News & Events

The Record – 19 January 2025

Order of Service

  • Call to worship
  • Song: This is the time
  • Bible Reading: Matthew 6:5-13 , Luke 11: 1-4
  • “What is the Kingdom of God/Heaven like?” – Readings in two parts
  • Song: We are many, we are one.
  • Community News
  • Offering
  • Song: When the wagtail tips her tail
  • Sermon
  • Song: Daring Dancing Trinity
  • Pastoral Prayer
  • Closing Song: Deep stillness

Community News

This Sunday at 10am (19th January 2025) we continue our series on The Lord’s Prayer and our focus will be the petitions:

“Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Next Sunday at 10am (26th January 2025): Being the last Sunday of the month, it is the day for our Last Breakfast. It is also Australia Day and the international Leprosy Mission Sunday. Make sure to bring some food to share for breakfast or brunch!

+ This Sunday an information flier will be available and an envelope for anyone who’d like to donate to The Leprosy Mission. Here is a link to donate electronically.

+ Jazz pianist, Andy Vance, will play three well-known hymns but give them a new twist. Andy plays jazz music every Friday from 11.30am in the Forest Hill Chase Community Space which is sponsored by Whitehorse churches (including Box Hill Baptist Church).

This Week

Thursday 11am-1pm Social Chat gathering above Village Well.

Thursday 1.30pm-2.30pm Bakehouse in the Barn.

Notices and News

Eddie is taking annual leave from next Thursday, 23 January until Wednesday 19 February. A huge thanks to those who have offered to take on some of Eddie’s tasks in his absence. 

+ The Bible & Chat Group resumes on Tuesday week—the 28 January in the Village Well. This group which runs every second Tuesday evening commences at 7.15pm for a cuppa and our study goes from 7.30-8.45pm. We will begin this year by studying and discussing the Lord’s Prayer as we continue this Sunday series. Prior to Easter we will switch to a study of ‘The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Final Days in Jerusalem’ (aided by the book of the same title by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan. New participants are very welcome and free to come for the series that are of interest to them.

+ Andy and Wendy McCulloch are also thinking of commencing a new group so this provides another option. Discussion themes, times, location are still to be decided by whoever might like to participate. Speak to Andy or Wendy about your interest.

+ We are contemplating some seminars that alternate on Tuesdays with the Bible & Chat Group. In this regard we have been talking with Dr Bruce Rumbold (Baptist minister at Box Hill, Professor of Pastoral Care at Whitley College, Professor in Public Health at La Trobe Uni and more) about some ideas that he might speak to and spark discussion but are yet to nail anything down. Let Geoff know some of the subjects you would like to hear about.

+ In 2024 some people at Box Hill Baptist started to create a study series for people beginning to explore the Christian faith and also be helpful for people who want to go deeper in some of the basics. In the early weeks of this year Eddie and Keith are working on the design and content of this series. After Easter (from the first week in May) the 12-week Explorers Group will be up and running and this will go in tandem with the Sunday services (so we’ll all be explorers).

+ In August this year we will mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of our church building. It was opened on 29 August 1925. In 2026 we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of Box Hill Baptist Church. We have established an Anniversary Committee chaired by Graeme Davison. Speak to Graeme if you have any suggestions of how we might celebrate.


Food for Thought & Action

“Most adults I know aren’t looking for a religion that answers all of their questions, but rather a community of faith in which they feel safe to ask them.” Rachel Held Evans.

Someone penned these New Year Resolutions: This year I want to be more like Jesus.

  • Hang out with sinners
  • Upset religious people
  • Tell stories that make people think
  • Choose unpopular friends
  • Be kind, loving and merciful
  • Take naps on boats

+ Jimmy Carter Applied His Faith to the Messiness of Politics. We Should Too.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Thursday:
    • 11am-1pm. Social Club (upstairs of the Village Well)
    • 1:30-2:30pm Community Bakehouse (in the Barn)
  • Friday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community Bakehouse (in the Barn)
  • Sunday
    • 9am-1pm Community Shed session (rear 470 Station St)

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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading

Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm

Psalm 36: 5-10

Second reading

1 Corinthians 12: 1-11

Gospel

John 2:1-11

Worship Roster

The Record – 12 January 2025

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Prayer
  • Song: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.
  • Welcome & Community News
  • Offering & Offering Prayer
  • Reflective Worship
  • Song: God in heaven, Lord most high.
  • Sermon: “Hallowed by your name”.
  • Song: Bring Many Names
  • Pastoral Prayer
  • Song: Immortal, Invisible, God only wise.
  • Benediction

Community News

+ We talk about Halloween but what does it mean when Jesus taught his disciples to pray: Hallowed be Your Name? Eddie is reflecting on this phrase this Sunday in the second sermon in our new year series on The Lord’s Prayer.

+ Like to get the weekly ‘Record’ (the Box Hill Baptist online newsletter)? It’ll keep you up to date with what’s happening in our church and community, forthcoming events, some people news and links to some interesting articles. Speak to Eddie or send him a note with your email to: office@boxhillbaptist.org.au

+ Being a member of Box Hill Baptist means “This is my community of faith. You can count on me to be involved and serve according to my time and gifts and I look forward to counting on you for support and care.” Talk to Eddie or Geoff to learn more of what membership involves, what Box Hill Baptist is on about and how a Baptist church operates.

+ News from Jim and Jane Barr at Walkerville.

Jim and Jane continue as (non-resident) members of Box Hill Baptist and we are glad to announce that Jim has just been appointed a ‘Long Term Supply’ Minister with the Uniting Church, working with the Foster Uniting Church Congregation. The appointment will be for the calendar year of 2025 and is for 1 day per week. It is a small church in the Parish of Corner Inlet. Part of our Parish is a National Park called Wilsons Promontory and we are also on the Great Southern Rail Trail so Jim says, “It’s worth coming to visit us!  We have a hymn service on the first Sunday of each month and a preaching/communion service on the third Sunday of each month.” Jim is also doing some long-range planning and he adds:

“On Easter Day we have a Dawn Service right where the Rail Trail crosses over the Hoddle Range. We worship as the sun rises behind Wilsons Prom and Corner Inlet – one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate the mystery of Resurrection. Contact Jim on 042 546 2277 if you would like to be part of it.”

+ Thanks for the wonderful response to Eddie’s request for help in picking up some of his responsibilities when he is on holiday from 23 January to 18 February. Some outstanding tasks for you to consider include……. Speak to Eddie asap if you can help.

+ Our church has had a long and rich relationship with Whitley College (currently located in Box Hill). If you’re thinking of doing some serious study of the Bible and theology, check out the subjects being offered this semester. If you want to enliven your spiritual life, check out the offerings at WellSpringThis Spirituality Centre is based in Ashburton.


Food for Thought & Action

“Most adults I know aren’t looking for a religion that answers all of their questions, but rather a community of faith in which they feel safe to ask them.” Rachel Held Evans.

Someone penned these New Year Resolutions: This year I want to be more like Jesus.

  • Hang out with sinners
  • Upset religious people
  • Tell stories that make people think
  • Choose unpopular friends
  • Be kind, loving and merciful
  • Take naps on boats

+ Jimmy Carter Applied His Faith to the Messiness of Politics. We Should Too.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Thursday:
    • 11am-1pm. Social Club (upstairs of the Village Well)
    • 1:30-2:30pm Community Bakehouse (in the Barn)
  • Friday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community Bakehouse (in the Barn)
  • Sunday
    • 9am-1pm Community Shed session (rear 470 Station St)

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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading

Isaiah 43:1-7

Psalm

Psalm 29

Second reading

Acts 8:14-17

Gospel

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Worship Roster

The Record – 5 January 2025

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Prayer for the Gathering
  • Song – Take this moment Time and Space
  • Welcome and Community News
  • Offering
  • Reading Matthew 6: 5-13 and Luke 11: 1-4
  • Song – Lord let me see
  • Sermon – Lord, teach us to pray
  • A moment for Reflection
  • Song – Make me a channel of Your peace
  • Communion
  • Prayers for Community
  • Song – One More Step
  • Benediction

Community News

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

+ Also, on this first Sunday of the month we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

+ As we commence a sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer this Sunday our hope is that it will energise our personal prayer as well as our prayer as a congregation. We could:

1-Make the Lord’s Prayer a framework for our regular prayer, taking each clause at a time and allowing those words to suggest people and issues we want to pray for.

2-Repeat the words slowly and meditatively allowing new insights and thoughts to arise.

3-Make each clause your ‘prayer of the day’—Sunday: Our Father, Monday: Hallowed be your Name, Tuesday: Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, Wednesday: Give us this day our daily bread, Thursday: Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, Friday Deliver us from evil, Saturday: The Kingdom, the power and the glory.+ Being the first Sunday of the month our offering will include non-perishable food items for the needy in our area.


+ With Eddie taking some leave in late January-early February, there are opportunities for you to help out with some small jobs to help things going – There’s a huge range of different things from watering the garden, putting out and returning the church bins, helping out with putting the worship presentation together, or sending out the regular emails. Plus, we’ll need someone to help out with cleaning over those few weeks. If you think might be able to help out, please speak to Eddie this week.


Food for Thought & Action

David Brooks, Opinion Columnist, writes about his spiritual journey in ‘The Shock of Faith: It’s Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be,’ New York Times (Gift article), 19 December 2024. [Thanks to Graeme Davison for this recommendation]

Sarah Kassim celebrates Christmas and New Year with Christian friends in Syria and discovers that Christians are experiencing a new freedom to express their faith in this new era. Aljazeera.

Vale Jimmy Carter, US President, Baptist church member, Sunday School teacher, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, human rights campaigner… Jimmy Carter was once introduced as someone who used his Presidency as a stepping stone to greatness. When most would view the presidency as the pinnacle of achievement, Carter saw it as merely a platform to launch his most meaningful work – decades of humanitarian service, peace-making, and advocacy for the world’s most vulnerable people… Columnist Nicholas Kristof writes that his admiration for the former president came after traveling with him to Africa as part of a campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease. He told me of seeing patients in agony from Guinea worm, which looks like a long white thread of spaghetti and can grow three feet long under the skin. “Little 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children were screaming uncontrollably with pain,” Carter told me. “I cried, along with the children.” Kristof writes, “I admire a man who seeks out suffering children, weeps unashamedly with them — and then does his utmost to eradicate the parasite that torments them.” Another article and this one.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Thursday:
    • 11am-1pm. Social Club (upstairs of the Village Well)
    • 1:30-2:30pm Community Bakehouse (in the Barn)
  • Friday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community Bakehouse (in the Barn)
  • Sunday
    • 9am-1pm Community Shed session (rear 470 Station St)

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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading

Jeremiah 31:7-14 

Psalm

Psalm 147:12-20

Second reading

Ephesians 1:3-14

Gospel

John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Worship Roster

The Record – 25 December 2024

Order of Service

  • SONG: Come and join the celebration
  • Opening Litany
  • Passing of the peace
  • SONG: O Come all ye faithful (Combined with the Advent candle lighting)
  • Welcome, notices, etc.
  • Bible Reading
  • Musical interlude – Away in a Manger
  • Reflection
  • SONG: Hear How the Bells (All Creatures of Our God and King) – see below
  • Prayer & Benediction
  • SONG: Joy to the World

Community News

We wish everyone a peaceful, renewing, joyful Christmas as we gather together there this morning, and with friends and family over today and days to come.

We feel privileged to have shared the journey through Advent with you, and the many events and experiences through which we’ve experience God, and engaged with and supported our local community.

For those who are travelling and journeying, we wish you all safe travels and look forward to welcoming you back in 2025.

+ This morning our retiring offering will go to support victims and communities impacted by the Vanuatu earthquake on the 17th of December, through CARE. We invite you to place your offering in the plates before you leave, or you can donate online at: https://www.care.org.au/appeals/vanuatu-earthquake-appeal/


Food for Thought & Action

For some Christmas listening, check out the final 2024 edition of Life & Faith, by the Centre for Public Christianity – featuring Tim Costello & Mark Stephens.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Last Breakfast service – 29 December @ 10am

Worship without Words – A Year in Reflection – 29 December @ 7pm

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Thursday:
    • No events this week, including Bakehouse and the Social Group.
  • Friday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community 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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading and Psalm

Isaiah 62:6-12

Psalm 97

Second reading

Titus 3:4-7

Gospel

Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20

Worship Roster

The Record – 22 December 2024

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Opening Prayer
  • Song – In Bethlehem 
  • Passing of Peace and Love
  • Lighting of the Advent Candle
  • Silent Night Performance
  • Welcome & Community News
  • Offering
  • Song – Little Town of Bethlehem 
  • Bible Reading
  • Sermon
  • Song – Every Star
  • Decorating the Christmas Tree
  • Prayers for the World
  • Song – Angels from the Realms of Glory
  • Benediction

Community News

“Thank you to all those who provided gifts for the children of Jubilee Housing. We received a wonderful variety of gifts for those in our Box Hill and Burwood housing complexes. They were distributed and received with joy and excitement. One young girl was jumping up and down when we gave her the gift, a beautiful moment. Please know you have made a big difference to these families at a time when life is challenging for so many. Thank you to the Box Hill Baptist Church Community for your ongoing support of our program. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with joy and celebration. Meredith Beaton (Pastoral Care Worker)

+ An immense thanks to Lynne and Keith Dyer and the entire team of volunteers who supported Wednesday’s first Nandos Community Christmas meal taking place in the Barn, which served about 160 people from our local community.

+ Check out the new 10 week in-person course at the WellSpring Spirituality Centre (Ashburton) on Meditation and Mindfulness in the Christian Tradition.

+ Thanks to Mary Edgar who is happy to share the labyrinth on her Blackburn property for quiet half-days or to be used informally.

+ On the first Sunday in January we will commence a new sermon series on The Lord’s Prayer.


Food for Thought & Action

James White writes about ‘AI Jesus’, Church & Culture, 16 December 2024.

Pope Francis, “There is Faith in Humor,” New York Times (gift article) 17 December 2024.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Christmas Day Service – 9:30am (finishing about 10.15am)

Last Breakfast service – 29 December @ 10am

Worship without Words – A Year in Reflection – 29 December @ 7pm

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Thursday:
    • No events this week, including Bakehouse and the Social Group.
  • Friday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community 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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading and Psalm

Micah 5:2-5a

Psalm 80:1-7

Second reading

Hebrews 10:5-10

Gospel

Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Worship Roster

The Record – 15 December 2024

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Song: Joy to the World
  • Prayer of Gathering and Confession
  • Welcome & Community News
  • Song: Infant Lowly
  • Offering & Prayer
  • Bible Reading: Matthew 1:18-24
  • Song: Carry me to Bethlehem
  • Sermon: ‘Ordinary Joe or Holy Joe?’
  • Reflection & adding to our Christmas Tree
  • Hymn: Where do Christmas songs begin?
  • Pastoral prayers
  • Sung Benediction

Community News

+ A wonderful opportunity to gather over dinner and music last night at our Carols Dinner. Thanks to everybody who joined in and shared in preparing food, cleaning up, and especially making our many visitors feel welcome.

+ Many regular activities—Community Choir, Bible Study Groups, Prayer Link, English Language Group, Playgroup—have finished for the year. The Thursday Social Chat Group (11am-1pm) and the Thursday and Saturday Bakehouse will continue throughout the holiday period except on Boxing Day.


Food for Thought & Action

Shalailah Medhora asks, ‘Why More Australian Gen X Men are Finding Meaning in Organised Religion, ABC News, 6 December 2024.

Did you ever read ‘The Late Great Planet Earth’ (the best-selling nonfiction book of the 1970s)? The author, Hal Lindsey, has died but the ideas he popularized will continue to shape evangelicalism. Religion News Service, 5 December 2024.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Christmas Day Service – 9:30am (finishing about 10.15am)

Last Breakfast service – 29 December @ 10am

Worship without Words – A Year in Reflection – 29 December @ 7pm

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Thursday:
    • 11am to 1pm Social Chat: Coffee, tea, ping pong, gardening activities, simple English language, Tai Chi, friendship making. (Venue: upstairs above the Village Well.)
    • 1.30-2.30pm Community Bakehouse food distribution (in the Barn.)
  • Friday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community 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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading and Psalm

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Isaiah 12:2-6

Second reading

Philippians 4:4-7

Gospel

Luke 3:7-18

Worship Roster

The Record – 8 December 2024

Order of Service

  • Call to Worship
  • Lighting of the Advent Candle
  • Prayer
  • Song: It came upon the midnight clear
  • Welcome & Community News
  • Offering and Prayer
  • Pastoral Prayer
  • Song: O come, O come Immanuel
  • Sermon (Rev Sue McDonald)
  • Song: In a Byrne near Bethlehem
  • Continuing to decorate our tree
  • Benediction & close.

Community News

+ It was a wonderful gathering of people as our Community Shed opened up last Sunday. Thanks to everyone who attended, and of course to Glenn and the other members of the Shed who have helped pull this together. You can find out more about the shed and join here.

+ Tuesday evening is our fortnightly Bible Chats, and we will be exploring Luke 1:26-38. This will be our final Bible Chat for the year, so pop along and share your thoughts on Mary’s role in the Christmas story. From 7:30pm, 5 Ellingworth Pde.

+ This Friday we invite everyone in our community (and your friends, neighbours and family!) to join us for our Dinner & Carols, commencing at 6pm, featuring some favourite songs and a simple liturgy to help us focus on what’s important this Christmas. This will be a potluck style dinner, so if you’re coming please bring along some food to share.

+ At the first meeting of our church diaconate this week, we’re delighted to announce that Shueh Wah Kenned was re-appointed as the Chair for the next year. Thanks Shueh Wah!!


Food for Thought & Action

+ “He lived knowing the reality of Good Friday but holding onto the hope of Easter Sunday to come. And now Tony Campolo knows that hope in full measure. he will be greatly missed.” Tim Costello writes about the late Tony Campolo.


Upcoming events at Box Hill

Friday December 13 – Dinner and Carols @ the Barn – 6pm start as we share in a time of food and festive songs – Please bring a dish to share!

Regular Weekly Events

  • Monday
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Tuesday:
    • Community Choir (in the church) from 9:30am
    • Study Groups from 7:30pm (Village Well) – this week, Bible Chats.
  • Wednesday:
  • Thursday:
    • 10am. English Language Classes (Barn)
    • 11am to 1pm Social Chat: Coffee, tea, ping pong, gardening activities, simple English language, Tai Chi, friendship making. (Venue: upstairs above the Village Well.)
    • 1.30-2.30pm Community Bakehouse food distribution (in the Barn.)
  • Friday
    • 10am to 11.30am Playgroup for children 0-5 years of age and their parents. Grandparents and carers in the Barn.
    • 6pm-9pm. Social Table Tennis (upstairs of the Village Well)
  • Saturday
    • 7:30-8:30am Community 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!)

  • Explorers, & Bible Chats: Tuesdays, 7:30pm at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde). The groups undertakes studies on a diverse range of topics including scripture, books, videos, and other resources.
  • KYB (Know Your Bible): Tuesdays fortnightly via Zoom. (Convenor: Helen Timms)

Bible Readings for this week

First reading and Psalm

Malachi 3:1-4

Luke 1:68-79

Second reading

Philippians 1:3-11

Gospel

Luke 3:1-6

Worship Roster

Worship without Words

Looking for a fresh, peaceful way to connect spiritually? Join us for Worship without Words, an evening of quiet contemplation and shared reflection, where music, imagery, and movement create space for worship beyond language.

This service is designed to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, welcoming people from all backgrounds. By removing words, we create a more inclusive and contemplative environment, allowing everyone to experience worship in their own way – through sound, sight, and stillness.

📅 Date: September 29 (and the last Sunday of each month thereafter)
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Box Hill Baptist Church

Whether you’re new to faith, exploring spirituality, or just in need of peace, this is a unique opportunity to gather, reflect, and find quiet connection. Come as you are and experience worship without words.

Welcome Wei Min!

We’re very excited to introduce Wei Min Zhang to the team to Box Hill Baptist Church, as Min works alongside our community here for the next 3 months to help build stronger bridges between the church and our local Mandarin-speaking community members.

She’ll be doing some invaluable work in helping people connect to BHBC’s programs and activities, as well as helping inform the church about how we can best support our community.

Min will be popping up all over the place in the coming weeks, so we hope you find a chance to say hi!

Tuesday Together

Free on a Tuesday evening? Then join in with some warm fellowship and insightful study as a number of our bible and study groups gather together in the one place with something for everyone!

Join us at 7:15pm for supper, and then at 7:45pm we split into two groups:

  • Bible Chats – Which looks at the upcoming lectionary reading and together with Rev Geoff explores its interpretation, meaning and application – and helps inform the sermon for the following Sunday! So a great opportunity to help yourself grow, and contribute to the growth of our entire church!
  • Explorers – Who are taking on the challenge of creating a new, biblically grounded, contemporary and inclusive introductory series for people new to the faith (or just wanting to find out more). If you’d love to get behind that, we’d love to have your input!

Everyone is welcome – whether you’re a regular member, or a complete newcomer. We’d love to see you there.

It all takes place at the Village Well (5 Ellingworth Pde – just two doors down from the church).