Welcome to Worship this Sunday
We continue our Listening to the Spirit series, based on the Letters to the Seven Churches — this week reflecting on the Letter to the Church in Sardis.
Worship Leader: Geoff Pound; Preacher: Eddie Chapman.
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:1-6.
Theme: We continue our ‘Listening to the Spirit’ series based on The Letters to the Seven Churches, pondering the call to action for Box Hill Baptist as we listen to the Spirit.
Order of Service
- Call to Worship
- Song: Gather Us In
- Welcome & Introduction
- Opening Prayer
- Community News & Offering
- Bible Reading: Revelation 3:1-6
- Song: Breathe on Me, Breath of God (BPW 282)
- Sermon, in three movements:
- Movement One: The name we have, and the life underneath
- Movement Two: Wake up, and strengthen what remains
- Song: Live Fully (George Stuart)
- Movement Three: The name that will not be blotted out
- Song: God Gives Us a Future
- Prayers for the World
- Closing Prayer & Commendation
- Sending Song: Go Out to the World in Peace
Community News
- The Rev Danny Krivan coordinates Supervised Theological Field Education at Whitley College. He is asking if people from Box Hill Baptist might participate in his doctoral research entitled ‘Where Two or Three are Gathered’ — a study in how churches might best participate in community decision-making, which could help us improve our skills at congregational discernment. Danny is looking for 6-16 church members to take part in three focus group phases (each 90 minutes) plus individual interviews between October 2026 and March 2027. More information from Keith Dyer. Let Keith or Geoff know if you’re interested in being part of this project.
- We are looking for people who might contribute finance to help cover the layout and publishing costs of our new history of the Box Hill Baptist Church, ‘Sing a New Church,’ written by Lorraine Mitchell. The manuscript (450 pages) is finished and has gone to the printers this week. Copies will be available for purchase at our 125th Anniversary Service on 18 October. To help keep the price of each book to $30, we are looking for people who might cover the editing, layout and other publishing costs, which amount to several thousand dollars. Please mark your gift ‘History’ in an envelope in the offering bag, or if giving electronically, please mark your gift ‘History’.
- The Box Hill Community Choir performed at the Arcare Aged Care facility in Ringwood this week. Management wrote afterwards: “This morning, support staff throughout the centre opened all the doors of residents who couldn’t come to the lounge area so they could hear the singing and piano which they loved. A lot of joy was brought to the Arcare residents today. Thank you Box Hill Community Choir.” Well done — a wonderful way to finish the term.
- Graeme Davison recently gave a speech at a conference held at the Melbourne headquarters of the Salvation Army, sponsored by the University of Canberra. Graeme’s topic was ‘I was a stranger and you took me in’: Social Christianity and Housing Reform in Melbourne — pertinent references and insights for the board of Jubilee Housing and Box Hill Baptist people pondering the Ellingworth Project (redeveloping our buildings).
Upcoming Events
- Save-the-date: 125th Anniversary — Sunday 18 October: Service of Thanksgiving, with our new church history book ‘Sing a New Church’ available for purchase. All former members and friends invited.
This Week
Monday
- 4.30pm-8.30pm – Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)
Tuesday
- 6.30pm – Bible & Chats Group: meeting for a shared meal at Geoff & Lyn’s home this week, themed on the Letters to the Seven Churches, with seven courses served under seven lampstands.
Thursday
- 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well): learning basic English, table tennis and other games, tea, coffee and making friends.
- 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn: saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste for those wanting to ease their weekly budget.
Friday
- 4.30pm-8.30pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)
Saturday
- 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn: saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste for those wanting to ease their weekly budget.
Food for Thought, Prayer and Action
- Karina Kreminski writes about her first visit to a Quaker gathering in Silence.
- An update on the ministry of Gladys Staines, after the murder of her husband Graham and their sons, via ABC News, 5 September 2026.
- Wendell Berry: Poet and Prophet, filmed by Bill Moyers.
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 a 7.30pm start at the Gallery (this week’s meeting is a special shared meal at Geoff & Lyn’s home instead — see This Week above). 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 – 20 September 2026
10am.
Worship Leader: Shueh Wah Kennedy; Preacher: Geoff Pound.
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:7-13.
Sixth in the Listening to the Spirit series from the Letters to the Seven Churches, looking at the word of promise and pondering what this might be for the church at Box Hill.
2.30pm Community Musicale (adult performers) in Box Hill Baptist auditorium.
4.30pm Community Musicale (mixed age performers) in Box Hill Baptist auditorium.
Performer: $15 per 5-minute slot. Audience: Gold coin. Proceeds go to the Community Shed.
Offering details
BSB: 704-922
Account name: Box Hill Baptist Church
Account number: 100005657
Please use the reference ‘Offering’ in the reference line.
If you have any issues in making an offering, please contact office@boxhillbaptist.org.au
Box Hill Baptist Church 