Author: eddie

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday 14 December at 10am Third Sunday in Advent.

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

+ Scripture: Luke 2: 1-20.

+ Theme: ‘Joy That Surprises’ in our Advent Series ‘The Light We Carry’.

Order of Service

• Call to Worship 
• Opening Prayer
• Song: Joy to the World
• Community News
• Offering
• Song: Mary’s Boy Child
• Reading – Luke 2:1-20
• Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
• Sermon : Geoff
• Prayers for our World
• Song: God’s Surprise
• Benediction

Community News

+ We express our love and sympathy to Grazia Sedawie, her husband Jon, family & loved ones following the death of Grazia’s mother earlier this week. The funeral service will be held at Tobin Brothers Doncaster (816 Doncaster Rd) next Wednesday, 17^th December at 2pm.

+ At a brief Church Members meeting after our worship service in the sanctuary last Sunday, 7 December, members voted to adopt a new constitution for the Box Hill Baptist Church and they expressed thanks to the committee who had led us through this process over the last two years.

+ Due to other commitments, Box Hill Community Choir leader Carolyn Bunston will be laying down her baton. Choir organiser, Ian Bunston, is on the lookout for a new choir leader. Let him know if you have suggestions.

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is singing some Christmas carols at the Mont Albert Village Heritage Plaza this Friday 12^th between 6.30pm-7.30pm. They would love it if you can roll along to swell their numbers and boost their volume to passers-by and the many others who will be present. The choir’s carolling will be part of the ‘Mont Albert Village Twilight Jazz Carols’, which is held in collaboration with the Whitehorse City Council. It runs between 6.30pm-8.30pm and will involve various music groups, shopping stalls and a visit from Santa—”fun and affordable events for all ages.” Link for more info.

+ The Bible & Chats Group finished the year with a delicious shared meal last Tuesday night. The weekly group will resume on the first Tuesday in February 2026—the 3^rd—at 7.15pm for a cuppa preceding the 7.30pm-8.45pm study of the Scripture passage for the following Sunday. Study notes with the Scripture and questions are always prepared and distributed beforehand. The group is open and would like to extend an invitation to people looking for a small group in 2026. Pastors (Eddie and Geoff) would like to hear about your desires and hopes for the new year, whether it might be to engage with the 10 week, Exploring Faith group, create a new Bible & Chats group using the same study questions but scheduled on another day or night or whether you have thoughts about a new small group with a totally different focus.

+ The Christmas Day Service on Thursday 25 December will commence at 9.30am and go for approximately 45 minutes.

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Food for Thought and Action

+ “The demand of the secular ‘Christmas Season’ is to be in a great hurry, but the aim of Advent is to instil a quiet slowness into our soul.” Brian Zahnd

+ Take a look at the 2026 Programme Guide from the WellSpring Spirituality Centre.

+ “I took a deep breath. I said, ‘Here we go Lord. You’re in charge and you lead the way.’” Pope Leo on when he realised the votes were going his way during the conclave that elected him. Read about this rare interview (and the book that has had a great influence on him) or listen to him being interviewed and explaining his spirituality.

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Coming soon

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – Tuesday 9.30am: The final practice of the Box Hill Community Choir will be short as the choir will be singing at Box Hill Central between 10am-11am and then celebrating a good year of singing and community over coffee in a nearby cafe. They’d love you to encourage them (and others) with your attendance and join them for coffee afterwards.

Wednesday

+ Nandos staff are again providing a Christmas lunch and servers in the Barn for many of the people who come to the Bakehouse. For more information speak to Lynne Dyer.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: The Social Chat Gathering continues at this time, week by week but will be taking a break on Thursday December 25 (Christmas Day) and Thursday (New Year’s Day).

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn (Last one for the year).

+ 6:30pm – Community Dinner in the Barn

+ 9pm – Carols Service in the Church.

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 21 December at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Sue McDonald.

+ Scripture: John 1:1-14

+ Service Theme: ‘Love That Arrives’ in our Advent Series ‘The Light We Carry’.

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Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday 7 December at 10am – Second Sunday in Advent.

+ Our monthly Communion Service.
+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound.
+ Scripture: Luke 1: 46-55.
+ Service Theme: ‘Peace that Disturbs’ in our Advent Series ‘The Light We Carry’.
+ Being the first Sunday of the month our offering will include non-perishable food items for the needy in our area.
+ A special Church Meeting follows the service in the sanctuary with a vote (no discussion) to adopt our new church constitution and thank our constitution committee for their work over these last two years.

Order of Service

• Call to Worship : 
• Hymn 139  Come thou long expected Jesus
• Scripture: Luke 1: 39-56
• Advent Ritual (Eddie)
• Song: Dream a dream, a hopeful dream
• Community News
• Offering (Including non-perishable items)
• Song: Deep in the Spirit your Song
• Sermon : Geoff
• Song: Wait for the Lord (Taize)
• Communion
• Pastoral prayers
• Remembering those for whom Christmas is tough
  Candle lighting – M
• Hymn 149: There’s a light upon the mountain
• Benediction

Community News

+ Margot Firth-Smith is home and recovering well after her stay in hospital.

+ We pray God’s blessing for Hong and Ang as they travel to Cambodia this weekend to visit their family and friends.

+ Our Deacons met this week and enjoyed an End of Year-Christmas shared meal before their meeting. They appointed visitors to meet with people seeking church membership (let us know if you’d like to know more about church membership), they noted the Dinner (6.30pm) and Carols (9pm) on Saturday 20 December, the Nandos Christmas Lunch with those who come to the Bakehouse and others at midday on 17 December, they decided to create and refresh church policies, they discussed the report from the Building Feasibility Committee and they set dates for Church Meetings in 2026 (22/2; 24/5; 23/8; 15/11-AGM). Please pray for God’s guidance as in 2026 we may make decisions about our buildings.

+ Barbara Davison will celebrate her 80th birthday on December 22nd this year, and her family will provide a light lunch in the Barn after the service on Sunday, 21st of December. Everyone is invited.

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Food for Thought and Action

+ Kelsey McGinnis, ‘The Current No. 1 Christian Artist Has No Soul’ [because Solomon Ray is AI generated] Christianity Today, 21 November 2025.

+ Suleika Jaouad, ‘The Gospel According to Dogs,’ The Corners, 29 November 2025.

+ James Emery White writes about C S Lewis in ‘A Most-Converted Man,’ Church & Culture, 1 December 2025.

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Coming soon

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

Tuesday

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

+ Tuesday 6:30pm: The finale for the Bible & Chat Group is a shared meal at Eversley’s home.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group. Everybody is welcome.

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am The final Playgroup gathering for the year in the Barn.

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

+ 6.30pm-7.30pm: The Box Hill Community Choir is singing in the Mont Albert Village.

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 14 December at 10am.

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

+ Scripture: Luke 2: 8-20.

+ Service Theme: ‘Joy That Surprises’ in our Advent Series ‘The Light We Carry’.

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Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 30 November at 10am

+ The Last Breakfast: Come for breakfast/brunch and worship. Bring enough food to share with our guests.
 
+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman
 
+ Members of the Box Hill Community Choir will be singing.
 
+ Service Theme: The first in our Advent Series, ‘The Light We Carry,’ entitled ‘Hope That Begins in the Dark.
 
+ Scriptures: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Luke 1: 26-38.

Community News

+ Christmas at Jubilee Housing. This Sunday (30 November) is the last day to bring gifts for children. In the middle of December, leaders of Jubilee Housing will hold a Christmas party at each housing complex and distribute the gifts to the children. Please bring the gifts unwrapped with the gift tag attached. Thanks to all those who have purchased gifts. All the gift tags have been taken. If you didn’t take a gift tag and you’d like to give money, please put it in an envelope or give it electronically marked: Jubilee Housing Christmas Gift.

+ Baptist World Aid has some Christmas gifts that are meaningful, ethical and fun, especially for the family member who has everything or the friend who is passionate about building a better world. Check out the alternative Christmas presents (a piglet, a bee hive or a goat) from Baptist World Aid.

+ Our new Exploring Faith study series commenced last Wednesday night. It’s been a intriguing journey as we tested the new course materials, got some invaluable feedback, and all shared in some remarkable explorations of what it means (and doesn’t mean!) to be a follower of Christ in the modern world. If you’d be interested in Exploring Faith with us in the new year, speak to Eddie as we’d be happy to run this 10 week course again.

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is practising for the following gigs:

• Friday Dec 12 at the Mont Albert Village from 6.30-8.30pm
• Tuesday Dec 16 at Box Hill Central from 9.30-11am

+ Invitation to be Members of Box Hill Baptist Church: One or two people have recently registered their interest in becoming members of our church. This is a pledge of commitment that people make to the church and the church to them. It also means that people can participate fully in the life and direction of the church by voting at Church Meetings and standing for various positions. Speak to Eddie or Geoff or one of the Deacons if you’d like to join them.

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Food for Thought and Action

+ 1700 years ago bishops and an emperor wrote a creed about what Christians believe. Millions still recite it in churches around the world, AP, 21 November 2025.

+ In anticipation of Thanksgiving being celebrated in the USA last Thursday, Diana Butler Bass wrote a reflection and a meaningful prayer of thanksgiving that you may wish to ponder and pray. ‘When Gratitude Eludes Us,’ The Cottage, 25 November 2025.

+ Users Turn to ChatGPT for Divine Answers, Sparking New “Digital Faith”: A growing number of people are treating AI like a deity, seeking spiritual guidance and meaning from chatbots that offer authoritative, “all-knowing” responses. Becca Caddy asks: “Does this give any value? What about the risks?” TechRadar, 24 November 2025.

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Coming soon

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

Tuesday

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

+ Tuesday 7.15pm for 7.30pm: The Bible & Chats group meets in the Village Well. The Scripture readings is Luke 1: 46-55. The particular Advent theme for this Tuesday and the following Sunday is ‘Peace that Disturbs’.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group. Everybody is welcome.

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am Playgroup in the Barn.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 7 December at 10am.

+ Our monthly Communion Service.

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

+ Scripture: Luke 1: 46-55.

+ Service Theme: Peace that Disturbs.

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

+ A special Church Meeting follows the service in the sanctuary with a vote (no discussion) to adopt our new church constitution and thank our constitution committee for their work over these last two years.

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Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 23 November at 10am

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound.
 
+ Scriptures: Psalm 46.
 
+ Service and Sermon Theme: ‘Therefore, We Will Not Fear.’

Order of Service

• Call to worship
• Hymn: How Firm a Foundation (BPW 380) 
• Prayer/introduction
• Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is our God
• Announcements & Community News
• Offering & Song: The Lord is my song
• Reading – Psalm 46
• Song: Psalm 46 (Tune: Aurelia)
• Sermon
• Song: It is well with my soul
• Pastoral Prayers
• Song: Today I awake and God is before me
• Benediction

Community News

+ Thanks to everyone who joined in our Annual General Meeting last week – we joined together in opportunities to share and ask questions about the many programs and activities of our church – which does so much for a church of its size! We also offer our congratulations and appreciation to our newly appointed Deacons. We also briefly discussed the new Constitution, which will be voted on in an upcoming Special General Meeting on the 7th of December, directly after the service.

+ Christmas at Jubilee Housing. This Sunday is the last day to take a Christmas gift tag, purchase a gift and return it on Sunday 30th November. In the middle of December, leaders of Jubilee Housing will hold a Christmas party at each housing complex and distribute the gifts to the children. Please bring the gifts unwrapped with the gift tag attached. If we run out of tags or you’d rather give money, please put it in an envelope or give it electronically marked: Jubilee Housing Christmas Gift.

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is practising for the following gigs:

• Sunday Nov 30 at Box Hill Baptist Church’s Last Breakfast at 10am
• Friday Dec 12 at the Mont Albert Village from 6.30-8.30pm
• Tuesday Dec 16 at Box Hill Central from 9.30-11am

+ Invitation to be Members of Box Hill Baptist Church: One or two people have recently registered their interest in becoming members of our church. This is a pledge of commitment that people make to the church and the church to them. It also means that people can participate fully in the life and direction of the church by voting at Church Meetings and standing for various positions. Speak to Eddie or Geoff or one of the Deacons if you’d like to join them.

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Food for Thought and Action

+ The Centre for Public Christianity has a podcast on ‘The World’s Most Popular Book,’ CPX, 13 November 2025.

+ Bible Sales Keep Growing, Religion News, 17 November 2025.

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Coming soon

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

Tuesday

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

+ Tuesday 7.15pm for 7.30pm in the Village Well: The Bible & Chats Group will study the Bible lectionary passage for next Sunday viz. Luke 1: 26-38; Convenor: Geoff Pound

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group. Everybody is welcome.

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am Playgroup in the Barn.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 23 November at 10am.

+ The Last Breakfast: Come for breakfast/brunch and worship. Bring enough food to share with our guests.

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman

+ Members of the Box Hill Community Choir will be singing.

+ Service Theme: The first in our Advent Series, ‘The Light We Carry,’ entitled ‘Hope That Begins in the Dark.

+ Scriptures: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Luke 1: 26-38.

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Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 9 November at 10am

+ Worship Leader: Shueh Wah Kennedy;
+ Preacher: Geoff Pound.
 
+ Scripture: Luke 20:27-38.
 + Service Theme: Transfigured Relationships.

Order of Service

• Call to Worship
• Opening Prayer
• Song – The Journey of the life we live
• Welcome and Community News
• Offering
• Song – Don’t tell me of a faith that fears
• Reading – Luke 20:27-38
• Song – God of the Day
• Sermon – Transfigured Relationships
• Prayers for the World
• Song –Daring Dancing Trinity
• Benediction

Community News

+ From the Diaconate Last Monday:

• The deacons received a comprehensive report and proposal from our Building Feasibility Group and our consultants, Property Collectives. They began to assess together the possibilities and the risks. In the fulness of time this proposal will come to church members.
• The deacons determined plans for our Advent and Christmas gatherings which include the singing of the Box Hill Community Choir (at the Last Breakfast on the 30 November), Candlelight Carols (9pm on Saturday 20 December) and the Christmas Day Service (9.30am on 25 December).
• The deacons discussed ways of keeping the attenders at the Thursday and Saturday Bakehouse at around 100 (currently there are around 170 attenders on Thursday meaning long queues and congestion around the afternoon tea area). We are exploring ways to encourage other versions of food distribution by churches and Neighbourhood Houses on different days of the week to meet need and save food being wasted. We plan to store Bakehouse food in the lower level of the Village Well (near the car park) and harness new volunteers to transfer it to the Barn. This will aid delivery volunteers, keep the food together and curb delivery disruption when there are programmes running in the Barn.

+ Margot Firth-Smith was admitted to the Box Hill Hospital on Tuesday evening after suffering a slight stroke. At the time of writing, Margot was due to be spending a few days in hospital receiving treatment. Do keep Margot and Bill in your prayers.

+ Congratulations Keith! Many of his former colleagues gathered at Whitley College recently for a symposium celebrating Associate Professor Keith Dyer’s life, ministry, and work. Contributors to a forthcoming volume, ‘Unveiling the Word’, workshopped drafts and spent time with Keith – a fitting tribute to a scholar who has given so much to the college and wider church community. Remember Keith as he is preaching at the Westgate Baptist Community this Sunday morning.

+ You are invited to explore the possibility of doing Bible study and theological training at Whitley College as it holds an Open Day on Saturday 15 November. Information and registration link.

+ Christmas at Jubilee Housing. Meredith Beaton, Pastoral Care Worker writes: “As we approach the end of the year we start to think about Christmas and how we can bring some joy to the children in our Box Hill and Burwood housing complexes. Every year for a very long time BHBC has donated gifts to our children and have been extremely generous in their giving. Next Sunday 16th November, you will once again have an opportunity to take a Christmas gift tag, purchase a gift and return it on Sunday 30th November. In the middle of December, we hold a Christmas party at each complex and there we will happily distribute the gifts to the children. We would appreciate the gifts being unwrapped with the gift tag attached. Thank you to the congregations of Box Hill Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist and South Croydon Anglican Church who are our partner churches and continue to support us in so many ways.”

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Food for Thought and Action

+ Journalist and writer, Stan Grant, delivers the 2025 Richard Johnson lecture titled, ‘Against Bitterness: How Do We Live with Suffering? Public Christianity, 24 October 2025.

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Coming soon

+ Sunday 16th October – BHBC AGM (After the service)

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

+ 7:30pm – Monthly Deacons’ Meeting.

Tuesday

+ 7:15 for 7:30pm – Bible Chats: in the Village Well: The Bible & Chats Group will study the Bible lectionary passage for next Sunday viz. Luke 21:5-19. Convenor: Geoff Pound

Thursday

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

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am Playgroup in the Barn.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 16 November at 10am.

+ Theme: The End is near… again.

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

+ Scriptures: Luke 21:5-19; Malachi 4:1-2a; Isaiah 65:17-25.

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Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 2 November at 10am

+ Our monthly Communion Service.
+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Geoff Pound.
+ Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10; Sermon Title: ‘When You’re Out on a Limb.’
+ Being the first Sunday of the month, our offering will include non-perishable food items for the needy in our area.

Order of Service

• Call to worship
• Hymn: Jesus calls us here to meet him (vv1-3)
• Prayers and candle lighting for All Saints/All Souls Day
• Hymn: I sing a song of the Saints of God
• Welcome & Community News
• Offering
• Song: O God, you search me and you know me
• Scripture Reading: Luke 19:1-10
• Sermon: “When you’re out on a limb…” (Geoff)
• Hymn 12: Jesus calls us here to meet him (v4)
• Communion
• Pastoral Prayers
• Song: Deeper River
• Benediction

Community News

+ We are grateful to Bruce Rumbold for leading the sessions over the last four weeks on Ageing Well. These times at the Box Hill Community Art Centre included input from Bruce, conversations around the table, time to ask questions and they finished with a BBQ lunch. Bruce presented these sessions with academic rigor and the practical insights of a practitioner who is traversing the challenges of the senior years. Those who attended the final session last Wednesday were brimming with appreciation to Bruce and thanks to Eddie for his organisation and hospitality over morning tea and lunch.

+ The 10-week art class held in the Barn with artists, Joseph and Sarah Zhang finishes this Sunday with the final class followed by a party to celebrate and the showcasing of art work.

+ You are invited to attend the meeting of the Victorian Historical Society next Saturday 8 November at the Ashburton Baptist Church when Lorraine Mitchell is speaking on the history of the Box Hill Baptist Church from 1950 to the present day. This will be of great interest to many at Box Hill Baptist, especially those who have lived through this period and been a part of this story. Members and friends of Box Hill Baptist Church will be warmly welcomed. The event commences with morning tea in the café of ABC at 10.30am.

+ Our church’s Annual General Meeting will be held this year on Sunday, 16th of November, after the morning service.

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

+ 7:30pm – Monthly Deacons’ Meeting.

Tuesday

+ 6:30pm – Bible Chats: Owing to this Tuesday being a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup, we will not be meeting this week for the Bible & Chats Group.

Thursday

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

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am Playgroup in the Barn.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 9 November at 10am.

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

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 26 October at 10am

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

Community News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To the NSW and ACT Baptist Assembly,

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

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This Week

Monday

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

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

Tuesday

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

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

Wednesday

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

Thursday

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

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am Playgroup in the Barn.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 2 November at 10am.

+ Our monthly Communion Service.

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

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

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

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday, 19 October at 10am

For 124 years, our church has trusted in the same promise sung by ancient pilgrims: that our help comes not from the hills, but from the Maker of heaven and earth.
This Sunday we give thanks for God’s faithful keeping — through generations, challenges, and change — and for the ways God continues to watch over our coming and going today.

Join us for worship, reflection, and thanksgiving as we celebrate the past, honour the present, and place our future in God’s keeping. Sue McDonald will be helping us to share together as she explores Psalm 121 with us.

Order of Service

• Opening Reading – Psalm 121
• Song: Faith has set us on a journey
• Opening Prayer
• Song: One More Step
• Community News
• Offering & prayer
• Song: God is our refuge and our strength
• Sermon
• Pastoral/Intercessory Prayers
• Song: Comfort, Comfort
• Benediction

Community News

+ We are saddened to inform the community that Barrie Paul passed away on Thursday evening, after many years of ill health following a stroke. Barrie has played a remarkable role in the church and with a number of other faith and charitable organisations – and together with his wife Pat have been a faithful and essential part of the Box Hill Baptist Community for decades. Our prayers and condolences to Pat and the entire family. The funeral date is yet to be confirmed, but we will let everyone know as soon as we do.

+ The next meeting of the Victorian Baptist Historical Society for 2025 is on Saturday, November 8^th at the Ashburton Baptist Church, starting with morning tea at 10-30 am. It features Lorraine Mitchell, who will speak about the history of the Box Hill Baptist Church, from the early 1950s to near the present day. 

+ The BUV Ordination Service is on 25 October at 11am at the Crossway Baptist Church when 13 pastors will be ordained. Watch them share the story of their call.

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This Week

Monday

+ 2pm-5pm Bike Restoration and Rescue Session at the Community Shed: (rear 470 Station St, Box Hill).

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

Tuesday

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

+ 7:30pm – Bible Chats, 5 Ellingworth Parade. Join us as we explore the bible text for the coming Sunday – This week, Colossians 3:9–14. Convenor: Geoff Pound.

Thursday

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

+ 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn coordinated by Lynne Dyer: Saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste by giving food to those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am The Playgroup will resume on Friday 17 October.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn.

Small Groups @ BHBC

Box Hill Baptist Church runs a number of small groups which create opportunities to build friendships, study the Bible and other resources, pray and strengthen our spiritual journeys.

If you are interested in any of the groups below, feel welcome to contact the convenor, or speak to one of our pastors. (And if you’d like to be part of a group but these don’t work for you, come and speak to us and we’ll see if we can start something new!)

• Bible & Chat: Currently each Tuesday, 7:15pm for 7.30pm start at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Next Sunday 26th October at 10am.

Next Sunday we have our informal Last Breakfast service, where we’ll be leading into the Halloween season a little bit, with a service rich with imagery of masks and costumes! We look forward to seeing you there, and if you can share something for breakfast (Halloween themed or otherwise!) that would be much appreciated.

+ Worship leader: Eddie Chapman

+ Text: Colossians 3:9-14

Worship Roster