Open Arms Community Church News

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.

Candy for Outreach Oct 27/28

2007-10-24T22:28:00.000-04:00

We're encouraging everyone to bring in as much candy as you can through the weekend of Oct. 27-28 for the Soulfest Outreach we're doing in conjunction with Grace Lutheran Church.

The Trunk-or-Treat will be held at the Grace Lutheran Church during Trick-or-Treat hours in downtown Bradford.

You may still get involved serving the children and families of our community. We're looking for people to help run games and for people to decorate their cars and hand candy out of their trunk.

KidZ Fest!!!

2007-07-29T11:17:00.000-04:00

KidZ Fest
a free family event!!!
Free Food
fun games
prizes
music
puppets
& more!

August 3rd, 2007
at Callahan Park (across the bridge)

2pm - SHOW featuring Crosswalk Ministries
3pm - KIDZ CARNIVAL - for ages 11 and under
6pm - SHOW featuring Crosswalk Ministries

Toddler Church

2007-07-29T11:16:00.001-04:00

Toddler Church will be launching August 4th and 5th during the 2nd Sunday Service.

NURSERY will be available during Saturday Nights and Sunday Second Service.

Pizza Party

2007-07-29T11:14:00.000-04:00

for all Kidzfest volunteers on Wednesday August 1st at 6PM. If you are interested in volunteering or have already been asked to volunteer, please come that night. It's very important to show up, as we will be going over the details about the outreach.

Online Directory

2007-07-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

We are in the process of creating an online church directory in our forum. If you are interested in having your information included (it will be in a locked forum, which will only be seen by approved members) please check the master list in the table by the doors of the auditorium at church, or email helgazoe@atlanticbb.net . Make the appropriate corrections to the list, or email the correct information.

If you do NOT want your information to be included, please cross off your name on the list, and you will not be added.

Promise Keepers Road Trip

2007-07-29T11:09:00.000-04:00

Meet at Walmart Parking Lot in Bradford. Bus Leaves promptly at 8AM, Bring sleeping bags, toiletries, spending money. Registration fee due prior to trip. ($70 adult, $59 kids) Check payable to Open Arms marked Prommise Keepers Reg. Fee placed in offering bag. Thanks

Father's Day Barbecue

2007-06-12T18:22:00.001-04:00

Father's Day Barbecue

immediately following the second service this Sunday, June 17th

Please Bring a Large Dish to Pass. (We want to make sure we have enough food to go around!)

Want to Coordinate what you are bringing?
Hop on our Echurch Interact Forum at

http://www.openarmsbradford.org/interact/

Drinks and Chicken will be provided.

Internet Sex Crimes Seminar

2007-06-12T14:41:00.000-04:00

Internet Sex Crimes Seminar
Wednesday June 20 6:30-8:30 PM

An Undercover Agent with the FBI Internet Sex Crimes Task Force will explain what Sex Crimes are, How they happen, Warning Signs for parents and teens, and Preventative Steps to protect your family.

Open Arms Community Church
www.openarmsbradford.org
1289 East Main Street
Bradford, PA 16701