Monday, May 26 | Parade at 10:00 AM | Ceremony at Veterans Square, Bradford, PA
As Memorial Day approaches, we invite our Open Arms family and the Bradford community to gather in remembrance of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
The annual Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 AM and leads to Veterans Square. Immediately after the parade—usually around 11:00 AM—the community Memorial Day ceremony will take place.
This is more than just a tradition; it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s an opportunity for us to show up together, honoring our fallen heroes and supporting their families.
Pastor Zoe Hatcher will be part of this year’s service, and we encourage everyone from Open Arms to attend and support our community. Let’s stand united in gratitude, honor, and remembrance.
All are welcome—bring your family, invite a friend, and join us as we honor our heroes together.
Life is full of little things every man should know—but too often, we don’t get the chance to learn them. That’s why Tribe of Lions, one of Open Arms Community Church’s microchurches, is teaming up with Manlihoodto host a special Forge Night all about basic car maintenance.
Monday, May 12 at 6:30 PM, men and teen boys from across the Bradford area are invited to gather in the Open Arms parking lot at 71 Congress Street for a no-pressure, hands-on experience that will leave you feeling more equipped and confident under the hood.
🔥 What’s a Forge Night?
Forge Nights are a unique part of Tribe of Lions’ rhythm—monthly gatherings where men come together not just for spiritual growth, but to sharpen one another in practical ways, too. Whether it’s learning to grill a steak, defend yourself, or change your oil, the goal is the same: community, brotherhood, and purpose.
This month’s Forge Night will be led by Brian Mahaney, a longtime mechanic who’s passionate about passing on what he’s learned. But this isn’t a lecture—it’s a shared experience. Other men will also be contributing what they know as we tackle real-world skills like:
How to check and change your oil
Tire maintenance and pressure checks
Jump-starting a car
Recognizing basic vehicle issues
Whether you’ve never popped the hood before or just want a refresher, this night is for you.
🛠️ Why It Matters
Tribe of Lions is more than just a men’s group—it’s a microchurch. That means it carries the full mission of the church in a smaller setting, with an emphasis on worship, community, and mission. We believe that real discipleship happens not just in rows, but in circles—and sometimes even under the hood of a car.
We also believe in meeting men where they are. That’s why Forge Nights are intentionally designed to be open to any man or teen boy in the community—whether you’ve been walking with God for years or you’re just looking for some solid guys to connect with.
These events are co-hosted by Manlihood, a men’s movement and podcast founded by Josh Hatcher. Manlihood’s mission is simple: to help men become better men—and Forge Nights are one way to bring that mission to life in our own backyard.
“We know that when men grow stronger—spiritually, emotionally, and practically—families and communities grow stronger too,” says Hatcher. “Forge Nights are about giving guys a space to connect, learn, and walk out their faith in real, tangible ways.”
🔥 Upcoming Forge Nights
This is just the beginning! Future Forge Nights will include:
Self-Defense Seminar – June 18
BBQ Skills Training – July
…and more practical, engaging nights to come.
📍 No RSVP Needed—Just Show Up
So whether you’re a gearhead or a total beginner, join us on Monday, May 12 at 6:30 PM for Forge Night: Basic Car Maintenance. Come ready to learn, connect, and get your hands a little dirty.
Want to join Tribe of Lions? Learn more and explore our microchurch network here:
Each year, on the first Thursday of May, Americans across the nation unite in prayer during the National Day of Prayer. This year, we invite you to join the Bradford Area Ministerium—a coalition of local churches and ministry leaders—for a community-wide prayer gathering in downtown Bradford.
The event will take place at 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 1st, at the Veterans Square Gazebo. Open Arms Community Church is honored to participate in this meaningful time of collective prayer and reflection.
🕊️ 2025 Theme: “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled”
The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is inspired by Romans 15:13 (NASB):
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
This theme encourages us to pour out our hearts to God, seeking His hope, joy, and peace in our lives and communities. It’s a call to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us as we believe and pray.
For more information about the National Day of Prayer and its mission, visit the official website.
🙌 Why Participate?
In times of uncertainty and challenge, coming together in prayer strengthens our faith and unites our community. This gathering offers an opportunity to:
Pray for our nation, leaders, and local community
Seek spiritual renewal and guidance
Stand in unity with fellow believers
Experience the transformative power of collective prayer
Whether you’re a longtime member of our church or new to the community, your presence and prayers are valued.
📍 Event Details
When: Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at 12:00 PM
Where: Veterans Square Gazebo, Downtown Bradford
Hosted by: Bradford Area Ministerium
Bring a friend, neighbor, or coworker, and join us as we lift our voices in prayer. Let’s come together to seek God’s presence and guidance for our lives, our community, and our nation.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” – Psalm 33:12
Open Arms Community Church is honored and excited to host the next Awakening Service — a powerful evening of worship, prayer, and the manifest presence of God — this Friday, May 2 at 7 PM at our new location: 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA.
We are part of theKeystone Conference of the Free Methodist Church, and this year, the conference is once again calling people together across Pennsylvania for evenings of revival and renewal. These gatherings — simply called Awakening — are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
What Is the Awakening Service?
For the past few years, churches throughout the Keystone Conference have been uniting on Friday nights for a time of deep worship and prayer. These are not just another church service. They are holy moments where the Holy Spirit moves powerfully, lives are touched, and hearts are stirred with fresh passion for Jesus.
A few years ago at an Awakening service in Port Allegany, Greg Newkirk rolled in seated in a wheelchair, racked with severe back pain after years of complications. Someone approached him and whispered in his ear, “God wants to heal you tonight.” He walked out that night, pushing his wheelchair, without pain.
Folks from different churches across the conference will gather together, we will pray, we’ll worship, and we’ll ask God for an awakening in this part of Pennsylvania together, in our own lives, and in our families.
Superintendent Chris Hill described the last encounter at Fleming Free Methodist Church from a recent service said, “When it’s after 9 the benediction has been given, the last song sung, but no one’s moves. A holy awe had settled over those gathered. We experienced the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit.”
That’s what we’re praying for here in Bradford. That’s what we’re expecting.
Why Should You Come?
Because we believe God wants to meet with His people.
As we gather in our new building at 71 Congress Street, this isn’t just an event. It’s an invitation — to seek revival, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to lift our voices and hearts together with believers from around the region and experience what only God can do.
Whether you’ve been feeling spiritually dry, longing for more, or just want to worship alongside others who are hungry for God — this night is for you.
Details You Need to Know:
📍 Where: Open Arms Community Church, 71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA 📅 When: Friday, May 2 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
This is the final Awakening service in this season’s series across the Keystone Conference — and we are thrilled that it’s happening right here at Open Arms.
Come ready. Come hungry. Come expectant. Let’s seek the face of God together.
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)
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!
Exciting changes are coming to Open Arms Community Church! Very soon, we’ll be relocating from 1289 East Main Street to 71 Congress Street in Bradford.
We’re still waiting for the final legal paperwork to go through, but in the meantime, we’ve started packing boxes and moving items into storage. We could use your help! If you’re interested in lending a hand, please contact our office at bradford@oachurch.com or speak with one of our ministry leaders. They’ll let you know when and how you can assist.
For now, we’re still meeting at 1289 East Main Street for our 10 AM Sunday service until further notice.
Once we make the move, our service times may change, so be sure to check back here for updates. Thank you for your prayers and support as we prepare for this exciting transition!
Our Family Fun Night & Friendsgiving event was a huge success! We had around 40 people come out to enjoy good food, fellowship, and a movie together. It was so wonderful to see our church family and community come together in this way.
When we create welcoming spaces, amazing things can happen. People feel the love of God through the kindness and hospitality we show. And in turn, we get to experience that love ourselves through connecting with one another.
That’s what this event was all about – taking the time to slow down, share a meal, and simply be present with each other. We’re grateful to everyone who made it such a special night. Your willingness to bring a dish, lend a hand, and share your lives with us is what makes Open Arms such a vibrant, Christ-centered community.
We’re already looking forward to our next opportunity to gather. In the meantime, may you feel God’s love overflowing in your own lives and relationships.
