TGCAu has published an interview with Sandy Grant - unpacking the recent Anglican Church of Australia commission into family dometic violence. A great article to read and start conversations with. Read article here.

Read an article commenting on the The National Anglican Family Violence Research Report that was recently released. Read article here.

Brass and Woodwind Instruments

You may notice the re-introduction of woodwind and brass instruments during our Sunday Service music. This article (page 7) from DHHS outlines the advice we are following.
If you have further questions or concerns please chat to a pastor.

Watch an interview with David Crawford who heads up our team of Deacons as he talks about the impact of COVID-19 on those seeking asylum.

Watch an interview with Harold and Ray from the 11am congregation as they share their insights from 64 years of marriage.

Watch an interview with Jon and Teresa as they share about finishing their time at Bundy and returning to Colombia to serve as missionaries during COVID-19. 

Watch an interview with Paul Coleman as he shares about his work with Breakaway Youth and how COVID-19 has impacted disadvataged youth.

Watch an interview with Alyssa, Andy and Taya - two teachers and an educational psychologist about remote learning and going back to school.

Watch an interview with Jo from the 11am congregation.  Jo has spent long periods of time in isolation due to illness and what God has taught her through this.

Watch an interview with Ray Haverfield as he shares about how he lives life in the light of his death (Ray served as a missionary until a diagnosis of cancer). 

Read Ray's article to accompany his interview.

Watch an interview with Kirsten and Chrystal from the 5pm congregation - who are both on the front line in our hospitals in dealing with Covid-19.

Andrew interviews and farewells Justin and Chloe from the 5pm Congregation as they reflect on their experience of church, growth groups and serving in Youth Group during their time at Bundy.

Watch an interview with Matt and Kate, missionaries from Bundy serving amongst indigenous Australians.

Watch an interview with Jane about making the most of this time by asking deliberate and thoughtful questions in your conversations.

Reflections on turning 90

Watch an interview with Ray from our 11am Congregation; as she reflects on her 90th birthday and particularly shares how she is looking forward to what's most important in the years to come.

Watch Interview (3 mins)

Cat Camilleri shares her ideas for making the most of watching the Livestream service with kids. 

To encourage you throughout the week Andy May has put together playlists of songs we often sing at Bundoora Presbyterian Church. 'BPC Songs' and 'BPC Kids' playlists

are available at bpc.org.au/songs

Jo Watson from our 11am congregation has designed a cloth mask pattern available to download here.

If you'd like to offer to make masks for others you can do so by clicking the 'I offer help' button at bpc.org.au/love

Other helpful links:

Who can use a homemade mask (WHO)
How to wear a fabric mask (WHO)

Ear loop face mask patter (VIC Government)

"This is my 12th year of working as a chaplain in Melbourne’s public hospital system... The biggest thing I have learnt is to listen more and talk less!"

"I confess that when the pandemic arrived in Australia, and I was told to stay in my home, I was initially gripped by fear. I had to sit down and ask myself ‘Is this a real threat to me, and what am I ultimately afraid of..."

Use this time to develop a faith that can survive both success and suffering. 

Thankyou to all who completed the live stream survey. The session and staff have reviewed your feedback and changes to our services will occur in the coming weeks.

Download the report here.

An article from Rachel McConchie with tips and tricks for the lockdown season.

"I had good plans for this year, but God has said ‘no’ to many of them." Read how Kathryn, a Metro Trainee at Bundoora Presbyterian has found joys and trials in starting a Traineeship in 2020.

One of our elders, David gives his tips of video conferencing software and security. 

"I find that Evangelism in somewhat of a double joy - for the more I speakof what Christ has done for the people I am talking to, the more I am reminding of what Christ has done for me!" Continue reading Chris Shaw's article.

Read good books during this time. Book reviews from members of our congregation are added monthly.

Neil Chambers gives a helpful review of the book "Why does he do that? Inside the minds of angry and controlling men" as well as some further reflections on domestic violence in the church.

Clint Le Page reviews the "Online Safety Advice for parents resource" prepared by the Australian E-Safety Commissioner.

A copy of the resource is available to download here

On Sunday 16th August, both congregations and kids will be diving into the book of Ezekiel. 

Two short videos from The Bible Project will give you a taste of what is to come in our new sermon series. 

Watch Part 1, Ezekiel 1-33 (7 mins)

Watch Part 2, Ezekiel 34-48 (7mins)

Simon Camilleri reads through the book of Ephesians.

View the recording here (24 mins)

9 actors perform an epic dramatic reading of the entire Book of Job. Directed by Simon Camilleri.

First shown on Sunday 28th June, 2020. The reading is now available on YouTube in full or in 7 parts. 

job.thebackyardbard.com

'The Chosen' is a series about the life of Jesus and his disciples...

"I just finished watching the first series of ‘The Chosen’  and I loved it... this series was moving and encouraged my faith. It’s worth watching and worth encouraging your family and friends, Christian and non-Christian, to watch too."

Read the full review here

American Gospel: Christ Alone

"The radically me-centred prosperity Gospel is turned fully on its head to preach a Gospel which points away from us towards Christ and all his benefits."

Full review on TGC Australia website

View documentary on YouTube, Netflix or Vimeo

Listen to John Dickson interview a range of Christians about common misconceptions

Particular episodes of interest:

 - "Scientific Theology" feat. Alistair McGrath

 - "Miraculous Physics" feat. Ian Hutchison

John Piper's recent book released as a free audio book or E-Book to help you engage with the Corona Virus as a follower of Jesus.

Watch a range of bible talks from the Belgrave Heights Easter and Summer Conventions.

Watch Billy Graham's final address before he died at 99.

An interview with Phillip Jensen on the Pastor's Heart podcast

Podcast on God's sovereignty during a pandemic.

TGC Australia are running a weekly episode called "Everyday Conversations." Hear conversations as mums discuss challenges and encouragements they've come across during Covid 19.

A poem for Kids, read by Stephen Jones (former Bundy member), posted on Facebook (6 minutes long)

Peter is keen that our people might have the opportunity to see the hope that comes through Jesus, and the dignity and sanctity of life - enabled or disabled. Made in the image of God and redeemed to the glory of God, we are of infinite value and capable of joyful hope in spite of outwardly appalling circumstances.

This special series of meditations is meant to encourage you to trust God more deeply and to meditate on his word and what it promises, to give you strength and hope in difficult times. Watch the series here.

A thoughtful and challenging podcast that explores the issues that make talking about Jesus difficult. Especially helpful and engaging is Rico’s encouragement to develop soft hearts and tough skin around the simple idea that people without Christ spend eternity separated from God in a real hell. Listen to Rico Tice's podcast.

John Dickson’s ‘Undeceptions’ podcast is back for a third season. In this first episode, he talks with world-renowned New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg to address so-called ‘mistakes’ in the bible such as inconsistencies between the gospels, historical inaccuracies, and more! Professor Craig Blomberg has spent a lifetime digging around these 'Bible mistakes'. And he's not convinced that they are, in fact, mistakes! Listen to John Dickson's podcast.

“There will be a range from eager to hesitant, joyful to anxious, when it comes to meeting together again. As restrictions ease and Lord willing continue to, this will be a helpful discussion to listen to as we hear from the experiences of other churches who have gone before us. This interview will be aired at 1pm on Monday via the TGC Australia facebook page.” Watch interview.

Making the most of God’s Word read and preached every Sunday has been a challenge with church from home and live-streaming.Yet hearing God speak to renew our minds and conform our lives is vital to our health and growth as believers. As Paul says in Colossians 3:16, we must “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” To help us make the most of the sermons each week, there is a dedicated page with past talks, outlines, and transcripts from our series on Community, Psalms, and Ezekiel. Go to page.

As we prepare to return to meeting together things will be different from when we left. Although some things will change (for now), this article encourages us to "not squander the opportunity to develop our ability to engage our ears in listening, our minds in understanding, our emotions in feeling and our bodies in moving, all as we either sing or hum our hearts out to the glory of God and for the good of our brothers and sisters in Christ—even if, for now, they can only see us and not hear us.” Read Rob Smith's article.

"There are endless possibilities for joy and blessing in this new mode of church if we can let go of the old” Continue reading Steph Judd's article.

“How did the New Testament actually come together? Some have argued that is a “chaotically cobbled-together anthology of disjointed documents” that has been revised and ‘improved’ over centuries.

Others have argued it is a deeply political document, created to quell rebellions and placate a growing and agitated movement. This podcast helpfully addresses many misconceptions and popular theories (like the Davinci Code!) about how the bible came together!" Listen to the podcast.

Practical Tips from Rev Dr Keith Condie from the Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute about staying mentally well while staying at home. Continue reading here

An article from The Gospel Coalition Australia on avoiding the post-pandemic blues.

"Even though we cannot physically meet, it is still possible to carry one another's burdens in some way. In fact, it's precisely because we cannot physically meet that we need to stay connected as the church." 

The Gospel Coalition AU article by Adam Ch'ng

"Despite what is happening in our lives-despite the pressures we're under, and the strain of the day, there is still a God who is with us, who cares for us, and who brings hope into our lives."

The Gospel Coalition AU article by Jon Coombs

"God leaves us in this broken world because what it produces in us is way better than the comfortable life we all want."

Continue reading Paul Tripp's article here

"The greatest threat to holding fast is our sin and the prescribed antidote is travelling with the herd....The worst thing we can do at this time is to let his [the devil's] machinations fool us into lone wolf thinking and forget that we are part of a herd."

Continue reading Matt Smith's article here

An interview with John Piper as he addresses some aspects of the current coronavirus pandemic.

Available as a podcast or audio transcript here

"All of God’s people effectively live in the wilderness, in between the times of our past redemption and our final rest... Today, with so many restrictions and privations in place, we might feel that this comparison rings especially true. What, then, is God doing when we find ourselves in the wilderness?"  Continue reading here

Helpful articles to engage with questions being raised about the development of vaccines.

- "Does acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine represent endorsement or abortion?" Megan Best, bioethicist.

- "Good from evil? Wrestling with the moral tragedy of vaccines" Michael Jensen

Two helpful reflections on the life of J.I.Packer, author of "Knowing God" along with many other helpful Christian books. 
The Gospel Coalition Article

The Pastors Heart Podcast (28 mins)

Peter Adam writes on 'Trusting God In Suffering, Sacrifice, Disease and Death: A Lost Art?'

Helpful articles updated regularly to help you as you respond to the Covid-19 as a follower of Jesus.

The Gospel Coalition Resources are found here

"I want open borders by October, a vaccine by Christmas, and back overseas by February. Then I remember the lesson the Lord taught our brothers and sisters centuries ago… It seems to me that patience is the virtue we need at this present time." Continue reading Mike Raiter's article on patience in the current season.

“Our world, especially at the moment, is disoriented and looking for answers. Steph Judd helpfully shows us how in the Psalms we see 'we see a movement of human experience from the place of orientation to disorientation; from disorientation to reorientation.’ She encourages us not only to delight in God’s Word in the Psalms, but to follow their example and cry out to God who is leads us toward something better.”

"But what I’m hoping to do, at least, is to prod and poke into the specifics of what Scripture says about the roots of anger, because here we find exposure of what is ugly, but also of what is beautiful." Continue reading Bruce Lowe's article.

"God wants us, to actually engage in the physical activity of rejoicing. We may tend to think that it is the internal attitude which counts: but there is no Biblical reason for doing so." Continue reading Peter Adam's article. Peter Adam is vicar emeritus at St. Jude’s Carlton, formerly principal of Ridley College Melbourne, and vicar of St. Jude’s.

"Anxiety may misdirect us, or, properly grasped, may point us to the right path. There must, therefore, be a proper tension between apathy and anxiety, one which motivates us and preserves us from complacency and presumption at one extreme, and paralysis and despair on the other.” Continue reading Michael Lundy's article.

We live in a time of much fear, uncertainty and difficulty - we are suffering from a loss of control. Yet some claim that Jesus is the answer to our deepest fears and insecurities. But is this answer just too convenient and easy? Listen as cultural-analysist, author, and evangelist, Dr Sam Chan answers this question and helps us think through how we might answer this for others too. Continue reading Dr. Sam Chan's article.

“Following Chris Shaw's reflection on running Christianity Explored over Zoom, this is an encouraging article to consider the many opportunities and various ways we can still engage in evangelism, even online!” Read Taryn Haynes' article.

Job is confronted, humbled and finally comforted by the awesome and sovereign ruler of creation. The last word of this God for His servant, as it is for all of His children, is not one of suffering and struggle, but of superabundant blessing; of life and fullness (42:10-17)  Read Andy Prideaux's article.

"Willfully or not, all parents are discipling the little ones around them. Children are watching and listening to us as we form their impressions of the world, of faith, and of what it means to be an adult. Far better to have a plan than to fly by the seat of our pants.”

Read Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin's article.

Are we greedy? 

An interview with Brian Rosner

Our culture celebrates and promotes self-indulgence at this time of year. So as we approach Christmas the issue of greed is worth thinking about as God’s people. 

In this Bigger Questions podcast (a ministry of City Bible Forum), New Testament Scholar and Ridley College Principal Brian Rosner tackles this question with wisdom from God’s Word. 

The Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020

Without important revisions and corrections, this Bill will make vulnerable 100,000s of Victorian Christians who are persuaded by the Bible’s vision for human sexuality.  For Christians, this is never about forcing our views on anyone. It is about casting a better vision for the world and human life, and about persuading and loving others as Christ has loved us. Read Murray Campbell's article.

3 Dangers of a Successful Vaccine

"If a successful vaccine is rolled out, it will be a signal mercy of God. But let’s not think we will then be exempt from his judgment”

Continue reading...

Resources from the Bilblical Counselling from podcasts and articles. 

An open facebook group where the Bundoora Presbyterian Church family (Bundy) post playlists, reflections and links. Click here for more information.

Bibles and Christian books to help you grow in your faith in Jesus.  

Resources to help you to read and understand the Bible.

A range of free academic resources like lectures and courses.

Share your story.