News & Events

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

+ Communion Service

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

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

+ Scripture Reading: John 20: 19-23.

+ Theme: We are reflecting on the Blessing and the Benediction in Worship Services.

---

Order of Service

• Call to Worship
• Passing of the Peace
• Song – To be God’s people in this place
• Welcome and Community News
• Interview with Danny Krivan
• Offering
• Song – Like a Candle
• Reading – John 20:19-23
• Sermon
• Song – Jesus calls us here to meet Him
• Communion
• Prayers for the World
• Benediction

---

Community News

+ A brief Church Meeting will follow worship on 4 October, to give the congregation’s blessing to Danny Krivan’s project (on congregational discernment and the arts) and to formally appoint the Focus Group participants. The suggested motions:

• 1. That we agree as a church to be involved in the Rev Danny Krivan’s Research Project.
• 2. That we agree to the participation of the following people in the Rev Danny Krivan’s Focus Groups: Suzanne, Rae, Sue, Graeme, Barbara, Shueh Wah, John, Keith, Lynne, Ethan, Jody, Andy, Wendy, Geoff.

+ Thanks to Connie Killey for her gift of three new books for our church library.

+ The price of the new book, ‘Sing a New Church,’ has been set at $30 to make it within everyone’s budget to buy a copy. The cost of publishing a niche publication like this Box Hill Baptist Church history, which has a specific and limited audience, amounts to several thousand dollars, which is why we are inviting financial contributions. Thanks to those who have already made donations. If you can assist, please put cash in an envelope marked ‘History’ and put it in the offering bag or give electronically, also marked ‘History.’

+ Judith and Hong Sin Lim will be on holiday from 5 October to 12 November. Do let Geoff know if you are able to visit Judith’s elderly mother, Khyun Yin CHU, during this period. Yin lives in Rm12, Conder House, Uniting AgeWell, 75 Thames Street.

+ Whitley College is planning an Open Day on Saturday 17 October in Box Hill. Check out the details and discover where this could take you.

---

Upcoming Events

+ Only two more Sundays until we celebrate our 125^th anniversary as a church on 18 October at 10am followed by Morning Tea and Lunch. It has been good receiving positive RSVPs from some former Pastors of BHBC, along with representatives from the BUV and a councillor from the City of Whitehorse. A light lunch is planned for our Anniversary Sunday on 18 October. If you can bring a plate of finger food to share on the day, please let Teang know.

+ A meeting open to everyone is being held on Tuesday 13 October at 7.15pm in the Gallery to hear Lorraine Mitchell speak about significant moments and significant lessons in the story of the Box Hill Baptist Church. Lorraine will have copies of her book available on the night.

+ It is the City of Whitehorse Seniors Festival in October and here is the link to their programme and other ways they are seeking to provide connections.

+ Saturday 17 October, 7:30pm – Let Everything Praise!, a concert by The Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band with special guests Dominic Longhurst (cornet) and The Altonatives jazz choir, at Box Hill Salvation Army, 1010 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill. Admission $20, tickets at http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/msb

---

This Week

Monday

+ 4:30pm-8:30pm – Social Table Tennis (upstairs, 5 Ellingworth Pde)

+ 7.30pm The Deacons have their monthly meeting.

Tuesday

+ Tuesday 9.30am: The Box Hill Community Choir resumes practice sessions after the holidays.

+ 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. The Bible & Chat Group will be meeting in the Gallery and the Scripture for study is Matthew 22: 1-14.

Thursday

+ 11am-1pm – The Social Chat Group (Village Well upstairs): English language learning, table tennis and socialising

+ 1:30pm-2:30pm – Bakehouse in the Barn: our food rescue program

Friday

+ 4:30pm-8:30pm – Social Table Tennis

Saturday

+ 7:30am-8:30am – Bakehouse in the Barn

---

Food for Thought, Prayer and Action

+ It is 50 years since the Zadok magazine was established so the Zadok team is planning a 50^th Anniversary Conference online and in person on 2-3 October.

+ Michelle Lim asks, ‘Young Australians aren’t alone, so why are they lonely?’ Eureka Street, 24 September 2026.

+ Andy Hamilton says, ‘Getting Tough on Immigration will have a human cost,’ Eureka Street, 23 September 2026.

+ As violence escalates in Nigeria, Christian and Muslim leaders unite, Religion News, 23 September 2026.

---

Small Groups @ BHBC

Bible & Chat: Tuesdays at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start, at the Gallery. We reflect together on the coming Sunday’s scriptures. Contact Geoff Pound.

KYB (Know Your Bible): Fortnightly on Tuesdays via Zoom. Contact Helen Timms.

---

Next Sunday 11 October 2026

+ Worship Leader: Andy McCulloch; Preacher: Eddie Chapman.

+ Scripture: Matthew 22: 1-14.

---

Offering Details

BSB: 704-922
Account name: Box Hill Baptist Church
Account number: 100005657
Please use “Offering” as your reference. If you have any issues, please contact the office.

Someone said recently that our church has an ‘obsession’ with food, eating and hospitality. If you want evidence, think of the Bakehouse (food distribution to several hundred people every Thursday and Saturday), the earlier ‘Food in the Barn’ (when a meal was served each month by people from different churches), the ‘Last Breakfast’ (breakfast/brunch with worship on the side on the last Sunday of the month), our monthly Communion (first Sunday of the month), our Morning Tea in the Barn (every Sunday) and all the extra meals that happen.

An ‘obsession’ sounds like we have unwanted, intrusive thoughts about food that can cause distress. It may be more accurate to say Box Hill Baptist Church has a biblical passion about food and eating together.

One of the earliest references to food in the Bible relates to the leaders of Israel who “saw God, and they ate and drank.” (Ex. 24: 11)

The New Testament scholar, Robert Karris, made this famous observation about Jesus and food: “In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal”.

This Sunday, our Scripture from the last book of the Bible has the risen Jesus saying: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Food reminds us that we are dependent beings—“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Food shared can turn strangers into friends.

Food is about justice—ensuring that hungry people are fed.

Food is about welcome, when we give every person a place at the table.

Food reminds us that God is interested in every part of human life.

Meals can be the places where we may encounter God.

Can you hear the knock on the door? See you at the Last Breakfast this Sunday at 10am.

This year marks a special milestone for Box Hill Baptist Church: 125 years of faith, community and service in Box Hill. On Sunday 18 October 2026 we will gather to give thanks for 125 years of this church’s life, and to look forward to what we are being called to be and do in the years ahead. Whether you are a current member, a former member, or a friend of the church, you are warmly invited to join us.

When: Sunday 18 October 2026, from 10.00am
Where: Box Hill Baptist Church, Ellingworth Pde, Box Hill.

The day at a glance

• 10.00am – Service of Thanksgiving. A service celebrating the story of Box Hill Baptist, including a Commendation and Blessing of our newly published church history.
• 11.30am – Morning tea and light lunch in the Barn. A relaxed time to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and share memories.

About the book

Sing a New Church tells the story of our church across its 125 years, drawing on the memories and reflections of many who have been part of its life. Copies will be available to purchase on the day for $30, and it will make a wonderful keepsake of the occasion.

Can’t make it on the day?

We understand not everyone will be able to be there, but we would still love to include you:

• Send us your greetings. If you have a short message, memory or reflection you would like shared, send it to us and we will read a selection out during the celebration.
• Order the book. If you would like a copy of Sing a New Church but can’t attend, please email office@boxhillbaptist.org.au and we will let you know how to arrange one.

Help us spread the word

If you are still in touch with former members, or others who would treasure being part of this day, please pass this invitation on. We would love to gather as many of our extended church family as possible.

Get in touch

To let us know you are coming, to send your greetings, or to ask about the book, contact the church office at office@boxhillbaptist.org.au.

We hope you can join us as we give thanks for all that God has done, and celebrate 125 years of Box Hill Baptist Church.

Welcome to Worship this Sunday

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

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

Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:7-13.

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

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

---

Order of Service

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

---

Community News

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

---

Upcoming Events

• Church Meeting – Sunday 4 October, briefly following worship: to give blessing to Danny Krivan’s Focus Groups research project and formally appoint participants.
• Focus Group Orientation – Sunday 4 October, after Morning Tea in the Barn.
• Lorraine Mitchell book talk, “The Things They Didn’t Put in the Record” – Tuesday 13 October, 7.15pm for 7.30pm, in the Gallery.
• Save-the-date: 125th Anniversary – Sunday 18 October: Service of Thanksgiving, with our new church history book ‘Sing a New Church’ available for purchase. All former members and friends invited.

---

This Week

Monday

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

Tuesday

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

Thursday

• 11am-1pm The Social Chat Group (upstairs in the Village Well): learning basic English, table tennis and other games, tea, coffee and making friends.
• 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn: saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste for those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

Friday

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

Saturday

• 7.30am-8.30am Bakehouse in the Barn: saving bread, fruit and vegetables from waste for those wanting to ease their weekly budget.

---

Food for Thought, Prayer and Action

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

---

Small Groups @ BHBC

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

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

• Bible & Chat: Normally each Tuesday, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at the Gallery — taking a break this week and next owing to the holidays (see This Week above). The group normally reflects on a Scripture passage for the following Sunday service. Convenor: Geoff Pound.
• KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. Convenor: Helen Timms.

---

Next Sunday – 27 September 2026

10am.

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

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22.

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

---

Offering details

BSB: 704-922
Account name: Box Hill Baptist Church
Account number: 100005657
Please use the reference ‘Offering’ in the reference line.

If you have any issues in making an offering, please contact office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

When my parents became Christians they instituted a family devotions time after the evening meal. Dad had purchased a ‘Promise Box,’ a round box filled with little slips of paper each rolled into a cylinder shape. We all took turns with some tweezers to pull out a promise and read it to the family. Of the 100 promises, I often got to find the one that was slightly torn so I’d pull it out and read, “If anyone lacks wisdom let them ask God who gives generously to all…

Much of life is held together by promises. We promise to love, to be faithful, to care for one another, to keep going when things become difficult.

Some promises we keep faithfully; others we break, sometimes through weakness, sometimes through circumstances beyond our control.

The Bible speaks not only about the promises we make, but about the promises God makes to us.

Our promises are an expression of our commitment: “I will be there. I will be faithful. I will not give up.”

God’s promises are an expression of God’s character: “I will never leave you. I will be with you. I will forgive you. I will give you life. I will make all things new.”

Our promises depend upon our faithfulness. God’s promises depend upon God’s faithfulness.

In our ‘Listening to the Spirit’ series on The Letters to the Seven Churches, we’ve reached the part in each letter where God makes a promise to the church. Usually they are conditional—if you do this, then I will do that. The promises are usually written in imagery from each city and they promise what is lacking or weak in the church.

As we come to this point in writing our letter to the Church at Box Hill, what is it that God might promise us? What do we need to address what we lack? How could we write this in the images and language of Box Hill that we all might understand?

Geoff Pound.

It often feels like the people who would most benefit from what we do here at Box Hill are often the last people who would think to walk through a set of church doors.

You may recognise them yourself…

They’re the ones who grew up in faith and quietly drifted. Not because they stopped caring about the big questions, but because the answers they were being offered stopped making sense.

Or they’re the ones who were explicitly told, in one way or another, that who they are isn’t compatible with who the church wants them to be.

Or they’re simply people who’ve never had any connection with church at all, but carry a private sense that there’s something more to being alive than what the purely material world can account for.

Most of them would never describe themselves as looking for a church. But when you talk to them – really talk to them – they’re often looking for exactly what a church at its best can offer: a community that takes deep questions seriously, a place where they can be honest about where they’re at, and people who are trying to live with some kind of integrity and meaning rather than just getting through a week.

I think about those people a lot.

I think about them because I know that most of them have already written off the possibility that a place like this exists. They assume that church means certainty, conformity, and a particular set of cultural expectations they’ve either outgrown or never shared in the first place. And in many cases, that assumption has been earned by experience. The church hasn’t always been honest about its own limitations, or generous enough with its welcome.

One of the great things about this small church in Box Hill is that we’re not trying to be something we’re not! We’re small. We’re (relatively!) unpolished. We have more questions than answers on pretty much every Sunday. We have people who’ve been here for decades and people who showed up for the first time last month and weren’t sure what to expect. We have people who believe deeply and people who are genuinely not sure what they believe but keep showing up anyway, because something about the conversation feels worth having.

We don’t ask people to agree with us before they belong. We don’t have a list of positions you need to hold or a particular identity you need to present. What we do have is a table – sometimes literally – where people can sit down, be themselves, and find that they’re not as alone in their questions as they thought.

I don’t know if that’s what you’re looking for. But if any part of this resonates, it might be worth finding out.

Eddie Chapman is the Executive Pastor at Box Hill Baptist Church in Box Hill, Melbourne. The church gathers on Sundays at 10am and hosts the Last Breakfast, an informal monthly gathering over food and conversation, on the last Sunday of each month. More at boxhillbaptist.org.au

Parents have to do it. Teachers have to do it. Employers have to do it.

Any leader has to give critical comments and this for most people is the hardest part of being a leader. But there’s an art in giving constructive criticism.

We will all have vivid memories of when we were given criticism that was blunt and our self-esteem took a big hit or we were humiliated in front of others.

Some of the old-style footy coaches are remembered for their legendary sprays—their blistering attacks on their players which were intended to cause hurt and provide fuel for a better performance.

In our ‘Listening to the Spirit’ series on the Letters to the Seven Churches, we’ve reached the hard part—the bit in most of the letters where the Son of Man reveals the weaknesses and wrongdoing of the churches. They’re not necessarily models of how to say hard things and the weaknesses in those first century churches may not be the faults that we share.

In each letter the criticism is followed by a call to action which illustrates the principle that the purpose of criticism is not to make a person or a church feel bad about what they have done; it is to help them to become better at what they do.

Remember that we are writing an eighth letter—to the church at Box Hill. So think about our weaknesses, our wrongdoing and our neglect but speak the truth in love.