The Record – 20 September 2026 – Box Hill Baptist Church

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

This Sunday continues our Listening to the Spirit series, based on the Letters to the Seven Churches — the sixth in the series, reflecting on the Letter to the Church in Philadelphia.

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

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:7-13.

Theme: We may feel small and insignificant, feeling that all doors are shut – but God might be pointing to a door we can’t yet see that is open.

Also this Sunday afternoon: two Community Musicales in the Box Hill Baptist auditorium – 2.30pm (adult performers) and 4.30pm (mixed-age performers).Gold coin donation, with proceeds going to the Community Shed. Bring your lunch and stay on for an afternoon of musical enrichment!

Order of Service

Call to Worship
Song – The Spring has come
Welcome and Community News
Offering
Song – The Journey of the life we live
Reading Revelation 3: 7-13
Song – The Lord is my Shepherd, and I want to follow
Sermon
Prayers for Our World
Sung Benediction – The Lord bless you and keep you

Community News

Eddie Chapman (Executive Pastor) is taking annual leave from this coming Wednesday, 23 September, until Friday 2 October.
‘Sing a New Church,’ the new history of Box Hill Baptist Church, has been printed this week – well in time for the Anniversary Sunday launch. If you can assist with publication costs, please give electronically or via an envelope in the offering bag (both marked ‘History’).
Author of ‘Sing a New Church,’ Lorraine Mitchell, is speaking about her new book at a meeting open to all at 7.15pm for 7.30pm on Tuesday evening, 13 October, in the Gallery. The working title of Lorraine’s talk is The Things They Didn’t Put in the Record: 125 years of stories, surprises and characters at Box Hill Baptist.
One of our church members, Raymond Chow, has recently announced that he is running as an independent candidate for the North-East Metropolitan region in the State elections (Upper House) on 28 November. Raymond’s policies are on his website. Pray for Raymond and his loved ones in this busy time of campaigning and talking about the vital issues of Victoria.
The Cambodian congregation that used to have services with us in Box Hill has moved from Dandenong to the RAFT Anglican Church in Rowville, because of the availability and suitability of their spaces for young people and the Sunday School. Several of their people are planning to attend our 125th Anniversary on 18 October.
Many thanks to the fourteen people who indicated their willingness last Sunday to participate in the three Focus Groups for Danny Krivan’s research project. Danny will be attending BHBC on Sunday 4 October – after Morning Tea in the Barn, it would be great for him to meet up with participants for an initial orientation. Please let Keith or Geoff know if you can attend.
Notice is also given (the usual two weeks) that a brief Church Meeting will follow worship on 4 October, to give the congregation’s blessing to Danny Krivan’s project and to formally appoint the Focus Group participants.
There are two Community Musicales this Sunday afternoon (see Welcome to Worship above) – a real feast of musical enrichment, with performers ranging from beginners to seasoned musicians. Bring your lunch on Sunday and stay on for the afternoon concerts.

Upcoming Events

Church Meeting – Sunday 4 October, briefly following worship: to give blessing to Danny Krivan’s Focus Groups research project and formally appoint participants.
Focus Group Orientation – Sunday 4 October, after Morning Tea in the Barn.
Lorraine Mitchell book talk, “The Things They Didn’t Put in the Record” – Tuesday 13 October, 7.15pm for 7.30pm, in the Gallery.
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

Owing to the holidays, both the Box Hill Community Choir and the Bible & Chats Group are taking a break this week and next.

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

Many have asked for the links to songs written by Scottie McGuiness. His friend, Damien, has helped provide the accompaniment and vocals for these songs, many of which have a spiritual theme. They include For You, Love is Everywhere, Stay in My Life, Please, Miranda and You Come First. Have a listen and let Scottie know what you think of them.
Still on a musical note, did you see and hear the new arrangement of the old hymn, ‘Abide with me,’ sung by a choir in the Oslo Cathedral at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway? Here’s the link.
Graham Hill writes of moving from ‘lectio divina’ to ‘lectio missio’ in “Reading the Bible and Hearing God’s voice,” on Grace Unfenced.
Tim Costello asks, “Can Corporate Philanthropy Do Genuine Good?” Eureka Street, 9 September 2026.
Last week, around 30 leaders from across the Australian Baptist movement gathered in Canberra. They met with 30 Members of Parliament and Senators from all sides of politics to advocate for greater response to the issue of family and domestic violence. Read more.

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: Normally each Tuesday, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at the Gallery — taking a break this week and next owing to the holidays (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 – 27 September 2026

10am.

It’s our Last Breakfast, led by Geoff, in which we will focus on the final of the Letters to the Seven Churches. Sitting around the tables we have a chance to listen together to what the Spirit is saying to our church.

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22.

Please bring food to share. The church at Laodicea may have been lukewarm, but the food we share will be piping hot or cold!

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