Open Arms Community Church invites the community to join in their annual Christmas Eve’s Eve service. The event will take place on Saturday, December 23, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the church’s location at 1289 East Main Street in Bradford, PA.

The evening will feature a heartfelt blend of music, a children’s ministry skit, and an inspiring message. There will be refreshments and transportation provided. The event will conclude with a moving candlelight rendition of Silent Night, a moment that Pastor Zoe Hatcher describes as “a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the peace Christ brings into the world.”

This years’ service will be especially meaningful, as it will be the last Christmas Eve’s Eve service to be held at the East Main Street location. The church will be relocating as part of its building swap with First Baptist in the spring of 2025.

“This season is a gift for us,” said Pastor Hatcher. “It’s a time to gather together, celebrate, and reflect not just on the holidays but on the transformative gift of our Savior’s birth. I will be sharing about the opportunity we have to share that Good News with others, and what a joy it is to share that with our community.”

Each year, the church collects a special offering during their Christmas Eve’s Eve service. This year, money collected will go toward the church’s building campaign to help make the new location accessible for all.

Pastor Hatcher added, “As we look forward to the future with our new building in downtown Bradford, it’s humbling to see God’s faithfulness to us through the years. This years’ service is about more than just celebrating; it’s about stepping forward in faith as a unified church and community.”

Open Arms traditionally holds their service on the 23rd, rather than Christmas Eve. “We want to allow people to keep Christmas Eve open to celebrate with their families. We have always had a church with young families, and people often travel to visit during the holidays,” said Hatcher, “By holding our service on ‘Eve’s Eve,’ we’ve been able to relieve a little of that pressure that people feel around the holidays.”

Open Arms Community Church encourages everyone to come and share in their celebration of the Savior’s birth. Whether it’s your first time or an annual tradition, their Christmas Eve’s Eve service offers a warm welcome and a meaningful way to embrace the true reason for the season.

The church will be providing rides with their bus to the 6 p.m. service, and the bus schedule is available online and on social media. For more information, visit Open Arms Community Church’s special event website at http://christmaseveseve.com.