Lent is a sacred season in the life of the Church — a time to slow down, turn our hearts toward God, and allow Him to search, refine, and renew us. It is a season of repentance, prayer, fasting, and deeper dependence on the Lord.
This year, Open Arms Community Church is creating intentional space for our church family and our community to seek God together through two simple but powerful opportunities:
Lenten Prayer Service – A gathered evening of worship and prayer
Word for Lunch – Daily Scripture reading and prayer over the lunch hour
Both are designed to help us “eat His Word” and prepare our hearts as we journey toward Easter.
Lenten Prayer Service – Wednesday Night
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Open Arms Community Church Who It’s For: Everyone (church family & community)
The Lenten Prayer Service will be a focused time of seeking God through prayer and worship as we enter the season of Lent. Together, we will quiet our hearts, reflect, and ask the Lord to shape us during this sacred season.
If you are sensing a hunger for God, a desire to start Lent with intention, or simply need a place to come and pray, this night is for you.
No registration required. No childcare provided.
The Word for Lunch – Daily Scripture & Prayer
Starts: Thursday, February 19 Time: 12:15 PM (15 minutes) Location: Open Arms Community Church Schedule: Daily through the season of Lent, leading up to Easter Sunday Who It’s For: Everyone
“The Word for Lunch” is a simple daily gathering for Scripture reading and prayer during the lunch hour. For about 15 minutes each day, we will come together to hear God’s Word and respond in prayer.
Many of us enter Lent with a posture of fasting and repentance. This daily rhythm invites us to replace what we give up with something far better — the Word of God.
We believe that as we “eat His Words” each day, our hearts and minds will be renewed, and we will be strengthened in our commitment to seek the Lord.
Come on your lunch break. Come as you are. Come even if you can only attend some days. There is grace for wherever you’re at.
In this message from Open Arms Community Church, Zoe Hatcher brings the Journey to Salvation series to a close by walking through Isaiah 58—a passage that confronts empty religion and invites God’s people into a faith that reflects His heart. This teaching explores what it means to carry the light of Christ not just through worship, but through obedience, justice, and compassion.
📺 Watch the full sermon here:
When Seeking God Isn’t the Same as Obeying God
Isaiah 58 opens with a sharp command:
“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1
God instructs His prophet to speak plainly—to expose a disconnect between religious activity and faithful living. The people are praying, fasting, and seeking God daily, yet something is broken beneath the surface.
For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them. Isaiah 58:2
On the outside, devotion looks sincere. On the inside, hearts remain unchanged. The tension of this passage presses an important question: Is it possible to seek God passionately while still resisting His ways?
“Why Haven’t You Noticed?” — A Question God Answers Honestly
The people cry out in frustration:
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘And you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’ Isaiah 58:3
They have fasted. They have humbled themselves. And yet, God seems silent.
What follows is not gentle reassurance—but clarity.
Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord? Isaiah 58:3b–5
God exposes the contradiction. Religious sacrifice is paired with exploitation, anger, and selfishness. The fast may look holy, but it produces quarrels instead of compassion. Humility becomes performance. Worship becomes transactional.
God does not reject fasting—but He rejects fasting that never transforms the heart.
The Fast God Chooses
God resets the definition of worship by revealing what He actually desires.
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Isaiah 58:6–9a
True devotion loosens chains, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, shelters the vulnerable, and restores dignity. Worship that pleases God always moves outward.
This is not a checklist—it is the natural fruit of a heart aligned with Him. When obedience replaces self-focus, something changes.
God promises response. Healing follows obedience. Light follows surrender.
When God Answers: The Power of a Cleared Path
God’s desire has never been distance. He wants to answer—but hearts must be prepared to hear.
Selfishness, accusation, and careless words can quietly block spiritual clarity.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, 10 if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. Isaiah 58:9–10
When those barriers are removed, light breaks through darkness. Faith becomes visible. Obedience makes room for presence.
Salt and Light: Jesus Echoes the Call
Jesus later echoes this same truth:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heave n.Matthew 5:13–16
Believers are not only recipients of light—they are carriers of it. Faith is meant to preserve, illuminate, and transform the spaces it inhabits. When belief remains hidden or disconnected from action, its influence fades.
The call is not to dim the light—but to place it where it can shine.
A Well-Watered Life That Restores Others
God’s promise continues:
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
A life shaped by obedience becomes sustained by God’s provision. Even in dry places, He supplies what is needed. There is no drought where God’s purposes are embraced.
And the result extends beyond the individual.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12
Communities are rebuilt. What was broken is restored. Streets become places of life again.
This passage grounds the horizon vision of Open Arms Community Church:
Transformed Community for God’s Glory.
The work of restoration begins with surrendered hearts. Worship and justice are not separate expressions of faith—they are inseparable. When God’s people live what they worship, His light shines unmistakably through them.
The invitation remains open: Not just to sing. Not just to fast. But to live obediently—so that His light may rise.
Take Your Next Step
God’s call in Isaiah 58 isn’t just to hear His Word — it’s to live it out. Here are a few ways to respond:
🔹 Plan a Visit to Open Arms Community Church
If you’re searching for a church in Bradford, PA where faith is lived out with compassion, obedience, and real community, we’d love to meet you.
We want to share an important update from Robert Erickson about his son, Xander, and the difficult days their family has been walking through. In the middle of uncertainty and long hours at the hospital, Robert has seen God’s presence in powerful ways through the love and support of people around him. His words offer an honest and hope-filled glimpse into what this season has been like, and how community becomes family when it matters most. We invite you to read his story and join us in continuing to pray for Xander, Robert, and their entire family.
There are moments in life when everything feels like it stops. When the world narrows down to one hospital room, one set of machines, one tiny heartbeat that means everything. That’s where I’ve been lately—with my son, Xander, in the hospital, fighting through something no child should have to face.
We’ve been at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for almost a week now. Days and nights blur together here. The beeping monitors, the quiet hallways, the prayers whispered at 2 a.m.—this place changes you.
And in that space of fear, exhaustion, and prayer… something beautiful happened.
My community showed up.
Not just one group. Not just one circle. But all of them.
My AA and NA family—people who know what it’s like to walk through fire and come out the other side—wrapped me in support. They sent messages, checked in, and even when they didn’t have the perfect words, they showed love in the way that matters most: presence.
My church family did what the Church is supposed to do.
They prayed. They fasted. They gave. They believed when I felt too tired to believe for myself.
Some of them gave money when they didn’t have much to spare. Others gave time. Some gave tears. All of them gave heart.
And then there are the unexpected heroes.
My piercer—who runs a piercing shop—stood with me in a powerful way. We met before either of us were believers, and now here we are, both walking with faith. He joined me not only in prayer and fasting, but also in financial support for my family during this hospital stay.
That kind of loyalty and love across seasons of life is something I’ll always treasure.
In the middle of monitors beeping and long nights that blur into mornings, I’ve learned something I’ll never forget:
👉 Community isn’t about labels. It’s about showing up when it counts.
AA. NA. Church. A piercing shop. Friends. Family. Believers.
Different paths. Same heart.
You all reminded me that I’m not walking this alone. That Xander isn’t fighting alone. That when one family is hurting, a whole village can rise up around them.
So if you’ve prayed, fasted, given, messaged, checked in, or even just thought about us in this season—thank you.
From the deepest part of my soul, thank you.
You didn’t just help us survive this. You helped carry us through it.
And I will never forget that. 🤍
We ask you to pause and lift up Xander and his family in prayer. Pray for healing, strength, wisdom for doctors, peace in the long nights, and hope that anchors their hearts. Pray for Robert as he walks this road as a father, and that he would continue to feel God’s nearness in every moment. If you’re moved to reach out, encourage, or support in practical ways, know that those simple acts can become powerful expressions of God’s love. Let’s keep standing with this family and believing together for a miracle.
In this week’s Open Arms Podcast message, Pastor Shawn Pierce continues the Journey to Salvation series with a direct and uncompromising call to authenticity. This sermon confronts the subtle but dangerous gap between outward faith and inward transformation, pressing believers to examine whether their lives truly reflect the Jesus they confess. At the center of the message is a challenge that cuts through religious noise: God has never been after performance—He has always been after the heart.
🎥 Watch the Sermon
When Faith Becomes a Mask
There is a version of Christianity that looks right on the surface. The language is correct. The behavior is polished. The routines are consistent. Yet Scripture makes it clear that none of that guarantees a surrendered heart.
It is entirely possible to know when to raise hands in worship, when to say “amen,” and even which verses to post online—while still living a completely different life from Monday through Saturday. That disconnect is not harmless. It is the birthplace of hypocrisy.
When the person who shows up on Sunday morning is not the same person who shows up at home, at work, online, or behind closed doors, something is broken. Faith becomes a role instead of a relationship. Witness turns into obstacle.
This contradiction is addressed plainly in James 3:9–10, where Scripture warns against using the same tongue to praise God and tear down people made in His image.
With the same tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9-10
God’s Case Against Religious Performance
The message then turns to Micah 6, where God calls the mountains and foundations of the earth as witnesses—not against unbelievers, but against His own people. God recounts His faithfulness: deliverance from Egypt, redemption from slavery, provision through leaders, and protection along the journey.
The response from the people sounds spiritual on the surface. They ask what they should bring—burnt offerings, sacrifices, abundance, even their firstborn. But God cuts through the religious bargaining with a response that leaves no room for misunderstanding.
1Listen to what the Lord says: “Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. 2“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel. 3“My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. 4I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. 5My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” 6With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6: 1-8
God is not impressed by volume, sacrifice, or show. He is looking for justice that is lived, mercy that is practiced, and humility that is evident.
Pride Is Always the Problem
Scripture consistently points to pride as the root of separation from God. The fall of Lucifer did not begin with rebellion—it began with pride. A desire to rise above God led to a catastrophic fall.
1 Peter 5:5 reminds believers that God actively resists pride while extending grace to the humble.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5
This pride is contrasted with God’s original design in Genesis 1:26, where humanity is created in God’s image and entrusted with dominion.
and God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds in the sky, and over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground Genesis 1:26
The enemy’s jealousy was rooted in that authority. Humanity was given dominion, and the enemy was cast down into the very realm over which humanity had authority. From the beginning, the strategy has been simple: if humanity could be convinced to forget who they are, authority could be undermined.
The Battle May Be Pointing to the Calling
The struggles believers face are often not random, and they are rarely meaningless. Many of the areas where resistance feels strongest may actually be connected to gifts God has already placed within a person.
What if the fight is not about weakness at all—but about potential?
A struggle with the tongue may exist because a powerful voice has been given, and the enemy wants to keep that voice silenced or misused. A battle with lust may be connected to a heart that was created for deep love and compassion, with the enemy working to reduce it to a counterfeit. Ongoing fear or anxiety may be present because bold faith and courage have been placed within, and stopping that faith before it activates becomes the goal. Anger may surface quickly when the enemy succeeds in redirecting focus toward the wrong enemy. Envy may appear when a unique calling is being ignored in favor of comparing paths. Pride can take hold when gifts are subtly shifted from worshiping the Giver to worshiping the gift itself. Greed may grow where generosity was meant to flow, convincing the heart there will never be enough.
Rather than asking, “What is wrong with me?” a better question begins to emerge: What strength is the enemy terrified of?
The area under attack may be th
The Kingdom Looks Nothing Like the World
The message then turns to Matthew 5, where Jesus outlines the values of the Kingdom through the Beatitudes.
1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
-Matthew 5
Jesus does not bless the impressive, the loud, or the self-made. He blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. These qualities require surrender, not strength. Dependence, not dominance.
The Kingdom of God moves through humility.
God Chooses What the World Overlooks
This truth is reinforced in 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, where Scripture explains that God deliberately chooses what the world considers weak and foolish.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1
God’s purpose is clear: no one stands before Him boasting in their own strength. Redemption, righteousness, holiness, and wisdom all come from Christ alone.
A Defining Question
The message ultimately presses every listener with a decision:
Is church attendance replacing surrender? Is religious language masking real transformation? Is Jesus being discussed—or followed?
God is not asking for more effort. He is asking for honesty. Not perfection, but obedience. Not religion, but relationship.
This is the moment to stop pretending. To remove the mask. To allow life to align with confession.
Responding to the Invitation
When conviction stirs, it is not emotional manipulation—it is the Holy Spirit inviting response. The call is not into flawless living, but into faithful obedience.
Scripture closes the argument clearly:
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Take Your Next Step
If this message encouraged you and you feel led to support what God is doing through Open Arms Community Church, you can give online here: http://openarmscommunitychurch.org/give
February is often associated with hearts, cards, and romance—but at Open Arms Community Church, we believe love is best celebrated in community.
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM, Open Arms will host Community Fun Night, a free, family-friendly event designed to bring people together for a relaxed evening of food, fun, and meaningful connection.
What Is Community Fun Night?
Community Fun Night is a monthly gathering created to be a light in our community. It’s a space where families, friends, neighbors, and newcomers can feel welcome—no pressure, no expectations, just a good night together.
February’s edition will feature:
🍝 A spaghetti dinner for the whole family
🎬 A Family Friendly Movie
💌 A Valentine exchange, including a hands-on craft where families can make their own Valentine mailboxes
Everything is designed to be simple, joyful, and accessible for all ages.
Why We’re Doing This
February is a month centered on love, and this night points us toward the One who truly loves us—Jesus. Community Fun Night is not about putting on a show or hosting a program; it’s about creating space for relationships, laughter, and shared moments that matter.
Whether you’re part of our church family or someone who’s never stepped inside a church before, this night is for you.
Who Is Invited?
Everyone.
Community Fun Night is open to the entire community. You don’t need to register, and there’s no cost to attend. Bring your family, invite a friend, or come on your own—you’ll be welcomed just the same.
Event Details at a Glance
What: Community Fun Night
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Open Arms Community Church
Cost: Free
Registration: Not required
If you have questions about this event, you can contact Angel Atkinson at angelcare@oachurch.com
Pastor Zoe Hatcher of Open Arms Community Church continues the Journey to Salvation series with a message that speaks directly to those who feel spiritually weary, burdened, or unsure of where they stand with God. This teaching explores what it truly means to walk in the light, how Jesus fulfills God’s promises to those living in darkness, and why stepping into the light leads to freedom, joy, and restored fellowship with God and others.
🎥 Watch the Full Sermon
What Does It Mean to Walk in the Light?
Scripture often uses the contrast between light and darkness to describe spiritual reality. Darkness represents sin, oppression, confusion, despair, and separation from God. Light represents truth, freedom, joy, healing, and restored relationship with God.
The prophet Isaiah spoke to people who had lived under deep distress and spiritual darkness. God promised that darkness would not be the final word.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
Isaiah 9:1–4 (New International Version)
When the light comes, Isaiah describes a complete shift: joy increases, burdens are broken, and people rejoice as if at harvest time. This promise pointed beyond temporary relief to lasting deliverance through the Messiah.
How Did Jesus Fulfill God’s Promise of Light?
The Gospel of Matthew shows how Isaiah’s prophecy came to life through Jesus’ ministry.
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:12-23 New International Version
Jesus intentionally began His public ministry in Galilee, in the very regions Isaiah named centuries earlier. By leaving Nazareth and settling in Capernaum, Jesus fulfilled God’s promise that a great light would shine on people living in darkness.
This revealed God’s heart for outsiders, the overlooked, and those weighed down by spiritual heaviness. The light came exactly where it was most needed.
Why Did Jesus Begin His Ministry With the Call to Repent?
When Jesus began preaching, His message was clear and direct: repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17 New International Version
Repentance is not about condemnation or shame. It is about turning—turning away from self-reliance, sin, and darkness, and turning toward God’s truth and leadership. Becoming a follower of Christ means surrendering control and choosing to walk in a new direction.
What Does It Mean That Jesus Is the Light of the World?
Jesus did not simply bring light—He declared Himself to be the light.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 (New International Version)
In a world filled with spiritual and moral darkness, Jesus promised that those who follow Him would never walk in darkness again. To follow Him is to walk with the light continually present, guiding each step forward.
Those who walk with Jesus carry the light with them—an eternal source of direction and life, even when circumstances feel uncertain.
Why Does Jesus Replace Our Heavy Yoke With His Own?
God does not merely remove burdens; He replaces them.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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 (New International Version)
A yoke was a heavy wooden harness placed on animals to pull weight. Jesus uses this image to explain spiritual life. He does not promise a life without work, but a life where the work is shared.
This shared work can be compared to a small child insisting on “helping” an adult. The child feels involved and purposeful, but the adult is doing the heavy lifting. The effort is real, but the burden is no longer crushing. In the same way, Jesus carries the greater weight.
Many people are exhausted by legalism, self-powered effort, expectations, and shame. Jesus offers rest by walking alongside His followers and shouldering what they were never meant to carry alone.
Can Someone Follow Jesus and Still Walk in Darkness?
Scripture addresses this question directly and honestly.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5–7
God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Claiming fellowship with God while continuing to walk in darkness is living outside the truth.
Walking in the light produces true fellowship—with God and with others. That fellowship is possible because sin is brought into the light and purified through Jesus. Without that purification, darkness continues to isolate and divide.
Why Does Darkness Keep Pulling People Back?
Leaving darkness is not always easy—even when freedom is offered.
Temptation often behaves like something alive, something that clings. A powerful illustration of this is found in the Spider-Man character Venom. Venom attaches itself to its host, offering strength while slowly consuming them. Even when the host realizes Venom is destroying them, removing it is painful. And once it is gone, Venom keeps trying to return—stretching, pulling, calling the host back.
That is often how darkness works spiritually.
Old habits, sins, patterns, and mindsets may be destructive, yet they can feel familiar. Even after stepping into the light, temptation can feel like a constant pull—trying to wrap itself back around the heart and mind.
This is why walking in the light is not a one-time decision, but a daily choice to keep walking forward with Jesus when the pull comes.
Why Is the Cross the Only Way Out of Darkness?
If freedom were possible through effort alone, humanity would have achieved it already.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (New International Version)
The message of the cross may sound foolish to the world, but it is the power of God for those who are being saved. Freedom from darkness does not come through willpower—it comes through surrender.
The cross makes it possible to leave darkness behind and walk fully in the light.
What Choice Is Being Offered Today?
Walking in the light requires a decision.
It is a choice to turn away from darkness and walk with Jesus daily. It is a choice to exchange heaviness for joy, isolation for fellowship, and oppression for freedom.
Jesus continues to extend His hand, inviting people to leave the darkness behind and walk with Him in the light. The invitation remains open—to step into joy, to bear His easy yoke, and to begin a new way forward.
Take Your Next Step
Walking in the light is not meant to be done alone. Whether this message encouraged you, challenged you, or helped you see Jesus more clearly, there is a next step waiting for you.
Join Us in Person
If you’re looking for a church community where you can grow, ask questions, and walk in the light alongside others, we would love to welcome you to Open Arms Community Church.
Your generosity helps share the hope of Jesus and makes space for lives to be changed—locally and beyond. Giving is one way to partner in bringing light, freedom, and healing to others.
Looking for a hands-on, meaningful way to engage with Scripture—whether on your own or with your kids? We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Faith & Crafts Workshop, a creative, faith-filled afternoon designed for adults and families alike.
This workshop creates space to slow down, reflect, and create together in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Participants will make Scripture Jars and Scripture Boxes, practical and encouraging projects designed to help keep God’s Word close in everyday life.
Adults are welcome to attend on their own, and parents are welcome to bring their children. Crafts will be available for both kids and adults, making this a great opportunity for families to share a meaningful experience—or for individuals to enjoy a creative afternoon of reflection.
Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026 ⏰ Time: 3:00–5:00 PM 📍 Location: Open Arms Community Church 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
👨👩👧👦 Who It’s For:
Adults attending on their own
Families with children
Community members (open to the public)
📝 Registration: Registration is required so we can prepare enough supplies for everyone attending.
💛 Donations: Donations of $5–$10 are welcome to help cover the cost of materials, but they are completely optional. No one should feel unable to attend due to cost.
🍪 Snacks: A light snack will be provided during the workshop.
What to Expect
Scripture Jars and Scripture Boxes
Hands-on crafts for kids and adults
All supplies provided
A welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere
Take-home projects that encourage faith beyond the event
Questions?
If you have questions about the event or registration, please contact: Lisa Braund or Melissa Robinson 📧 lisab@oachurch.com
We’d love for you to join us for this creative and meaningful afternoon. Whether you come on your own or bring your kids along, the Faith & Crafts Workshop is a simple way to connect, create, and grow together.
Sunday Dinner is a Young Adults microchurch of Open Arms Community Church, centered on shared meals, meaningful conversation, and growing together through Scripture. If you’re a young adult looking for community and a place to belong, you’re invited to join us.
Our New Rhythm
Beginning this season, Sunday Dinner will meet twice a month, typically on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Each gathering includes a shared dinner and Bible study as we continue walking together through the Gospel of John.
There will be a few exceptions due to holidays, so we encourage you to check the schedule below and plan ahead.
Sunday Dinner Schedule
All regular gatherings begin at 5:00 PM and take place at:
📍 869 West Washington Street Bradford, PA
January
Sunday, January 18 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
February
Sunday, February 8 — Super Bowl Party | 5 PM A great night to invite friends and newcomers.
Sunday, February 22 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
March
Sunday, March 8 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
Sunday, March 22 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
Sunday, March 29 (Palm Sunday) — No dinner. Joint Youth & Young Adults gathering at Pitt Chapel, leading worship | 7 PM
April
Sunday, April 12 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
Sunday, April 26 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
May
Sunday, May 17 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
Sunday, May 31 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
June
Sunday, June 14 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
Sunday, June 28 — Regular Bible Study & Dinner | 5 PM
What to Expect
Sunday Dinner is a relaxed, welcoming space for young adults. Whether you’ve been part of church for years or you’re just starting to explore faith, you’re welcome here.
A shared meal around the table
Bible study with room for discussion and questions
Genuine community and connection
No sign-up required. Just come as you are.
We’d love to see you at Sunday Dinner Microchurch, meeting at 869 West Washington Street in Bradford, PA. There’s always room at the table — bring a friend or come on your own.
Pastor Zoe Hatcher continued the Journey to Salvation teaching series at Open Arms Community Church with a powerful message titled “A Light to the Nations (Part 7)”. Drawing primarily from Isaiah 42, this sermon invites the Church to step back into the unfolding story of God’s salvation plan and to see, with fresh clarity, just how expansive, intentional, and grace-filled that plan has always been. What may feel familiar to modern believers is revealed to be nothing short of miraculous: Jesus did not come for one people only, but for the whole world. This was always the plan.
▶ Watch Now:
God’s Servant Revealed: Hope for the Nations
The message opens with the full prophetic passage from Isaiah, spoken centuries before the birth of Jesus. These words describe the Servant of the Lord—gentle, faithful, empowered by God’s Spirit, and sent with a global mission:
Isaiah 42:1–9
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
“This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
‘I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.’”
These verses reveal a Savior whose mission was never small or limited. From the beginning, God declared that His Servant would bring justice, healing, and hope not only to Israel, but to the nations.
An Unexpected Expansion of God’s Plan
For the original audience of Isaiah’s prophecy, this vision was surprising. The Messiah had long been understood as a deliverer for Israel—God’s chosen people. The surrounding nations had their own gods, their own practices, and no covenant relationship with the God of Abraham. From a human perspective, salvation was expected to remain within national and ethnic boundaries.
Yet God revealed something far greater. His plan was never limited by borders or bloodlines. The coming Savior would bring justice, healing, and restoration not just to Judah or Israel, but to the entire world. The broken, the captive, the blind, and the hopeless—wherever they might be found—were all included in God’s redemptive vision.
Jesus Fulfills the Promise
The prophecy of Isaiah does not remain abstract. It finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. At His baptism, God publicly confirms Jesus as the chosen Servant and anoints Him for the work ahead:
Matthew 3:13–17
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’
Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
This moment marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The same Spirit promised in Isaiah now rests upon Him. God Himself declares that this is the One sent to bring light, justice, and salvation to the world.
From Entitlement to Grace
Because centuries have passed since Christ opened the way of salvation, it can be easy to forget how extraordinary this invitation truly is. Familiarity can quietly give rise to entitlement—the assumption that God’s love and inheritance are owed rather than gifted.
Scripture reminds believers that this was never the case. Neither Jewish heritage nor moral effort grants automatic access to God’s promises. The Apostle Paul makes this clear, explaining that all people—Jew and Gentile alike—must come through faith in Jesus Christ.
“Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12)
Salvation is not a birthright; it is grace.
Once Far Away, Now Brought Near
Scripture is clear that Gentiles—those outside of Israel—were once separated from God’s covenant promises. Paul describes this reality plainly:
Ephesians 2:11–13
“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
What was once impossible has now been made possible through Jesus. Outsiders are brought near, not by effort or heritage, but by grace.
One New Humanity in Christ
The Gospel does more than grant access—it transforms identity and dismantles division:
Ephesians 2:14–22
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
In Christ, believers are not simply welcomed—they are made new. Former divisions give way to a shared identity as sons and daughters in God’s household.
A Covenant Response
Such grace calls for a response. The sermon concludes with a Wesley Covenant Service—a historic practice of consecration and recommitment. Salvation is freely given, yet it invites a life fully surrendered to Christ.
To belong to Jesus is to yield every part of life to His will, trusting that the One who brings salvation is also faithful to sustain, lead, and transform.
A Covenant Response
Such grace calls for a response. The message concludes with the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer—a historic prayer of consecration, surrender, and renewal. It is an invitation to fully offer heart, life, and future to God in gratitude for His saving work.
The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer
Let us gather here before the Lord now in covenant, and commit ourselves to Christ as His servants. Let us give ourselves to Him so that we may fully belong to Him.
Jesus Christ has left us with many services to be done. Some of these services are easy and honorable, but some are difficult and disgraceful. Some line up with our desires and interests, others are contrary to both. In some we please both Christ and ourselves, but in others we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.
Let us pray:
Let me be Your servant. Let me follow Your commands. I will no longer follow my own desires. I give myself completely to Your will.
I am not my own. I am Yours alone. Make me into what You will. Rank me with those You will. Put me to use for You. Put me to suffering for You. Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You. Let me be lifted high for You or brought low for You. Let me be full or let me be empty. Let me have all things or let me have nothing.
With a willing heart, I freely give everything to Your pleasure and disposal.
Christ is Savior to those who are His true servants. He is the source of all salvation to those who obey. To be His servant is to consent fully to His will. Christ will be all in all, or He will be nothing.
Reflect and Pray
In what ways does remembering salvation as a gift reshape gratitude and humility?
How does belonging to God’s household change daily priorities and commitments?
What does it look like to live fully consecrated to Christ today?
Jesus came as a Light to the Nations—not as a last-minute adjustment, but as the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. The invitation remains open, calling all who believe to live as people brought near by grace.
