Open Worship - Sermon Audio

Even though most have enough, we are still hungry for something more — something in our spirit. Though it seems counterintuitive, the ancient practice of fasting can help us find something deep and spiritual in the midst of life. Learn with guest preacher and spiritual director, Rev. Kake Nations, as she explores the live-giving practice of fasting.

We apologize for the audio trouble this week, but we wanted to share this helpful message on prayer anyway! Jesus’ disciples asked, “Teach us to pray.” Even though they had seen lots of prayer in their lives, Jesus prayed with an authenticity and deep connection that was like no other. In this sermon, learn from what Jesus taught, and add a practice to your palette to help you connect with the God who loves you.

In a black and white world, we were built to live in abundant color. Learn about some of the ancient spiritual practices like meditation and contemplation that Jesus followers have used to remix their creative palette and be part of making a more loving, colorful world. This video includes a special guided meditation and song by the Open band.

As we go through life, we accumulate wounds and scars and baggage. But God wants to help us be free. Forgiveness helps break the cycle so we can be who we were built to be. Forgiveness is incredibly hard, but it is powerfully life giving. Find out More about this tool for being new and living without baggage.

We find ourselves at the intersection of relationships with God (or something greater), others, and ourselves. Sometimes those relationships are unbalanced or fractured, but Jesus came to put them back together in love. When all of those relationships align, we find a new sense of purpose and an empowering sense of self.

We’re invited to have a style that is new, even when all around is old. There are a lot of old things we can wear around — selfishness, close mindedness, resentment — but Jesus invites us into a whole new way of being and living and clothing ourselves. This new way has love at its center and compassion as its outer layer. Find out how this new style can help you be new when all around is old.

This Sunday, we reflected on the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wall-breaking, bridge-building work that challenges us to answer the call in our time. Like Jesus, MLK worked to make the world new even when the world around him was trapped in the old patterns and prejudices. Learn how Jesus’ wall-breaking work overcame the old walls of separation, and calls us to continue breaking walls and building bridges in our lives. 

It's hard to imagine that things could really be different. But Jesus brought something that wasn't just religion 2.0, it was brand new—and all about a new start in love. Find out how this can be the key to breaking through, being new, and making a difference this year.

In a world of division, suspicion, and even hate, how do we make peace and live out love? Jesus said the kingdom of God, those places where God’s love and live reign, is like a seed that is planted that grows into a tree that gives safety and life to many. Seeds are small, but with nutrients, time, and growth, they can flourish.