The Adventures of Mo. Lauren and Fr. Kenny

Hello Friends!

This week we jump into the Gospel of John for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany.  John’s Gospel is beautifully written and contains a lot of heavy theology (and some oddly specific details).  Today we get another epiphany surrounding Jesus, as Jesus begins his earthly ministry, not with a grand gesture, rather with a simple invitation: “Come and See.”

Come and take a listen, won’t you?

Text: John 1:29-42

For YouTube click here.

Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Let us always strive to fulfill his dream of a truly equal society based on love and mutual caring for our fellow humans.

Saturday, Jan. 21st, I’ll be at the Boston Common participating in the Boston Women’s March for America supporting civil right and liberties for all people.  Maybe I’ll see you there!  Click here for details.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends and Happy New Year!

This past Sunday was the first Sunday after the Epiphany, aka the Baptism of Our Lord.  We read the account from Matthew.  Jesus goes to see John the Baptist to get baptized, John is reluctant at first, but afterwards something amazing happens!  Take a listen:

Text: Matthew 3:13-17 and Acts 10:34-43

For YouTube click here

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

Today is the day, the Epiphany!  The Wise Men have arrived, which is bittersweet because Christmas is officially over (even though many people probably have already trashed their trees and put their decorations away).  At my house, we will be leaving our decorations up for a little while because we have guests coming (or at least that is our excuse, haha).

Anyway, Epiphany is a very short church season, but lovely none-the-less.  Here is our Proper Preface for Epiphany:

“Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have
caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the
knowledge of your glory in the face of your son Jesus Christ
our Lord.”  ~BCP pg. 378

Jesus is the light of the world, a light to shine in the darkness.  We, as followers of Christ, are that light now.  We need to shine the light of peace, love, understanding, and charity on ALL PEOPLE (no exceptions).

Here are some photos of the Wise guys in their final places:

Duckie Baby Jesus gets his gifts!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and continue to have a blessed Epiphany!

~Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

Today is the last day of Christmas and the Wise Men are almost at their destination!  Tomorrow is Jan. 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany aka 3 Kings Day.  In some cultures Christmas presents are given not on Dec. 25th, rather on Jan. 6th in order to keep in line with the gift giving kings.  Do you think we Americans could wait that long for presents? (I certainly would be impatient.)

Check out our 3 sets of Wise Men as the get nearer to their destinations (I apologize for the photo quality.  I forgot my camera and had to use my phone instead.)

After going down the long hallway, the end is near! Also, how did that camel get up on the table?

A pit stop by the Christmas tree (yes still up-today is the last day of Christmas)

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Time to go their separate ways.

The duckie Wise Men travel across the desk, past Holtzmann, the photo of Frank, and the Post-it ninja, their harrowing journey nearing the end.

If you are confused my this post, check out my last post (which was part 1).

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

On my 12 Days of Christmas post (click here), I introduced you to our various manger scenes and the wise men who were to travel there.  Well, Christmas Day has come and gone and now these kings from the east are on the way!  They will arrive on Epiphany (Jan. 6th) so they haven’t made it yet.  Since I was on vacation last week, here are some progress updates from the start of their trip.  Enjoy!

The star guided them thus far, but Fr. Kenny gives them the rest of the directions…and coffee.

One king skeptically looks over the coffee pods that Kenny offers. To Rev. Lauren, coffee is life, maybe not so for this guy.

Fr. Kenny sees the Wise Guys off on their long journey to the church. Fare well!

A pit stop at the Oasis, i.e. the Keurig. While Fr. Kenny gave them pods for the machine, he neglected to teach the ancient travelers how to use it.

Duckie wise men travel towards the duckie creche….

Be careful duckies…this reminds me of Indiana Jones…

Stay tuned for more Wise Men adventures!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

Happy New Year!  This year January 1st was a Sunday, and January 1st is the Feast of the Holy Name, a feast that I have never celebrated before, but this week we did.  A rare treat!  We celebrate the circumcision and naming of Jesus.  What does Jesus’ name mean to us?  Take a listen:

Philippians 2:5-11 and Luke 2:15-21

If you prefer YouTube, click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

You know that song, “The 12 Days of Christmas?”  Well that isn’t just whistlin’ Dixie.  The Christmas season is 12 days and it BEGINS on Dec. 25th, so don’t throw your tree out just yet.  Click here for my favorite version of the song.

Dec. 25th is known in the church world as The Feast of the Incarnation, the day when we celebrate the birth of Christ.  The next 12 days until Epiphany is Christmas.  Epiphany is when we celebrate the arrival of the 3 Kings/Wise Men.  Please note that the scripture does not specify the number of Kings/Wise men that come to visit.  We arrived at the number 3 because of the number of gifts (and “We undetermined number of Kings” doesn’t translate into a song very well.  Click here for a great version of the song.

Since the kings don’t show up until Epiphany (Jan. 6th, but we are celebrating it on Jan. 8th), if you have a creche, then the kings shouldn’t be in there yet, as they are still on the road.  Which brings me to a fun tradition that Fr. Kenny and I have.  We place the kings around the church and chronicle their trek across the property!  This year we have 3 (yes 3!) different scenes.  First, and cutest, the rubber duckie creche in my office!

Duckie Jesus has arrived!

The kings are far away with the Doctor and Rev. Lovejoy, getting ready to go!

We have 2 more traditional sets in the church proper:

On the piano.

Set up by the baptismal font and artfully decorated by Andrea.

The kings are preparing to get going, but since I am on vacation this week, haven’t left yet!  So stay tuned this week as the wise men travel along to reach the baby Jesus!

The 2 sets have banded together and are gathering supplies.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

Dec. 18th was the last Sunday of Advent.  As you may know, I am a bit of a stickler on the no Christmas until it is Christmas in church stuff.  (You may like to know that at home we are singing Christmas songs and decorating all through December, but in church, Advent is Advent and Christmas is Christmas.)

Anyway, we read Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus, which actually doesn’t feature Jesus, it is more about Joseph and his acceptance of God in his life.  Take a listen!  Please note that this was recorded in my living room (I usually record my sermons as I preach in church).  I didn’t get to record it live, so you may hear a cat or two in the background.

Matthew 1:18-25

To watch on YouTube click here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

We just passed the 3rd Sunday of Advent (the one with the pink candle) and heard the story of John the Baptist in jail.  Last week, he was proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah, the long awaited savior, but this week (much time has passed) John is feeling that maybe Jesus isn’t the one.  What?  Doubt?  Never!  No, just kidding.  Doubt is a wonderful thing, and it is essential to a full life of faith, that a listen:

Matthew 11:2-11

Or for YouTube click here!

Note: the photo today is at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA.  It was the first penitentiary in the US and is now a National Park (after having been abandoned for many years).  It is a super interesting place to visit.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

Today we hear about John the Baptist in Matthew 3:1-12.  He is quite a character.  He lives in the wilderness, eats locusts and roars at people to REPENT!  But, what is repentance really?  Is it all feeling guilty and apologizing?  No, it is a total change of attitude and perspective:

Matthew 3:1-12

To watch on YouTube, click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren