A huge crowd took advantage of the weather Friday to attend Bradford’s Festa Italiana. The “Italian Fest”, as it is commonly known, has been a tradition for years, with Italian cuisine and entertainment. The games, music, food, and beer spell a three day party with plenty to do for the entire family. The celebration culminates with a fireworks display at dark on Saturday night.

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Bradford City Council met Tuesday, 6/24/08. As expected, the City’s dog ordinance was amended to require a person walking their dog to have some means of cleaning up after their pet.

Council also approved a $200,000 loan to Zito Media for their on-going fiber optic project. This phase will continue work to include Bradford in the “fiber ring”. Jim Rigas and Steve Zwerin of Zito Media explained what the project involves.

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If you see these kids out this weekend, please support them, and have a glass of lemonade at the same time!

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Two Bradford Churches are working together to launch a new kind of church service in town. Grace Lutheran and Open Arms Community Churches are teaming up to start “The Remix” on Thursday nights at the Grace Lutheran Community Life Center.

“Hip Hop is at this point, a large part of our culture. There are a lot of people in our community who live the hip hop culture, and the church is not connecting with them,” says Josh Hatcher, Outreach Coordinator at Open Arms.

“The Remix” service will be rap worship music with local Christian Hip Hop Group Panic Attack, which is made up of Justin Willoughby, and Larry Petry, and then a “remixed” video version of the weekly church service from Open Arms. Read the rest of this entry »

Grace Lutheran Ministries and Open Arms Community Church
are teaming up this year to bring local trick or
treaters a good time in Bradford.

“Trunk or Treat” is the name of the event, and the concept is simple: church members from
both churches will show up to the Community Life Center Parking Lot behind Country Fair
on Mechanic Street, armed with Candy, and wildly decorated car trunks.

“It’s a way for us to show love to our community, by giving them a good time,” says Josh
Hatcher, Outreach Pastor at Open Arms Community Church .

The Community Life Center will be abuzz with games and activities for kids as well during
trick or treating time, from 6-7:30PM

Then, from 8-10, Open Arms ill be hosting “The Revolution Halloween Bash”. That event
will feature a concert from local band “Until Daybreak” and “Dank” as well as a movie,
and a good time for teenagers and young adults.

Youth Leader Justin Willoughby says, “We wanted to offer something positive for teens to
do on Halloween Night. It’s going to be a safe environment.”

Additionally, this year’s Halloween Bash is meant to be a safe place for teens and young adults to stay off the streets and have a good time this Halloween.

Music will be provided by local bands Until Daybreak and Dank.

Candy, Costumes, and Movies…. and a good, clean, safe, fun time.

Things that go bump in the night, ghosts and ghouls will be the focal point of messages presented this month at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford.

The church is launching a series called “Supernatural: The DARK SIDE of Spirituality,” touching on a topic rarely discussed in churches.

“I’m really excited about the idea of addressing the issues of ghosts, demons, psychics, mediums, and so on.,” said Pastor Mike McAvoy. “We need to talk openly about these issues without always coming across critical and judgmental. I’m even more excited to discuss the power of God and the spiritual experiences we’re to have with him”

Many people are intrigued by the television shows about the paranormal and supernatural. McAvoy said he hopes to tap into God’s perspective with the messages, subjects ranging from ghosts, psychics, witchcraft, and other paranormal phenomenon.

“So many people have supernatural experiences but question the source and the long term effect,” he said. “We’re looking to see what the Bible says regarding how to discern the source accurately, what are the effects, how to face negative spiritual experiences, and how to experience positive spiritual experiences.”

Church services are held 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. The message may also be downloaded from the Open Arms Community Church website at openarmsbradford.org.

For more information, or Soundbytes, contact Josh Hatcher:
814-362-2813 cell: 814-331-1721 .