The Adventures of Mo. Lauren and Fr. Kenny

Hello Friends,

In this week’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus walks on water across the stormy sea, what a great image that is.  Currently, we are living in our own storm, a storm of hate, anger, division, and evil.  Jesus taught us to love others, not hate, to treat others as we want to be treated, not oppress.  We as Christians need to stand up against hate in all its forms, especially the white supremacy we have seen recently in the US, particularly in Charlottesville, VA.  It isn’t only there, it is everywhere.

Matthew 14:22-33

Sermon, Proper 14, Year A, August 13, 2017

Here is a link to Bishop Gates’ statement:

http://www.diomass.org/diocesan-news/bishop-calls-prayer-following-charlottesville-violence

Thanks for stopping by and fighting the good fight!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

August 6th was the Feast of the Transfiguration, which gave us a little break from our usual Ordinary Time reading.  We hear the story from the Gospel of Luke.  The story has to do with identity (Jesus’ identity) and prayer, take a listen to hear more:

Text: Luke 9:28-36

Sermon, Transfiguration, Year A, August 6, 2017 

Thanks for stopping by!

~Rev. Lauren

Here are the sources I quote from:

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997, 379-384.

Lose, David. “Transfiguration C:Worship Transfigured.”   http://www.davidlose.net/2016/02/transfiguration-c-worship-transfigured/

Schauf, Scott. “Commentary of Luke 9:28-36, (37-43).”  http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1572

Dinkler, Michal Beth. “Commentary on Luke 9:28-45.”  http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3005

Hello Friends!

This week in Matthew we continue with parables, but these parables are very short and given in a rapid fire way.  Jesus just spits them all out in a row and at the end asks the disciples if they understand.  Whether they understand or not is another story, but these parables have a lot in common, they are about the invasive and all encompassing nature of God’s Kingdom.

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Sermon-Proper 12-Year A-July 30, 2017

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hi Friends!

This week’s parable is similar to last weeks, in the it involved seeds and grow, it is easy to get them mixed up.  This parable of the wheat and the weeds (or tares) is just as familiar as last week’s parable, and just as complex.  Nothing is as simple as it seems on first read….

Matthew 13:24-30,36-43

Sermon, Proper 11, Year A, July 23, 2017

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

This past Sunday we began a series of parables from Matthew.  The first is the famous parable of the Sower.  This story is very familiar and is one of the rare parables that Jesus “explains.”  But, it isn’t as easy at it seems (as life usually is).  Anyway, take a listen:

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Sermon, Proper 10, Year A, July 16, 2017

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

This week we continue in Matthew, a reading that is a bit chopped up, and Jesus talks about Himself and John the Baptist and then delivers one of the most well know phrases in the New Testament:

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

How do we get to that phrase?  Well, take a listen:

Sermon, Proper 9, Year A, July 9, 2017

Text: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

I’m back from vacation just in time for a National Holiday (here in America anyway).  I hope everyone had a fun and safe Independence Day.

This weeks portion of Matthew continues directly from the week before.  Here Jesus outlines what a life of discipleship might look like.  There are ups, downs, hardships, and joys.  Today, we hear about some of the good things…take a list:

Matthew 10:40-42

Sermon, Proper 8, Year A, July 2, 2017

Here is a link to the article I mention in the sermon by Stanley Saunders: click!

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

The Lectionary tends to jump around, which can be confusing for people who are in the pews listening week after week.  Therefore, I try to always put the reading in context.  Last week we heard the Great Commission in Matthew, but that takes place after Jesus dies and is resurrected.  Today’s reading in Matthew is much earlier in the story.  Here Jesus sends the disciples out on their own for the first time!  What does discipleship look like? (going into the world)  Is it optional? (no).  Take a listen:

Matthew 9:35-10:23

Sermon, 2 Pentecost, Year A, June 18, 2017

Next week I am on vacation, so no sermon.

Thanks for stopping by,

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

Sunday the 11th was Trinity Sunday, the day when we celebrate the Trinity (of course).  The reading this year, however, is Matthew 28:16-20 and is the story we call “The Great Commission.”  It is hard to talk about the Trinity, since it is very confusing, and all the hundreds of years of discussion, debate, and doctrine surrounding it didn’t exist when the Bible was written.  Therefore, it is hard to apply all that doctrine to Biblical texts.  Well anyway, I don’t think I said anything heretical, but take a listen and find out!

Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:4a and Matthew 28:16-20

Sermon, Trinity Sunday, Year A, June 11, 2017

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren

Hello Friends!

Last Sunday was the last Sunday in Easter, otherwise known as Pentecost.  Other than wearing red, and other traditions such as speaking foreign languages, having balloons, flying doves, etc, this is the Sunday that we hear about the Holy Spirit coming down upon Jerusalem.

Acts 2:1-21, take a listen:

Sermon, Pentecost, Year A, June 4, 2017

Thanks for stopping by!

Rev. Lauren