BCUC Sunday Sermons & More

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 w...

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...

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...

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 w...

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, entertaine...

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—someti...

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 bu...

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 be...

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 corn...

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 offere...

Good Friday - 18 April 2025

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...

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, the...

Dear friends of BCUC, It’s been too long since I’ve seen that glistening, multi-coloured streak down the boughs of gum trees, speckles of splashes lighting up the reflective black of the asphalt, or spots of dark colour appearing on my t-shirt as I rush to the car, protecting papers from the rain. Oh, how glorious the rain is after such a long dry spell! It refreshes, renews, and brings to life th...

Dear friends of BCUC,Income tax in Roman times was 1%. Sounds Good? Well, no because that was supplemented by many other burdensome taxes. You had to give a tenth of your produce, and there was a poll tax on every adult up until 65 years. In addition, there were taxes on goods, on roads and bridges, on pack animals and axles of wagons and taxes to enter towns marketplaces and ports. The tax gather...

Dear friends of BCUC,Jesus said, “The Son of Man came eating and drinking.” – Luke 7:34 Eating is a big theme in the Bible. All the important Jewish religious festivals instructed by God involved eating food and feasting together. The very first instruction given to Adam in the Garden of Eden—before Eve was even created—was about eating: he was allowed to eat from every tree except two. In Jesus’...

Dear Friends of BCUC,Our final church value to explore more deeply is "Spreading Joy."When we were praying, discussing, and forming our church values, we talked together as a congregation and as a council, and even the children of the church contributed. This value comes straight from the kids. When asked what they want the church to be, they spoke about a church that spreads the Gospel—the good n...

Dear friends of BCUC,  I am so thankful that Jesus calls us friends. I am also grateful that I had friends who first encouraged me to come along to church activities and youth groups. Since then, I have had the gift of friends who continue to encourage me in my faith, to become a minister and to help be a leader in the Uniting Church. It would be very hard without them. I often think I have people...

Dear friends of BCUC, If its true that love makes the world go around and all you need is love, then why does is seem like:Love is simple and complicated. Love is easy and hard. Love is beautiful and ugly. Love is life-giving and exhausting. Love is limitless and yet has boundaries. Today is Valentine's Day, often a time when red roses, and teddy bears holding heart-shaped chocolate boxes cost way...

This week we are starting a four-part sermon series on our church’s values.  If you look at the BCUC website you will read that “we aim to be a church that by the wonderful grace of God seeks to live out the following four values:  prayerfully listening; learning love; encouraging friendship; and spreading joy.  I’ll be starting off the series with the first value, ‘Prayerfully Listening.’  When w...