Welcome to our congregation! Open Arms presents basic Christian faith. If you are investigating Christianity, or if you are a follower of Christ who prefers contemporary worship, these services are designed especially for you. While we use up-to-date language, music, and drama, our Bible-based message is as eternal as the revelation of God's love through the life of Jesus.

Acts 1:22 NRSV, adapted

…one of these [men] must become a witness with us to [Jesus’] resurrection.

***

This meditation follows the format of Daily Bread, a Community of Christ resource that is available for daily meditation. It includes a short message, a short excerpt from the Daily Prayer for Peace, a spiritual discipline, and a statement of a peace covenant.

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.--Acts 1:21-22

Without the apostolic witness of those early disciples who proclaimed the living Christ, we would not know of Jesus Christ today. Without our witness, others may never experience the peace of Jesus Christ and the blessings of community.

In December 2007, Tony Tristani Jr.'s doctor told him he had terminal colon cancer. Sitting in the hospital with his wife, Tina, the news was devastating. He couldn't breathe. His eyes wouldn't focus.

Through the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, suddenly his mind became clear. He knew that in life or death he belonged to God. Fear left him--Christ's peace became real.

From that moment on, God's grace was alive in Tony. Each day he would pray, "Jesus, please let this cancer open a door that one person might know of God's goodness." During chemotherapy sessions, talking to colleagues, neighbors, and friends, Tony's apostolic witness was bold, inspiring, and transformational.

His message to companion disciples was: "You don't have to have cancer to live your life and witness of Jesus. All a person has to do is accept God's love and share that love with others."

In January 2011, Tony died. While many of us cried over the loss of an exceptional friend, we remembered him saying, "Don't weep for me...I shared my faith along the way with hundreds of people who wanted to talk about God."

May Tony's life inspire us to be bold in our witness, recognizing that each day is a precious opportunity to share Christ with others.

--Linda Booth, Council of Twelve Apostles

Prayer for Peace

Comforting God, bring your grace to life in us, so we may share it with those who are in fear and pain. In life and death, we belong to you.

Spiritual Practice: Connecting with God as Center

Each day this week connect with God through journal writing. Use a notebook, journal, computer, or any available paper. Prayerfully center on your intent to open yourself to God's presence and share what flows from your heart and mind. Your "letter to God" might include thoughts, questions, feelings, needs, artwork, quotes, scriptures, or it may take the form of a prayer, psalm, or poem.

Try to write at least five minutes each day. What do you experience? Is this an effective way to connect with God? What surprises you? What new images or questions from God emerge? What deepens or changes in your relationship with God, Christ, Spirit?

Peace Covenant

Today, God, I will bear my witness and boldly share your love.