Open Arms Community Church to host ‘Church In Town’ outdoor worship event, free lunch

Open Arms Community Church invites the public to a special outdoor event, Church In Town, at 10 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of their new location at 71 Congress St.

This family-friendly event features an outdoor worship service followed by a free community lunch, and is open to everyone — whether you regularly attend church or have never been.

After relocating to their new building, the church has spent the past several months settling in, creating a welcoming space, and reaching out to the community. Now they’re inviting neighbors to visit and experience what Open Arms is all about.

“The mission of Open Arms Community Church is ‘Real People Helping People Become More Like Jesus as a Family,’” said Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher. “To help people be more like Jesus, we need to model what He did — He moved into the neighborhood. (John 1:14, The Message). By bringing our services outside the four walls of the church, we’re showing our community that we love them and want to be with them. That’s how family starts — by building relationships. We want everyone to know they’re welcome to worship with us, even if they’re not yet comfortable stepping inside a church building.”

Pastor Dan Robinson added, “Some people give church buildings a bad rap, like just because they don’t always attend, they may not be welcome inside the building. By inviting people to our location in the heart of the city, we are creating a welcoming environment where people can come, relax, hear God’s word, and meet a new family who is ready to welcome them with open arms — no pun intended. It’s easy to come to an outdoor event — show up, say hi, and have a bite to eat.”

Whether you’re curious about church or just looking for a warm meal and friendly faces, Church In Town is a no-pressure opportunity to connect, worship and belong, organizers said.