The Record – 7 September 2025

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 7 September 2025, at 10am

+ This is the first Sunday in Spring and also Father’s Day.

+ On the first Sunday of the month we celebrate The Lord’s Supper.

+ It is also our custom on this day to include non-perishable food for needy people as part of our offering.

+ Worship Leader: Shueh Wah Kennedy; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture Reading: Ezra 3: 10-14

+ Service Theme: Shouting, Singing, Worship and Weeping. We reflect on the mighty din when the Jewish people returned from exile and dedicated the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple. We will think of the ways that worship in our own church in the last 124 years has been a struggle and a blessing by worshippers who want to both sing for joy and lament with tears.

+ 2.30-4.30pm Art in the Barn. Artists Joseph and Sarah Zhang continue conducting (in Mandarin and English) a series of twelve free art classes. The numbers attending this well-appreciated class have stabilised at about 24 people.

Order of Service

• Call to Worship 
• Opening prayer
• Hymn: Lord for the Years
• Passing of the Peace
• Welcome and Community News
• Offering
• Hymn: Spring has Come
• Scripture Reading: Ezra 3: 10-13
• Hymn: Sea of Love
• Sermon: “Shouting, Singing, Worship and Weeping” – Geoff
• Hymn: Feed Us Now Bread of Life
• Communion
• Reflection and Prayer
• Benediction: For You, Deep Stillness

Community News

+ Congratulations to the Box Hill Community Choir for braving the rough weather and giving a superb performance last Saturday at the Mont Albert Village. Fortunately, some blue sky appeared and the rain held off (until the last song) enabling the group to sing some bright, positive songs to the passers-by and the coffee drinkers. These are some of the songs the choir practices on Tuesdays and performs at events like Mont Albert: Let me be there, Put a little love, Try a Little Kindness, We are the world, Home among the gumtrees, A little bit of love and Always look on the bright side. The choir welcomed a new member last Tuesday and would love to welcome more.

+ Some Issues Discussed by the Deacons this week:

• We reviewed the Church Camp. An enjoyable time was experienced by those who attended. Thanks to Michelle and Eddie for their organisation and leadership. With 24 attending it is not sustainable financially to have the camp at Camp Wilkin. Other venues do not have the same quality and range of facilities. Unsure about having a camp next year. Your thoughts?
• We reviewed the 100^th Anniversary of the Church Building. It was good to have several former members return for this special day. Your thoughts?
• The deacons monitor church finances each month. Tithes and offerings did not reach the high bar that we set in the new budget for this last month.
• Only one or two each week are using the Multi-Language Interpreting Service each Sunday but we’ll keep it going at least to the end of the year. There is a cost to this service. Tell others about this? Got an old phone that others might use for this?
• We had another discussion on the new church constitution before it is put to the members for at our next church meeting on the 6 October.
• More volunteers are needed to carry bread, fruit and veggies to the Barn at 12 midday on Thursdays and Friday evening prior to the Saturday Bakehouse. Can you help?

+ Holidays: Eddie is taking annual leave and will be back on deck on Thursday 11 September; Geoff will be on leave from the evening of 14 September to 13 October. He and Lyn are planning a week in England catching up with family before walking (with some of Lyn’s siblings) the Camino Benedetto from Norcia (birthplace of St Benedict) to Montecasino.

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Pointers for Prayer

+ Diane Heagney is still in Epworth, responding well to treatment and is hopeful of returning to her independent unit at Adventcare, via some time in rehab.

+ Give thanks for the Bakehouse Ministry each Thursday and Saturday. 150 people lined up for food last Thursday and another 19 people were helped by especially prepared hampers that were delivered to them. Give thanks that the Bakehouse ministry has been going now for four years and some of the original volunteers are still giving service!

+ At this time of Father’s Day, thank God for fathers, grandfathers and those who fill a paternal role. Pray for wisdom, strength and patience for them. Pray comfort for those who have had a difficult relationship with their father, those whose father has been absent and those who are grieving the loss of their fathers.

This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

+ 4.30pm-8.30pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

+ 6pm-8pm: Chess Club (not meeting currently with the coordinator on holidays – returning soon! (downstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the church followed by morning tea in the Gallery.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group will continue to tell the stories about their lives. Everybody welcome! Coordinator: Geoff Pound.

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday: The English Language Group meets in the Barn led by Lynne Dyer, assisted by Keith Dyer and John West.

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group—basic English language and Aussie culture, table tennis, Tai Chi, tea/coffee, friendship-making. Coordinated by Geoff Pound with Clara Jhao (interpreter). Everyone is welcome.

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am The Playgroup for children aged 0-4 and their parents and grandparents meet in the Barn.

+ 4.30-8.30pm: Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Coming up

+ 21 September at 10am: Rev Alison Sampson will share reflections on the years at Box Hill when her family (Ruth, John, Alison and Robyn) was active in this church and community.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Pray for the people and churches of Gaza. The ‘Last Churches in Gaza Say They Will Not Evacuate,’ Eureka Street, 27 August 2025; Human rights lawyer, Chris Sidoti, will be in conversation, via Zoom, about Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. Registration link.

+ Thinking About Doing Theological Study? Whitley College (currently based in Box Hill) is holding an Open Day. See the details; Get access to 55+ Online Theology Courses at Theology Class.

+ Jo Skinner tells ‘How Small Acts Change the World,’ Eureka Street, 28 August 2025.

+ “Much more happens at a meal than satisfying hunger and quenching thirst. Around the table we become family, friends, community, yes, a body.” Henri Nouwen.

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)

Next Sunday 14th September at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture Reading: Matthew 13: 34-35.

+ Service Theme: Storytelling People. Aussies love to tell and listen to stories. See this in the Australian Story, which for almost thirty years has become a Monday night fixture and a familiar favourite. Note this in the way Jesus told parables. We’ll think of the value of reflecting on our story and sharing this with others.

Worship Roster