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Church Work Day in Bradford, PA: Help Us Build Our New Sanctuary

There’s something different about a space when you’ve had a hand in building it.

This Saturday, March 28 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA is hosting a church work day to prepare our upstairs sanctuary—and we’d love for you to be part of it.

This isn’t just about getting things done. It’s about preparing a place where people will meet Jesus, find healing, and experience real community.

We’re Getting the Space Ready for What’s Next

Right now, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes as we get ready to move upstairs.

We’re not just moving furniture—we’re building out spaces that will serve people every single week.

Some of the work happening includes:

  • Setting up lighting, cameras, and livestream equipment in the sanctuary
  • Preparing the stage and worship space
  • Installing coffee systems and setting up the coffee area
  • Mounting TVs and getting tech ready for services
  • Cleaning carpets, pews, windows, and surfaces throughout the building
  • Fixing doors, thresholds, and other practical needs
  • Setting up children’s ministry spaces and equipment
  • General cleaning, organizing, and prepping rooms across the building

Some projects are already in progress. Others will get started this Saturday. All of them move us closer to being ready.

You Don’t Have to Be “Handy” to Help

There’s a place for you, no matter your skill level.

Some jobs require tools and experience. Others just require a willingness to show up and serve.

We’ll have everything from:

  • Simple cleaning and organizing
  • Moving furniture
  • Helping set up rooms
  • Assisting with projects alongside others

If you can sweep, carry, wipe, or hold something steady—you’re qualified.

This Is More Than a Work Day

This is one of those moments where the church looks like the church.

Not just a service you attend—but a people who build, serve, and show up for each other.

There’s something meaningful about working side by side. Conversations happen. Friendships grow. And there’s a shared sense of purpose that you just don’t get any other way.

And one day soon, people will walk into that upstairs sanctuary…

They won’t see the work that went into it—but they’ll feel it.

Come for an Hour or Stay All Day

We know Saturdays are full.

Come for an hour if that’s what you can do. Stay all day if you’re able.

Every bit helps. Every person matters.

Join Us This Saturday

📍 Open Arms Community Church in Bradford, PA
📅 Saturday, March 28
⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wear work clothes. Bring a willing attitude. Maybe invite a friend.

Let’s build something together.

Holy Week - EAster and more at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA

Holy Week in Bradford PA | Walk Through the Story That Changed Everything

Holy Week is the most important week in the Christian faith.

It’s not just a series of events—it’s a journey.

From celebration…
to sacrifice…
to silence…
to resurrection.

This week invites us to slow down and walk through the final days of Jesus’ life, from His arrival in Jerusalem to the empty tomb on Easter morning.

For centuries, Christians have set this week apart as sacred—a time to reflect, remember, and prepare their hearts for Easter.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we are creating space to experience that journey together.

Why Holy Week Matters

Holy Week tells the story at the center of everything we believe.

It begins with Jesus being welcomed as King…
moves through betrayal, suffering, and the cross…
and ends with the victory of the resurrection.

It’s a week that holds both sorrow and hope.

Good Friday reminds us of the cost.
Holy Saturday reminds us of the waiting.
Easter reminds us that death doesn’t win.

When we take time to walk through the whole story, Easter becomes more than a moment—it becomes something we truly experience.

Join Us for Holy Week

We invite you to be part of everything happening throughout the week.

You can come to one event—or walk through the entire journey with us.

palm sunday at Op;en Arms Community Church in Bradford PA and HArriet B Wick Chapel at UPB

Palm Sunday Chapel Gathering

📅 Sunday, March 29
🕕 Youth meet at Open Arms at 6:00 PM
🕖 Chapel service at 7:00 PM
📍 Harriett B. Wick Chapel (Pitt Campus)

Youth and young adults are invited to begin Holy Week together with acoustic worship, Discovery Bible Study, and communion.

👉 Read more

Good Friday Community Crosswalk

Good Friday Crosswalk Bradford PA

📅 Friday, April 3
⏰ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Begins at St. Bernard’s

Hosted by the Bradford Area Ministerium, this community event walks through the Stations of the Cross across multiple churches in downtown Bradford.

Come for part of the walk or the entire journey.

👉 Read more

Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil & Tenebrae

Holy Saturday prayer vigil Bradford PA

📅 Saturday, April 4
⏰ 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Open Arms Community Church

Spend time in prayer as we prepare for Easter—praying for our lives, our families, our church, and our community.

Throughout the day there will be moments of acoustic worship, and the evening will conclude with a Tenebrae service—a powerful, reflective service that uses light and darkness to remember Christ’s sacrifice.

👉 Read more

Easter Sunday

📅 Sunday, April 5
🕘 9:00 AM
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Open Arms Community Church

Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the hope it brings.

👉 Plan your visit

You’re Invited

You don’t have to have everything figured out to be part of this week.

You can come with questions.
You can come carrying things.
You can come just curious.

Holy Week is an invitation—not just to remember a story, but to step into it.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we believe this week has the power to change how you see God, yourself, and your life.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re planning to join us for any part of Holy Week—especially Easter—we’d love to help you feel at home.

👉 Plan your visit here

There’s More Happening at Open Arms

Holy Week is just one part of what God is doing in our church and community.

From events and outreach to microchurches and gatherings happening throughout the week, there are many ways to get connected.

👉 See everything happening here

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Easter in Bradford PA | Why This Sunday Matters More Than You Think

If you’re looking for an Easter service in Bradford PA, we’d love to invite you to join us.

Sunday, April 5, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Open Arms Community Church, 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA

👉 Get all the details and plan your visit

There Are a Lot of Reasons People Come on Easter

Sometimes it’s tradition.
Sometimes it’s family.
Sometimes it’s just… a sense that maybe this is a good time to come back.

And honestly? That instinct might be more important than you realize.

Because Easter isn’t just another holiday.

It’s the center of the story.

Why Easter Still Matters

Easter is about the moment everything changed.

After the pain of the cross… after the silence of the tomb… something unexpected happened.

Jesus rose.

And that changes everything.

It means:

• Hope is still alive, even when life feels heavy
• Your story isn’t over, even if it feels stuck
• God is still at work, even when you can’t see it

Easter reminds us that what looks like the end might actually be the beginning.

Maybe It’s Time to Come Back

For a lot of people, Easter is the moment they step back into church after being away for a while.

Not because everything is figured out.
Not because life is perfect.
But because something inside says, “I think I need this.”

If that’s you—you’re not alone.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we see Easter as a moment to reconnect:

With God
With truth
With people
With hope

No pressure. No expectations. Just an open door.

Bring Your Family

Easter is something meant to be experienced together.

Families are always welcome at Open Arms.

Children’s Church will be available during the 11:00 AM service.

During the 9:00 AM service, kids are absolutely welcome to sit with their families, and we’ll have activity packs available to help keep them engaged.

Kids are not a distraction—they’re part of the church.

One Step Could Change More Than You Think

Sometimes the biggest changes in life don’t start with a big decision.

They start with one small step.

Showing up.
Sitting down.
Being open.

If you’ve been thinking about coming back to church—or trying it for the first time—Easter is the perfect moment.

We’ll be ready for you.

👉 Plan your visit and learn more

Holy Saturday prayer vigil Bradford PA

Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil and Tenebrae Service in Bradford PA | A Day of Prayer and Reflection

Holy Week is a time to slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we are setting aside an entire day for prayer as we wait in the space between the cross and the resurrection.

On Saturday, April 4, we invite you to join us for a 12-hour Prayer Vigil, concluding with a powerful and reflective Tenebrae service.

What Is the Holy Saturday Prayer Vigil?

Holy Saturday represents the quiet, in-between moment of Holy Week.

Jesus has been crucified. The tomb is sealed. And the world waits.

The Prayer Vigil is an opportunity to step into that moment—to pause, pray, and reflect on what Christ has done.

Throughout the day, the church will be open for people to come and go as they are able.

You can come for:

• A few minutes of quiet prayer
• An hour of focused reflection
• Or stay longer as part of the day

We will be intentionally praying for:

• Our personal lives
• Our families
• Our church
• Our community

There will also be times of acoustic worship throughout the day, creating space to reflect, worship, and seek God together.

This is not a rigid, structured service for most of the day, but a space set aside for prayer, worship, and connection with God.

Prayer Vigil Details

📅 Saturday, April 4
⏰ 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Open Arms Community Church

Come for part of the day or the entire time.

What Is a Tenebrae Service?

The day will conclude with a Tenebrae service from 7:00–8:00 PM.

The word Tenebrae means “darkness.”

This is a traditional service that uses light and darkness to help us reflect on the suffering and death of Jesus.

During the service:

• Scripture passages recount the events of Good Friday
• Candles are gradually extinguished
• The room becomes darker as the story unfolds
• The atmosphere invites quiet reflection on Christ’s sacrifice

By the end of the service, the darkness reminds us of the weight of the cross—and prepares us for the hope of Easter morning.

Why This Matters

Holy Saturday is often overlooked, but it is a powerful part of the story.

It is the space between grief and hope.
Between loss and resurrection.
Between what was and what is about to be.

Taking time to reflect on this moment helps us more fully experience the joy of Easter.

Join Us

If you are looking for a meaningful way to prepare for Easter, we invite you to join us.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we believe moments of prayer and reflection help us reconnect with God and understand the depth of His love.

Whether you come for a few minutes, an hour, or the full Tenebrae service, you are welcome.

Good Friday Crosswalk Bradford PA

Good Friday Crosswalk in Bradford PA | Stations of the Cross Community Event

On Good Friday, churches across Bradford will come together for a meaningful community event that reflects on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The Good Friday Community Crosswalk, hosted by the Bradford Area Ministerium, invites people to walk together through the Stations of the Cross, stopping at several churches throughout downtown as we remember the events leading to the crucifixion.

This is a powerful opportunity for the Christian community of Bradford to gather in unity during Holy Week.

What Is the Good Friday Crosswalk?

The Good Friday Crosswalk is a long-standing tradition in Bradford, organized by the Bradford Area Ministerium, a network of local churches working together to serve the community.

Each year, the Ministerium hosts this event as a way for churches to come together in a shared expression of faith, reflecting on Christ’s journey to the cross.

Participants walk from church to church, pausing at each location for scripture readings, prayer, and reflection on the Stations of the Cross.

Crosswalk Details

📅 Friday, April 3
⏰ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Begins at St. Bernard’s

The crosswalk will move through the following churches:

• St. Bernard’s
• First United Methodist Church
• First Presbyterian Church
• Open Arms Community Church
• Church of the Ascension
• B-Free
• Hill Memorial United Methodist Church

Participants are welcome to join for part of the walk or the entire journey.

A Community United in Reflection

The Good Friday Crosswalk is a public, community-centered event that brings together churches from across Bradford.

As the cross moves through the streets, it becomes a visible reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and the unity of the Church in our community.

At the Open Arms Community Church stop, Josh Hatcher will lead a time of singing as participants reflect together.

The Crosswalk will conclude at Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, where Pastor Zoe Hatcher will share a message at the final stop.

Whether you attend one of the participating churches or are simply looking for a meaningful Good Friday event in Bradford PA, you are invited to take part.

Join Us This Good Friday

If you are looking for a meaningful way to observe Good Friday, this is a powerful experience that brings together faith, community, and reflection.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we are honored to be one of the stops along the Crosswalk.

We invite you to join us as we remember the sacrifice of Jesus and prepare our hearts for Easter.

palm sunday at Op;en Arms Community Church in Bradford PA and HArriet B Wick Chapel at UPB

Palm Sunday Chapel Gathering in Bradford PA | Youth & Young Adults Worship Night

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a time when we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, youth and young adults are invited to a special Palm Sunday Chapel Gathering that creates space to worship, reflect, and connect.

This gathering will take place at the Harriett B. Wick Chapel on the Pitt campus, and will include acoustic worship, Bible discussion, and communion.

What Is Palm Sunday and Why Does It Matter?

Palm Sunday remembers the moment Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed by crowds who laid palm branches before Him.

It marks the beginning of the final week of Jesus’ life before the crucifixion and resurrection.

This is a powerful time to pause, reflect, and prepare for everything that Holy Week represents.

Palm Sunday Chapel Gathering Details

Youth will meet at Open Arms Community Church before heading together to the chapel for the service.

📅 Sunday, March 29
🕕 Youth meet at Open Arms at 6:00 PM
🕖 Chapel Service at 7:00 PM
📍 Harriett B. Wick Chapel – Pitt Campus

What to Expect

This gathering is designed to be simple, meaningful, and focused.

The evening will include:

• Acoustic worship
• Discovery Bible Study discussion
• Communion
• Time to reflect and connect with others

This is a great opportunity for young people to step into Holy Week with intention and community.

Who Is This For?

This event is open to:

  • Youth
  • Young adults

Whether you’ve been part of church for years or are just beginning to explore your faith, you are welcome.

Join Us This Palm Sunday

If you are looking for a Palm Sunday service in Bradford PA, this gathering is a meaningful way to begin Holy Week.

At Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA, we believe moments like this help us slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what God wants to do in our lives.

We’d love for you to be part of it.

Free Spirit Redeemer's Chapel

A River on the Move: Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel is Newest Church Plant

Some churches are built to gather. Others are built to grow. And some – like Open Arms Community Church –  are built to GO!

God is moving in EXACTLY that way RIGHT NOW! A brand-new church plant, Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel, is launching in Custer City at 68 Minard Run Road. It begins with a soft launch this Friday at 7 p.m., with its official weekly gatherings kicking off on Good Friday (April 3) at 7 p.m.

The latest church plant in the Open Arms Community Church network is a river running freely. As Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher puts it: “We see the church as a river, not a reservoir.”

Let’s celebrate what happens when a church truly lives out its mission: raising people up and sending them out. Jesus calls us to discipleship. We are listening and obeying!

We hope to see you for the launch. Let’s keep the river flowing (and learn what Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel is about).

🎸 Worship That’s Real & Unapologetic

Free Spirit won’t be your typical church experience

Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel will take high-energy musical worship to new levels – mixed with raw testimony and Scripture reflection that meets people where they are.

But it’s about authenticity more than volume. Free Spirit will be a space for:

  • People who may not feel comfortable in traditional settings
  • People who’ve been through some tough things in life
  • People who are still figuring it out

In other words: real people. Loving God, Loving people. Sound like the Open Arms mission to you? 

🙌 Leadership That Was Built, Not Imported

At the center of this story are Co-Pastors Shawn Pierce and Rich Dennison and their beautiful families.

Their leadership wasn’t hired from the outside. It was built over time – through years of service, friendship, worship, and obedience. Those who’ve attended Open Arms before have likely seen Shawn and Rich on either the praise band stage or working the sound system. (Did we mention they LOVE music?)

“Rich has been my best friend for more than 20 years,” Pastor Shawn said. “We’ve played music together, watched our kids grow up, and walked through ministry side by side.”

They’ve led together. Served together. Grown together. And now – they’re stepping into something new together.

“We’ve been saying, ‘Here I am, Lord, send me,’ for years,” Pierce said. “At some point, you have to stop saying it and start living it.”

That moment is now.

🌱 From Microchurch to Movement

What makes this launch even more powerful is where it came from. Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel didn’t just appear overnight. It grew out of The Least of These Riders, a microchurch at Open Arms.

What started as a group of Christian bikers gathering weekly in faith has grown into a full-fledged congregation.

That same model has already led to successful church plants in Port Allegany and Lewis Run. Now, it’s happening again – this time in Custer City with Free Spirit.

If you’re not familiar with microchurches, they’re one of the most impactful shifts Open Arms has made in recent years. Our church reimagines discipleship – not as something that happens in rows of pews, but in circles. 

  • Small, tight-knit groups
  • Real conversations
  • Real accountability
  • Shared burdens
  • Growth that actually sticks.

(From the EmpowHer women’s group to the Homecoming Recovery addiction support group, we have plenty of microchurches to serve people’s unique needs of spiritual growth and connection.)

It works. That’s why we do it. 

People need spiritual nourishment and true human connection during the week, too. We’ve seen true spiritual growth and faith transformation happening in real time. Families aren’t just restored on Sundays. Addictions aren’t toppled by sermons. Lives aren’t redeemed by communion.

These things require ongoing love and attention.

🌊 A Church That Sends, Not Just Gathers

Pastor Zoe describes a river of faith. That’s what Open Arms does.

We don’t just build bigger rooms to fit more people. It builds people, and spirits in Christ don’t grow in confinement.

  • People who are willing to be shaped.
  • People who are willing to grow.
  • People who are willing to go.

“This is what it looks like to trust God with people,” Hatcher said. “Not to hold onto them, but to release them into what He’s calling them to do.”

Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel is the next step in that mission. It’s not a copy. It’s not a franchise. It’s a new expression of the same heartbeat — reaching people who feel overlooked, disconnected, or unsure where they belong.

🚪 An Invitation to Something Real

If you’ve ever felt like church wasn’t for you…

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t quite fit…

If you’ve been looking for something real… Free Spirit Redeemer’s Chapel is it! 

Friday nights. Real people. Great music. Honest faith. And a community that’s just getting started.

Because when a river moves, it brings life everywhere it goes.

Lenten Services at Open Arms Community Church

Prepare Your Heart This Lent: Lenten Prayer Service & “Word for Lunch” at Open Arms Community Church

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.

Sunday Dinner Microchurch

Sunday Dinner Microchurch: Updated Schedule Through Summer 2026

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.