St Paul's Box Hill Podcasts

We look back briefly to the foundation of our current church; and we look forward in a year or so to our new church building in Riversdale Road. Still for us today, God is making all things new - and calling us to participate in his new creation. [Organ/Choir - Easter 5]

Most of us struggle with some kinds of burdens in life. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd, brings us hope and comfort. We need only to follow him - and here are some practical ways. [Organ/Choir - Easter 4]

The news of Notre Dame Cathedral burning sounded like a disaster; but then there was rescue and the hope of restoration. There is a similar pattern in God's rescue and restoration, as with both Peter and Paul in today's readings. We too are rescued and restored - but for what? [Instrumental - Easter 3]

Since the first Easter Day, disciples of Jesus have felt fear. In these days, too, Christians may have good reason to be fearful. But Jesus comes with four words that change everything. [Organ - Easter 2]

On the first Easter morning, there were many surprises in Jerusalem. But why were people surprised? Because they had not remembered all that Jesus told them beforehand. As the angels in the tomb said to the terrified women, "Remember how he told you…?" So too, we need to remember as we carry forward the message. [Organ/Choir - Easter Sunday]

It turns out that the New Testament uses two different words for 'time': the first, for 'clock time', is 'chronos'. The second word, meaning the proper or opportune time for action, is 'kairos' (or as we would say, something happened "at just the right time"). In this service, we walked through the hours, one by one, leading up to Jesus' death and burial. [Organ/Choir/Band - Good Friday]

It's the night of the Last Supper, when Jesus told his disciples to "Do this in remembrance of me". It's true that repeating the actions helps us to remember. But more than that: as with the original celebrations of the Passover, these actions renew our participation in God's saving grace. [Organ/Choir - Maundy Thursday]

Today, Palm Sunday, is also known as Passion Sunday. In the story of this last week leading to the crucifixion, we hear an astonishing array of voices. Voices that mock, betray, insult… and also cry for help. And above all, we hear the one voice of Jesus, and the promise he makes. [Organ/Choir - Palm Sunday]

When Jesus stopped at Bethany for dinner with the resurrected Lazarus, his sister Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus feet, wiping them with her hair. This was her generous response to Jesus' gift of life, as well as her anointing Jesus for what awaited him in Jerusalem. Jesus also gives us the gift of life. How can we respond generously? [Organ/Choir - Lent 5]

The parable of the Prodigal Son is really a story of the father's prodigal love. Despite his son's insulting departure and dissolute living, he welcomes home his son with a great celebration of loving acceptance. Today's shortened address followed a live performance of Keith Green's "The Prodigal Son Suite. [Instrumental - Lent 5]

The parable of the gardener comes as Jesus is calling even the righteous people of his day to repent, and to turn back to God. There is a sense of urgency about this. Then he tells of the gracious gardener who tends the fruitless fig tree, rather than just destroying it. Where the owner wants to cut it down, the gardener supports it in one last try to turn it around. For us, this means turning to Jesus, who is the gardener for us. [Organ/Choir - Lent 3]

Away from the cities, the night sky is a dazzling reminder of how immense was God's promise to the ageing Abram. Then Jesus, the Light of the World, also called us to be the light of the world. He promised to be with us. And faith (like Abram's) is this: promise received, and lived. [Organ/Choir - Lent 2]

Lent is often thought of as a time for giving up; but what if we thought of it as a time for taking up? Taking up new attitudes or behaviours, that instead of focusing us on ourselves, focus on others, and on Jesus? And as we struggle with temptations that seem always to cycle around, remember to hold on! God's got you. [Organ/choir - Lent 1]

We all have our life stories, and for Christians, these become faith stories, where looking back we can see God at work in our lives. Today in the story of the transfiguration, God tells the stunned disciples, "This is mySon. Listen to him." And moments later, they are left with just Jesus. And this is all we need, all we cling to -- just Jesus. [Organ/Choir - Transfiguration]

Two Old Testament stories today feature broken relationships, so badly broken that people expect retaliation. Instead, they are surprised by joy when they are received with grace. These are hints about how God receives us with grace to restore our relationship with him. [Organ/Choir - Epiphany 7]

With pastors away at District Convention, lay reader Jordan Smith presents a sermon written by our National Bishop for use in services today. [Organ/Choir - Epiphany 6]

Jesus calls us to be fishers of people. Experience shows that small things (right down to church signage) influence how others welcome our message. What strengths has God given this congregation, and where do we need to grow? Our new senior pastor gives his first impressions. [Organ/Choir - Epiphany 5]

Today we rejoice to welcome our new senior pastor, Pastor Neville Otto. We start from a prayer of Martin Luther, devoting our mouth and heart to God. And God responds, giving us the words and hearts with which to serve. [Organ/choir - Epiphany 4]

Maths teacher and lay reader Karyn Bonnington gives her perspective on the body of Christ (that is, all believers) in the world today. [Organ - Epiphany 3]

The Gospel of John says that the wedding in Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, was the first of his great signs. Visiting Pastor Mark Tuffin explores the rich symbols in this narrative. [Organ - Epiphany 2]