The Record – 17 May 2026

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026 eddie

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

This Sunday 17 May at 10am.

+ Worship Leader Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 1: 1-14.

+ Theme: On Friday, 14 May, it is Ascension Day in the Christian calendar. We’ll be thinking on Sunday of the words of Jesus before his ascension and how his followers were called from looking up, to waiting and praying before looking out to engagement with their community and world.

+ Our service will include an interview with Dave Mutton reflecting on his years at Box Hill Baptist. Another time to invite people Back to Box Hill Baptist in this, our 125^th year as a church in this community. It will be good to welcome Dave and renew friendship with him over morning tea.

+ Vahid and Mina will be providing something celebratory to eat at morning tea in the Barn when we can rejoice with them in the good news of their receiving a permanent resident visa after 12 long years. Another special celebration for Mina and Vahid will take place next Tuesday with Dr Carina Garland (Member for Chisholm) and Barbara Harman (Electorate Officer) at their office. Dr Carina and Barbara have been caring, supportive and practically helpful throughout Vahid and Mina’s immigration journey.

Order of Service

LOOKING UP
- Call to worship
- Song: All people that on earth do dwell (BPW 2)
  Prayer
LOOKING AROUND
- Community News
- Interview with Dave Mutton
- Song: Lord let me see
- Pastoral Prayers (part 1)
- Reading: Acts 1:1-14
- Sermon
LOOKING OUT
- Song: As we contemplate our mission
- Offering
- Pastoral Prayers (part 2)
- Song: Act Justly
- Benediction

Community News

+ Congratulations to Diane Haegney who celebrates her 80^th birthday this Sunday (17^th).

+ Congratulations to Graeme Davison, who, at last Tuesday’s Graduation Ceremony at Monash University was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa, before he had the privilege of giving the keynote address to the graduating students.

+ At a Church Meeting last Sunday, we heard the stories of faith and agreed to receive into our church membership, Vahid, Rae and Lucien. It is also planned that Grazia Sedawie and Lucien Toth will be baptised during our church service (The Last Breakfast) on 31 May.

+ A draft copy of the new Church Directory will be available on Sunday in the Barn. Please check your name and contact details and add a tick when you have done this. If your name isn’t listed there, please add it if you wish plus your contact details.

+ The new Worship Roster (for May-August) is out. You can access it here. Organising the roster is a tricky and imperfect science, so if you’ve been put down for a day you can’t attend, please let the office know (and if possible, organising a swap would be much appreciated!).

Also, we’d love to bring one or two new Worship Leaders onboard to help enrich our services with your own unique perspectives – So if that’s something you’d been thinking about and would like to give a go (with as much support as you need!!), talk to Eddie.

+ The family of Barrie and Pat Paul are sifting through 60+ years of documents and books. Some documents may be valuable records and memorabilia for our church. One relic that the family gave was a Box Hill Baptist centennial coffee mug. Also, some books selected for our church library include Tim Costello’s ‘A Lot with a Little’ and a book entitled, ‘101 Things to Do During a Dull Sermon.’ Check these out and other books in our church library.

+ Further Afield: Thanks to our delegates who will be representing our church next Friday (22^nd) at the BUV Gathering; Whitley College offers a Public Lecture; details of the National Day of Prayer; latest edition of the BUV’s TOGETHER E-Mag.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Lucy Davison (daughter of Barbara and Graeme) wrote this musical reflection on ‘Needed Time’: Finding Easter Hope in the Blues, Melbourne Catholic News, 5 May 2026.

+ Melbourne Families are Struggling to Put Food on the Table. Eastern Suburbs Locals are Opening up their Garages to Help, The Eastern Melburnian, 7 May 2026.

+ Tim Costello offers A Theological Reflection on the Current Need for Australian Aid. Micah Australia, 8 May 2026.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meets in our sanctuary for practice and morning tea.

+ 7.15pm (Cuppa) for 7.30pm (Study and discussion) The Bible & Chats Group will be studying the Scripture reading for next Sunday morning viz. Acts 2: 1-21.

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 24 May at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 1-21

+ Theme: On Sunday, 24 May, it is Pentecost Day in the Christian calendar. We’ll be joining with other followers of Jesus around the world to celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit to indwell us, to form a vibrant community, to sustain our faithfulness, to teach us patience and commission us to become creative human beings who are fully alive.

Worship Roster

Some ‘uplifting’ thoughts…

May 13, 2026May 12, 2026 eddie

As this week marks Ascension Day in the Christian calendar I thought, “At Christmas you can buy a Christmas card, at Easter you can buy a cross and resurrection accessories, but I’ve never been sent an Ascension card. Compared with Christmas and Easter, Ascension Day seems like a poor cousin. A very minor celebration.

But then I Googled ‘Ascension Merchandise’ and found a range of Ascension T shirts. Would you like one in sky blue, celestial pink, angelic white, majesty red or Upper Room brown? What words would you like to have printed on your shirt?

‘Is this the time?’

‘You will receive power’

‘To the ends of the earth’

‘Why do you stand looking?’

Why hasn’t a hot air balloon company called themselves ‘Ascension Rides’ that promise joyful, scenic rises across the Melbourne skies while passengers sing, ‘Up, up and away in my beautiful balloon’?

The cynical part of me wonders about the ascension, “Did it really happen?” Even though the creeds state that Jesus “ascended into heaven…” I’ve never had much conviction to recite that line. It hasn’t been a teaching that I’ve been prepared to die for. After all, the four Gospels hardly give it a mention.

But in recent days I’ve been pondering more about what Jesus and the early Christians wanted us to discover. The Ascension is not a lot of hot air. It shouldn’t leave us with a crook neck. It’s a teaching that builds confidence in God’s ability to use us. It’s a call to be followers of Jesus here in Melbourne but it stretches our vision to be engaged way beyond our locality.

I hope we can discover more together next Sunday either online or in person. If we gather with expectancy, I’m sure we’ll be brought down from the clouds and find it will empower our lives, lift our spirits and expand our vision.

Geoff

The Record – 10 May 2026

May 7, 2026 eddie

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

This Sunday 10 May at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Shueh Wah Kennedy; Preacher: Eddie Chapman

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 17: 22-31.

+ Theme: Fumbling for God

+ A brief Member’s Meeting follows the worship service to receive reports on people who are requesting to be members of the Box Hill Baptist Church.

+ This Sunday is Mother’s Day which is a day of gratitude for many—and a tender day for others. A day to give thanks for mothers and mother-figures who have loved, nurtured, and shaped us. A time to also acknowledge those for whom this day carries grief: the loss of a mother, complicated relationships, unfulfilled longing for children, or painful memories. On this day, we seek to honour care in all its forms and to hold one another with kindness and understanding.

Order of Service

Call to Worship
Prayer of Gathering
Song – Be Still
Welcome and Community News
Offering
Prayer of Thankfulness
Reading – Acts 17: 22-31
Song – O Lord You Search Me and You Know Me
Sermon – Fumbling for God
Song – Will You come and follow Me
Prayer for the World
Sung Benediction – The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Community News

+ Congratulations to Vahid Mohmadi and Mina Abdi who last Monday were told they had obtained Permanent Residence in Australia after a 13-year process. We look forward to celebrating with them this wonderful gift.

+ At the Last Breakfast we heard about the Peace Bridges Project in Cambodia sponsored by Baptist Mission Australia and recommended by our deacons as our overseas mission project in the month of May. Collect a Baptist Mission Envelope (available in foyer) and drop in the offering bag or post free. Donations can be tax deductible if specified. Support for this project is not budgeted.

+ Our worship rosters are about to be re-issued for the next 3 months. If you’d like to further your involvement by taking part, we would love to see more people sharing in serving and contributing for our Sunday worship services. Chat to Michelle or Eddie to see how you can help!

+ We are currently updating our Church Directory – Check out the latest version and if your details have changed (or you’d like to be added to the Directory), let Eddie or the church office (office@boxhillbaptist.org.au) know.

+ From their monthly meeting this week our Church Deacons:

Scheduled the next general Church Member’s Meeting for 21 June after Morning Tea
Approved a two-page summary in plain English of our church constitution.
Noted with delight that donations amounting to $10,000 have covered the unexpected cost of the plastering and painting of the front wall of the church.
Noted with concern that our our offerings have fallen $19,000 below budget.
Heard the progress on the creation of a new Volunteer Information form for Bakehouse volunteers.
Received a report of new bookings for our church facilities.
Was informed of progress towards the oversight of the Community Shed being changed from the Village Well to an independent organisation.
Learned that four new Bakehouses are being established by organisations in different locations (and hopefully different days) to create a larger network for saving food waste, alleviating family budgets and helping the needy.
Heard that our Bakehouse in the Barn is providing regular food assistance to some of the residents in homes overseen by Jubilee Housing.
Scheduled a church working bee for the morning of 13 June.
Recognised that with Ethan Chapman being away for several months studying in Malaysia that we will need more people to operate our Audio-Visual technology for services. See Eddie if you might be able to help.

+ We have invited Dave Mutton, former staff member of Box Hill Baptist, to come and share in our church service on 17 May some reflections on his years with us. A letter of invitation will be sent out inviting former members to join us on that day. Let Eddie know of people you think we should especially invite.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Add your voice in support of Australian aid. Link to add your voice.

+ ‘I’m not religious, but…’: The Artemis II space mission stirs something deep inside us, ABC, 1 May 2026.

+ What do you do when you can’t find the words to pray? In this column in The Age, Barney Zwartz says Jesus already found them for you.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meets in our sanctuary for practice and morning tea.

+ 7.15pm (Cuppa) for 7.30pm (Study and discussion) The Bible & Chats Group will be studying the Scripture reading for next Sunday morning viz. Acts 1: 1-14.

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.

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 17 May at 10am.

+ Worship Leader:Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 1: 1-14.

+ Theme: Next Friday, 14 May, it is Ascension Day in the Christian calendar. We’ll be thinking next Sunday of the words of Jesus before his ascension and how his followers were called not to rush ahead but to wait, pray and trust God’s timing and provision.

+ Our service will include an interview with Dave Mutton reflecting on his years at Box Hill Baptist. Another time to invite people Back to Box Hill Baptist in this our 125^th year as a church in this community.

Worship Roster

Fumbling for God.

May 6, 2026 eddie

Some words in the Bible simply don’t get enough airtime…

Like in Acts 17, where the apostle Paul is speaking to a crowd of sophisticated Athenians -philosophers, thinkers, people who took ideas seriously. But in describing the human search for God he uses (at least in the NRSV bible!) a wonderfully simple, relatable, down to earth word – fumble.

It’s not a very dignified word. It’s the word for groping around in the dark, not quite sure what you’re looking for, not quite sure if anything is there. It’s a term that implies struggle, disorganisation, incompetence, perhaps even complete failure.

But Paul uses it without embarrassment.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. A day of celebration which can feel a little loaded. Because one of the quiet myths of parenthood (and of faith, and of adult life in general!) is that everyone else seems to have it all together.

Other people seem confident, competent, clear on what they believe and how to live.

Other people seem to have figured out the things you’re still secretly working out.

Most of us are carrying, somewhere, a low-grade suspicion that we are the only ones still fumbling.

But Paul encourages us. Fumbling isn’t a sign that you’re doing it wrong. It’s actually the shape that honest searching takes. None of us has a clean, clear, unobstructed view of who God is. We’re all reaching and groping – through doubt, through questions, through the ordinary and sometimes overwhelming texture of our lives – hoping to make contact with something real.

In fact, God has arranged the whole of human existence so that we might fumble about for him.

The one we’re fumbling for is already close by. God is not waiting at the end of a long and successful spiritual journey, available only to those who’ve got their act together. He is near. In the messy everyday. In trying to hold it all together. In pretending we know what we’re doing. In the midst of the fumbling itself.

This Sunday we’ll sit with that idea together and see what it might mean for all of us who are still, in various ways, fumbling our way through life.

The Record – 3 May 2026

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026 eddie

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

This Sunday 3 May at 10am.

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

+ Offering: On each first Sunday we bring non-perishable food items that are given to support needy people in our community.

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 7: 55-60; 8:1-3.

+ Theme: The first in a new post-Easter series in the book of Acts. We look at the way a problem with the management of a food distribution programme led to the appointment of the first deacons. Stephen, the first deacon in the early church, becomes the first Christian martyr. To learn about him and why he lost his life, please read about Stephen and his sermon from Acts 6: 1- 8:3.

Order of Service

Call to worship
Song: Sea of Love
Community News
Bible Reading
Offering & Food distribution
Pastoral Prayers & Intercession
Song: Don’t tell me of a faith that fears
Sermon
Song: How can we live as Christians
Communion
Song: Faith has set us on a journey
Benediction

Community News

+ Box Hill Baptist Church is hosting a very special art exhibition right here in the heart of Box Hill! People with MS Victoria is showcasing beautiful works created by people living with MS and other neurological conditions, a powerful reminder of the creativity and resilience within our community.

Opening Event: Saturday 2nd May, 3pm–5pm (Officially opened by Paul Hamer MP).
General Viewing: 4th–8th May, 1pm–5pm.
Free admission.

Come along, be inspired, and show your support for these incredibly talented artists.

More information about the art exhibition at this link.

+ A baptism is being planned to be part of the service on the 31 May. If you are also interested in taking this step, do speak with Eddie or Geoff.

+ After several weeks of medical care in different hospitals, it is good to report that Bill Firth-Smith is recuperating at home.

+ Congratulations to Ethan Chapman who has been awarded an NCP Semester Program Grant from Monash University, which will enable him to study at Monash’s Malaysia campus during the second half of 2026.

+ Whitehorse Churches Care is a network of local churches supporting our community through food relief, emergency assistance, and practical care. Learn more from this video. There’s more information about the Community Space at the Forest Hill Chase overseen by staff and volunteers of Whitehouse Churches Care. Here’s a video about this community space.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Oz Harvest reports that food insecurity is on the rise in this country, with one in three Australians now accessing food relief services for the first time. ABC, 23 April 2026.

+ Jesus was called the ‘Prince of Peace’ but global military spending has hit a record high and with it a world that is feeling more insecure and uncertain. Higher defence budgets mean countries have higher debt and less money for food, education and health. ABC, 28 April 2026.

+ A church in Kew, England, is developing initiatives to deepen the church’s theological understanding and engagement with the climate crisis, reports the Church Times, 17 April 2026.

This Week

Monday

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

+ 7.30pm Our Deacons gather for their monthly meeting inspired by Sunday’s Scripture about the stoning of the very first deacon.

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meets in our sanctuary for practice and morning tea.

+ 7.15pm (Cuppa) for 7.30pm (Study and discussion) The Bible & Chats Group will be studying the Scripture reading for next Sunday morning viz. Acts 7: 55-60; 8:1-3 but they’re encouraged to start reading at Acts 6: 1.

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.

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 10 May at 10am.

+ Worship Leader:Shueh Wah; Preacher: Eddie Chapman

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 17: 22-31.

+ Theme: The second study in our post-Easter series in the book of Acts looks at the apostle Paul’s address at the Areopagus in Athens, where he engages a religious and philosophical audience, affirms their spiritual searching, then proclaims the one true God as Creator and Sustainer of all, who is near to all.

+ A brief Member’s Meeting follows the worship service to receive reports on people who are requesting to be members of the Box Hill Baptist Church.

Worship Roster

The Record – 26 April 2026

April 25, 2026 eddie

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

This Sunday 26 April at 10am

+ The Last Breakfast: Eating breakfast or brunch around the tables (bring food to share); A great opportunity to discuss with others.

+ Leader: Andy McCulloch.

+ Theme: What Does Love Look Like in Your Context? Also Andy is going to introduce the Peace Bridges Project which our Deacons are recommending we support. This project is sponsored by Baptist Mission Australia.

+ Scripture: 1 John 4: 7-19.

Community News

+ A brief Members Meeting will be held after the worship service on Sunday 10 May to hear reports on several people who are wanting to become members of our church.

+ Bill Firth-Smith was transferred to Epworth (Camberwell) where he has been undergoing rehab after surgery and several weeks of hospitalisation; Diane Heagney (AdventCare) is grieving the loss of her 47-year-old nephew, Michael, who died earlier this week in Brisbane after being diagnosed with a rare cancer. Michael leaves behind his wife and two children.

+ After writing to invite Anne and Richard Mallaby (former pastors at Box Hill) to return to Box Hill Baptist on 14 June (as part of our anniversary events), we received this lovely reply from Anne: “I trust you are well and I send warm greetings to the folk at Box Hill. Thank you for your email and kind invitation. Life has changed significantly for me personally, and the expectations I can make of my body are diminished. With that in mind, I’m afraid I will be an apology for a service, but I understand Richard will be happy to attend on the 14/6…For me, our time at BHBC was one of the richest times of life, with the creative expression of church life engaging wider community in so many ways. I felt we were able to live into the principles of hospitality, as welcome and generosity many times over. This took shape in the meals offered, Spring festivals integrating story, music and theological reflection, the gallery and others. They’re lovely memories and I hope they will continue to find shape in the current expression.”

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ In a new book, Graham Joseph Hill, tells his story about unsuccessfully managing his addiction to alcohol while serving as a pastor in New South Wales. Now reaching the milestone of being 20 years sober, Graham writes this book of theology, honesty and hope especially for anyone who longs for freedom from addiction. He tells more in Unshackled, The Graham Joseph Hill Substack, 15 April 2026.

+ Trump and Other Top Republicans Read Passages in a Marathon Bible Event, AP, 22 April 2026.

+ God’s Eye is on the Sparrow. John Stott, well known Bible teacher and Vicar of All Souls (London) wrote: “It was Jesus Christ himself in the Sermon on the Mount who told us to be birdwatchers (Matthew 6: 26) …We have the highest possible authority for this activity.” A Rocha is organising a John Stott memorial birding day for people around the world.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meets in our sanctuary for practice and morning tea.

+ 6.30pm The Bible & Chats Group will be studying the Scripture reading for next Sunday morning viz. Acts 7: 55-60; 8:1-3 but they’re encouraged to start reading at Acts 6: 1.

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.

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 3 May at 10am.

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

+ Offering: On each first Sunday we bring non-perishable food items that are given to support needy people in our community.

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound

+ Scripture Reading: Acts 7: 55-60; 8:1-3.

Worship Roster

The Record – 19 April 2026

April 18, 2026 eddie

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

This Sunday 19 April 2026 at 10am

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

+ Scripture Reading: Romans 6: 1-11.

+ Theme: Walking in Newness of Life: Final in our series “Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.”

Order of Service

Call to worship
Hymn 242 – At the dawning of salvation
prayer
Hymn 356 – One more step
Welcome./Community News
Offering
Scripture reading – Romans 6:1-11
Hymn 586 – We’ve a story to tell to the Nations
Sermon:Geoff
Pastoral Prayers
Song: God gives us a future
Benediction

Community News

+ Walk On: Our series on walking as a metaphor for faith concludes this Sunday but you’re invited to keep stepping out in one or more of these ways:

👣 Join the Box Hill Community Choir that starts again this Tuesday at 9.30am in our church.

👣 Talk with Eddie or Geoff about the step of baptism and/or becoming a member of our church.

👣 Help bring food to the Bakehouse from a nearby supermarket or bakery. Talk with Lynne.

👣 Join the weekly Bible & Chat Group that starts for the new term this Tuesday. Talk with Geoff.

👣 Discover some new area of service that aligns with your gifts and availability.

👣 Plan to be at the Church working bee on 15 June.

+ Executive Pastor, Eddie Chapman, is away from Box Hill this week, on annual leave.

+ Our Deacons met this week and they:

Reflected on the Dust to Dawn preaching series with various walks.
Reviewed our events through Holy Week and Easter and thought of ideas for next year. Please share your thoughts and ideas.
Expressed appreciation for the way our people gave $10k to pay for the unexpected plastering and painting needed for the front wall of the church.
Acknowledged the very generous giving of our people who attend online and in person but recognised that we are not quite meeting budget in recent months.
Noted that we are seeking more income through the hire of our facilities.
Planned a church working bee for Saturday 13 June.
Expressed gratitude for the life and service of Pat Paul who died earlier this month.
Expressed joy at the number of younger adults who are attending our church.
Were heartened by the people wishing to formalise their commitment to Box Hill Baptist in membership.
Planned to have a brief Member’s Meeting after Communion on 3 May to hear reports and agree to accept people as members. A Welcome into Membership is planned for 7 June.
Expressed concern and prayer for those ill, in hospital and in various forms of need.
Reflected on the recent meeting to hear of possibilities for our property and noted that an action plan is being created for where we go on our property feasibility journey.
Heard an inspiring report on recent happenings with our Bakehouse ministry.
Noted that our Jubilee Housing ministry is going smoothly and well.
Recognised that the Australian Baptist ‘May Mission Month’ (see Baptist Mission Australia’s latest video showing many different forms of mission) is approaching and the decision was taken to make as our focus this year the Women Protecting the Forest project in Cambodia as a way of developing our commitment to Cambodia, caring for creation, empowering women and building bridges of peace.
Ask any of our deacons (Shueh Wah, Lynne, Lorraine, Teang, Andy) and pastors (Eddie, Geoff) for more information and share your questions and thoughts.

+ Due to travel uncertainty arising from the war and fuel crisis, the Open Baptist Conference has been changed from an in-person event to an online conference on Saturday afternoon, 13 June—times to be arranged.

+ If someone in your circle or church was trying to leave an abusive relationship, would you know how to respond? Common Grace invites you to a webinar on the theme: ‘Healing after leaving domestic violence.’

+ The Community Art Gathering, led again by artists Joseph and Sarah Zhang are having their first meeting in 2026 (these could be monthly) on Saturday 2 May from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the Village Well, 5 Ellingworth Parade. Bring your own materials to work on in a gentle space for connection, encouragement and shared presence. $5 to cover venue hire, tea and coffee. More information and access to the What’sApp Group from Joseph.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Faith has always gone to space. Artemus II shows how much it has changed, Religion News Service, 7 April 2026.

+ What Seven Iranian footballers revealed about Australia’s refugee policy, Eureka Street, 9 April 2026.

+ St Peter’s Eastern Hill, in their Faith and Arts series, has a presentation by Michael McGirr on ‘Les less miserable: The poetic journey of Les Murray.

+ Inside the church of Pete Hegseth, the man who has been leading the US through war, ABC, 10 April 2026.

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am The Box Hill Community Choir meets in our church to sing for an hour and then enjoy morning tea together.

+ 6.30pm The Bible & Chats Group is meeting at the home of Geoff & Lyn Pound for a shared meal. Ask Geoff for more details if you’d like to join this group.

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.

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.

+ The Last Breakfast: Eating breakfast or brunch around the tables (bring food to share); A great opportunity to discuss with others.

+ Leader: Andy McCulloch.

+ Scripture: 1 John 4:7-19

Worship Roster

The Record – 12 April 2026

April 9, 2026April 10, 2026 eddie

Welcome to Worship this Easter Sunday

10am

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

+ Scripture Reading: Luke 24: 13-35.

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

12.45pm Community Musicale taking place in the church – All are welcome to come and hear some wonderful live, local music. More info at https://events.humanitix.com/communitymusicale

Order of Service

Call to worship & acknowledgement of country (Psalm 146)
Opening hymn: ‘Early on Sunday’ (BPW 249)
Prayer of gathering
Announcements
Offering and prayer
Song: ‘Jesus is Alive’ (Jerusalem to Emmaus) (Digby Hannah)
Walking Away (Luke 24:13-24)
Reflection
Prayers of lament and confession
Walking With (Luke 24:25-29)
Reflection
Community/Intercessory Prayers
Song: Taize – ‘Stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ’ (people are invited to light candles)
Walking Back (Luke 24:30-35)
Reflection
Song: ‘The Lord is my Shepherd and I want to follow’
Benediction

Community News

+ This Saturday (11th of April) you are invited to finish off our ‘Dust to Dawn’ walking series with a reflective Labyrinth at Mary Edgar’s home (31 Bessazile Ave, Forest Hill), starting at 2pm.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to have a short, reflective walk through Mary’s home-grown labyrinth in her garden, and join together for afternoon tea. Whether it’s your first walk, or you’ll be reflecting on the many walks of the weeks past, we’d love to see you there.

And if you’re new to labyrinths, you can see what they’re all about here!

+ A happy new year to members of the Cambodian community as they celebrate the Khmer New Year 2026 (Chaul Chnam Thmey) from Tuesday 14 April to Thursday 16 April.

+ Eversley Farnbach sends greetings to people of the Box Hill Baptist Church from the Albury Hospital; Bill Firth-Smith has been in the Epworth Freemasons Hospital for many days but is expecting to be transferred to the Epworth Hospital at Camberwell for rehab. Remember these people and their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Melbourne artist, Michael Donnelly, has a free exhibition at the WellSpring Centre (Ashburton) of his art in which he brings the Gospel stories to life in a setting familiar to Melburnians. It is on Saturday, April 11 from 2pm to 4pm. The large pieces of art are likely to be hanging on the WellSpring walls for days after the Saturday launch with the artist. Link.

+ Simon Smart, sharing a personal story of loss with The Guardian, reflects on how God suffers with us as we experience the devastating challenges of life.

+ The Centre for Public Christianity has a variety of newly posted articles and podcasts on Holy Week and Easter themes.

+ The Baptist Union of Victoria has recently launched new stories in their Together online magazine.

This Week

Monday

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

+ 7.30pm Our Deacons are gathering for their monthly meeting. (Postponed from last week).

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 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

+ 2pm: Service of Thanksgiving for Pat Paul in the Church followed by refreshments in the Barn.

+ 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.

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: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scripture Reading: Romans 6: 1-11.

+ Theme: Walking in Newness of Life: Final in our series “Dust to Dawn: Walking into Easter.”

Worship Roster

The Record – 5 April 2026

April 3, 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.

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

March 26, 2026March 26, 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.

+ 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.

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.”