St Paul's Box Hill Podcasts

People have different ways that they like to express and receive love (perhaps you have heard of the book "The Five Love Languages"). But what are God's love languages? And how is God's love available to us today? (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/RNMGOVrIJ7I) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 2]

Disruption is not only something that we experience. The original Christians were also disrupted in their plans for spreading the Gospel. But the Holy Spirit is not stopped, and guides us and brings good fruit from this time. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/OZ5U6aQbqzM) [Prerecorded music - Trinity Sunday, Pentecost 1]

At Pentecost, when devout Jews were celebrating the first fruits of the harvest, the Spirit-filled disciples began to spread the Good News of Christ, and 3000 were added to their number that day alone. The Spirit calls us and is with us still. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/aVJHq1bhOP8) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost]

When Jesus was saying farewell to his disciples, he promised that they would receive power. What is this mysterious power? It is the power of the Spirit working through the Gospel, the power of the story, the same power that is available for us to share. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: hhttps://youtu.be/OVYO7Dipgug) [Prerecorded music - Ascension Day]

In these pandemic days, we are worshipping small in home churches. But there is powerful precedent: the entire church in Europe, with all its current size and wonderful architecture, began with Paul worshipping small in Lydia's home. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/x_QPbsJxz3U) [Prerecorded music - Fifth Sunday of Easter]

Even during this pandemic lockdown, the Holy Spirit leads us into ways to multiply the grace of God through Christians. How does this work? (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/xwWkZXMKbdI) [Prerecorded music - Fifth Sunday of Easter]

Jesus promised life to the full, given abundantly. That might be hard to feel these days, with our viral lockdowns. But there are three ways, right now, that Jesus is working his life abundantly in us. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/TpJPeJQFFoo) [Prerecorded music - Fourth Sunday of Easter]

The two disciples walking to Emmaus were so downcast they did not even recognize who was walking with them (at least until he broke bread with them). Similarly, we can be so absorbed in the daily crisis that we lose sight of our Lord. But he is with us! (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/FzfSaWP_l98) [Prerecorded music - Third Sunday of Easter]

From the first day of his resurrection life, Jesus comforted his disciples with the words, "Peace be with you." And he was especially aware of us, who could not see him in person, and yet who believe. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/ixtnqB9mvAI) [Prerecorded music - Second Sunday of Easter]


Are we feeling "happy" in the midst of social isolation and lockdown with the global coronavirus pandemic? What does "happy Easter" mean in today's context? (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/wwuDmP7zhu0) [Prerecorded music - Easter Day]

Hundreds of years before Jesus was even born, the prophet Isaiah accurately foretold the sufferings of the Anointed One. And almost two thousand years later, what do these sufferings mean for us? How can such horrors be good? (YouTube video of this service: https://youtu.be/-EJkTQz3C2E) {Prerecorded music - Good Friday]


When the Director General of the World Health Organization calls for humility, we are blessed to have the example of Jesus this Palm Sunday. At Easter he is triumphant and victorious; but today, instead of riding in on a warhorse like a conquering hero, he rides in on the foal of a donkey. (Service available as a YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qfjg8X_AAM) [Prerecorded music - Palm Sunday]

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many came to believe in him. But the story includes many other insights helpful to us now, as we adjust to COVID-19 isolation. Who would have predicted, after he deliberately delayed going to Lazarus' family, that "Jesus wept"? Ours is a deeply compassionate God, ever calling us to faith. (Available as a YoutTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZu7jWipACE) [Music recorded in earlier services - Lent 5]

The story of John Newton, who wrote the much loved hymn "Amazing Grace", shows the same story of grace-filled rescue and growth available to us all. (This was the first service streamed via the Internet from our temporary worship space on Riversdale Rd. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeNEBATL-8k) [Piano/vocals - Lent 4]

Like the Israelites journeying through the wilderness, we can sometimes wonder whether the Lord is really among us. But when the Samaritans in today's Gospel heard what Jesus said, they believed. In these difficult times, we cling to Jesus and his word of life. We pray, we listen, we adapt. [Keyboard/choir - Lent 3]

Our service today is in our temporary worship site, adjacent to where our new church is under renovation. The story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem has some echoes for us (chapter 4, vv 1-2, 16-17). [Organ/Choir - Lent 2]

Our last day of worship in our church in Station St. After today's service and a final community lunch and photos, we pick up all we can carry, and walk 2.5 km south to our new home on Riversdale Rd. This is a time when we heard Jesus say, "Don't be afraid." [Organ/Choir - Lent 1]

Today, eleven of our young people confirm the faith into which they were baptised as children. They wear white robes, and today we hear about the Transfiguration, where Jesus' robes were dazzling white. And then just like Jesus, we come back down the mountain to those who need us, and who need to here the story of Jesus. [Organ/Choir - Transfiguration]

For our third service of farewell to Station St, we focus on our past pastors who have served us here, and on all the saints from St Paul's. Former pastor Fraser Pearce speaks on Psalm 84. [Organ/choir - Epiphany 6]

Our second service of farewell focuses on marriage, especially for those whose weddings were in our Station St home. Just as Jesus blessed the wedding in Cana, so he stands ready to bless all who invite him into our relationships. [Organ/Choir - Epiphany 5]