On Saturday, March 28, we’re inviting our church family and youth to experience one of the biggest nights of Christian music of the year: Winter Jam 2026 at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA.
Winter Jam is the largest annual Christian music tour in the United States, bringing together top artists from across the Christian music world for a powerful evening of worship and encouragement.
This year’s lineup includes artists like Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Katy Nichole, Hulvey, Disciple, Emerson Day, and Newsong, along with speaker Zane Black.
Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026 🕕 Show Time: 6:00 PM 🚪 Doors Open: 5:00 PM 📍 Location: Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA
One of the great things about Winter Jam is that no tickets are required. Admission is simply a $15 donation at the door, making it an affordable way for youth, families, and friends to experience an incredible night of worship together.
Why We’re Going
This event is a great opportunity to:
Worship together with thousands of believers
Experience live Christian music
Encourage our youth to grow in their faith
Invite friends and families to join us
Events like this help create meaningful moments where students, parents, and church families can encounter God together.
Interested in Joining Us?
This event is open to youth and anyone who wants to attend.
If you have questions or want more information, contact:
In Part 3 of our Listen to Jesus series at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA, Pastor Zoe Hatcher leads us into a clandestine nighttime meeting between Jesus and a Jewish leader named Nicodemus. We’ve followed Jesus to the mountaintop. We’ve followed Him into the wilderness. Now we listen in as He explains one of the most essential truths of the Gospel: You must be born again.
📺 Watch the Full Message Here
You Must Be Born Again
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” -John 3:1–8
Jesus doesn’t ease into the conversation.
Nicodemus begins respectfully. He acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God. But before Nicodemus can ask his theological questions, Jesus cuts straight to the heart:
No one can see the Kingdom of God unless they are born again.
Not improved. Not reformed. Not more religious.
Born again.
Just as physical birth is required to live in this world, spiritual birth is required to enter eternal life. You cannot exist physically without being born of flesh. And you cannot enter the Kingdom without being born of the Spirit.
Spiritual rebirth is not something that can be controlled or manufactured. The Spirit moves like the wind — unseen, powerful, impossible to manipulate. Just as you had nothing to do with your physical birth, you cannot control your spiritual birth. It must be surrendered to. It must be received as a gift.
You do not receive eternal life because your parents brought you to church. You do not receive eternal life because you were raised in a Christian home. You do not receive eternal life because you know the Bible.
You must be born again.
Who Was Nicodemus?
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,”said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
-John 3:9–13
Nicodemus was not spiritually uninformed. He was a Pharisee. A teacher of Israel. A member of the Sanhedrin — the Jewish ruling council.
He lived in Jerusalem. He was respected. He knew the Scriptures thoroughly.
Yet he came at night.
Why? Likely fear. Fear of being publicly associated with Jesus. Fear of his peers. Fear of exposure.
But he came personally.
He did not send an assistant. He did not rely on secondhand accounts. He sought Jesus for himself.
And that reveals the first truth:
1) Seek a Relationship with Jesus for Yourself
No one else can do this for you.
Nicodemus examined Jesus’ life and teaching personally. He separated fact from rumor. He came with questions.
No matter how educated or intelligent you are, you must come to Jesus with humility — ready to be taught.
Humility Is Required
Nicodemus knew what the Kingdom meant from Scripture. He knew it would be ruled by God. He knew it would be restored on earth. He knew it involved God’s chosen people.
But Jesus reveals something revolutionary.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. -John 3:16–18
The Kingdom is not limited to one nation. It is not reserved for one ethnicity. It is not secured by religious status.
God so loved the world.
And even Nicodemus — a Pharisee, a religious leader — must be born again.
This leads to the second truth:
2) Be Humble Enough to Learn
Intellectual knowledge does not guarantee salvation.
You can know Scripture and still miss the Savior. You can understand theology and still need transformation.
The Kingdom is personal. Entrance is repentance and spiritual rebirth. Everyone must receive it.
Lay Down the Old to Receive the New
Jesus then says something that seems strange at first.
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14–15
Why bring up a snake in the wilderness?
Because nothing Jesus says is random. He knows exactly who He is speaking to. Nicodemus would immediately recognize the reference.
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. -Numbers 21:4–9
In the wilderness, the Israelites complained against God. Venomous snakes came among them. Many died. There was no cure. No anti-venom. No escape.
Then God instructed Moses to lift up a bronze serpent on a pole. Anyone who looked at it in faith would live.
It was not the bronze that healed them. It was their belief in God expressed through obedience.
That bronze serpent was a type — a symbol — pointing forward to Christ.
Just as the serpent was lifted up, Jesus would be lifted up.
Just as those bitten could look and live, those poisoned by sin can look to Christ and live.
The third truth:
3) Lay Down the Old to Receive the New
Nicodemus knew the Law. He knew the Old Testament. But he needed a relationship with the God those Scriptures revealed.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 12:1–2
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
The Israelites were dying from snake bites — suffering intensely — and God provided a way. When they obeyed and looked up, they lived.
Sin is a deadly bite. The Cross is the cure.
Jesus is the Healer lifted up for us.
What Is Eternal Life?
Eternal life is not simply an extension of this mortal life.
It is not living forever in the same broken condition. It is life without death. Life without sickness. Life without evil. Life without separation from God.
We often live as if this world is all there is. Like children in the backseat of a long road trip, complaining: “Are we there yet?”
All we can see is the discomfort of the moment.
But eternity is the destination.
Eternal life changes perspective. It shifts how suffering is viewed. It gives hope beyond the present moment.
But belief is more than intellectual agreement.
Belief means trust. It means leaning your weight on Him. It means putting Jesus in charge of both your present life and your eternal destiny.
Heaven and Hell Are Real
We will all live eternally.
The question is where.
Heaven is eternal life with God. Hell is eternal separation from Him.
Hell is not fictional. It is not symbolic. It is separation from the love and presence of God.
Not choosing Jesus is already a choice.
And today is the second chance.
If you woke up today, if you are reading this, if you are hearing this message — this is grace extended. This is opportunity.
Tomorrow is not promised.
The Invitation: A, B, C
Salvation is simple — though following Jesus costs everything.
A — Admit your sin and accept His forgiveness. B — Believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior. C — Choose to follow Him with your life.
You do not become a Christian by sitting in church. You do not become a Christian by wearing a cross. You do not become a Christian by proximity.
You must choose.
Be born again.
No One Is Beyond Reach
Nicodemus began in the shadows. Later, he defended Jesus publicly. Eventually, he helped bury Him.
God was patient. God was persistent. God transformed him.
No one is unreachable.
Perhaps you once said you would never step into a church. Yet here you are. And the building is still standing.
God can reach anyone. God can change anyone. God can use anyone who is willing.
Pray This Today
If you are ready to make that choice, pray this from your heart:
Father God, Thank You that You love me. Thank You that You love me enough to send Your Son, Jesus, to die for me.
I confess that I have sinned. I have done wrong. I have hurt people. I am sorry.
Please forgive me.
I believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior. I choose You, Jesus.
Cleanse me. Make me new.
Give me boldness to tell others about You and to follow You faithfully with my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your Next Step
If you have never personally chosen to follow Jesus, today is the day.
If you are unsure of your salvation, ask Him. The Holy Spirit gives assurance.
If you have been a quiet believer, step into the light.
You must be born again.
Plan a Visit or Support the Mission
If you made a decision to follow Jesus, or if you would like someone to pray with you, we would love to connect.
👉 Plan a Visit Join us Sunday mornings at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA.
If you would like to support the mission of Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA:
👉 Give Here Your generosity helps us continue sharing the hope of Jesus throughout our community and beyond.
Wilderness seasons are rarely something people choose. They often arrive without warning and bring confusion, loneliness, and deep questions. Yet throughout Scripture, wilderness is not only a place of struggle—it is repeatedly a place of encounter.
In this message from the Listen to Jesus series at Open Arms Community Church, Josh Hatcher explores what it truly means to listen to Jesus. Not only to hear His words, but to pay attention to His example, especially His journey into the wilderness before beginning His public ministry.
From the very beginning, God’s design for humanity was not chaos or deprivation, but a garden. God placed Adam and Eve in a cultivated place filled with beauty, provision, and purpose.
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die. Genesis 2:15–17 (NLT)
God did not set humanity up to fail. He gave abundance and one clear boundary. The boundary was not meant to restrict joy, but to protect life. Like a loving parent warning a child about the danger of falling from a great height, God clearly explained the consequence of crossing that line.
The garden was a gift.
But deception entered the story.
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Genesis 3:1–7 (NLT)
The serpent’s strategy was subtle. He did not begin with rebellion, but with doubt: Did God really say? That question still echoes today. Eve and Adam chose to trust a different voice, and with that choice came shame, brokenness, and death. Humanity was expelled from the garden into a broken world—a world Scripture often describes as wilderness, where survival would now require sweat, thorns, and struggle.
The wilderness becomes the backdrop of the human story.
Thousands of years later, Jesus steps directly into that same landscape.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
During that time the devil[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Matthew 4:1–11 (NLT)
Before preaching publicly. Before performing miracles in front of crowds. Before gathering disciples. Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
Not because He failed. Not because He needed punishment. But because preparation often happens in hidden places.
Jesus fasts for forty days and faces temptation from Satan. The enemy first appeals to physical hunger, then to pride, and finally to power. None of these temptations are simply about the surface issue. They are all about obedience. Whose voice will be trusted? Whose authority will be followed?
Each time, Jesus responds the same way: with Scripture.
He shows that victory over temptation is not found in willpower alone, but in a heart anchored in God’s Word.
Scripture tells us that this was not the only moment Jesus was tempted.
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:14–15 (NLT)
Jesus understands human weakness. He knows hunger, exhaustion, desire, grief, and loneliness. Yet He did not sin. Because of this, He stands as both our perfect example and our perfect sacrifice.
The contrast between Adam and Jesus becomes clear.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:12–19 (NLT)
One man’s disobedience brought death to all. One Man’s obedience brings life to all.
Adam failed in a garden full of provision. Jesus overcame in a wilderness of deprivation.
Where humanity fell, Christ stood firm.
The wilderness theme continues throughout Scripture. Moses encounters God in a burning bush while living in the wilderness. Israel wanders for forty years and is guided by God’s presence as fire and cloud. David hides in caves while being hunted, and some of his most beautiful psalms are written there.
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.
I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.
But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals. But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear to tell the truth will praise him, while liars will be silenced.
Psalm 63 (NLT)
Over and over, God reveals Himself in desolate places.
The wilderness is not cursed. It may be hard. It may be lonely. It may be painful. But God’s presence is there.
Personal wilderness seasons often come in many forms—job loss, family crises, health struggles, grief, shame, or fear about the future. These seasons can stir anger, doubt, and honest questions toward God. Yet Scripture never promises a comfortable life. What God promises is His presence.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
Sometimes God does not immediately explain the “why.” Sometimes He simply draws near.
Listening to Jesus means slowing down enough to notice that nearness.
An Invitation to Listen
Listening to Jesus means slowing down enough to notice His nearness.
It means allowing space for prayer, reflection, and imagination.
Picture yourself lost, cold, exhausted, and afraid in the wilderness.
Then picture a fire in the distance. Warmth. Food. Light.
Jesus waiting.
Not angry. Not disappointed. But welcoming.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe. I’m here.”
What might Jesus be saying in this moment?
The Breastplate of St. Patrick
I arise today through The strength of heaven, The light of the sun, The radiance of the moon, The splendour of fire, The speed of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of the sea, The stability of the earth, The firmness of rock.
I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul, Christ to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.
If this message stirred something in you, we invite you to take a next step.
We’re inviting everyone to be part of our upcoming Church Work Day at Open Arms Community Church on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
This church-wide day is an opportunity to serve together and care for the space we share as a church family.
What Is Church Work Day?
Church Work Day is a time set aside for practical, hands-on service. From organizing and cleaning to maintenance and small projects, every helping hand makes a difference.
There’s something meaningful about working shoulder to shoulder — building ownership, strengthening community, and stewarding the place where we gather each week.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: Open Arms Community Church
You can come for the whole day or just part of it. Every hour matters.
As Open Arms Community Church enters the season of Lent, Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher launched a new teaching series called Listen to Jesus—a call to slow down, remove distractions, and return to the most essential practice of Christian discipleship: hearing and obeying the words of Christ.
Throughout Advent and the weeks that followed, the church journeyed toward salvation, witnessing Jesus as the light of the world. Now comes the next step. To follow Jesus is not only to admire Him or believe in Him, but to listen to Him.
This message centers on a moment in Scripture where God the Father speaks audibly from heaven and gives a command that still shapes the life of every disciple today:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”
Watch the Message
A Glimpse of Glory on the Mountain
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,”he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead
Matthew 17:1–9
Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, away from the crowds. There, before their eyes, He is transfigured. His face shines like the sun. His clothes become brilliant white. Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with Him. Then a bright cloud covers them, and God’s voice speaks from heaven.
This moment, known as the Transfiguration, is a brief but breathtaking glimpse of the true glory of the King. It is a special revelation of Jesus’ divinity and God’s affirmation of everything Jesus has done and everything He is about to do.
The disciples are not simply witnessing a miracle. They are being shown who Jesus really is.
This Is My Son
God’s first declaration is unmistakable: Jesus is His Son.
Jesus is not merely another prophet. He is not simply a great teacher or religious reformer. He is greater than all who came before Him. Born of the Virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is God in the flesh.
In this moment, the Trinity is revealed. The Son is glorified. The Spirit is present in the cloud. The Father speaks from heaven. The fullness of God is made known before three ordinary men.
Whom I Love, With Him I Am Well Pleased
God does not only declare Jesus’ identity. He reveals His heart toward Him.
The Father loves the Son. Not reluctantly. Not distantly. He delights in Him.
The Greek word translated “well pleased” carries the meaning of taking pleasure in, approving of, choosing, and preferring. God does not merely tolerate Jesus—He delights in Him. He approves of Him. He has chosen Him.
This identity is the foundation from which Jesus lives and ministers. Secure in the Father’s love and approval, Jesus faces opposition, rejection, suffering, and ultimately the cross. Nothing can shake who He knows Himself to be.
And in a profound way, this same love is extended to those who belong to Christ.
A Familiar Voice at the Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry
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.” Matthew 3:16–17
These same words were spoken when Jesus was baptized. At the very beginning of His ministry, heaven opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father declared Jesus’ identity.
But in Matthew 17, God adds something new.
“Listen to Him.”
What It Truly Means to Listen
The word “listen” in this passage is far richer than casual hearing. It carries the idea of hearing with understanding, perceiving, considering, and learning by hearing.
Listening to Jesus is not allowing His words to pass through the ears and quickly fade. It is receiving them deeply. It is letting them settle in the heart. It is learning from them. It is being shaped by them.
To listen, in the biblical sense, is ultimately to obey.
This is what it means to be a disciple.
Why Moses and Elijah Appeared
Moses represents the Law. Elijah represents the Prophets.
Together, they stand for the entire Old Testament witness. Their presence alongside Jesus declares something unmistakable: everything God has spoken through the Law and the Prophets finds its fulfillment in Christ.
Jesus is not replacing Scripture. He is completing it.
This moment reveals the New Covenant standing in continuity with everything God has spoken before.
Another Mountain, Another Cloud
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.” When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:12–18
Long before the Transfiguration, Moses ascended Mount Sinai and encountered God in a cloud. God spoke from within that cloud and invited Moses into His presence.
The same pattern appears again in Matthew 17.
God does not call people from a distance. He invites them in.
God desires to be known.
God desires relationship.
God still invites His people into His presence today.
The Fulfillment of God’s Plan
Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus confirm His messianic mission. He is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
Peter, James, and John are given a window into something extraordinary: Scripture coming together before their eyes. The Law. The Prophets. The Messiah.
The Transfiguration is a foretaste of heaven—a glimpse of the glory that awaits those who belong to Christ.
A Moment for Worship, Not Activity
Peter’s instinct is to build shelters, to preserve the moment, to do something.
But this moment is not about action.
It is about adoration.
It is about awe.
It is about listening.
The Father is not assigning tasks. He is giving a command.
Listen to Jesus.
His Presence Is the Sign
Many people ask God for signs.
In Matthew 17, God shows that His presence is the sign.
Jesus is not absent. Jesus is not silent. Jesus is not hidden.
He is present and speaking.
Jesus Speaks What the Father Speaks
For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken John 12:49
Everything Jesus says flows directly from the Father. To hear Jesus is to hear God.
If someone wants to know God’s will, God’s heart, and God’s wisdom, the place to begin is simple:
Listen to Jesus.
Peter’s Eyewitness Testimony
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16–21
After the resurrection, Peter boldly testifies that what happened on the mountain was real. He saw it. He heard it. He witnessed Jesus’ glory and the Father’s voice.
His message is clear: this is trustworthy. This is reliable. This is true.
God said, “Listen to Jesus.”
So listen to Him.
Jesus Alone Is the Authority
Some treat Jesus’ teachings as one religious viewpoint among many.
Scripture presents a different reality.
God commands His people to listen to Jesus.
Jesus is the light shining in the darkness. Jesus is the authority for truth. Jesus is the guide for life.
A Lenten Invitation to Slow Down
Lent is an invitation to pause.
To remove distractions. To create space. To seek God intentionally.
Listening to Jesus does not happen by accident. It happens through intentional time in Scripture, prayer, and quiet attentiveness.
God is still speaking.
The question is whether His people are ready to listen.
If you’re searching for a church in Bradford, PA, Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA is a place where people are discovering hope, healing, and purpose through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
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
