Author: eddie

Order of Worship

• Call to worship
• Song: As we come together (Caswall) 
• Community News
• Offering
• Song: Colourful Creator
• Bible readings
• Pastoral Prayers
• Song: O Lord Hear My Prayer (Taize)
• Lighting of candles
• Sermon
• Silence
• Song: A Place at the Table
• Communion
• Sung Benediction: May the feet of God (Mann)
  

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am
+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith and Following the Practices of Jesus’.

+ Scripture: Luke 4: 16-21.

+ Our monthly opportunity to celebrate The Lord’s Supper.

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

+ This Sunday we’ll have bowls of sand and the opportunity to light candles as a symbol and encouragement in expressing our prayers.

Community News

+ With the upcoming Church Anniversary celebrations commencing in the coming weeks, we want to make sure nobody misses out! If you know of any former church members or anyone else who would appreciate knowing about these events, make sure to let Eddie know so that we can include them on any information that goes out about these events.

+ Art in the Gallery: Commencing on the afternoon of Sunday 10 August, 2.30pm-4.30pm, Joseph Store is offering 12 free art classes. These multicultural gatherings will be run in Mandarin and English. Contact Eddie to reserve your place or to seek more information.

Pointers for Prayer

+ Pray wisdom and vision for our deacons as they meet this week. They are: Shueh Wah Kennedy (chair), Theresa Taylor (Treasurer), Lynne Dyer, Teang Laan, Lorraine, Andy McCulloch plus pastors, Eddie Chapman and Geoff Pound.

 + Lorraine Mitchell has been researching and writing the story of Box Hill Baptist over its 125 years (from around 1901-around 2018). Give thanks for the progress Lorraine has been making (she is up to the year 2000) and pray for her as she continues to interview former pastors and members and synthesize all the information into an accurate and readable account. Pray that we may be making significant history now when Lorraine’s book is updated in 2050.

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)

+ 6pm-8pm: Chess Club (downstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

+ 7:30pm: Our Deacons have their monthly meeting.

Tuesday

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

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group spoke last week about the value of story-telling. This Tuesday we are going to start telling our own stories to each other.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith – Session 7 – Ethics & Social Justice (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday: The English Language Group meets in the Barn. It is at those who are at an intermediate level with their grasp of the English language.

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group—basic English language and Aussie culture, table tennis, Tai Chi, tea/coffee, friendship-making. Guest speaker, Connie Lau, who works as a Care Finder Support Officer at the Migrant Information Centre (MIC), where she supports senior adults and their families, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, will speak about accessing aged care services and government support systems. Everyone is welcome.

+ 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

+ 10am-11.30am The Playgroup resumes on this day, the 25th July.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

+ 10 August: Church Meeting (after the service)

+ 24 August: 100-year Celebration of our church building.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Tim Costello, former CEO of World Vision Australia, has hit out at global cuts to foreign aid. While Australia has bucked this trend by slightly increasing its funding in the most recent budget, there are still calls to raise foreign aid spending to 1% of spending. Listen to Tim on ‘Bullets Exchanged for Food,’ ABC, 21 July 2025. 

+ World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler Wins British Open, Reiterates ‘Faith’ is His Top Priority, Sports Spectrum, 21 July 2025. 

+ Aretha Franklin and the Apostle Paul Agree: Sing! Religion News, 29 July 2025.

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)
• 
• Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.
• Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Next Sunday 10th August at 10am.

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

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith—Some Final Thoughts’.

+ Scripture:

+ A church meeting, open to all, will follow the worship service and morning tea in the Barn and in addition to regular reports we will be looking to adopt a new budget and responding to a recommendation to join the Open Baptist Association.

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ The Last Breakfast: Please bring food to share for breakfast/brunch. An opportunity to share in discussion around the meal tables.

+ Worship Leader and Reflection: Eddie Chapman.

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith confronting Tradition and Innovation’.

Community News

+ A dedication service for the Earthen Vessels Church’s new building at 12 Surrey Road, South Yarra is scheduled for Saturday, August 9th, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. We have extended the best wishes and prayers of the people of the Box Hill Baptist Church for this new chapter in the life of the Vietnamese church which formerly met in our buildings.

+ Geoff Pound is preaching at the Cambodian Church in Dandenong this Sunday afternoon and will share the greetings of the Box Hill Baptist Church.

+ Art in the Gallery: Commencing on the afternoon of Sunday 10 August, 2.30pm-4.30pm, Joseph Store is offering 12 free art classes. These multicultural gatherings will be run in Mandarin and English. Contact Eddie to reserve your place or to seek more information.

+ Prison Fellowship is a charity and community service organisation that provides valuable services to prisoners and their families. Check out their August art exhibition which offers people in prison the opportunity to showcase their talent across Victoria. Details at this link.

+ Our new multi-language translation service, known as Breeze, works well during Sunday services. Bring your phones along, use the QR code or click this link: https://boxhillbaptistchurch.breeze-translate.com/client then select your language. Bring your headphones or ear buds so you can also use the audio in the language of your choice. Keep giving us your feedback.

+ Our Community Shed is going to be a key feature of the upcoming Whitehorse Senior’s Festival in October. This will include a series of 4 weekly information sessions, featuring Bruce Rumbold, around the important tasks of ageing, combined with some fun, interactive shed activities, plus our ‘Built to Last’ Shed open day on the 25th of October. Stay tuned for more info…

Pointers for Prayer

+ Singer songwriter Nick Cave is asked: “It’s been ten years since your son Arthur died. What have you and Susie learned in those years? Does the pain last forever? Read Nick’s reply in The Red Hand Files (July 2025) and pray for those you know who are grieving loss. 

+ Read about the ‘Russian Clergy Who Said ‘No’ to Putin’s War [who] Pay a Price’ at Religion News (18 July 2025) and pray for the 100+ religious leaders and activists who are facing persecution for opposing the war in Ukraine.

 + Pray for those experiencing the loss of loved ones in Gaza, the threat of being shot, the hunger and the heat. Read the tough news and the good news in ‘The pastor of Gaza Church hit by Israeli Fire,’ CAN, 21 July 2025.

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)

+ 6pm-8pm: Chess Club (downstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir resumes their meetings and practices on this day, the 22^nd July. Why not join the group at the beginning of this new term?

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group starts again in the Village Well this Tuesday 29^th July. This is a good time for newcomers to join at the beginning of this new term. The Bible passage for study is Luke 4: 16-21. The theme: Exploring Faith and Spiritual Practices.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith – Session 7 – Ethics & Social Justice (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday: The English Language Group resumes for term 3 this Thursday, the 31^st July.

+ 11am-1pm upstairs in the Village Well: Social Chat Group—basic English language and Aussie culture, table tennis, Tai Chi, tea/coffee, friendship-making. Guest speaker, Connie Lau, who works as a Care Finder Support Officer at the Migrant Information Centre (MIC), where she supports senior adults and their families, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, will speak about accessing aged care services and government support systems. Everyone is welcome.

+ 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

+ 10am-11.30am The Playgroup resumes on this day, the 25th July.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

+ 10 August: Church Meeting (after the service)

+ 24 August: 100-year Celebration of our church building.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Natasha Moore discovers that slowing down may be the most countercultural and spiritual discipline of all. Read her thoughts on this link at Public Christianity while on this link at Public Christianity, Danielle Terceiro reflects on The Salt Path—a film about loss, resilience and pilgrimage.

 + Mark Brett (Whitley College) and Naomi Wolfe (Australian Catholic University) discuss how churches should respond to the Yoorrook Justice Commission on ABC Religion and Ethics, 17 July 2025.

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)
• 
• Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.
• Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Next Sunday 27th July at 10am.

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

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith and Spiritual Practices’.

+ Scripture: Luke 4: 16-21.

+ Our monthly opportunity to celebrate The Lord’s Supper.

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

Worship Roster

Order of Service

• Call to Worship
• Opening Prayer
• Song – I have a dream
• Welcome and Community News
• Offering
• Song – Beauty for Brokenness 
• Reading – Mark 1: 14-20
• Sermon
• Song – Like a Candle
• Prayers for the World
• Benediction

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

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

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith Leading to Ethical Action & Justice’.

+ Scripture: Micah 6: 6-8; Mark 1: 14-20

Community News

+ The Box Hill Community Choir is performing on Saturday 26 July at 12 noon at the Mont Albert Village and meeting up for a coffee to lubricate their vocal cords at 11am at the Churchill Café, 13-15 Hamilton Street. Get along to join them for coffee, enjoy their singing and be part of the appreciative audience.

+ Our next Box Hill Baptist Church Meeting is scheduled in the Barn after worship and morning tea on Sunday 10 August. Along with regular reports we will be asked to comment on and adopt a budget for the new year and decide on joining the Open Baptist Association.

+ Our new multi-language translation service, known as Breeze, works well during Sunday services. Bring your phones along, use the QR code or click this link: https://boxhillbaptistchurch.breeze-translate.com/client then select your language. Bring your headphones or ear buds so you can also use the audio in the language of your choice. Keep giving us your feedback.

+ The Thursday evening study group is finishing after a profitable few months of study. Thanks to Andy and Wendy for their leadership with this group. Thursday evening participants are warmly invited to join any of the other groups. See the list below.

+ Congratulations to Dr Shueh Wah Kennedy on finishing all the requirements for her PhD! Her graduation is in May 2026 but the celebrations can begin now.

+ Art Returns to the Gallery: Joseph Store runs Saturday art classes in the Village Well but commencing on the afternoon of Sunday 10 August, 2.30pm-4.30pm, Joseph is offering 12 free art classes. These multicultural gatherings will be run in Mandarin and English so all will feel included. Contact Eddie or Geoff to indicate your interest or seek more information.

+ Our Community Shed is going to be a key feature of the upcoming Whitehorse Senior’s Festival in October. This will include a series of 4 weekly information sessions, featuring Bruce Rumbold, around the important tasks of ageing, combined with some fun, interactive shed activities, plus our ‘Built to Last’ Shed open day on the 25th of October. Stay tuned for more info…

+ Monday Matters: This Monday, the 21 July, Ian Bunston will be introducing Kylie Butler, CEO of Arrow Leadership, which is a Christian provider of nation, trans-denominational leader development and training. Click on the zoom link below just before 8am on Monday to join the conversation. Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83332748361

Pointers for Prayer

+ Diane Heagney has had weeks in Knox Private Hospital undergoing surgery and coping with severe pain. Diane is now in the first of four weeks respite at Adventcare where physios are helping her to walk again.

+ Please continue to pray for Grazia Sedawie and her family, three of whom are recovering after ill-health.

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)

+ 6pm-8pm: Chess Club (downstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir resumes their meetings and practices on this day, the 22^nd July. Why not join the group at the beginning of this new term?

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group is taking a break over the holidays and will not be meeting this Tuesday the 15^th or the 22^nd. It will gather again for the new term on Tuesday 29^th July.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith – Session 6 – Faith and Doubt (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday: The English Language Group is not meeting today but it will resume for term 3 on the 31^st July.

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

+ 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

+ 10am-11.30am The Playgroup resumes on this day, the 25th July.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

+ 10 August: Church Meeting (after the service)

+ 24 August: 100-year Celebration of our church building.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ “Jesus didn’t say, ‘Worship me.’ He said, ‘Follow me.’ … You cannot follow Jesus without being profoundly concerned for the poor,” Tim Costello told the symposium sponsored by the Baptist Forum on Aid and Development just prior to the BWA Congress in Brisbane. Read more about Tim’s address and the report on his recent visit to the Thai-Burmese border in ‘Following Jesus Means Caring for the Poor,’ Baptist Standard, 13 July 2025.

+ At a Zoom meeting of people from the eastern states, some of the board members of the new Open Baptist Association shared the history of the OB movement, the steps for wanting to affiliate. Here are three of the videos that they shared in that meeting:

Belinda’s video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mFpc_E8YmxQgrnbSsifGDbDsXBnF6QR7/view?usp=sharing

Christine’s video – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JC8XgtbaENQspB8hseYEzPWjUg3ATpmo/view?usp=sharing

Nathan’s video – https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D8919433_09140151_8415709 

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)
• 
• Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.
• Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Next Sunday 27th July at 10am.

+ The Last Breakfast: Please bring food to share for breakfast/brunch. An opportunity to share in discussion around the meal tables.

+ Worship Leader and Reflection: Eddie Chapman.

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith confronting Tradition and Innovation’.

Worship Roster

Order of Service

Acknowledgement of Country and Call to Worship (Isaiah 40:28–31)

Song/Hymn: ‘Lord, You Stand Among Us’ (Ross Langmead)

Prayer of gathering and confession

Welcome and community news

Song/Hymn: ‘At the Dawn of the Ages’

Our offering and prayer

(Collection of non-perishable foods for the Community Chest) 

Bible reading: Matthew 7:7–11 — Theresa 

Song/Hymn: ‘Bring Many Names’

Sermon:  ‘Exploring and encountering God’ — Geoff

Hymn: Either ‘Let us break bread together with the Lord’ (BPW 443)

Communion

Hymn (cont.) Last verse (3) of 443

Pastoral prayer & candles: Geoff 

Benediction: ‘Deep Stillness of the Silent Inland’ (Julie Perrin/Robin Mann)

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scriptures: Isaiah 40:28-31; Matthew 7: 7-12.

+ Service Theme: Our service themes are running in tandem with the Exploring Faith group that meets on Wednesdays so this Sunday we are ‘Exploring God’.

+ Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. Box Hill Baptist has an open table where the invitation is extended to all and each person decides whether they will participate.

+ Our offering on the first Sunday includes an offering of non-perishable food items that are given for needy people in our community.

Community News

+ This week (6^th to 13^th) is NAIDOC Week in Australia. Common Grace is providing information on the themes for this year’s recognition. Link.

+ The Village Well (our community services arm) is supporting the development of a new community Chess Club. If Bishops and Rooks are your thing, come along on Monday, 6pm-8pm, for a friendly game.

+ Got a Spare Vacuum Cleaner? A family in the Jubilee Housing project no longer has a working vacuum cleaner but really needs one. If you have a working secondhand vacuum cleaner you can donate please speak to or leave a message with Meredith Beaton (Pastoral Worker at Jubilee Housing) on her work phone: 0413 522 060

+ Our new multi-language translation service, known as Breeze, worked well last Sunday when it was launched at Box Hill Baptist. Our people used Italian, Maori, Khmer, Persian, Mandarin, Bahasa, Cantonese and most said it was very accurate and the delay was minimal. Bring your phones along, use the QR code or this link: https://boxhillbaptistchurch.breeze-translate.com/client then select your language. Would you also bring your headphones or ear buds so you can check the audio quality? These will also help us to keep our heads up so we can see the speaker and the pictures on the screen. Keep giving us your feedback.

+ You may have noticed the small bowl of sand and candles to the right of the pulpit. This is available at every service and it may be an aid to prayer as you light a candle at the beginning or anytime during a service.

+ Thanks to the five Box Hill Baptist people out of the thirty people who attended the Zoom meeting last Wednesday arranged by the board of the Open Baptists. We heard of the history of this new Association, the benefits of joining, a story of one church that has joined, the process of joining and this was followed by a Q&A.

+ On Thursday 10 July, 6pm, there is a book launch of Theology Matters, at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

In the twenty-first century, religion is often seen as divisive, church membership is in decline, and religious institutions have been forced to reckon with their own sins. Yet theology still speaks deeply to many people in Australia, both inside and outside the Christian churches. The launch will feature a panel discussion that includes Peter Sherlock, broadcaster and author Stan Grant, public theologian Robyn Whitaker, and former ACT Supreme Court judge Richard Refshauge, and will be moderated by Genevieve Jacobs. To register and find out more click here

Pointers for Prayer

+ This year a feasibility study of our church buildings is taking place to see what might be possible in the way of future development. No proposals have been received and discussed. Pray for creativity and wisdom for the people who are undertaking this study.

+ We will not only be celebrating the 100^th anniversary of our church building but these celebrations will continue into the recognition that next year (2026) marks the 125^th anniversary of our church community. Every 4-6 weeks or so from August 2025 to October 2026 (when we plan a special weekend and launch Lorraine Mitchell’s history of the Box Hill Baptist Church) we will seek to invite a former pastor or church identity to come and speak about a different chapter in the church’s life. These will be ‘Back to Box Hill Baptist’ occasions when we invite former members and friends back to the church. Feed in any good suggestions of how we might celebrate with gratitude. Pray for creativity for the small group that is planning these events.

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)

+ 6pm-8pm: Chess Club (downstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir is taking a break over the holidays on this Tuesday (8^th) and the next (15^th). It will resume on the 22^nd July. The leaders of the choir greatly appreciate the church being made available for the choir rehearsals.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group meets in the Village Well for a cuppa and begins study at 7.30pm. The Scripture for study is James 1: 2-8.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith – Session 5 – The Nature of God (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday: The English Language Group is not meeting on this day, the 10^th and also the 17^th and the 24^th. It will resume for term 3 on the 31^st July.

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

+ 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.

+ 7.30pm Bible Study and Discussion in the Gallery. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am The Playgroup will not be meeting on this day, Friday 11^th and the 18^th. It will resume on the 25th July.

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

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

24 August: 100-year Celebration of our church building.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Stan Grant opens up on his deepening faith, indigenous spirituality, his response to the Voice Referendum and more in Stan Grant on Country with Indira Naidoo, Compass, 23 June.

+ Trump’s ‘God Bless the USA’ Bible nets $1.3 million in royalties. Religion News, 24 June 2025.

+ ‘Pastors, learn to lean into your ‘two-timing’ congregants,’ Religion News, 25 June 2025.

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)
• A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.
• 
• Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.
• Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Next Sunday 6th July at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Lorraine Mitchell; Preacher: Eddie Chapman.

+ Service Theme: ‘Exploring Faith and Doubt’.

+ Scripture: James 1: 2-8.

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ It’s our Last Breakfast service again, and this month we continue in our Exploring Faith theme with ‘The Person of Jesus’.

+ Bring some breakfast/brunch food to share around the tables.

Community News

+ Our new multi-language translation service, known as Breeze, worked well last Sunday when it was launched at Box Hill Baptist. Our people used Italian, Maori, Khmer, Persian, Mandarin, Bahasa, Cantonese and most said it was very accurate and the delay was minimal. Bring your phones along, use the QR code or this link: https://boxhillbaptistchurch.breeze-translate.com/client then select your language. Would you also bring your headphones or ear buds so you can check the audio quality? These will also help us to keep our heads up so we can see the speaker and the pictures on the screen. Keep giving us your feedback.

+ You may have noticed the small bowl of sand and candles to the right of the pulpit. This is available at every service and it may be an aid to prayer as you light a candle at the beginning or anytime during a service.

+ Thanks to the five Box Hill Baptist people out of the thirty people who attended the Zoom meeting last Wednesday arranged by the board of the Open Baptists. We heard of the history of this new Association, the benefits of joining, a story of one church that has joined, the process of joining and this was followed by a Q&A.

+ On Thursday 10 July, 6pm, there is a book launch of Theology Matters, at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

In the twenty-first century, religion is often seen as divisive, church membership is in decline, and religious institutions have been forced to reckon with their own sins. Yet theology still speaks deeply to many people in Australia, both inside and outside the Christian churches. The launch will feature a panel discussion that includes Peter Sherlock, broadcaster and author Stan Grant, public theologian Robyn Whitaker, and former ACT Supreme Court judge Richard Refshauge, and will be moderated by Genevieve Jacobs. To register and find out more click here

Pointers for Prayer

+ Give thanks to God for Pat Paul who turned 90 last Tuesday and who, with Barrie and their family and friends, is stretching out her celebrations over a few more days.

+ Diane Heagney has had several weeks in the Knox Private Hospital after being afflicted with bursitis. Pray that her medical team will be able to arrest the pain. Pray for Diane, mobility for her body and peace for her mind.

+ Eddie Chapman is taking leave next week. Pray for refreshment as he and his family spend time together.

This Week

Monday

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

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the Church Sanctuary to warm up before heading over to Box Hill Central for a performance for friends, family members and shoppers passing by. Come and enjoy the singing. Details:

Date: Tuesday, July 1; Time:10am-10.30am
Location: Corner of Market and Main Street opposite main entrance to Box Hill Central.
For more details call Ian Bunston 0416492173

Enjoy coffee with the choir afterwards at nearby Café Faducci, 25 Market Street.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group meets in the Village Well for a cuppa and begins study at 7.30pm. The Scriptures for study this week are Isaiah 40:28-31; Matthew 7: 7-12.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith – Session 4 – The Person of Jesus (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday The English Language Group meets in the Barn.

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

+ 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

+ 10am-11.30am A Playgroup meets in the Barn for children 0-5 years of age and their parents and carers.

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Tim Costello speaks of ‘A Profound Social Injustice: Gambling Victims Playing a Losing Game,’ in The Eastern Melburnian, 18 June 2025. 

+ Barbara Brown Taylor discusses and names a new spiritual practice in ‘Reverie Saves the Day,’ Coming Down to Earth, 25 June 2025. 

+ Check out Monday Matters with Ian Bunston: This Monday on the topic of identifying addiction in oneself and others! Addiction medical specialist, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong together with Dennis who has struggled addiction most of his life, will discuss approaches and strategies that can make a difference. Click on the zoom link below just before 8am on Monday June 30th to join the conversation.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88355416583

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)
• A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.
• 
• Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.
• Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Next Sunday 6th July at 10am.

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

+ Scriptures: Isaiah 40:28-31; Matthew 7: 7-12.

+ Service Theme: Our service themes are running in tandem with the Exploring Faith group that meets on Wednesdays so this Sunday we are ‘Exploring God’.

+ Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. Box Hill Baptist has an open table where the invitation is extended to all and each person decides whether they will participate.

+ Our offering on the first Sunday includes an offering of non-perishable food items that are given for needy people in our community.

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ Topic: Interpreting & Applying the Bible (Study 3 in our Exploring Faith series)

+ Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

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

Order of Service

• Call to worship
• Opening Prayer
• Song: The Journey of the life we live
• Welcome & Community News
• Offering
• Song: There are no words
• Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18
• Sermon – Interpreting and Applying the Bible
• Song: People are language
• Prayers for our world
• Song: We limit not the truth of God
• Benediction

Community News

+ Box Hill Baptist Church has always been proudly multi-cultural, and at times bi-lingual… but as of this Sunday we’ll be truly MULTI-lingual! Thanks to amazing advances in technology and automatic translation, anyone attending our Box Hill Baptist Sunday services in person will now be able to click on a link and have all of the speaking in our service translated into any language they choose, right on their phones. Khmer, Persian, Cantonese, Hindi, Mandarin…. the list goes on! You can check out the options and connect here: https://boxhillbaptistchurch.breeze-translate.com/client

+ Open Baptists Forum: A Zoom forum is planned for Wednesday, 25 June, 7:15-8:30pm to talk about: How the Open Baptists Association came into being; The benefit of being part of two associations and the steps for joining the Open Baptists (and other churches’ experiences of taking these steps). There will also be time to ask questions. Here is the Zoom link:

Meeting ID: 819 2439 1424 Passcode: 823516

Pointers for Prayer

+ Several members of the Box Hill Community Choir are either recovering from surgery or experiencing ill health. Pray for them as they prepare to perform in the Box Hill Mall on Tuesday 1 July.

+ Pray for the newly refreshed Care Groups as they each come together that friendships will be established and fostered and that meeting together will be a joyous experience.

+ Give thanks for the technology (and the technicians) such as the online streaming of services and the new multi-language platform that help us get a taste of the Pentecost Day experience when “they each heard in their native language.”

This Week

Monday

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

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the Church Sanctuary and Gallery.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group meets in the Village Well for a cuppa and begins study at 7.30pm. The Scripture for study this week is John 4:5-42.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith – Session 3 (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday The English Language Group meets in the Barn.

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

+ 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

+ 10am-11.30am A Playgroup meets in the Barn for children 0-5 years of age and their parents and carers.

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Australian Author, Geraldine Brooks, soldiered on after the sudden death of her husband but later realised that she had to do the work of grief. Geraldine tells her story, Grief, a Love Story, on Compass via ABC iView

+ As Alcoholics Anonymous Turns 90, a Look at the Serenity Prayer’s Eternal Relevance, Religion News. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”

+ Public Christianity’s latest postings include articles on Bono and Tina (the film).

+ “We way underestimate how much the simplest text or call means to our friends, family members and colleagues.” Why You Should Check In, Axios.

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)
• A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.
• 
• Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.
• Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Next Sunday 29 June at 10am.

+The Last Breakfast led by Eddie Chapman. Bring breakfast/brunch food to share around the tables. We’ll be exploring with our series on our Exploring Faith series with “The Person of Jesus”

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ Topic: Exploring Faith: Reading the Bible.

+ Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12, Genesis 17:1-8, Exodus 6:2-4, Galatians 3:6-14

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Keith Dyer

Order of Service

• Opening Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12
• Call to worship
• Song: Praise with Joy the World’s Creator
• Community News
• Offering
• Song: Lord, you sometimes speak in wonders
• Bible Readings: Genesis 17:1-8, Exodus 6:2-4.
• Sermon (Keith)
• Song: People are Language
• Pastoral Prayers
• Song: We limit not the truth of God.
• Benediction

Community News

+ It is good to see our pastor, Eddie Chapman, profiled as a Sustainable City of Whitehorse Champion. This column reports on the Community Shed (woodwork and bike restoration & repair), encourages people to join the shed and probes into why Eddie and others are committed to such environmental ventures. It also notes the work of the Box Hill Community Bakehouse and its mission to save food waste and offer food to needy people.

+ Open Baptists Forum: A Zoom forum is planned for Wednesday, 25 June, 7:15-8:30pm to talk about: How the Open Baptists Association came into being; The benefit of being part of two associations and the steps for joining the Open Baptists (and other churches’ experiences of taking these steps). There will also be time to ask questions. If there are other areas you’d like to explore – please let Geoff know and he will relay these issues to the organisers. The Zoom link will be made available in the next week.

+ An Enneagram Workshop is being led by Dr Tim McCowan at Wellspring (Ashburton) this weekend. More information at this link.

+ Our new Exploring Faith commenced last week – and if you missed it but would still like to be involved, we would love to have you join us!

Every Wednesday, (7:30pm) @ 5 Ellingworth Pde.

Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Pointers for Prayer

+ People to Pray for: Glennys Williams is having a three week stay in Baptcare’s Hedley Sutton Aged Care Community. Unfortunately, a new outbreak of COVID has made visiting Glennys inadvisable; Don Timms has been at the Epworth Rehabilitation hospital in Camberwell this week and may come home this weekend; Kate Best (Diane Harrison’s niece) has returned home to Swan Hill following surgery and rehab after having a stroke. She is tired with headaches but Kate and her family, including Diane wish to thank people at Box Hill Baptist for their prayers and kindness.

This Week

Monday

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

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the Church Sanctuary and Gallery.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group meets in the Village Well for a cuppa and begins study at 7.30pm. The Scriptures this week are Psalm 119 and Ephesians 6: 10-20.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith Week 1 (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday The English Language Group meets in the Barn.

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

+ 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.

+ 7.30pm-9pm Discussion Group meets in the Gallery. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am A Playgroup meets in the Barn for children 0-5 years of age and their parents and carers.

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

+ Saturday 21 June – Winter Solstice Bonfire & Games night.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ Learn more about the situation in Gaza from the 27-minute ABC Compass programme entitled ‘Unsettled’ which tracks the journey of three Palestinian families who’ve fled the war and sought protection in Australia.

+ Melinda Cousins, Director of Ministries for Baptist Churches in SA and NT, writes of the influence of Hebrew Bible scholar, Walter Brueggemann, who died this week. Link.

+ ‘Consider the Lilies of the Fields’: A Rocha (USA), which calls people to care for and pay attention to God’s creation has published this reading list of books about land and sea, birds and beasts. What books have helped deepen your knowledge of the divine call to us to be caretakers of the planet?

+ The New Atheists ‘Attack a God I Don’t Believe in, Either’: A Q&A with Rowan Williams. An unlocked article from the New York Times, 8 June 2025.

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)
• A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.
• The Explorers Group is preparing for a restart early June for people wanting to explore the Christian faith for the first time or take a refresher. This will be a 12-part series. Ask Eddie Chapman for more details.

Next Sunday 22 June at 10am.

+ Service Theme: Interpreting and Applying the Bible (as we follow the topics of the Exploring Faith series for the next couple of months)

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

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ Pentecost Day Service: We join with churches around the world to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.

+ Scripture: Acts 2:1-21.

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

Order of Service

• Acknowledgement of Country and Call to Worship 
• Song/Hymn: ‘Praise with Joy the World’s Creator’ (
• Prayer of gathering and confession
• Welcome and community news
• Song/Hymn: ‘Taking Shape in Your Creation’
• Our offering and prayer
• Bible reading: Acts 2:1–21
• Song/Hymn: ‘Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind’
• Sermon:  ‘Flowing with the Spirit’ — Geoff
• Song: ‘Deeper River’
• Pastoral prayer: Geoff 
• Benediction: ‘Deep Stillness of the Silent Inland’

Community News

+ In recognition of Pentecost, will end this morning’s service with a simple Fire Drill! When the time comes, please follow the directions of the Deacons (who are our Fire Wardens), and move calmly down to the Barn which will be our assembly point today due to the weather.

If you need assistance with exiting the building, please raise your hand when asked to do so.

+ Andy McCulloch spoke at our Church Meeting last Sunday about Box Hill Baptist’s invitation from A Rocha Australia to participate in a pilot program called Eco Church. The programme is designed to help churches reflect on how their rhythms and practices demonstrate and promote care for creation. He asked for interested people to join him in a small group to contribute to workshops four times over the course of the year. If you are passionate about the environment and would like to know more, please contact Andy. And check out this video below…

+ Box Hill Baptist Church Directory: Did the 2024 directory arrive in your inbox last Wednesday? Please check to see if your names and contact details are correct and if you’re simply not in the directory and want to be, let Eddie know and he’ll provide an updated copy in the coming weeks. 

+ Last Sunday Geoff spoke at the Church Meeting about the newly refreshed Care Groups and encouraged people to get going with these new groups. There aren’t any rules but to be effective and get to know one another it might be good for the Care Group to meet fourtimes a year (once a season). It may be useful to start gleaning ideas from people in your group as to where and how your group might meet. Some groups in the past have met over a shared meal or a shared afternoon tea (with Christmas delicacies). One group has staged a musical gathering and invited others to join them. One group has met for a picnic in the park. Another group has always met in the home of a couple who find it difficult to get out and about.

+ Exploring Faith is a brand new, Australian-designed course for people who are curious about Christianity — or unsure where they stand. No pressure. No clichés. Just honest conversation, good company, and space to ask real questions.

Starts June 11 (7:30pm, and then every Wednesday for 10 weeks)

Want to find out more or register?

Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Pointers for Prayer

+ People to Pray for: Glennys Williams is having a three week stay in Baptcare’s Hedley Sutton Aged Care Community but is currently unable to have visitors because the Community has had an outbreak of COVID; Don Timms is likely to move to another hospital for rehab; Pray that Kate Best (Diane Harrison’s niece) may fully regain movement and speech following a stroke.

+ Pray for those leading and those exploring what it means to follow Jesus as the 10-week Explorers Group gets underway this coming Wednesday, 11 June. It will be led by Eddie Chapman and Keith Dyer.

This Week

Monday

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

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the Church Sanctuary and Gallery.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group is meeting for a Potluck Dinner at Geoff & Lyn Pound’s home. Susan Kennedy is speaking on walking the Camino Português.

Wednesday

+ 7:30 to 9pm – Exploring Faith Week 1 (5 Ellingworth Pde)

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday The English Language Group meets in the Barn.

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

+ 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.

+ 7.30pm-9pm Study Group meets in the Gallery. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am A Playgroup meets in the Barn for children 0-5 years of age and their parents and carers.

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

+ Saturday 21 June – Winter Solstice Bonfire & Games night.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ While we reflected on Jesus’ prayer for oneness (John 17: 20-26) last Sunday here at Box Hill, Diana Butler Bass was ruminating over the same prayer from Paris. Visiting Notre Dame and seeing the post-fire renovation illuminated her thinking which she wrote about in Sunday Musings.

+ Whitley College has some latest news on its website along with encouragement to think about enrolling in classes in the upcoming semester (see the offerings and timetable). Check out the conversation with Global Baptist Identity, Professor David Bebbington. Listen to Jason Goroncy’s heartfelt song entitled, ‘Write My Name on My Leg, Mama’ which he wrote after reflecting on the harrowing realities in Gaza.

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)
• A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.

Next Sunday 15 June at 10am.

+ Service Theme: Understanding the Bible (as we follow the topics of the Exploring Faith series for the next couple of months)

+ Worship Leader: Eddie Chapman; Preacher: Keith Dyer

Worship Roster

Welcome to Worship

This Sunday at 10am

+ Worship Service including our monthly celebration of The Lord’s Supper.

+ Scripture: John 17:20-26

+ Theme: Oneness is not Sameness.

+ 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
• Song: Come as you are
• Community News
• Offering
• Song: God is the One
• Reading: John 17:20-26
• Prayer
• Sermon
• Song: We are many, we are one. 
• Communion
• Pastoral Prayer
• Song: Sing a new church
• Benediction

Community News

+ A Church Meeting in the Barn will follow our worship service and morning tea and coffee. Agenda includes finance report, update on our developing church constitution, fire drill procedures and a proposal to establish a group with a view to being an Eco Church pilot (see note below)

+ Lynne Dyer writes: “The Box Hill Community Bakehouse would like to thank Eddie for his successful grant application to Rotary Box Hill Burwood, which means that we now have the funding for a Commercial fridge in which we can store the donated produce. Fridge space has been at a premium for a long time so this will be a wonderful asset. Recently, Keith and I attended the Rotary Box Hill Burwood Community grants presentation night with the other 12 successful grant applicants. I spoke to the group about the work of the Bakehouse, and thanked Rotary explaining how this grant will assist us in meeting the needs of the community in which we live.”

+ Andy McCulloch asks, “Are you passionate about the environment?”

“Box Hill Baptist has been invited by A Rocha Australia to participate in a pilot program called Eco Church. The program is designed to help churches reflect on how their rhythms and practices demonstrate and promote care for creation. Based on the reflections, churches are encouraged to develop 1-3 goals to increase their participation in and promotion of creation care activities. Box Hill Baptist is already undertaking several initiatives that align with the program.  Participation would enable us to consolidate and celebrate our existing initiatives and look at new opportunities as part of our worship and witness to our community.”

“A Rocha Australia is part of an international network of Christian environmental conservation organisations. They focus on environmental science and research, practical nature conservation, environmental education, creation care and advocacy through a variety of programs and initiatives. I have been a member for several years and blessed by their resources and activities in my own spiritual formation and career.”

“The Deacons have agreed for Box Hill Baptist to participate in the pilot program, coordinated by myself, with a small group of people happy to contribute to workshops 4 times over the course of the year. If you are passionate about the environment and would like to know more, please make contact with me!”

“A video will be shown in the service this Sunday and a short presentation made at the Church meeting after the service.”

+ Earthen Vessels Church (EVC) has conducted its last service at Box Hill as this Sunday, 1 June, the Vietnamese church will be located at 12 Surrey Road, South Yarra (formerly known as the South Yarra Community Baptist Church, which is now largely meeting online). A letter has been sent to EVC from Box Hill Baptist conveying our congratulations and best wishes for this new chapter. A letter of thanks from EVC has been sent to Box Hill Baptist.

+ Lorraine Mitchell represented Box Hill Baptist at the recent Assembly of Victorian Baptist churches. Here is her report.

+ Exploring Faith is a brand new, Australian-designed course for people who are curious about Christianity — or unsure where they stand. No pressure. No clichés. Just honest conversation, good company, and space to ask real questions.

Starts June 11 (7:30pm, and then every Wednesday for 10 weeks)

Want to find out more or register?

Visit exploringfaith.org.au or email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

Pointers for Prayer

+ People to Pray for: Raelene Lilies is glad to be home this week after three stays in hospital in the last month; Glennys Williams has been transferred from the Box Hill Hospital to Baptcare’s Hedley Sutton Aged Care Community for the next three weeks; Don Timms’ stay in Epworth Box Hill is taking longer than expected following surgery last week; Pray that Kate Best (Diane Harrison’s niece) may fully regain movement and speech following a stroke.

+ Pray for those exploring what it means to follow Jesus as the 10-week Explorers Group gets underway on 11 June, convened by Eddie Chapman and Keith Dyer.

+ Last Sunday a new season of Care Groups was launched. Pray for creativity in connecting and thoughtful care as we journey with those in our groups.

This Week

Monday

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

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Tuesday

+ 9.30am – The Box Hill Community Choir meets in the Church Sanctuary and Gallery.

+ 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 9pm: The Bible & Chat group is studying this Scripture passage: Acts 2:1-21— (a lectionary passage for Sunday 8 June 2025). Convenor: Geoff Pound

Thursday

+ 10am-12 midday The English Language Group meets in the Barn.

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

+ 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.

+ 7.30pm-9pm Study Group meets in the Gallery. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.

Friday

+ 10am-11.30am A Playgroup meets in the Barn for children 0-5 years of age and their parents and carers.

+ 5pm-9pm Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

Saturday

+ 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn

Coming up

+ Wednesday 11 June – Launch of Exploring Faith study series (Village Well, 7:30pm)

+ Saturday 21 June – Winter Solstice Bonfire & Games night.

Food for Thought, Prayer & Action

+ After two friends unexpectedly became Christians, Lamorna Ash discovered a new generation of young people turning to faith. As she investigated this phenomenon, Lamorna Ash asked, ‘Could I Become a Christian in a Year? The Guardian, 20 April 2025.

Praying

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.

― Mary Oliver.

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)
• A Small Group meets in the Gallery on the first and third Thursday of the month from 7.30pm-9pm. Convenor: Andy McCulloch.

Next Sunday 1 June at 10am.

+ Pentecost Day Service: We join with churches around the world to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.

+ Scripture: Acts 2:1-21.

+ Worship Leader: Keith Dyer; Preacher: Geoff Pound.

Worship Roster