Welcome to Worship
This morning we are joined by special guest Paul Manning, who represents Baptist World Aid as Church Partnership Manager for Victoria and Tasmania. He lives in Northwest Melbourne and is an ordained-accredited minister with the Baptist Union of Victoria.
Please make sure you join us for a casual BBQ in the Barn after the service!
Order of Service
- Call to Worship
- Song: As we contemplate our mission
- Opening Prayer
- Community News
- Prayer
- Offering
- Interview with Paul and Geoff on the work of Baptist World Aid
- Bible Readings (Proverbs 31:8-9, Luke 16:1-13, Micah 6:8)
- Song: Act Justly
- Sermon (Paul Manning)
- Pastoral Prayers
- Hymn: For the healing of the nations
- Benediction
Community News
We have asked Paul Manning to speak this Sunday with a focus on Palestine. He says:
“Currently, the projects and work Baptist World Aid is doing in Palestine is humanitarian, in partnership with a highly trusted, Christian Partner who has spent decades serving in this region. We are responding where the need is greatest this often includes pregnant women, children, and people with disabilities within Gaza, and the West Bank. We’re also supporting the work of our Christian Partners in the wider region caring for displaced people in search of safety.”
Supporting the Middle East Crisis Appeal Will:
1. Help deliver much-needed medicines, medical supplies and equipment to local clinics, hospitals, and to healthcare workers providing essential services in Gaza and the West Bank, such as treating malnutrition in children.
2. Help establish and maintain mobile health clinics our Partners have already setup to address the non-functioning hospitals and medical centres.
3. Help our Partners in Lebanon provide emergency food packages, mattresses, blankets, feminine products and diapers to displaced families in need.
4. Assist our Partners as they prepare shipments of medical aid while exploring safe options for delivery and distribution to where the need is greatest.
What is Baptist World Aid Advocating for?
Along with other Christian aid and humanitarian organisations, we are advocating for:
1. Protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law,
2. Negotiation for the safe release of hostages,
3. Humanitarian access to ensure the provision of lifesaving medical care, food and water to those caught in the crossfire,
4. A ceasefire to end rapidly escalating conflict, and
5. Renewed efforts towards a long-term diplomatic solution.
Here is the link from where this information was sourced, which provides further details and opportunity to give:
Middle East Crisis Appeal – Baptist World Aid Australia
+ A Church Member’s Meeting will follow the worship service on Sunday 1 June.
+ Exploring Faith is a brand new, Australian-designed course for people who are curious about Christianity — or unsure where they stand. No pressure. No clichés. Just honest conversation, good company, and space to ask real questions.
Starts June 11 (7:30pm, and then every Wednesday for 10 weeks)
Want to find out more or register?
Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au
+ Recently, a number of people have said, “Please ask the church to pray for…. (them, their loved one etc.) It has made us reflect on how we can better encourage specific prayer. Consequently, we have decided to discontinue the Wednesday night Prayer Link via Zoom. Only a few people have attended this on a regular basis. In the future, when people ask for prayer, after seeking and gaining their permission, we will send out an email, text or a Whatsapp note so you can pray when you receive this request or at a time and in a place that is most convenient for you.
+ We’ve rejuvenated and reformed our church’s Care Groups, which create smaller networks where we can keep an eye out for, pray for, and connect with each other. These will be distributed this morning at the BBQ, and we’ll email them out next week, so make sure you find out who’s in your new groups!
+ Diane Harrison has asked our church to pray for her niece, Kate, who after an operation at St Vincent’s Hospital suffered a stroke, leaving her paralysed down one side. It has also affected her speech. With therapy Kate is improving. Please pray for Kate and her husband, Adam, who is at the hospital and their children at home in Swan Hill, being looked after by grandparents, Bronwyn and George.
This Week
Monday
+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).
Tuesday
+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the Church Sanctuary and Gallery.
7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat will be studying this Scripture passage: Acts 16:9-15 (a lectionary passage for Sunday 25 May 2025). Convenor: Geoff Pound.
Wednesday
+ 8pm: The Prayer Link via Zoom is now discontinued but prayer is being fostered in other ways.
Thursday
+ 10am-12 midday The English Language Group meets in the Barn.
+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group—basic English language and Aussie culture, table tennis, Tai Chi, tea/coffee, friendship-making.
+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.
Friday
+ 10am-11.30am A Playgroup meets in the Barn for children 0-5 years of age and their parents and carers.
Saturday
+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn
Coming up
+ Sunday 1 June – Church members meeting (after the service @ the Barn).
+ Wednesday 11 June – Launch of Exploring Faith study series (Village Well, 7:30pm)
+ Saturday 21 June – Winter Solstice Bonfire & Games night.
Food for Thought, Prayer & Action
+ Video Series—Aboriginal Spirituality & Culture: A conversation with Rev Garry Worete Deverell; Three videos with a Discussion Guide. This could be interesting content for an upcoming discussion group.
+ Prayer by Marie Howe (winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, 2025)
Every day I want to speak with you. And every day something more important
calls for my attention – the drugstore, the beauty products, the luggage
I need to buy for the trip.
Even now I can hardly sit here
among the falling piles of paper and clothing, the garbage trucks outside
already screeching and banging.
The mystics say you are as close as my own breath.
Why do I flee from you?
My days and nights pour through me like complaints
and become a story I forgot to tell.
Help me. Even as I write these words I am planning
to rise from the chair as soon as I finish this sentence.
Small Groups @ BHBC
Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.
If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)
- Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
- KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)
- A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.
Next Sunday 25 May at 10am – Last Breakfast service
+ Owen Lim and possibly other members of the Cambodian Christian Church, will be present to enjoy breakfast with us and share an update on what their church is doing in Australia and Cambodia.
Worship Roster
Box Hill Baptist Church 