The Adventures of Mo. Lauren and Fr. Kenny

Hello Friends,

This week’s parable from Luke about the Lazarus and the Rich Man is a very vivid one.  There is wonderful imagery of the Rich Man in fine, purple robes, and Lazarus suffering with dogs licking his wounds.  Then, in the afterlife, there is a great chasm separating the Rich Man from Lazarus while the man burns in eternal fire, and Lazarus is comforted.  While this is lovely imagery (there is a lot of beautiful art about this topic), is this what Jesus’ image of the afterlife is for us?  I say, no, of course not.  Parables are not stories that predict the future, rather they are tales that reveal something to us about the present.  So what does this story reveal? <click below!>

Luke 16:19-31, Sermon, Proper 21, Year C, Sept. 25, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Dear Friends,

This week’s story from the Gospel of Luke involves Jesus breaking bread with sinners, and the righteous people grumbling (as usual).  Jesus responds by telling them 3 parables about being lost and found (we only read 2 today).  First we hear about a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep alone to find one, and a woman who searches all night for 1 coin and then throws a big party once it is found.  This is strange behavior to us, but we aren’t the main characters in this parable…..click to hear more!

Luke 15:1-10, Proper 19, Year C, Sept. 11, 2016

Next week I am off to a wedding, so no sermon.

Thanks for stopping by,

Rev. Lauren

Hi Friends,

This week’s excerpt from Luke involves a large crowd, and some strict seeming rules from Jesus.  He tells the crowd what it means to follow Him and what they have to give up in order to be a disciple.  Take a listen:

Luke 14:25-33, Sermon, Proper 18, Year C, Sept. 4, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

This past Sunday’s reading from Luke is a parable about table manners.  Well, of course it isn’t REALLY about table manners, because, hey it’s a parable.  Here Jesus tells the people to break from societal norms and welcome all people.  Take a listen:

Luke 14:1, 7-14, Proper 17, Year C, August 28, 2016

Note: I am giggling at the beginning because there is a little boy who always tries to run up and say “hi” to me.  I tried to give him a high-five, but instead got a firm handshake.  I’ll take it!

Also, I have upgraded my blog from “free” to “pay for it!”  So stay tuned for some updates to the newly renamed therevlauren.com

Thanks for stopping by,

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

This week’s Gospel comes from Luke and tells the story of Jesus healing the woman who was bent over for 18 years.  Yes, Jesus heals her, but then is chastised for working on the Sabbath.  Can the leader of the synagogue really be so cold as to begrudge a woman her healing?  Short answer: no.  Longer answer: it’s complicated, take a listen:

Luke 13:10-17, Sermon, Proper 16, Year C, August 21, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

-Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

This week we read more in Luke and hear about how God gives us the kingdom and then how we should live our lives in that kingdom.  Is this a checklist to get into heaven?  No, of course not.  So what is it?

Luke 12:32-40, Proper 14, Year C, August 7, 2016

Next week I am off back to NY for the weekend, so there won’t be any sermon.  Maybe you will get another treat though….

Thanks for stopping by,

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

This week some people ask Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute, and in return he tells them a parable.  In this parable a rich man hoards his wealth and then ends up alone.  Some think that this is about wealth, but rather it is really about greed, isolation, and hoarding.  Take a listen:

Text: Luke 12:13-21, Proper 13, Year C, July 31, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

In this week’s selection from Luke, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray.  This might seem odd to us now, but it wasn’t such a strange request.  What we get from Jesus is one version of the Lord’s Prayer, a parable, and some catchy sayings.  Take a listen to hear more….

Luke 11:1-13, Proper 12, Year C, July 24, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

This past Sunday we read the story about sisters Mary and Martha.  We all know this one, Martha is working hard, while Mary sits and listens to Jesus.  So, understandably, Martha is a little upset, but why?  What is she doing wrong here?  Is this a competition between the two? (spoiler alert:no)  Take a listen to find out more:

Text: Luke 10:38-42, Sermon, Proper 11, Year C, July 17, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends,

After a week of horrible-ness (I know, not a word) in news and the world, we find ourselves with the familiar tale of the Samaritan who helps a man left for dead on the side of the road.  What a timely message for our broken world.  Take a listen:

Text: Luke 10:25-37, Proper 10, Year C, July 10, 2016

Thanks for stopping by!

the Rev. Lauren