BCUC Sunday Sermons & More

I wonder what does it take to build a church?Choose a location: to reach the most people choose a large city full of trade and travellers passing through. Like Singapore or Dubai or if it’s 52AD you might choose Corinth. Corinth was one of the largest cities, very Roman, with a hugely popular athletic Games, and not one but two busy ports on either side of the city with boats being cleverly transported across from one side to the o...

Paul was one of the great travellers in the bible. Across 3 journeys he travelled at least 4500ks by foot and by sea. Whilst his route looks like a modern-day Mediterranean cruise….it wasn’t. Paul faced constant danger on many fronts but maintained his laser-focussed goal to spread the gospel, to share Gods message of the risen Jesus for all. Through it all he remained focussed on and driven by the risen Jesus’ words in Acts 1: “Yo...

Dear friends of BCUCA common question when having polite conversation with strangers is “what do you do?”  I will often use this as a chance to share the gospel: “I’m a molecular biologist who has since become a Minister in the Uniting Church.” That usually gets people intrigued and asking questions. I realised that in my seven and half years of being at Burnside City Uniting Church I have not spoken much about my own call to minis...

Dear friends of BCUC,WARNING: Controversy and conflict within the church! Does that sentence make you want to run away and hide? How can a church that is meant to be all about loving God and each other have controversy and conflict? A simple answer is that God chose to make the church out of passionate, opinionated, thinking humans and not ants. It is why Jesus laboured so long in teaching his disciples how to forgive one another. ...

Dear friends of BCUCI wonder—do you have someone in your life that you would say has been a partner in the gospel? I mean, if you consider something you do now or have done, that you would see as your 'ministry', whether in the church or outside it, a calling from the Holy Spirit that you have acted upon, is there someone who has joined you on that journey? That person may have changed along the way. It could be a partner o...

Dear friends of BCUCI wonder—do you have someone in your life that you would say has been a partner in the gospel? I mean, if you consider something you do now or have done, that you would see as your 'ministry', whether in the church or outside it, a calling from the Holy Spirit that you have acted upon, is there someone who has joined you on that journey? That person may have changed along the way. It could be a partner o...

Dear friends of BCUC“In the last days, God says,    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,    your young men will see visions,    your old men will dream dreams.Even on my servants, both men and women,    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,    and they will prophesy.”    Acts 2:17-18It’s Pentecost Sunday. A wonderful celebration known to be the birth of the church. I love the inclusive n...

God is doing a new thing.  Sing to the Lord a new song.These are themes consistent throughout the whole biblical story. It’s wonderful news if you’re in desperate need for change and it’s very disturbing for those who find change hard, no matter if it’s good or better. Maybe your like me and invest yourself deeply into wherever, whoever and whatever God plants you in. I don’t think it’s that bad a quality to have. It’s when God doe...

Dear friends of BCUC,Yesterday the Christian world celebrated Ascension Day, the day we remember when Jesus went back into heaven, having completed his assignment here on earth.It would be interesting to watch that group of believers as, with hearts thudding in their chest, they slowly climbed the Mount of Olives, knowing that they would have Jesus’ physical presence with them for just a little while longer.  What would be their th...

Join Megan, Bryan and Benji as we talk about what’s happened and what’s happening at BCUC (Burnside City Uniting Church) in a seriously light-hearted way. With such exciting segments as BCUC chats highlights, Funky flashbacks, Future favourites, Megan’s Big question, Who’s that?, Brian sings your favourite song, the monthly slice of heaven and “Did you notice this notice?”. Be inspired, entertained and more connected to God, each o...

Dear friends of BCUC,

Have you ever seen a glacier?I remember going to Fox Glacier in New Zealand as a kid—a slow-moving, powerful force that changes landscapes, creating beautiful fjords and valleys over centuries. It’s a place where pure, frigid, blue glacial waters flow out. A massive bulk of centuries of snowfall and ice, both awe-inspiring and intimidating.It moves with dynamic power—sometimes retreating, sometimes steadily wor...

Dear friends of BCUC,Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers.  Today is a day when we stop and reflect on our mothers, past and present. It was only when I became a mother, that I really appreciated all my mother had done for me.  With hindsight I realise how hard she worked – and how lazy I was!!  She had a servant heart that amazes me now as I think back on what she did, not only for her family but the community.  She volunteered a...

Dear friends of BCUC,

Have you ever lost a child or grandchild in a crowd or while out on a walk? Or perhaps you've been lost yourself? That feeling of dread and panic—flushed with the need for action yet pale with fear—all at the same time. Then, hopefully, comes the overwhelming relief and joy of being reunited: the tears, the hugs, the elation. That sudden and dramatic reversal of emotion is beautifully captured in Psalm 30:“...

Dear Friends of BCUCThanks so much for helping to make Easter weekend at BCUC so fabulous. The gospel was preached in so many wonderful ways—beyond just words.So Easter happened… then what?Ever wanted to know the story of how the Church grew? Jesus appeared to a small group of people, and now, 2,000 years later, about 2.4 billion people claim to be Christian. Disciples can be found in every corner of the globe, all part of a massiv...

Dear Friends of BCUC,It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And no, it’s not Christmas—though I do enjoy that time too. It’s Easter, or better yet, the time of year we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Ever since I took Jesus seriously in my life, I’ve been compelled to worship God with all my heart, alongside the worldwide congregation—especially through the services offered with my own tribe of fellow saints...

Dear Friends of BCUC,Ever hosted a big party, spent money on food, days of preparation and wondered if anyone would show up?  Ever received an invitation to come to something?   Do you change your diary to make sure you’re there or do you say I’ll need to see what’s happening? It's the difference between writing it in your calendar in pencil or ink.Nothing much has changed in 2000 years and this is the experience that Jesus is ...

Dear friends of BCUC,The story of Jesus’ interaction with Mary and Martha has become so embedded in our culture that people today often refer to it without realising the full background. You can even take online tests to determine whether you're more of a “Mary” or a “Martha.” The common understanding is that if you’re a “doer,” then you’re a Martha; if you prefer to sit, be still, and listen, then you’re a Mary. In some ways, ...