds us that there are moments in life when we must wrestle with our fears, our questions, our circumstances and even our own weaknesses. But the struggle does not have to destroy us. It can transform us.

Psalm 17 is a prayer for God's protection and justice, reminding us that when we feel surrounded by difficulty, we can still place our trust in God.

Romans reminds us of the depth of God's covenant and faithfulness, while Matthew 14 presents Jesus feeding the five thousand with what appears, at first, to be far too little but turned by grace into more than sufficient.

Five loaves. Two fish. Thousands of people. The disciples saw scarcity. Jesus saw possibility.

This is a lesson we can carry into our own lives: we should never underestimate what God can do with what we have.

Perhaps you feel that your resources are too small. Maybe that your contribution seems insignificant or that your circumstances appear impossible.

But the Gospel reminds us to bring what we have to God and most importantly to come as you are for there is no small act of kindness that cannot become hope. A small step of courage becoming transformation. Or A simple act of faith being a testimony.

So, you are encouraged to not wait until you have everything before you begin. Start with what is already in your hands. Take the first step and God indeed will do the rest.

With that said, we want to say a special thank you to Reverend Karen, PM Eric, and our readers Zodwa & Nontombi for serving and leading us in worship.

Be encouraged to keep wrestling, to keep the faith by believing, and compassion to keep giving.

What you have may seem small, but in God's hands, it can become more than enough.

Remember
God is Good,
Not Sometimes,
But, All the Time.