Community Vacation Bible School
at Arthur Mennonite Church June 16-20
Some pictures of our great week!

Most recent article submitted to the Arthur Graphic Newspaper
By Glen Rhodes, Minister of Discipling
July 21, 2008

Got Faith?

The story is told of two nuns who were on their way to the local nursing home one day. As they traveled through town they noticed that their car was acting very strange and not running very well. Two blocks later the vehicle came to a stop and they noticed the gas gauge was on empty. They had run out of gas. Conveniently there was a gas station two blocks down the road.

The two women looked around for something to transport a little bit a gasoline from the station to their car and could only find a bedpan from the nursing home in their backseat. After they filled the bedpan with gas they headed back and started to pour the gas into their tank. As they did that, a couple drove by and observed curiously what was happening along the road. As they watched the nuns pour the gas from the bedpan into the car the women said to her husband, “Now that’s what I call faith!”

In Luke 7:1-10 there is a testimony of great faith. A centurion has heard of Jesus and his miracles and has sent some of his people to ask Jesus for help. The centurion had a servant who was very ill. In verse 2 it says that he was sick and about to die. As Jesus comes close to his house he sends another message. He says that he is not worthy of Jesus coming to his house, but yet he would like to see his friend healed. Jesus is amazed at the faith of this man. He said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” In verse 10 it says, “Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.”

How is your faith level these days? Do you have faith that Christ will show up and be there for you in your greatest hours of need? Have you asked? Have you called on his name? One thing I have learned through the years is that I should never underestimate the power of Jesus Christ in my life.

Recently I ran across a poem by Nancy Spiegelberg and Dorothy Purdy entitled “If I had only known you.” It goes like this…. “Lord, I crawled across the barrenness to you with my empty cup, uncertain in asking any small drop of refreshment. If only I had known You better, I’d have come running with a bucket.” What mountain needs to be moved in your life? Perhaps it’s time to put away our cups and break out the buckets.

The Ark Playground was dedicated May 6, 2007!
Here are some pictures of the finished project as well as the work that went into seeing it become a reality.

Article about Ark Playground
In Arthur Graphic Clarion Newspaper

By ROGER W. BONHAM Managing Editor

The Bible tells us that Noah built an ark to save his family as well as animals from a “Great Flood.”

     It’s no wonder, then, that several residents near 710 East Park Street became concerned when members of Arthur Mennonite Church began building an ark. They need not worry, for, unlike Noah, the builders had not been forewarned by God of another impending flood. They simply built an Ark Playground for the children of the community.
     The playground gives children a place to play after church and during First Sunday Fellowship Meals and other special events. It came about after Glen Rhodes, minister of discipling, attended his grandfather’s funeral in Virginia.
     The church had a similar playground ark (boat). Rhodes photographed the structure and showed it to the ministry team at Arthur Mennonite Church who immediately began talking about it and took it to the congregation. They liked the idea and looked into purchasing kits, but decided they had plenty of construction people in the church to build it themselves from scratch.
     When Lamar Miller, minister of worship and youth, saw it; he immediately showed interest and put his construction background to work drawing plans. A construction committee was formed consisting of Miller, Oreo Otto, and Joe Gingerich.
     The Ark has several levels and includes a fireman’s pole to carry youngsters from the deck to the lower level, two trapeze bars, four swings, two slides, and a huge steering wheel. The ship is anchored in water formed by blue mulch. The inside of the Ark has open windows.
     Great care was taken to provide a safe ship and area for playing. The colored mulch surrounding the Ark is made of rubber for softer “landings.” The ship itself is made of treated wood with composite boards forming the deck and ramps—no splinters.
     The Ark has been a project of the entire church with all ages participating in some way. Children gave their Sunday school offerings to the project. Members helped purchase or furnished building materials, and much of the material was purchased at a discount from Horizon Building Center.
     Work on the project was completed late in November, and the Ark playground will be dedicated this spring.
     The church sees the playground not only as a blessing for the children of the church but also as an opportunity to reach out to the children of the community and their families. It is for everyone.
          “The children have needed this, a place to play, for a long time,” Rhodes said. “We also have two basketball goals on the lot between the church and our youth house. We hope the community’s youth will find this a fun and friendly place to play.”