St Paul's Box Hill Podcasts

This Epiphany we look at how a star brought wise men (Magi) from the East to a place and person that would change their lives. How we change depends a lot on who or what we’re following. It also depends on who we think we are. May we see ourselves as God does. [Piano - Epiphany]

We all want the best for our children. as did Mary and Hannah in today's readings. To many of us today, Hannah's decision to dedicate her only son Samuel to service in the temple from the age of 3 seems extreme. But is this not the kind of life that we invoke in baptism? [Instrumental - Christmas 1]

Linking back to our Advent series on the various ways we thirst for God, Pastor Aldi talks about how Christmas (the birth of Christ) satisfies our thirst for hope, peace, joy, and love. [Organ/Choir - Christmas Day]

Bono put the artistic reason for his Christianity so beautifully: "the poetic appropriateness of that unspeakable Power manifesting itself as a baby born on straw poverty." In this world, power is misunderstood, and inevitably intertwined with violence and control. The prophets dreamed of a different way -- a different way that came to life on Christmas Eve. [Organ/A capella voices - Christmas Eve]

We all want to share in God's love. But this may not be exactly what we expect. It's not about a warm feeling to make us feel good. True love is sacrificial, unconditional, forgiving, powerful, and abundant. And yes, we are invited to join in. [Organ - Advent 4]

We're all hungry for joy and happiness. But are these the same thing? Does it help to hear "Don't worry, be happy"? Or is joy something deeper, something possible in even the dark hours? Where does it come from? [Organ/Choir - Advent 3]

We all want peace, we say; but what kind of peace are we talking about? What is the peace that really matters? [Organ/Choir - Advent 2]

Advent is a time of hope. And yet our world doesn't always seem hopeful. For example, 2700 years ago, the Jews were led away into Babylon. Everything seemed hopeless, but God had other ideas. What does God have in mind for us? [Organ/Choir - Advent 1]

When Pope Francis addressed a joint sitting of the US Congress last September, he spoke truth into the bastion of power, both right and left. The church has not always been good at avoiding the lure of power. But in his trial, Jesus also spoke truth to those in power, who really didn't understand anything about him. In place of power, Jesus shows us servanthood; in place of violence, compassion. His topsy-turvy world calls us to be citizens of another kingdom, one that has our first allegiance. (This sermon followed a performance of cantata BWV 117 "Sei Lob und Ehr dem hoechsten Gut" (Praise and honour be to the highest good).) [Organ/choir - Christ the King Sunday]

Jesus warned us that being a Christian was not going to be easy. He also warned that the world would be full of strife. But like birth pains, these struggles will be forgotten after our birth into the glorious new life that awaits us. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 25]

The story of the impoverished widow giving all she had to the temple treasury is a hard one for us to hear. Because this is not just about giving more money. This is about giving our entire lives in service to God. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 24]

The glory of God is inexpressibly huge, way beyond our minds' understanding. Consider three mountains: the first is his Creation, which declares the glory of God. This includes his incarnation. Second is the mountain of grief and suffering, which is also the mountain of salvation. Without a cross, there is no crown. Third is the mountain of resurrection, when Jesus overcame death. [Organ/Choir - All Saints]

Recently the national Synod brought our church family together for serious talk about difficult issues, on which we do not all agree. Because we stand united around the Cross, the discussions were conducted in a palpable atmosphere of respect and mutual support. [Organ/Choir - Reformation Sunday]

Human nature is to seek personal advantage. But as Jesus explained to the two sons of Zebedee, this is not the path to greatness in the kingdom of God. The kingdom focus on the other, and on service, is the opposite of human nature. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 21]

Human nature makes it hard to enter the Kingdom of God. First, it's hard to avoid thinking we're "pretty good" and don't really need saving (we prefer a celestial Santa Claus who grants wishes). Then it's hard to avoid thinking we can save ourselves with some kind of self-improvement programme. As the saying goes,we need to let go, and let God. But, as the rich young man found to his sorrow, it's hard when in truth we have money or other gods ahead of Jesus. [Organ/choir - Pentecost 20]

Some people are (perhaps overly) concerned with what the neighbors might think. But in today's text, Jesus tells his disciples (and us) about the opposite - how to think about our neighbors. Jesus calls us to live like him, to approach our neighbors with a generous heart and a light spirit. [Organ - Pentecost 18]

Our identity rests in Christ; but who is Christ? And when we know who we are individually, then who are we collectively together, in the church? [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 16]

An attitude of gratitude is a key part of our praise and thanksgiving. Gratitude lifts us up, like great music; and leads us back to seek more of God's Spirit through Word and worship, through the body and blood of Christ, through our prayers. When we hand over control to God, we know how to live. [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 15]

Today we surround five young people as they confirm their faith in public statements. This is the community where we can uplift, encourage, and help each other in our faith journeys. (This service ran too long for a CD, and so is available as two CDs: the first has the 'normal' Sunday worship components, and the second has the five Faith Statements and the Rite of Confirmation separated out. If you order a CD, please clarify in a comment whether you want just CD 1, or the double CD set.) [Blended Band and Organ/Choir - Pentecost 14]

When Jesus said he was the Bread of Life, and his disciples were to eat his body and drink his blood, many walked away. Yet this is the foundation of Holy Communion. Can we approach this with the same joy that Bach addressed in BWV 49 "Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen" (I go forth and seek with longing)? With all the joy of a wedding feast? [Organ/Choir - Pentecost 13]