Author: eddie

The Record – 5 April 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship this Easter Sunday

10am (N.B. Daylight Saving Time ends this morning when clocks turn back one hour)

+ Communion Service (usually held on the first Sunday of the month).

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture Reading: Luke 24: 1-12.

+ Theme: Walking Towards Resurrection: Eleventh in our series “Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.”

+ This Sunday you are invited to bring non-perishable food items as part of our offering, that will be given to support needy people in our community.

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Song: Lord of the Way
  • Opening Words
  • Community News
  • Offering
  • Bible Reading: Luke 24: 1-12.
  • Song: Now the Green Blade Rises
  • Sermon (Geoff)
  • Song: He came singing love
  • Communion
  • Pastoral Prayers
  • Song: Yours be the Glory
  • Benediction
  • Song: Christ is Alive.

Community News

+ It is sad to report that Pat Paul died early on Wednesday 1 April. While it hasn’t been confirmed, the family is hoping to have a funeral service to celebrate Pat’s life at the Box Hill Baptist Church on Friday 17 April at 2pm followed by refreshments in the Barn.

+ Viti Keys is home after surgery in hospital but is awaiting further procedures; Eversley Farnbach has left hospital in Melbourne and has been living with her son and daughter-in-law in Albury. Unfortunately, Eversley had a fall and is now in the Albury Hospital.

+ Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 3 am AEDT, when clocks are turned backward one hour to 2 am AEST. This means an extra hour of sleep.

+ On the 12th of April, we will be hosting a Community Musicale in the church, commencing at 12.45pm. Community Musicale is a welcoming and supportive performance space for musicians and music-lovers of all ages and level, and all proceeds go to support the new habitat box initiative! Tickets and more info at https://events.humanitix.com/communitymusicale

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ If a neighbour turned up on your doorstep, would you know them by name? Meredith Lake convenes a conversation on ‘No, really, who is my neighbour? with Nick Tebbey, Karina Kreminski and Roberta Kwan. Soul Search, ABC, 27 March 2026.

+ On Saturday 11am 2nd May at the Ashburton Baptist Church the Victorian Baptist Historical Society invites you to listen to Revs Garry Lock and David Enticott who will be the guest speakers. They will be talking about Baptists in Defence Force Chaplaincy, both from a historical and personal perspective.

+ Disclosures of Harm

When someone shares sensitive information with you for the first time, such as that they are experiencing abuse, this is called a ‘disclosure.’ Your role in that moment is to be a supportive listener to that person. This short video, created by the NSPCC in the UK, highlights how to listen carefully, respond calmly and ensure that concerns are passed on to the appropriate person or organisation. Responding to a Child’s Disclosure of Abuse.

Next Saturday at 2pm, you are invited to continue our Dust to Dawn walking series beyond Easter as we are all invited to the home of Mary Edgar to walk her Labyrinth.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to slow down after Easter, and spend some time reflecting – both individually and together – on what our many walks have meant to us.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ Both the Box Hill Community Choir and the Bible & Chats Group which normally meet on Tuesday are taking a two-week break over the holiday period.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm Judith Lim will be attending the Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well) to teach and demonstrate CPR before attendees play table tennis, drink tea and coffee and develop friendships. Everyone is welcome to attend.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

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 5 April at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Eddie Chapman.

+ Scripture Reading: Luke 24: 13-35.

+ Theme: Walking Towards Resurrection: Twelfth in our series “Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.”

Worship Roster

The Record – 29 March 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

10am

+ It’s our Last Breakfast with food, talk with Eddie on the theme ‘Walking into Turmoil’ and conversation around tables. Please bring food to share.

+ Scripture: Matthew 21: 1-11.

Walk for Justice, Respect and Kindness for Refugees

1.00pm We’re invited to join thousands of walkers gathering at the Princes Bridge.

1.30pm Walk to Birrarung Marr, Lower Terrace.

2.00pm-3.30pm Speakers and Music.

Community News

+ At the time of writing, Eversley Farnbach is still in the Mulgrave Private Hospital but hoping to do a home-based rehab in Albury where her eldest son resides; Viti Keys has come through hospital surgery successfully, is staying now with her daughter for a day or two and hoping to be back home by Thursday. Viti has two more surgeries scheduled. Keep these and others facing challenging times in your love and prayers.

+ On Wednesday we had a good gathering of local community members interested in taking part in our new ‘Box by Box’ project – building habitat boxes for our local wildlife. Talk to Eddie if you’d like to stay connected to what’s happening with that project at the Shed.

+ On the 12th of April, we will be hosting a Community Musicale in the church, commencing at 12.45pm. Community Musicale is a welcoming and supportive performance space for musicians and music-lovers of all ages and level, and all proceeds go to support the new habitat box initiative! Tickets and more info at https://events.humanitix.com/communitymusicale

+ A Photographic Exhibition on the theme, ‘Living with Young-Onset Parkinson’s’ is at the Box Hill Community centre on weekdays from 9am to 5pm until Monday March 30. Link: Eastern Melburnian.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ “At the moment I can think of a lot of people who say they feel closest to God in nature and none at all who say they feel closest to God in a picket line at a refugee detention centre. My concern is that if justice has to be beautiful to get our attention, justice will suffer.”

-Barbara Brown Taylor.

+ Shuttered stores, canceled pilgrimages: Can Bethlehem’s Christians Survive Another Easter? Religion News.

+ Benjamin Law meets people turning to AI to deal with personal and existential crises in ‘AI—Outsourcing Our Souls,’ Compass, ABC iView.

This Sunday the 29th our Dust to Dawn walk will be joining with thousands of others as we take part in the Walk for Justice, Respect and Kindness for Refugees.

We’ll be heading off after church to head into the city via public transport together.

Easter Services

Palm Sunday – 29 March

Our monthly Last Breakfast Service on the theme “Walking into Turmoil”. We will be putting this into practice as we head into the city afterwards to walk with other churches and people in the annual March for Refugees, commencing at Princes Bridge at 1pm.

Maundy Thursday – 2 April

Reflective dinner in the Barn at 6pm, and to be led by Lorraine. Let Eddie know if you are planning to attend so we can cater accordingly. All are very welcome, including friends and family.

Good Friday – 3 April

We will be “Walking the Way of the Cross”, in our Good Friday service, commencing at 9.30am, followed by hot cross buns and coffee in the Gallery.

Easter Sunday – 5 April

“Walking towards Resurrection” is our theme, and we are encourage everyone to take this literally and ‘walk to the empty tomb’ to celebrate the risen Christ together!

And if anyone would be keen to make their walking-distance home a starting point for others who live further away, we would strongly encourage that too!

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meet in the church

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We will be pondering the theme, ‘Walking Towards Hope’ as we reflect on the meaning of Easter and study the Scripture for Sunday week: Luke 24: 13-35. This is the last gathering for the term before we take a two-week break.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well) will be learning basic English, playing table tennis and other games, drinking tea and coffee and making friends.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

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 5 April at 10am.

10am

+ Communion Service (usually held on the first Sunday of the month). On this Sunday we bring non-perishable food items as part of our offering, that are given to support needy people in our community.

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture Reading: Luke 24: 1-10.

+ Theme: Walking Towards Resurrection: Eleventh in our series “Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.”

Worship Roster

Easter Services @ BHBC (2026)

eddie

Palm Sunday – 29 March

Our monthly Last Breakfast Service on the theme “Walking into Turmoil”. We will be putting this into practice as we head into the city afterwards to walk with other churches and people in the annual March for Refugees, commencing at Princes Bridge at 1pm.

Maundy Thursday – 2 April

Reflective dinner in the Barn at 6pm. An opportunity to gather for a shared meal as we reflect on Jesus’ last hours with his disciples. (Please email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au if you are planning to attend)

Good Friday – 3 April

We will be “Walking the Way of the Cross”, in our Good Friday service, commencing at 9.30am.

Easter Sunday – 5 April

“Walking towards Resurrection” is our theme, and we will be taking this very literally as we create some opportunities for those who wish to gather at a few local homes, before ‘walking to the empty tomb’ to celebrate the risen Christ together at 10am!

The Record – 22 March 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

10am

+ Worship Service led by Andy McCulloch; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10.

+ Theme: ‘Walking by Faith.’ A further study in our Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter series. Walking expresses our trust in God amid uncertainty and difficult circumstances. What does it mean to walk by faith, not by sight?

11am Morning Tea in the Barn.

2pm. A physical walk by sight and faith: You’re invited to walk with others, gathering by 2 pm at Schwerkolt Cottage in Mitcham. This is a 3-5 km loop through the Mullum Valley, ending at Lorraine Mitchell’s home for refreshments at about 4 pm.

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship: A Vision (Wendell Berry) – Andy
  • Song: Be thou my Vision – Chris/Andy
  • Welcome & Community News – Sheuh Wah
  • Responsive Reading: Psalm 23 – Andy       
  • Offering & Offering Prayer: Andy
  • Song: In Christ Alone – Andy             
  • Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 – Graeme
  • Sermon “Walking by Faith” – Geoff
  • Song: How Deep the Father’s Love – Andy                     
  • Pastoral Prayer – Geoff
  • Benediction & Close: May the feet of God walk with you.

Community News

+ We continue with our wall restoration works this Sunday, but hopefully it will all be completed by next week. Many thanks for your patience, and generosity, as we undertake these much needed repairs to our hundred year old building!

+ We had a great session last Sunday exploring the outcomes of our Feasibility study into the Ellingworth Project – our potential to redevelop 3-5 Ellingworth Parade into new church facilities, and a new form of affordable housing. The presentation can be downloaded here, and the video of the session was recorded and can be watched here.

+ On Wednesday we had a good gathering of local community members interested in taking part in our new ‘Box by Box’ project – building habitat boxes for our local wildlife. Talk to Eddie if you’d like to stay connected to what’s happening with that project at the Shed.

+ On the 12th of April, we will be hosting a Community Musicale in the church, commencing at 12.45pm. Community Musicale is a welcoming and supportive performance space for musicians and music-lovers of all ages and level, and all proceeds go to support the new habitat box initiative! Tickets and more info at https://events.humanitix.com/communitymusicale

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ James Amadon and Forrest Inslee, talk about the crucial role of partnerships and a personal connection with nature as we care for God’s world. Earthkeepers Podcast.

+ Listen to some people communicate a Christian response to the global issue of climate change as it specifically relates to the climate-driven flooding of the Polynesian island of Tuvalu. Link: Goodfaith.

+ Last Tuesday evening (St Patrick’s Day) the Bible & Chat group reflected on the life and ministry of Patrick of Ireland. Here is one of his prayers:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

On Sunday the 22nd you’re invited to walk with others, gathering by 2 pm at Schwerkolt Cottage in Mitcham. This is a 3-5 km loop through the Mullum Valley, ending at Lorraine Mitchell’s home for refreshments at about 4 pm.

You can find more information about our other upcoming walks here.

Easter Services

Palm Sunday – 29 March

Our monthly Last Breakfast Service on the theme “Walking into Turmoil”. We will be putting this into practice as we head into the city afterwards to walk with other churches and people in the annual March for Refugees, commencing at Princes Bridge at 1pm.

Maundy Thursday – 2 April

Reflective dinner in the Barn at 6pm.

Good Friday – 3 April

We will be “Walking the Way of the Cross”, in our Good Friday service, commencing at 9.30am.

Easter Sunday – 5 April

“Walking towards Resurrection” is our theme, and we will be taking this very literally as we create some opportunities for those who wish to gather at a few local homes, before ‘walking to the empty tomb’ to celebrate the risen Christ together!

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meet in the church

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We will be pondering the theme, ‘Walking into Turmoil’ as we study the Scripture for the following Sunday: Matthew 21: 1-11.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well) will be learning basic English, playing table tennis and other games, drinking tea and coffee and making friends.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

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 22 March at 10am.

10am

+ It’s our Last Breakfast with food, talk with Eddie on the theme ‘Walking into Turmoil’ and conversation around tables. Please bring food to share.

+ Scripture: Matthew 21: 1-11

+ Theme: Jesus rides into Jerusalem. Are the disciples still following? “When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”

Walk for Justice, Respect and Kindness for Refugees

1.00pm We’re invited to join thousands of walkers gathering at the Princes Bridge.

1.30pm Walk to Birrarung Marr, Lower Terrace.

2.00pm-3.30pm Speakers and Music.

Worship Roster

The Record – 15 March 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

10am

+ Worship Service led by Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture: John 8: 12-20.

+ Theme: ‘Walking in the Light.’ A further study in our Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter series.

11am Morning Tea in the Barn.

12.30pm After Morning Tea there is an open invitation to return to the church for a presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project feasibility study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties.

Order of Service

  • Bible reading – Light
  • Call to Worship
  • Song: Today I awake, and God is before me
  • Prayer
  • Bible reading – Follow
  • Song: Will you come and follow me
  • Community News
  • Offering
  • Bible reading – Darkness
  • Prayer of Confession
  • Song: Nothing is lost on the love of God.
  • Sermon (Geoff) – Walking in the Light
  • Bible reading – Light
  • Pastoral Prayers
  • Song: Christ be our light
  • Benediction

Community News

+ The scaffolding has arrived and the wall is coming down! Thanks for everyone’s generosity and patience as we finally repair our front wall. This is likely to take a week or two, so expect there to be some minor disruptions to our services for this Sunday and next.

+ After church, at 12.30pm, there will be a presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project Feasibility Study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties. Everybody is welcome to join us, and the session will be recorded if you can’t make it.

+ This Saturday (14th) we are undertaking the most challenging of our ‘Dust to Dawn’ walks. We will gather at the Olinda Precinct carpark (75-77 Olinda Monbulk Rd) at 11:30am for coffee, before commencing the walk at 12. For those keen to join in but not interested in the long walk, there is the option to take a shorter walk through the Botanic Gardens just around the corner.

+ Want to give a bird, possum, or bee a home? Through our Community Shed we are working with some community members to explore the potential for a new project building habitat boxes for the local environment. We’ll be meeting at the Village Well at 7:30pm this Wednesday the 18th to discuss and explore what’s possible.

+ On the 12th of April, we will be hosting a Community Musicale in the church, commencing at 12.45pm. Community Musicale is a welcoming and supportive performance space for musicians and music-lovers of all ages and level, and all proceeds go to support the new habitat box initiative! Tickets and more info at https://events.humanitix.com/communitymusicale

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Andrew Hamilton asks, “Is Australia’s support for the Iran strike a retreat from principle?” Eureka Street, 4 March 2026.

+ Concert pianist Yirui Weng grew up an atheist, but found Christian faith after hearing Vivaldi’s Gloria. Listen to her story on Heart & Soul, BBC.

+ Are things going forwards for women or backwards? Justine Toh, of the Centre for Public Christianity, presented a special episode of God Forbid to mark International Women’s Day. ABC Radio National.

+ Feeling fearful? Tim Costello named the deeper question behind the repatriation of ISIS-linked Australian citizens.

On Sunday the 22nd you’re invited to walk with others, gathering by 2 pm at Schwerkolt Cottage in Mitcham. This is a 3-5 km loop through the Mullum Valley, ending at Lorraine Mitchell’s home for refreshments at about 4 pm.

You can find more information about our other upcoming walks here.

Easter Services

Palm Sunday – 29 March

Our monthly Last Breakfast Service on the theme “Walking into Turmoil”. We will be putting this into practice as we head into the city afterwards to walk with other churches and people in the annual March for Refugees, commencing at Princes Bridge at 1pm.

Maundy Thursday – 2 April

Reflective dinner in the Barn at 6pm.

Good Friday – 3 April

We will be “Walking the Way of the Cross”, in our Good Friday service, commencing at 9.30am.

Easter Sunday – 5 April

“Walking towards Resurrection” is our theme, and we will be taking this very literally as we create some opportunities for those who wish to gather at a few local homes, before ‘walking to the empty tomb’ to celebrate the risen Christ together!

Coming soon

Sunday 22 March – 2pm- Dust to Dawn walk in Mitcham (see info above).

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am is the usual time for the Box Hill Community Choir to practice but owing to many of the choir members being away (due to the Labour Weekend Holiday) there will not be any choir next Tuesday.

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We will be pondering the theme, ‘Walking by Faith’ as we study the Scripture for the following Sunday: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well) will be learning basic English, playing table tennis and other games, drinking tea and coffee and making friends.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am 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.

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 22 March at 10am.

+ Worship Service led by Andy McCulloch; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10.

+ Theme: ‘Walking by Faith.’ A further study in our Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter series. Walking expresses our trust in God amid uncertainty and difficult circumstances. What does it mean to walk by faith, not by sight?

11am Morning Tea in the Barn.

2pm. A physical walk by sight and faith: You’re invited to walk with others, gathering by 2 pm at Schwerkolt Cottage in Mitcham. This is a 3-5 km loop through the Mullum Valley, ending at Lorraine Mitchell’s home for refreshments at about 4 pm.

Worship Roster

The Record – 8 March 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

+ Worship Service led by Geoff Pound; Preacher: Eddie Chapman

+ Scripture: John 13: 30-35.

+ Theme: ‘Walking in Love.’ A further study in our Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter series.

+ Interview with Rev Kevin Purvis about the Purvis years at Box Hill. We look forward to welcoming back Kevin, Jenny and any other members of the Purvis family that visit.

+ 11.30am – You are invited to join a 6-8km walk from the Barn to Blackburn Lake ending with refreshments at the Pounds, 2 Anjaya Court, Blackburn. If you’re not up to walking such a distance do come for refreshments at approximately 1pm.

Order of Service

Call to Worship

Hymn 559 (BP&W) Love divine, all loves excelling

Prayer

Welcome

Notices/Announcements

Offering

Sung Offertory Prayer: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases

Interview with Kevin Purvis on the Purvis Years at Box Hill Baptist

Song: Now We are Leaving the Bay (Sea of Love)

Scripture Reading: John 13: 30-35 (Ian Parker)

Sermon: ‘Walking in Love’ (Eddie)

Song: Lord let me See, see more and more.

Prayers for the World 

Sung Benediction: Go in Peace, Go in Love

Community News

+ Pat Paul has moved to Vermont Aged Care (770 Canterbury Rd, Vermont VIC 3133) in the temporary placement programme. This is an interim measure while the family investigate a permanent placement for her; Diane Heagney is currently in Knox Hospital as she has blood clots in her leg and lungs. Pray for a permanent home for Pat and good health for Diane.

+ ‘Welcome to a New Year at Whitley College.’ Read all the Whitley News.

+ On Sunday 15 March at 12.30pm there will be a presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project Feasibility Study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties. Everybody is welcome to join us, and the session will be recorded if you can’t make it.

+ Thanks to those who have already donated money to go towards the $10,000 needed to re-plaster and repaint the front wall in the church after some of it start to crumble. The works will be commencing this coming Tuesday so be prepared for a Sunday or two of scaffolding!

Food for Thought

+ Simon Holt reflects on his move from Melbourne to Canberra in, ‘The Beauty Under Our Feet,’ Simply Simon.

+ Rabbi Shai Held writes an essay on ‘One of the Bible’s Greatest Moral Revolutions,’ an open access article in the New York Times, 22 February 2026.

+ ‘Display of St. Francis of Assisi’s bones confirms enduring appeal of relics for [some] Christians,’ Religion News Service, 24 February 2026.

After a few weeks of shorter walks, next Saturday (14th of March) we will be taking on our most challenging walk – approximately 14km through the Dandenong Ranges.

We will gather at the Olinda Precinct carpark (75-77 Oinda Monbulk Rd) at 11:30am for coffee, before commencing the walk at 12.

For those keen to join in but not interested in the long walk, there is the option to take a shorter walk through the Botanic Gardens just around the corner.

You can find more information about our other upcoming walks here. 

Coming soon

Saturday 14 March – 11.30am – Dust to Dawn walk through the Dandenong Ranges (see info above)

Sunday 15 March – 12.30pm – Presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project feasibility study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am is the usual time for the Box Hill Community Choir to practice but owing to many of the choir members being away (due to the Labour Weekend Holiday) there will not be any choir next Tuesday.

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We will be pondering the theme, ‘Walking in the Light’ as they study the Scripture for the following Sunday: John 8: 12-20.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well) will be learning basic English, playing table tennis and other games, drinking tea and coffee and making friends.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am 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.

+ 11.30am – You are invited to meet at Olinda and walk approximately 14 km through the Dandenong Ranges. There is an option to visit the National Rhododendron Garden for those not up to walking the full distance. (see info earlier on in the Record)

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 1 March at 10am.

+ Worship Service led by Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture: John 8: 12-20.

+ Theme: ‘Walking in the Light.’ A further study in our Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter series.

11am Morning Tea in the Barn.

12.30pm After Morning Tea there is an open invitation to return to the church for a presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project feasibility study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties.

Worship Roster

The Record – 1 March 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

+ 10am Communion Service; Worship Leader: Shueh Wah Kennedy; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture: Matthew 4: 12-23; Theme: Walking in ‘The Way.’

+ As part of our offering on Communion Sunday we will receive non-perishable food items to be given to needy people in our suburb.

+ 11.30am: A short Church Meeting will follow Morning Tea in the Barn.

+ 12.30pm You are invited to go on a Box Hill historical walk led by Andy McCulloch, a total of 4.3kms, with a shorter option of 2.3kms. The route passes Andy and Wendy’s house, where lunch can be enjoyed by the walkers! They should be able to accommodate most dietary requirements, but check with Andy and Wendy to be sure. Learn more from Andy about the route. 

Order of Service

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

Song  Will you come and follow me

Community News

Offering

Song  Make me a channel of your peace

Reading Matthew 4: 12-23

Sermon Walking in ‘The Way’

Song Come as you are

Communion

Prayers for the World

Song Be not Afraid

Benediction

Community News

+ Kevin and Jenny Purvis have been invited to attend our morning service at Box Hill at 10am on March 8 and Kevin will take part in an eight-minute interview as part of the service. This will focus on remembering and celebrating the ministry of the church while Kevin, Jenny and their family were at Box Hill from 1998-2002.

+ If you would like to ensure that certain former members and friends who attended BHBC receive a letter of invitation to this Back to Box Hill Baptist service on 8 March when Kevin Purvis will be present, please give the names and contact details to Eddie Chapman as soon as possible.

+ On Sunday 15 March at 12.30pm there will be a presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project Feasibility Study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties. Everybody is welcome.

+ We extend our condolences to Raymond Chow (Wai Man Chow) and his family upon the death of his mother, Chan Fo Mui, on Friday, 20 February. A service of thanksgiving was held to celebrate her life last Wednesday morning.

+ Check out the range of events and resources being offered in 2026 by the WellSpring Centre in Ashburton.

+ Thanks to those who have already donated money to go towards the $10,000 needed to re-plaster and repaint the front wall in the church after some of it start to crumble. Here are the bank account numbers to use if you are going to transfer money from your account and deposit it with the Church.

BSB: 704-922
Account name: Box Hill Baptist Church
Account number: 100005657
Please use the word ‘Plaster’ or ‘Wall’ in the reference line. Please put one of these words on your envelope if you are giving through the offering bag.

Food for Thought


+ 400+ American leaders have written a declaration urging people to resist the current administration and take a stand on faith and justice. ‘A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy.’ Link. A news report about this is posted on Religion News.

+ This year the dates of Ash Wednesday and Ramadan coincide. Andrew Hamilton reflects , ‘When Lent Meets Ramadan in a divided world,’ Eureka Street, 19 February 2026.

+ Jesse Jackson, who believed that his political life sprang out of his call to be a preacher, dies at 84. Valerie Bridgeman reflects on his life and service in Religion News Service.

+ Rosemary (Pastor and Chaplain) and Alex (economist and musician) are members of the Ponsonby Baptist Church in Auckland. They reflect on their journey after Alex was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, in ‘The Words are Still There, Dementia, NZ.

Our new ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter” has commenced!

Not only will this series follow the theme of ‘walking’ as we journey through Lent, it will also create opportunities for us to literally walk into Easter through a series of weekly walks being organised by various members of the church.

Walks commence on the 22nd of February, and you can find more information as it comes to hand here. 

Coming soon

Sunday 15 March – 12.30pm – Presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project feasibility study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties.

This Week

Monday

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

+ Monday at 7.30pm Our Deacons have their monthly meeting.

Tuesday

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is meets on Tuesday at 9:30 am, in the church. (Cost is $50 per term.)

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We will be pondering the theme, ‘Walking in Love’ as they study the Scripture for the following Sunday: John 13:30-35.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well) will be hearing from Maggie Wang speaking about buying, selling and leasing apartments and homes in Australia.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am 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.

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 1 March at 10am.

10am

+ Worship Service led by Eddie Chapman; Preacher: TBC.

+ Scripture: John 13: 30-35.

+ Theme: ‘Walking in Love.’ A further study in our Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter series.

+ Interview with Rev Kevin Purvis.

11.30am

You are invited to join a 6-8km walk from the Barn to Blackburn Lake ending with refreshments at the Pounds, 2 Anjaya Court, Blackburn. If you’re not up to walking such a distance do come for refreshments.

Worship Roster

The Record – 22 February 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday 22 February 2026 at 10am

10am It’s our Last Breakfast with food, talk (by Eddie on the theme ‘Walking Humbly with your God’ based on the Scripture, Micah 6: 6-8) and conversation around tables. Please bring food to share.

11.30am You’re invited to join our first gentle walk from the Barn led by Graeme Davison. We’ll walk from Box Hill to Mont Albert (approximately 2-3kms), ending with refreshments at the Davisons. Need more info? Ask Graeme.

Community News

+ Raelene Lilies has returned home this week after a stay in hospital; Greta Carter is in Epworth (Richmond) recovering after breaking seven ribs. Please pray for these and others you are aware of who are not well.

+ Our new ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter” has commenced! Not only will this series follow the theme of ‘walking’ as we journey through Lent, it will also create opportunities for us to literally walk into Easter through a series of weekly walks being organised by various members of the church. Walks commence this Sunday the 22nd of February, and you can find more information as it comes to hand here. 

+ I (Geoff) met up with Sam Neville this week. He used to be in the Box Hill Baptist Youth Group in the 1990s. He said that many of the young men who were in the group are now fathers and recently these fathers and their sons got together for a wonderful weekend at Shoreham. People like Sam, Simon Carlyle, Matt and Ben Bissett, Ash Keys to name a few. Remember them? Many of the friendships forged at BHBC continue.

+ Happy Lunar New Year! Last Thursday at our Social Chat Group (11am) Mr Wang Chenggen visited and demonstrated his skills at calligraphy. He wrote and gifted some banners which express a blessing for the Box Hill Baptist Church. You may see some of these writings in the Gallery, the Barn and upstairs in the Village Well.

+ Public Lecture sponsored by Whitley College at Collins Street Baptist Church on ‘The Desire to Punish: Incarceration, Justice and the Church’s Crisis of Accountability.’ Speaker: Professor Douglas Campbell. Thursday 12 March at 6pm. Link for more info and registration details.

+ The Victorian Baptist Historical Society invites you to the Geoffrey Blackburn Memorial Lecture by Rev Dr Frank Rees on the topic, ‘Baptists and Roman Catholics.’ Saturday, 14 March at 10.45am.

+ The NewHope Baptist Church is conducting a training day for individuals and churches teaching the English language. Info link.

+ Thanks to those who have already donated money to go towards the $10,000 needed to re-plaster and repaint the front wall in the church after some of it start to crumble. Here are the bank account numbers to use if you are going to transfer money from your account and deposit it with the Church.

BSB: 704-922
Account name: Box Hill Baptist Church
Account number: 100005657
Please use the word ‘Plaster’ or ‘Wall’ in the reference line. Please put one of these words on your envelope if you are giving through the offering bag.

Food for Thought


+ Musician, Nick Caves, is asked to give counsel to a man whose wife has recently died. Here is his reply in the Red Hand Files.

+ A Rocha USA invites you to view the documentary An Invitation to Wonder which explores the ecology, mystery, and significance of the wetlands. Until 5 April you can view it free. Use thislink and the pass-code “WONDER2026” for access. There is a discussion and reflection guide at thislink. A Rocha also has prayers and readings for lent at this link andLenten Resources for Creation Justice.

+ Maggi Dawn reflects on the Transfiguration Scripture on her Substack, 14 February.

+ Baptist Mission Australia News and Prayer Notes.

Our new ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter” has commenced!

Not only will this series follow the theme of ‘walking’ as we journey through Lent, it will also create opportunities for us to literally walk into Easter through a series of weekly walks being organised by various members of the church.

Walks commence on the 22nd of February, and you can find more information as it comes to hand here. 

Coming soon

Sunday 1 March – Church meeting (after the service in the Barn) – an opportunity to discuss the many things happening in the life of the church.

Sunday 15 March – 12.30pm – Presentation on the outcomes of the Ellingworth Project feasibility study into potential opportunities for the redevelopment of our properties.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is meets on Tuesday at 9:30 am, in the church. (Cost is $50 per term.)

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We will be pondering the theme, ‘Walking in the Way’ as they study the Scripture for the following Sunday: Matthew 4: 18-22.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: The Thursday 11am Social Chat Group will be welcoming local MP, Paul Hamer, who will talk about resources that are available for newcomers to Box Hill and the City of Whitehorse.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am 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.

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 1 March at 10am.

+ 10am Communion Service; Worship Leader: Shueh Wah Kennedy; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture: Matthew 4: 18-22; Theme: Walking in ‘The Way.’

+ As part of our offering on Communion Sunday we will receive non-perishable food items to be given for needy people in our suburb.

+ 11.30am: A short Church Meeting will follow Morning Tea in the Barn.

+ 12.30pm You are invited to go on a Box Hill historical walk led by Andy McCulloch, a total of 4.3kms, with a shorter option of 2.3kms. Learn more from Andy.

Worship Roster

The Record – 15 February 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday 15 February 2026 at 10am

+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture: Isaiah 43: 1-3A

+ Theme: Walking in Difficult Times—Third in our series ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.’

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Hymn 388 – O love of God, how strong and true
  • Prayer
  • Song – Like a Candle burning brightly
  • Welcome & Community News
  • Offering
  • Bible Reading: Isaiah 43:1-3A
  • Hymn 117 – By Gracious Powers
  • Sermon (Geoff)
  • Song: When peace like a river
  • Pastoral Prayers
  • Song: Deep Stillness
  • Benediction

Community News

+ Thanks to those who have begun to donate one book each to the Box Hill Baptist Church. One book just donated is entitled Sources of Strength by Jimmy Carter – a collection of some of his Sunday school lessons, laced with personal stories from his presidency. Visit the library, take and read.

+ Thanks to those who have already donated money to go towards the $10,000 needed to re-plaster and repaint the front wall in the church after some of it start to crumble. Here are the bank account numbers to use if you are going to transfer money from your account and deposit it with the Church.

BSB: 704-922
Account name: Box Hill Baptist Church
Account number: 100005657
Please use the word ‘Plaster’ or ‘Wall’ in the reference line. Please put one of these words on your envelope if you are giving through the offering bag.

+ This Tuesday, February 17 marks the beginning of Lunar New Year – the Year of the Horse – with celebrations shared by many cultures across Asia and the global diaspora. Remember to wish ‘A Happy Lunar New Year’ to the people that you meet in this season from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, China, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Tibet, Mongolia and more.

+ The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (18 February). It serves as a 40-day “wilderness” journey modelled after Jesus’ time in the desert. It’s not a legalistic thing to do but it can be a creative way to foster our relationship with Jesus. Some practices that people adopt include: fasting (giving up), digital fast (to quieten the screen noise), adding in (reading a book, starting a prayer journal, writing poetry), acts of service (intentional kindness, contributing to a cause), focused prayer and meditation, walking (for a cause and to pray).

+ Our next regular Church Meeting will take place after Morning Tea in the Barn on Sunday 1 March.

+ There have been lots of positive reports on new songs, new features and newcomers to the Box Hill Community Choir, including the new conductor, Kylie. It is not too late to join this Tuesday morning group that sings, performs, shares morning tea and celebrates.

+ Our new worship roster is out, can be downloaded here.

Food for Thought

+ Wisdom Keepers on PBS explores the timeless questions of who we are and where we are going. In these conversations are Joan Chittister, David Brooks, Kevin Kelly and more.

+ Justine Toh, (Centre for Public Christianity) urges, ‘As the year begins, don’t look away from the headlines, look better and deeper,’ The Guardian, 12 January 2026.

+ Most Monday mornings at 8am you can tune into (Zoom link) Monday Matters with Ian Bunston. The guest tomorrow (16th) is Dr Rodney van der Ree speaking on the impacts of human activity on human diversity and on the 23rd, Haydn Blake a Tactical Flight Officer Air Wing VicPol. If you can’t make the Monday time you can catch up on these informative talks via these links on Spotify or YouTube.

Our new ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter” has commenced!

Not only will this series follow the theme of ‘walking’ as we journey through Lent, it will also create opportunities for us to literally walk into Easter through a series of weekly walks being organised by various members of the church.

Walks commence on the 22nd of February, and you can find more information as it comes to hand here. 

This Week

Monday

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

+ 7.30pm The Deacons have their first meeting of the year.

Tuesday

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is meets on Tuesday at 9:30 am, in the church. (Cost is $50 per term.)

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well. We are going to be pondering the theme, ‘Walking Humbly with your God’ as they study the Scripture: Micah 6: 6-8.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: The Thursday 11am Social Chat Group will be enjoying a special New Year morning tea with different new year delicacies from their countries and provinces. Come and join the celebration.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am 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.

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 22 February at 10am.

10am It’s our Last Breakfast with food, talk (by Eddie on the theme ‘Walking Humbly with your God’ based on the Scripture, Micah 6: 6-8) and conversation around tables. Please bring food to share.

11.30am You’re invited to join our first gentle walk from the Barn led by Graeme Davison. We’ll walk from Box Hill to Mont Albert (approximately 2-3kms), ending with refreshments at the Davisons.

Worship Roster

The Record – 8 February 2026

eddie

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday 8 February 2026 at 10am

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Eddie Chapman

+ Scripture: Joshua 22: 1-6

+ Theme: Walking in God’s Ways—Second in our series ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.’

+ The Rev Colin Hunter plans to attend our morning service at Box Hill at 10am this Sunday and will take part in an eight-minute interview as part of the service. This will focus on remembering and celebrating the ministry of the church while Colin and Jenny were at Box Hill from 1990-1996. Colin is especially looking forward to meeting up over morning tea with people who were at Box Hill in the Hunter years. Do invite former members and friends who were here in the nineties to come next Sunday. Bring any photos with you from this period.

Order of Service

  • Acknowledgement of Country and Call to Worship: 
  • Song/Hymn: ‘The journey of life’
  • Prayer of gathering and confession
  • Welcome and community news
  • Song/Hymn: ‘We are marching in the light of God’
  • Our offering and prayer 
  • Interview: Rev Dr Colin Hunter (with Geoff)
  • Bible reading: Joshua 22:1–6 — Raymond
  • Song/Hymn: ‘Faith has set us on a journey’
  • Sermon:  ‘Walking in God’s Way’— Eddie
  • Song/Hymn: ‘One more step along the world I go’ 
  • Prayers for the world
  • Benediction

Community News

+ Please pray for the people of Iran following the atrocities waged by the regime against its own people. Some estimate Tehran’s crackdown on anti-government rallies has claimed up to 30,000 lives. Remember Vahid and Mina in their concern for their family and friends.

+ Congratulations to Bill Firth-Smith on reaching the great age of 90 this week.

+ Kylie Wagenvoort was welcomed last Tuesday as the new conductor of the Box Hill Community Choir. Kylie brings experience, shaped by over 25 years of working with solo singers and choirs, advising music, stage, and choral directors, coaching vocal ensembles and musical theatre performers, along with experience in record producing and sound engineering. Kylie has recently returned from five weeks in the southern United States immersing in Black gospel, country, and blues traditions that prioritise conviction in song lyrics – a core value to her leadership. Her calling and hope for the Box Hill Community Choir is to inspire singers to grow in skill, understanding, and confidence, so that in “one voice” they can sing with clarity, joy, and freedom. Kylie is grateful for the opportunity to bring her experience and passion to the Box Hill Community Choir. It’s a good time for you to join the choir!

+ Notes from last week’s Deacons meeting:

  • Our new church constitution has been submitted to and approved by the Baptist Union. Click here if you’d like a copy of the final version.
  • Shueh Wah Kennedy has been appointed as the Chair for the coming year.
  • Budget notes: We have committed approximately $10,000 for the repair the plaster on the front wall of the church. We will be creating opportunities for those who may want to help cover this unexpected costs. Offerings are currently not meeting budget.
  • We discussed our next steps in formalising our membership of the Open Baptists.
  • Our next church meeting will be on the 1st of March.
  • There will be a presentation on the Feasibility Study into redeveloping our church properties on Sunday the 15th of March.

+ Our new worship roster is out, can be downloaded here.

Food for Thought

+ Here’s a proven way to slow aging. Any volunteers? Link: MSN.

+ Check out some of the stories about what Baptist churches are doing around Victoria. Link

+ You’re invited to donate a book to the church library and while you are dropping in your contribution, take a book to read. “Reading is a life-long collision with minds not like your own.” – Jeanette Winterson.

+ Maggi Dawn writes about that saying, “I’m giving up for Lent…” Maggi Dawn’s Substack

Our new ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter” has commenced!

Not only will this series follow the theme of ‘walking’ as we journey through Lent, it will also create opportunities for us to literally walk into Easter through a series of weekly walks being organised by various members of the church.

Walks commence on the 22nd of February, and you can find more information as it comes to hand here. 

This Week

Monday

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

+ 7.30pm The Deacons have their first meeting of the year.

Tuesday

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is meets on Tuesday at 9:30 am, in the church. (Cost is $50 per term.)

+ 7.15pm for a cuppa and at 7.30pm the first Bible Study for the year. The Bible & Chats Group meets in the Village Well and studies the Scripture that will be the focus in the next Sunday’s sermon. The Scripture passage we are studying is Isaiah 43: 1-3A and our theme is: ‘Walking in Difficult Times.’Convener: Geoff Pound.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: The Social Chat Gathering continues at this time. Wang Chenggen will be demonstrating Chinese calligraphy.

+ 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

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am 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.

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 8 February at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture: Isaiah 43: 1-3A

+ Theme: Walking in Difficult Times—Third in our series ‘Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.’

Worship Roster