Open Arms Community Church News

Can You Hear Me Now? Hearing the Voice of God

2009-06-01T12:18:00.001-04:00

“Can you hear me now? Hearing the Voice of God”
We will be starting a new series next week on understanding how God
speaks to us. Come expecting to learn and hear the Lord in a new way.
Bring a friend!

Open Arms To Host Town Hall for Hope

2009-04-15T13:29:00.001-04:00

On Thursday April 23 from 8pm-9:30pm, Open Arms Community Church will be hosting the "Town Hall for Hope" by Dave Ramsey. The event is free and is a live national event that is being hosted by Life Church and will be broadcast via internet to registered host locations.

Dave Ramsey is a personal money-management expert, an extremely popular national radio personality, best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover, and host of the Dave Ramsey Show on Fox Business Channel.

Dave will offer straight talk about the economy, recession, foreclosures and more. He'll carefully explain where we've come from, where we are now, and what we should be doing with our money during this time. Then, Dave will spend an hour answering your questions live! Dave will be taking calls, emails, facebook messages, and many other forms of live communication throughout the event.

Pastor Mike McAvoy explained, "Our hope is that in holding this event it will be a blessing to the people of the Bradford region giving practical guidance regarding the circumstances we're presently in, calming fears and anxiety, and casting a vision of hope for the future."

If you have any questions you can contact the Open Arms Community Church office at 814-368-8846 or by email at openarmsoffice@gmail.com. The church is located one mile north of Walmart at 1289 East Main Street. Parking is in the back off Tuna Cross Road.

For Immediate Release: Local Church Offers "Stimulus"

2009-04-10T22:03:00.001-04:00

Open Arms Community Church is launching a "stimulus" package of their own.

Starting this weekend, Pastor Mike McAvoy will teach a four week series entitled "Stimulus - God's Bailout Plan For Your Life".

"With all the talk about a bail out plan for the American Economy, I thought Easter a great time to kick off a series about God's bail out plan for our life," said McAvoy.

McAvoy said that the Christian faith is about something more than just sitting in a church on the weekend, "God has a lot to say about stimulating our lives to go from nominal to great, ordinary to extraordinary."

McAvoy said, that unlike the recently publicized bailout plans geared toward large corporations, God's plan is for everyday people."We all find ourselves facing difficult circumstances throughout our lives and it's good news that God has provided a bailout/stimulus to help us out. We don't have to try to do this thing called life on our own by our own means."

The four week series starts this Easter weekend, during the regular church services, at 5:30 on Saturday nights and 10:15 on Sunday mornings. The teachings will also be featured on the church's website at www.openarmsbradford.org

This Easter - Stimulus - God's Bailout Plan For Your Life

2009-04-08T10:03:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder how to get more out of life?
God has put together a plan to help you experience life to the full.

This Spring, Open Arms invotes you to find out how you can receive the ULTIMATE Stimulus package, and how you can experience LIFE to the FULL.

Starting EASTER WEEKEND - April 11th and 12th.

Open Arms Community Church
1289 East Main Street
Bradford, PA 16701
*1 mile north of Wal-Mart

Saturdays - 5:30PM & Sundays - 10:15AM

http://www.openarmsbradford.org

Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey

2008-12-16T11:29:00.002-05:00

Greetings Everyone. This is to Update you on the upcoming Financial Peace University classes by Dave Ramsey hosted at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford PA.

There will be a Preview of the Classes held Tuesday December 30 at 6pm. This is a 25min long video.

Each family needs a kit. The Kit is $99 (which is a discount from $199) and includes a lifetime membership to www.daveramsey.com and the right to attend any Dave Ramsey FPU class for life. It also has all 13 weeks of Dave's teaching on CD's, Dave's book TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER, Class items, the envelope system, and many other helpful items.

Classes start Tuesday January 13 at 6pm to 8pm.

You can purchase your kit at church at any time between now and January 13; make your check out to Open Arms Community Church and put FPU in the memo.

If you have any questions you can speak with Scott Newton or Babbette Yohe.

Membership Class November 9

2008-11-06T11:40:00.002-05:00

Don't forget the new Membership Class that is being held Sunday November 9th immediately following service.

The class is one hour in length and covers Who Open Arms is, Why we Exist, What we do, How do we do it, and Where are we going.

The class will be held quarterly for those who miss this upcoming class. Special exceptions can be made, just contact the church office. openarms@openarmsbradford.org

Celebrate Recovery - Starting Nov. 1

2008-10-15T11:16:00.001-04:00

Celebrate Recovery:
A Christ Centered Recovery Program For You
Helping those dealing with Alcoholism, Divorce, Sexual Abuse, Codependency, Domestic Violence, Drug Addiction, Sexual Addiction, Food Addiction, Gambling Addiction and more...

When: Saturday Nights 7-9
Where: At Open Arms Community Church
1289 East Main Street, Bradford, PA
For More Information:
Click Here

The Secret: Unlocking the Mysteries of a Better Life

2008-09-24T12:32:00.003-04:00

Pastor Mike McAvoy says, "At a time where economy, relationships, and our very lives are so unstable we need to know the secret that brings stability. At a time when everything is so uncertain, we need to base our lives on the one thing that is certain and has been proven throughout the ages, through times of plenty and times of depression, through times of war and times of peace. The REAL Secret."

this October:
Come and Unlock the SECRET
with Open Arms

Saturdays -5:30 PM
Sundays - 10:15 AM

1289 East Main Street
Bradford, PA
*1 Mile North of Walmart

and
THE REMIX
Tuesdays 8:00PM
at the Grace Lutheran
Community Life Center
79 Mechanic Street
*Behind Country Fair

Vacation Bible School with the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

2008-07-22T09:29:00.004-04:00

Come Aboard and sail along with
the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
at Vacation Bible School at Open Arms
August 4th-8th
6PM

For more information, contact Michelle at 814-596-9014
or michelle@openarmsbradford.org

Click Here to Print Off the Registration Form

Revolution T-Shirts!

2008-07-17T21:38:00.001-04:00

We've designed a bunch of shirts, hats, and more for the Revolution.

You can purchase them here:
http://www.cafepress.com/openarmstv

The Baobob Blog

2008-07-16T16:39:00.001-04:00

We've added some pictures from Africa at the official Baobob Foundation Website.

Click here to see them.
www.baobobfoundation.org/blog

Saturday Services

2008-07-15T11:30:00.003-04:00

We will be suspending the Saturday Service for the rest of summer starting July 19th.

We will be relaunching this service in the fall, hopefully with a new genre of worship music.

We encourage those of you who normally attend Saturday Service to join us Sunday morning for worship at 10:15am and to spend your Saturday evening for the rest of summer connecting and building relationship with unchurched people so that in the fall you can invite them to join your cell group and invite them to the new Saturday Service. We'll keep you updated on the progress of the relaunch.

We apologize for any inconvenience, but look forward to see you all Sunday to celebrate Jesus!

God bless!

For Africa

2008-07-10T12:47:00.001-04:00

The Baobob Foundation will be helping us to send a shipping container to Africa when we go in the Spring.

We're collecting computers and school supplies, as well as first aid and medical supplies. Feel free to bring in your items to the church, and leave them on the table in the back of the auditorium

Don't forget the forum!

2008-07-09T22:28:00.001-04:00

The Open Arms Echurch Interact forum is an exciting place to be....

don't forget to check it out, and post your prayer requests, pray for people, talk about the bible, talk about life, post your favorite joke or story, and just hang out with us.

http://www.openarmsbradford.org/interact

'Mission Lemonade' to Raise Funds for Africa Trip

2008-06-19T19:11:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, a handful of Sunday School kids put their faith in action, and that action is motivating others at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford to do the same.

"Before church, they were selling rocks for a dollar," said Josh Hatcher, Outreach Coordinator at Open Arms. He said the kids had handwritten a little sign that said, "Rocks 4 Sale to help the Africa 'Mishuns' (Missions) Trip."

Open Arms has been planning a trip to the city of Conakry in Guinea, Africa in the Spring of 2009 to do humanitarian work.

After church, while the some of the adults were in a leadership meeting, the kids took their passion to the streets, putting together a makeshift lemonade stand and attempting to hawk their wares to passing cars.

Children's Ministry Coordinator Michelle Mahaney said, "I was really moved by what those kids did! They had that burning desire in their hearts; they were on a mission! They wanted to help and they did it the only way the knew. They had one hour to work with, and it got me thinking about how much they did in one hour."

Mahaney was inspired to launch what she calls "Mission Lemonade." She will work with all the kids from the Open Arms Children's Ministry to put up a lemonade stand at the church this weekend. All of the money raised will go to fund the upcoming missions trip.
"It's really the idea of a handful of elementary aged kids. I just want all of the kids to see that they can help make a difference. I want them to have a sense of accomplishment. If it works out well, we may sell lemonade once a month," said Mahaney.

Hatcher said that the church's trip to Guinea will be to help out a church and school comprised largely of refugees from Sierra Leone. "These are the refugees that you see in the movie 'Blood Diamond'. Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world. We've been in a close relationship with this church and school for about a year now, and we're excited about meeting our friends there face to face."

The "Mission Lemonade" stand will be open this Saturday, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and Sunday form 10:30 to 12:00 PM in front of Open Arms Community Church on East Main Street.

Team Harvey!!!

2008-06-19T16:21:00.002-04:00

Saturday, June 21 is the SoapBox Derby.

Thanks to a generous donor, and some help from the guys in Mike McAvoy's cell group, we've been able to help get a car together for a young friend of ours, Harvey Rose.

Come on out to CENTER STREET Saturday Morning at 9 AM, and wear your Open Arms shirts to cheer on Harvey as he races the Open Arms car in for the win!

It would be a great way to show support for a great young man.

I also know that the Soapbox Derby is going to need a lot of help setting up, and tearing down Friday Night and on Saturday. Please help support this great community event!

India Orphanage

2008-03-30T18:34:00.002-04:00

Open Arms helped a group of churches and individuals in the support of an Orphanage in India. If you want to continue to support and be involved in this project, here is some more information, courtesy of Bethany MacNeill.

How to stay informed:

www.trinitywellsville.org – Home page- Link: India Missions Information

you can find out information as well be emailing Betty Wood at bettywood@trinitywellsville.org

How can I get help? Financially or with my time?

Send donations to:

Trinity Lutheran Church

470 N. Main street

Wellsville, NY 14895

FUNDRAISER

When: June 14th 7:30am-10:30pm

Where: Gargoyle Park in Olean

What: Music, food, and games for children

Why: fundraiser to help in the purchase of the land
for Sheba and the orphans in Hyderabad, India.

** Looking for churches and Individuals to help and participate.

*Looking for a business to cover the cost of renting the park - $450.00

The Remix: Hip Hop Worship

2008-03-07T14:21:00.002-05:00

Open Arms Community Church and Grace Lutheran Church are partnering together to start a new worship service.

Our goal is to reach out to the hip hop culture in Bradford by creating an exciting and energetic worship service in their own language.

Starting April 3, 2008, The Remix will be happening on Thursday Nights at 8 o'clock with live hip hop worship from local hip hop group Panic Attack, and a streamlined video version of Pastor Mike's message from Open Arms.

5th Annual Superbowl Party

2008-01-23T12:36:00.000-05:00

The 5th Annual Open Arms Superbowl Party
Join us for the big game, bring a dish and drink to pass, and bring the whole family!

February 3rd, 6:00 PM

You can also join our Chicken Wing Contest!

For the "Private Division", for individuals and families, bring your best wing sauce, and a panel of judges will determine if your sauce is good enough to dethrone reigning Wing Champ Merril Strauss of Salamanca.

---------------------

Best Wings in Bradford Contest!

Open Arms will be hosting its 5th annual Superbowl Party this year, and we
would like to invite your restaurant to be a part of our annual wing
contest. The event grows each year, with more than two hundred people
showing up for wings, football, and fun for the whole family.

Over the past several years, we’ve hosted a Buffalo Wing Competition for
individuals to bring in their best wing sauce. The informal contest has
always been enjoyable and competitive, and the winner basically gets
“bragging rights”.

We thought this year; we would try something new, and launch a
“Professional Division” of the competition.

Individuals can still enter their wing sauce in the “Amateur/Private Division”,
but we’d like to ask all of the Eateries in town to enter their wings
for the Professional Division for some “bragging rights” of their own.

Here’s an overview of how the “Best Wings in Bradford Competition” will
look.

1. Your business donates a batch of 50 to 100 of their best wings
2. Each donated batch of wings will be displayed with a large poster
featuring their business name and information.
3. Each Wing Donor will receive a “Thank You Ad” on our church website
for one month. (Our Website received more than 40 thousand visits last
year!)
4. A panel of judges to be selected at the party will sample the wings,
and pick the winner.
5. The Winner will be announced at the event, and we will send out a
Press Release to local media outlets to announce the winner the next
day. We also commit that we will NOT release any other ranking than
first. No one wants to be known as the “Fourth Best Wings in Bradford”
and we have no desire to make anyone look bad!

It’s a great opportunity for some public relations and exposure for your
business! If you are interested in donating wings and being featured in
our contest, please contact Josh Hatcher at 814-331-1721.

Orphanage Crisis

2008-01-15T13:37:00.000-05:00

The Compassion Clement Mission in India needs our help!
Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville NY
has been working with an orphanage in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Trinity has paid a downpayment on a 500 thousand dollar 10 acre parcel of land in India that suits the needs of the mission group.

Right now, the mission needs to raise 60 thousand dollars by the end of January.

They've pledged an additional 30 thousand dollars in matching funds, and challenged the churches in our region to raise an addition 30 thousand by the end of the month.

The orphanage is currently in a two room building, and faces eviction at the end of the month. If the money can be raised, the children will be able to move into temporary housing on the new land. If it is not raised, the children will be kicked out into the streets.

Open Arms will be collecting a special offering the weekend of January 26th and 27th, and we will also be accepting online donations on our website.
Click this button to give to the Orphanage Crisis Fund

If you have any questions, or for more information, please contact Betty Wood: bettywood@trinitylutheran.com or Bethany MacNeill: blpmacneill@yahoo.com

Changing Service Times

2007-12-20T12:06:00.000-05:00

Effective January 6th, 2008: Open Arms will be changing our Sunday Morning service times.

We will be going to one Sunday service to be held at 10:15 AM. The Saturday Night service will not change.

At Open Arms, we are constantly evaluating the work we are doing, and we make frequently make changes in an effort to always become more effective at the work we do.

So we are considering this move as an experiment, and we will re-evaluate this in late spring.

Karate Seminar

2007-11-14T07:45:00.000-05:00

In connection with the Spiritual Blackbelt Series, Martial Arts Hall of Famer and 4th Degree Blackbelt Kenpo Master Michael Miller will be holding a Seminar Sunday November 18 at 1pm.

All are invited and we encourage you to bring your friends and family for fun and instruction.

This seminar will be an introduction to the basics of Kenpo Karate and self-defense with an emphasis on Women's and Children's Self-Defense.

Millers Dojo will be holding a Women's Self-Defense Seminar in December with David Hebler, Kenpo Master and the creator of the Women's Self-Defense Program.

Kenpo Seminar To Be Held at Open Arms

2007-11-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

Local Karate expert Mike Miller will conducting a free seminar Sunday, November 18th at 1:00pm at Open Arms Community Church. The seminar will be an introduction course to many of the benefits involved with martial arts training.

Miller says that the seminar is geared toward women and children, although anyone is welcome to come to learn some of the foundations of Kenpo Karate.

"American Kenpo Karate: An Introduction to the benefits of martial arts training" will explain some basic Karate positions and self defense movements. Miller says, "Kenpo Karate increases your confidence and self-esteem, instills self-discipline, improves self-control, betters your health and well being through fitness and exercise, relieves stress, and teaches the ultimate method of self-defense. Although Kenpo has much more to offer, these will be the main ingredients involved with this workshop."

Miller says that Kenpo Karate is an accessible sport, " Kenpo Karate is tailored to the individual so that any one in the world can do it regardless of age, weight, handicap, etc. You can do it, so come give it a try!"

Open Arms and Miller's Kenpo Karate Dojo are working together to host the event in conjunction with the Open Arms Sermon Series for the month of November, "Becoming a Spiritual Blackbelt," about spiritual maturity. Open Arms has featured video interviews of Mike Miller and footage from his karate class during the church services throughout November.

Mike Miller is a Fourth Degree Blackbelt and Martial Arts Hall of Famer. More information is available at millersdojo.com

Trunk or Treat Photos

2007-11-06T21:37:00.000-05:00

Photos from Trunk or Treat are online at Bradfordtoday.com

Bonfire Prayer Vigil Friday 6pm

2007-10-24T22:35:00.000-04:00

Don't forget this weeks prayer and fasting ends with a Bonfire Prayer Vigil from 6pm - midnight at Open Arms Community Church.

This is open to the public.

Come the whole time or for just a little while.

There is praise, fellowship, and prayer for our community, church family, ministry, various needs, and so much more.

Come and be God's tool to release His power and promise into these various situations.