Good Friday Prayer Vigil at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA
Friday, April 18 at 7:00 PM – Saturday, April 19 at 7:00 AM 📍 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
Looking for a powerful and meaningful way to spend Good Friday in Bradford, PA? Join us at Open Arms Community Church for an overnight Good Friday Prayer Vigil—a 12-hour experience of worship, reflection, and intercession in the heart of downtown.
What is the Good Friday Prayer Vigil?
From 7PM on Good Friday until 7AM Saturday morning, our church building will be open for anyone who wants to pray, worship, and seek God. You’re encouraged to come for at least one hour—but you’re welcome to stay all night.
This event is not a service, it’s a holy space for prayer and personal encounter. Whether you sit in silence, pray with others, or worship through music, it’s a time to honor what Jesus did on the cross and cry out for more of His presence in our lives and in our city.
What We’ll Be Praying For:
Spiritual awakening—in our hearts and in the city of Bradford
Healing and restoration—for families, individuals, and neighborhoods
Consecration of our new building—dedicated as a mission outpost to reach the community from downtown Bradford
Why You Should Come:
If you’re searching for Bradford PA Good Friday events that go beyond tradition—this is for you. If you believe prayer changes things—this is for you. If you want to be part of what God is doing in our city—this is for you.
Come for an hour. Stay all night. Let’s fill this house with fire and faith.
📍 Location:
Open Arms Community Church 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA 16701 (Located in downtown Bradford)
Three days had passed since a gruesome public execution. The body was sealed away in a cold dark tomb. Guards posted at the stone blocking the entrance. Yet when the mans loved ones came to grieve, the guards were gone, the tomb was wide open, and the body had disappeared.
If this were a true crime podcast, you’d be hooked by now. Honestly, the people in these days were!
This wasn’t just a whodunnit. This was a case of how this could feasibly even happen?!
The man’s name was Jesus. He was loved by many, hated by the government and ‘church leaders’ and in turn nailed to a cross like a criminal.
And three days after he died… His body wasn’t in the tomb.
Not stolen. Not hidden. He was alive.
People saw Him.
Touched Him.
Ate dinner with Him.
And their lives were completely changed.
This isn’t just an ancient conspiracy theory – it’s the turning point of history.
Possibly it’s the turning point that you’ve been needing too.
Because if Jesus really rose from the dead –
Then maybe you can be forgiven.
Maybe you can find peace.
Maybe you’re not too far gone.
Maybe no matter how you’ve felt in this life, you aren’t alone.
At Open Arms Community Church, we believe in asking the hard questions – and discovering even better answers.
We’re not here to judge you or fix you.
We just want you to know that there’s more.
More love. More hope. More purpose.
And it all starts with an empty tomb.
✝️ Join us for Easter at Open Arms
📍 71 Congress St, Bradford, PA 🕘 Easter Sunday @ 9 AM + 11 AM 🎉 Come as you are. Let’s figure this out together.
Our God is a welcoming God, constantly pursuing, seeking, and inviting people into His loving community. When we welcome someone, we bring them from being a vulnerable outsider to being connected. But welcoming is more than just entertaining guests or inviting people to church—it’s about cultivating a welcoming presence wherever we go. It all starts with our intention and attitude.
Creating a truly welcoming space requires: honesty, authenticity, common interests, flexibility, generous hospitality, good conversation, genuine listening, empathy, fun, and humor. We see all of these qualities in Jesus as He interacted with His followers.
Luke 15:1-2 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”
Jesus embraced people just as they were, meeting them where they were. He calls us to do the same. How can we intentionally create a welcoming presence in our everyday lives? Let’s look at four key aspects:
1. Your Face: The First Welcome
Ever heard the saying, “Are you happy? Then tell it to your face”? Sometimes we unintentionally project stern or unapproachable expressions, even when we’re not upset. A simple smile and warm eye contact can go a long way in making others feel seen and welcomed. Be intentional about how your face reflects your heart toward others.
2. Your Space: Making Others Feel Comfortable
Some people naturally struggle with relational awkwardness, whether they’re introverts or extroverts. Ask yourself:
Do I make an effort to help people feel at ease around me?
Do I try to find common ground in conversations? Building comfort takes intentionality, but when we create a safe and inviting relational space, we bridge the gap between strangers and community.
3. Your Place: Setting the Atmosphere
Where we welcome people matters. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s warmth and invitation.
A home that’s too spotless can feel intimidating.
A space that’s too chaotic can feel uncomfortable. Think about the places where you feel most relaxed and accepted. How can you create that same atmosphere for others?
4. Your Grace: Accepting People as They Are
A truly welcoming presence extends grace. It means:
Being a person others feel safe with.
Accepting people where they are, not where we think they should be.
Creating an environment where people feel comfortable being real and vulnerable.
Welcoming grace is acknowledging that life is messy and we don’t have all the answers—but we walk together toward Jesus, who does.
How Will You Welcome Others This Week?
Wherever we are, we can carry the atmosphere of God’s love. A welcoming presence doesn’t just happen inside the church—it happens at work, in our homes, and in everyday moments. Who can you intentionally welcome into your life today?
BRADFORD, PA — In an unprecedented show of unity and shared mission, two Bradford churches are swapping buildings this spring — not out of necessity, but out of calling.
Open Arms Community Church and First Baptist Church of Bradford will exchange church buildings in a move that both congregations believe is divinely inspired and strategically aligned with their respective visions for ministry. The change, first announced in May of 2024, becomes official on Palm Sunday, April 13, when both churches will hold their first services in their new locations.
Open Arms will begin worshiping at 71 Congress Street, the historic downtown church that has been home to First Baptist for generations. First Baptist will relocate to 1289 East Main Street, where Open Arms has held services since its early years of rapid growth.
“This isn’t just about buildings,” said Pastor Zoe Hatcher of Open Arms. “Being among the people in the downtown area of Bradford is the most exciting part of this move. We love our city and believe that God has a plan for it. As a ministry, we want to place ourselves in the middle of God’s will, which for us is to reach those to whom He has sent us.”
Open Arms’ final service at East Main Street will be held Sunday, April 6 at 10:00 AM, with moving trucks rolling out immediately after. Their first Sunday on April 13 at 71 Congress Street will feature two services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, held in the church’s lower-level Fellowship Hall while renovations are underway to improve accessibility and functionality in the main sanctuary. The rear entrance of the building will temporarily serve as the primary entrance while renovations are underway in the main sanctuary.
First Baptist will begin their move the next day, on Monday, April 7, officially beginning a new chapter at 1289 East Main Street — only the third location in the church’s nearly 200-year history.
“By God’s grace, the congregation of First Baptist Church has had a long presence in the Tuna Valley stretching back to 1834, and in those 190 years God has always provided us a place to do his work,” said Pastor Jeremy Childs. “This will be the church’s third address in that time, and we believe it will serve both the present congregation as well as future generations.”
“This move will bring some obvious changes,” Childs continued, “but the mission of First Baptist continues to be glorifying God by training disciples to engage our world with the gospel. Every week we open the Bible and worship the Jesus who died on a cross for sinners and rose from the grave early Easter morning.”
Both churches plan to undertake renovation projects in the months ahead to tailor their new spaces to the unique needs of their congregations. For Open Arms, that includes not only physical updates, but a renewed focus on downtown outreach.
“In partnership with our community’s other ministries and agencies, we envision coming together at community events to serve and reach out to people through acts of kindness and service,” Pastor Hatcher said. “We’re also planning to host some of our own community events, like our Super Summer Bash and Church Around Town, along with block parties and open houses to build relationships in our new neighborhood.”
Despite the changes in address, neither church sees the move as a departure from who they are — but rather a step forward in faith.
“Our Horizon Vision as a church is to see ‘Transformed Community for God’s Glory,’” Hatcher explained. “That transformation doesn’t stay inside our walls. We want God’s love to flow out and impact the whole community — and we’re already seeing it begin.”
Pastor Childs echoed the same heart. “The mission of First Baptist continues to be glorifying God by training disciples to engage our world with the gospel. Every week we open the Bible and worship the Jesus who died on a cross for sinners and rose from the grave early Easter morning. All are welcome.”
Want to attend?
Open Arms Community Church First service in new location: Palm Sunday, April 13 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA Service Times: 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Temporarily meeting in the Fellowship Hall while sanctuary renovations are underway More info: oachurch.com
First Baptist Church of Bradford First service in new location: Palm Sunday, April 13 1289 East Main Street, Bradford, PA Sunday School: 9:00 AM | Worship: 10:00 AM More info: fbcbradford.com
On Friday, April 18, churches from across Bradford will gather for the annual CROSSWALK, a Good Friday event hosted by the Bradford Area Ministerium. The CROSSWALK is a public, community-centered walk that stops at several local churches for short messages and worship focused on the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross.
This year marks a special milestone for Open Arms Community Church—we’ll be hosting one of the stops for the first time ever at our new location: 71 Congress Street.
We’ll be welcoming walkers and community members between 1:15 and 1:35 PM for a brief word and time of reflection.
Here’s the full schedule:
St. Bernard’s Church – Noon to 12:20 PM
1st United Methodist Church – 12:25 to 12:45 PM
1st Presbyterian Church – 12:50 to 1:10 PM
Open Arms Community Church – 1:15 to 1:35 PM
Church of the Ascension – 1:45 to 2:05 PM
B-Free Church – 2:15 to 2:35 PM
Hill Memorial Church – 2:40 to 3:00 PM
Whether you plan to walk the entire route or just stop in for part of it, the CROSSWALK is a simple but powerful way to mark the meaning of Good Friday alongside friends and neighbors. We’re honored to be part of it this year and invite you to join us along the way.
After much prayer and anticipation, we are thrilled to announce that Open Arms Community Church has a confirmed moving date! We’ve been waiting for this moment, and now we can officially share that we will be closing on our new building on April 4, 2025. This is a huge milestone for our church family, and we give all the glory to God for this next chapter.
📅 Important Dates to Remember
April 4, 2025 – Official Closing Date
On this day, we will officially sign for the deed to our new building at 71 Congress St., Bradford, PA.
April 6, 2025 – Final Service at East Main Location
This will be our last worship service at 1289 East Main St., where we’ve gathered for the past 22 years.
🚛 Moving Day:
Join us at 10:00 AM for a powerful time of worship and reflection as we close this chapter and prepare for what God has next. After service, we’ll have lunch together and then begin packing and moving to the new location. We need all hands on deck—if you’re available to help, please sign up:
April 13, 2025 – First Services at 71 Congress St.
Our first worship services at the new building will take place on Palm Sunday!
🕘 9:00 AM – Intergenerational Worship (Children join adults in worship) 🕚 11:00 AM – Worship Service + Children’s Ministry (Ages 0–11)
Services will be held downstairs in the Fellowship Hall (please enter through the back entrance) while the front ramp is under construction for handicap accessibility.
Let’s come together to celebrate what God has done and prepare our hearts for this exciting new chapter!
🕘 5:00 PM – Pitt Chapel Service Come Worship With us at the Pitt Chapel! It’s a busy day of celebration, but we’re going to minister beyond the walls of our new building!
April 18, 2025 – Crosswalk Services
🕛 12:00–3:00 PM | Beginning at St. Bernard’s Church
Join our local community churches as we observe Good Friday with worship at seven downtown churches, carrying the cross between each location.
This is a powerful opportunity for the Church united to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us, making a dark day in history truly Good.
April 18–19, 2025 – Prayer Vigil
🕖 7:00 PM (Friday) – 7:00 AM (Saturday) 📍 Open Arms Community Church, 71 Congress St.
Join us for an overnight prayer vigil from Good Friday through Holy Saturday morning as we pray for awakening in our community.
One week after Palm Sunday, we will celebrate Easter in our new building (downstairs in the Fellowship Hall – rear entrance).
🕘 9:00 AM – Intergenerational Worship 🕚 11:00 AM – Worship Service + Children’s Ministry
Easter is one of the most attended Sundays of the year, and what an incredible opportunity to invite people into our new space to hear the message of Jesus’ resurrection and new life!
🎉 Be sure to grab your invites, door hangers, and magnets at any of our services.
🙌 How You Can Help
✅ Volunteer for Moving Day (April 6): Help move, pack, and transport items. 👉 Sign up to help
✅ Stay Connected: Make sure we have your current contact info so you can receive updates via email or text. 👉 Update your info here
✅ Invite Others: Share the news about our move and invite people to Palm Sunday (April 13) and Easter Sunday (April 20)! 👉 Sign up for the Street Team
We are so excited about this new chapter and can’t wait to celebrate with you! Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday at East Main as we prepare for this big transition.
Celebrating our King, Zoe Hatcher Lead Pastor www.oachurch.com Open Arms Community Church 1289 E. Main St., Bradford, PA 📞 814-368-8846 📧 zoe@oachurch.com
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” – Galatians 2:20
After much prayer and anticipation, we are thrilled to announce that Open Arms Community Church has a confirmed moving date! We have been waiting for this moment, and now we can officially share that we will be closing on our new building on April 4, 2025. This is a huge milestone for our church family, and we give all the glory to God for this next chapter.
Important Dates to Remember:
📅 April 4, 2025 – Official Closing Date
On this day, we will officially sign for the deed to our new building at 71 Congress St., Bradford, PA.
📅 April 6, 2025 – Final Service at East Main Location
This will be our last worship service at 1289 East Main St., where we have gathered for the past 22 years.
Join us at 10:00 AM for a powerful time of worship and reflection as we close this chapter and prepare for what God has next.
After service, we will have lunch together and then begin packing up and moving to the new location. We need all hands on deck, so if you’re available to help, please sign up using our upcoming QR code or sign-up sheet.
🌿 April 13, 2025 – First Sunday in Our New Home – Palm Sunday!
Our first worship services at 71 Congress St. will take place on Palm Sunday, April 13! What a powerful way to begin this new chapter—on the very day we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem!
Two services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM (as we will be worshiping downstairs while the front entry ramp is under construction).
Let’s come together to celebrate what God has done and prepare our hearts for Holy Week!
✝️ April 20, 2025 – Easter Sunday!
One week later, we celebrate Easter in our new building!
Two services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Easter Sunday is one of the most attended Sundays of the year, and what an amazing opportunity to invite people into our new space to hear the message of Jesus’ resurrection and new life!
Start inviting friends, neighbors, and family members now—we want to fill the house with worship and celebration!
How You Can Help:
✅ Volunteer for Moving Day (April 6) – Sign up to help move, pack, or transport items. ✅ Stay Connected – Ensure we have your current contact information to receive updates via email or text. ✅ Invite Others – Share the news about our move and invite people to Palm Sunday (April 13) and Easter Sunday (April 20)! ✅ Pray for the Transition – We are trusting God to guide us in this exciting time.
We are so excited about this new chapter and can’t wait to celebrate with you! Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday at East Main as we prepare for this big transition.
With gratitude and anticipation, The Open Arms Community Church Team
For over 15 years, Open Arms Community Church has been blessed to participate in Operation Christmas Child (OCC)—a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that shares the love of Christ with children around the world through simple yet powerful shoebox gifts.
This ministry has been a labor of love for our church family, and we are especially grateful for Sally Newton, who has faithfully led this effort for many years. Through her dedication—and the generosity of so many in our church—thousands of shoeboxes have been packed and sent to children in at least 25 different countries.
Now, as we look ahead, our approach to Operation Christmas Child will be changing, but our commitment to this vital ministry remains as strong as ever.
Where Our Shoeboxes Went This Year
This past year, our shoeboxes were delivered to Liberia, a country in West Africa with a unique and complex history. Originally established as a homeland for freed slaves from the United States, Liberia has faced many challenges, including civil wars and severe health crises. Some may remember the Ebola outbreak of the early 2000s, during which Liberia was one of the hardest-hit nations. Samaritan’s Purse played a crucial role in providing medical relief, and today, Operation Christmas Child continues to bring hope to Liberia’s children through the power of the Gospel.
A Ministry That Has Impacted Thousands
Since our church began packing shoeboxes in 2009, what started as a small Sunday school project has grown into something much greater. We have seen our shoeboxes go to:
Countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Baltics.
Remote and sensitive regions where the Gospel is difficult to share.
Ukraine and other areas repeatedly in need of aid.
Because of these efforts, only eternity will reveal the full impact of this ministry. But we trust that hundreds—perhaps thousands—of children have come to know Jesus because of these small gifts packed with love by our church family.
A New Approach to OCC
While our hearts remain fully committed to Operation Christmas Child, the way we participate will look different this year. Managing the logistics of traditional shoebox packing requires year-round effort, and as Sally transitions into a less hands-on role, we want to ensure this ministry continues in a way that is sustainable for our church family.
Packing Shoeboxes Online
Going forward, we will be participating in OCC by packing shoeboxes online through Samaritan’s Purse. This method allows us to:
Reach remote and restricted-access areas that are difficult to serve with traditional shoeboxes.
Support special initiatives, such as delivering shoeboxes to South Pacific islands, where supplies must be transported by ship.
Ensure that items included are appropriate for sensitive regions where sharing the Gospel must be done carefully.
Rather than gathering physical donations, we will collect financial contributions throughout the year, allowing us to pack shoeboxes online on a quarterly basis.
Stay Connected for Updates!
We will be working on ways to keep you updated about this new approach through the Open Arms website and social media! Stay tuned for regular updates on how many shoeboxes we’ve packed, stories of impact, and opportunities to get involved. Be sure to follow us online so you don’t miss out on how God is using our church to bless children around the world!
How You Can Help
We are inviting everyone in our church to consider a small monthly donation to support OCC.
Here’s the Challenge:
If 100 people gave just $5 per month, we would raise $2,000 per quarter, enabling us to pack hundreds of shoeboxes by year’s end.
If some are able to contribute $10 or more per month, the impact would be even greater.
Church Matching Fund
To double our impact, Open Arms Community Church has committed to matching donations up to the amount allocated in our OCC budget. This means every dollar given will be multiplied, allowing us to bless even more children.
How to Give
To contribute, simply designate your gift to Operation Christmas Child when giving through the church. On the ministry envelopes, there is a specific box for OCC donations.
Thank You, Sally!
As we make this transition, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Sally Newton for her years of faithful leadership in this ministry. Her dedication has made a tremendous impact—not only in the lives of children around the world but also in the hearts of those in our church who have been blessed to take part in this effort.
We are also grateful that Sally remains committed to ensuring this ministry continues in a sustainable way. She will continue to oversee the transition and is looking for a few individuals willing to help manage our online shoebox packing efforts.
If you are interested in serving in this way, please reach out!
Join Us in This Mission
Though the way we pack shoeboxes is changing, our mission remains the same: to share the love of Christ with children worldwide.
Through this new approach, we will continue to impact lives, bringing hope to those who need it most.
Thank you for being part of this incredible ministry—one shoebox at a time!
As we step into the season of Lent, Open Arms is excited to launch 40 Days of Sharing—a time of community, kindness, and sharing God’s love, one neighbor at a time. This journey will lead us up to Easter, and we invite you to be part of something truly meaningful.
What is 40 Days of Sharing?
During these 40 days, we are committing to spreading the good news of God through acts of kindness and love in our community. This is an opportunity to come together, build relationships, and make a difference in the lives of those around us. And what better way to begin than with a night of prayer and worship?
Join Us for the Kickoff Event!
To start this journey, we will be gathering for a special Prayer & Worship Night on:
📅 Wednesday, March 5th ⏰ 6:00 PM 📍 Open Arms Auditorium
This night will be a time of worship, prayer, and dedication, as we ask God to guide us in this mission. We’ll come together as a church family to surrender this time to Him and seek His direction as we step out to love and serve our neighbors.
Why 40 Days?
Lent is a season of reflection and preparation, leading us to the celebration of Easter. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing for His ministry, we will use this time to intentionally share His love with those around us.
This year, as we move into a new community, we see this as a divine opportunity to bring hope and kindness to new neighbors. Every small act of love matters, and together, we can make a big impact.
Be Part of the Movement
We believe God is calling us to action—to be His hands and feet in this world. Whether it’s through a kind word, a helping hand, or simply being present for someone in need, we can be a reflection of Christ’s love.
Are you ready to make a difference and be part of something bigger? Join our Mission Team and help spread God’s love through acts of service, kindness, and outreach! Whether you have a heart for prayer, serving others, or building connections in our community, there’s a place for you. Sign up today and take the next step in being the hands and feet of Jesus!
We encourage everyone to join us for the kickoff event and be part of this incredible season of sharing. Let’s come together in prayer, worship, and community as we prepare our hearts for what God has in store.
Let’s make these 40 days count—one neighbor at a time.
