The Record – 26 October 2025

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 26 October at 10am

As Halloween approaches and people pull on masks and costumes, we pause to think about what it means to take ours off. In Colossians 3:9–14, we’re invited to “take off the old self” and “put on the new self,” clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and love.

Community News

+ A celebration of the life of Barrie Paul will take place in the church on Monday 27 October 2025 at 2pm. The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Barn. If you aren’t able to attend in person, a livestream will be available here: https://youtu.be/dWNTuopaJD8

+ Our church’s Annual General Meeting will be held this year on Sunday, 16th of November. We’re now calling for nominations for the 2025-6 Diaconate — our church’s leadership group. We invite you to consider who you want to be on the Diaconate for the next 12 months. Our current members include:

• Andy McCulloch
• Lorraine Mitchell
• Lynne Dyer
• Shueh Wah Kennedy
• Teang Laan
• Theresa Taylor

If you’re pleased with how our current Diaconate has been serving, have a chat with them to make sure they’ve been nominated again. Or if there’s someone else you think would bring great gifts to our leadership, please talk with them and consider nominating them too. Once you’ve had those conversations, you can submit nominations using this link, or paper forms will be available this Sunday.

Nominations will need to be made by no later than Saturday 1 November.

+ Report from BUV Assembly: Delegates from the Baptist churches of Victoria meet twice a year in May and October at Assembly, and the meeting of October 17 was held at the Round in Nunawading. Depending on the capacity of the venue, around 300 people attend these gatherings, which usually alternate between the east and west of Melbourne, and include a dinner. At this meeting there were some appointments, including the election of Rev Allan Demond to Union Council, Allan has recently retired as senior pastor at New Hope. Assembly heard briefly from each of the 4 women and 9 men who were ordained yesterday (Oct 25) and also approved the recommended stipend and superannuation levels for pastors for the coming year.  At a recent Assembly some ministers expressed discomfort at receiving pay rises when people in their congregations were struggling financially, and the Union has commenced a process to review the assumptions and formulas it uses to calculate pastors stipends. 
The Union’s legal advisor provided an update on Supreme Court proceedings that the Union has initiated against Whitley College in relation to the use and purpose of funds from the sale of property in 2017, and delegates were given the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns.  Good news stories were shared from pastors of five churches who have found creative ways of rejuvenating struggling communities, and the Director of Ministries, Daniel Bullock, provided an update of the Union’s Strategic Vision. The evening ended with Delegates joining in prayer around tables. 

+ Please pray for Seaforth Baptist Church in NSW who are facing disaffiliation from the NSW/ACT Baptist Association because of their affirmative position around same sex marriage. Please see their statement below and pray for them and the Association as they meet in early November.

To the NSW and ACT Baptist Assembly,

We write this response to the Assembly Council’s motion recommending the disaffiliation of Seaforth Baptist Church from the NSW/ACT Baptist Association. Seaforth Baptist Church wants to remain in affiliation and asks you to vote against the motion on 8th November 2025. We believe there is a minority of churches and leaders who feel confused and unhappy about the decisions the Assembly has made, and so it is to you we appeal. We write this also because we believe writing is powerful in preserving this moment in history. Seaforth Baptist Church believes we should remain part of the NSW & ACT Baptist Association because we support the values of the Association.

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm: Funeral service for Barrie Paul in the church, followed by afternoon tea in the Barn.

+ 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)

Tuesday

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

+ 6:30pm – Bible Chats: The Bible & Chats Group is meeting this week at the earlier time of 6.30pm for a shared meal at the home of Geoff & Lyn Pound, 2 Anjaya Court, Blackburn.

Wednesday

+ Wednesday 10am-1pm Ageing Well @ the Shed (Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station Street, Box Hill): Bruce Rumbold is speaking on ‘Leaving Things in Good Order: Conversations that Matter. This will include ‘Making ‘good-enough decisions about wills, Advance Care Plans, powers of attorney, legacy and planning meaningful conversations with those who we are leaving behind. This free session concludes with a BBQ lunch. It is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group—basic English language and Aussie culture, table tennis, Tai Chi, tea/coffee, friendship-making. Everyone is welcome.

+ 10am-12pm: English Conversation Classes in the Barn. Convenor: Lynne Dyer

+ 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 Playgroup in the Barn.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

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 2 November at 10am.

+ Our monthly Communion Service.

+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10; Sermon Title: ‘When You’re Out on a Limb.’

+ Being the first Sunday of the month, our offering will include non-perishable food items for the needy in our area.

Worship Roster