Sunday morning, the head greeter at the Fort De Russy Army Chapel welcomed us with a smile and a lei made of sea shells. I straightened up and headed for the sanctuary. "Oh no, you don't," Lynne Shanahan said. "When you receive a lei you also get a hug."
Her disarming welcome was the start of a joyful and informal worship service that featured introductions of guests, birthday and anniversary mentions, a baby dedication of a beautiful little girl born to an African American naval officer and his Polynesian bride, two solos by a blind young woman, congregational singing led by a middle aged pianist and a 94 year old organist, and a sermon by a young military chaplain about Jesus calming the wind and the waves. Chaplain Rob Cargel's message was seasoned with military lingo. For example, "When the disciples set out in the boat, they had no 'detailed intel.' When the wind and the waves came up, they didn't know the 'ROE' (Rules Of Engagement)." His theme? Faith in Jesus is for the middle when you find yourself on a stormy mission or in a difficult experience between points A and B.
The next night found us seated in the comfortably dilapidated lobby of the Royal Grove Hotel for the free weekly concert by the Monday Night Royal Groove Band. Their instruments included two guitars, stand up bass, a couple of ukuleles, and a slide guitar.
For two hours we listened to authentic Hawaiian songs and watched in wonder as hula dancers of various ages came out of the small audience to express the sentiments of a song with fluid movements inspired by the gentle sway of palm branches and breaking waves. The Japanese hotel owner, Mr. Fong, 90, sat in and sang the lead on several songs, including a sad lament sung in memory of his wife who died three years earlier. Overhead, a fan stirred the air. Old surfboards and shelves weighed down by dusty knickknacks decorated the walls. "God will give you rainbows," the musicians sang. At the close of their two hour set, we stood in a circle, held hands, tried a few hula moves of our own, and sang a farewell song with the band.
Sunday morning and Monday night were full of the spirit of God and the spirit of Aloha that promotes harmony between the different races and cultures that have made the Hawaiian islands their home. These two worshipful experiences creased our faces with smiles and filled us with gratitude for the Lord's diverse and abundant gifts.
Her disarming welcome was the start of a joyful and informal worship service that featured introductions of guests, birthday and anniversary mentions, a baby dedication of a beautiful little girl born to an African American naval officer and his Polynesian bride, two solos by a blind young woman, congregational singing led by a middle aged pianist and a 94 year old organist, and a sermon by a young military chaplain about Jesus calming the wind and the waves. Chaplain Rob Cargel's message was seasoned with military lingo. For example, "When the disciples set out in the boat, they had no 'detailed intel.' When the wind and the waves came up, they didn't know the 'ROE' (Rules Of Engagement)." His theme? Faith in Jesus is for the middle when you find yourself on a stormy mission or in a difficult experience between points A and B.
The next night found us seated in the comfortably dilapidated lobby of the Royal Grove Hotel for the free weekly concert by the Monday Night Royal Groove Band. Their instruments included two guitars, stand up bass, a couple of ukuleles, and a slide guitar.
For two hours we listened to authentic Hawaiian songs and watched in wonder as hula dancers of various ages came out of the small audience to express the sentiments of a song with fluid movements inspired by the gentle sway of palm branches and breaking waves. The Japanese hotel owner, Mr. Fong, 90, sat in and sang the lead on several songs, including a sad lament sung in memory of his wife who died three years earlier. Overhead, a fan stirred the air. Old surfboards and shelves weighed down by dusty knickknacks decorated the walls. "God will give you rainbows," the musicians sang. At the close of their two hour set, we stood in a circle, held hands, tried a few hula moves of our own, and sang a farewell song with the band.
Sunday morning and Monday night were full of the spirit of God and the spirit of Aloha that promotes harmony between the different races and cultures that have made the Hawaiian islands their home. These two worshipful experiences creased our faces with smiles and filled us with gratitude for the Lord's diverse and abundant gifts.
- Pastor Peter
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