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Welcome to The Canteen Chapel
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Although we are always aware
that the Canteen is operating
in Cyberspace, we want the troops
and anyone who is on the receiving end
of prayers at the Canteen,
to know that these prayers are very real.
I hope the troops and Canteeners
alike, will view this Canteen Chapel,
as a place where you might go in times of
trouble or times of joy to be with your God.
"Come unto me all ye who are weary and
burdened,and I shall give you rest." (Matt: 11:28).
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The Chaplain's Corner
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J. Grant Swank, Jr.,
Pastor, New Hope Church
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Mercy at the Hospital
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"You don't have cancer!"
What a boon. The doctor had just handed me the good news of a clean bill of health. Tests were completed. Wonderful. Now time to get out of there and head home.
But first, I had to go to the second floor. Passing by the hallway's Prayer Requests Register, I slipped into the chapel. Worship already had begun. About two dozen clustered in the sanctuary's middle. I took an end seat.
"Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, grant us peace."
There were several huge bouquets of large red carnations positioned throughout. Interestingly enough, there was a bare tree limb mobile hanging from the chapel's front, hovering above the crucifix. Dangling from the branches were red cutouts representing the Day of Pentecost tongues of fire that settled upon the hundred and twenty in prayer. How unique.
Time to stand up and recite another part of the ritual. Now we could sit.
It was restful there. I needed that reprieve. I had been apprehensive about my medical tests. The outcome was not certain. However, with the doctor's good-health report, I had to stop long enough to offer my personal prayer of thanksgiving.
So life would go on. There would be more to see through for His gospel's sake. I felt honored and blessed. Therefore, rushing to my car would not suffice. I had to make time for this worship breather.
Portland's Mercy Hospital could not have been more welcoming. It was exactly where I needed to be, where I wanted to be.
". . .give us this day our daily bread. . ." the worshipers prayed aloud. Yes indeed, I petitioned silently.
Then it was time to "pass the peace". What a joy for me. I was more than glad to shake hands with fellow worshipers. I wanted to tell each of them the encouraging report - my tests came out with "no cancer" at the top of the list. I wanted to shake the priest's hand to share with him, too, the news.
However, that would have to wait, perhaps till eternity. We all would scatter in a few moments. No one there knew me. I was folded into the congregation and so would behave. I knew my manners.
Yet inside I was bursting with praise to the living God. "Thank you, Jesus!"
That tall priest officiating was one handsome black fellow with an accent. He was striking in his green vestment. He spoke gently. His manner was well bred. I wanted to visit with him for awhile. It was one of those socializing urges that comes when bubbling over with happiness.
But that too would have to wait.
Yet what was not put on hold was my soul-talk with the Savior. I spoke without words - from the heart - my own personal Pentecost. There He hung on the cross in front of my eyes; but in my spirit He was very much alive. And with that He had handed me a doctor's glad word.
The priest's broad smile and large extended arms signaled the close of worship. "God bless you" was his benediction. We left our places in the pews to disappear down one hallway or another.
As I drove out of the parking lot, I spied a couple who had been seated near me in the sanctuary. "So they live nearby," I thought. In other words, they were not patients nor visiting patients. They were neighbors of the hospital, so took advantage of one of the city's tucked away treasures - a chapel.
How many burgs have I lived in - Calgary, Akron, Kansas City, Fishkill, Walpole, Manchester, Vernon, Frederick, College Park, Indianapolis, Quincy? In them all I have sought out the metro treasure - that hospital chapel. In doing so, I always have been revived in the midst of my days.
Thank you, Jesus.
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Click on banner above to listen to this song.
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Our Canteen Chaplain,Grant Swank,is pastor
of the New Hope Church. He has pastored for
40+ years, ministering in Calgary, Alberta;
Indianapolis; Kansas City; Manchester CT;
Akron OH; Fishkill NY; Walpole MA and presently
in Maine.
Grant also finds ministry in writing for various
Protestant and Catholic publications, including
CHRISTIANITY TODAY, DECISION and THE PRIEST.
Presently, Grant is providing columns for
websites such as CHALCEDON, INTELLECTUAL.
CONSERVATIVE,
MENSNEWSDAILY, MICHNEWS and WOUNDEDSHEPHERDS.
He also writes a weekly column, "Lakes
Religion," for the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
newspaper, Portland ME.
He and his wife, Priscilla, have traveled
extensively, including the Middle East, Europe
and South America. The Swanks have three adult
children: Crystal, Jay and
Heidi Jo.
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. A Prayer for the United States
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Translation:
He who gives victory to kings and dominion to
princes, whose reign is a reign for all eternity,
who saved David, his Servant, from the evil sword,
who made a road through the sea and a path through
mighty waters, may He bless, guard, protect,
aid, exalt, make great and raise on high
The President of the United States George W. Bush
May the King of all Kings in his mercy, keep him
alive and guard him from every distress, grief and
trouble.May he lead nations beneath his feet and
cause his enemies to fall down before him, and may
he have success in all that he shall undertake. May
the King of all kings in his mercy, place compassion
into his heart and into the hearts of all his
advisers and ministers, to deal kindly with us and
with all of Israel. In his days and in our days may
Judah be redeemed and Israel dwell securely, and may
the redeemer come to Zion, may this be His will, and
let us say, Amen.
Thank you Alouette
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Music from Israel
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A Sabbath Song..........May the Temple Be Built
Shalom Medley .........He That Keeps Israel
On The Sabbath Day ...........They Will Rejoice in Thy Kingdom
(You will need Windows Media Player for these songs)
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George W. Bush: A President of Faith
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A Man of Prayer
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A reporter on CNN was asked
"What did George W. Bush do
on his first morning as president-elect?"
This was Tony Clark's answer:
"He attended a prayer service with family,
friends and staff members."
George W Bush's priorities were established
on the first day of his Presidency.
The President Takes His Faith to Work
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President George W. Bush looks over to Thomas Martello, 6,
during the signing ceremony of the Victims of Terrorism
Tax Relief Act in the East Room Jan. 23.
"We're joined today by families who have lost loved ones
in the great acts of evil," said the President.
"As you draw on faith and personal strength to cope with your grief,
I hope you'll also find comfort in the knowledge that
your nation stands with you and prays for you.
We mourn those whom we've lost, and we face the future together."
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The President Lives his Faith
President Bush says he prays every day
in all kinds of situations,
and has been seen to quietly bow his head and pray
before news conferences and important meetings.
"I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things
but for heavenly things, for wisdom
and patience and understanding."
"For strength and support, Bush turns to
the same things that have sustained
him for two decades: his faith and his family . . .
Bush prays and reads the Bible every day.
These days, aides say, they often spot
a Bible on his desk in the Oval Office.
In conversation or meetings, he often refers to
passages of Scripture that he has just read."
"There are prayers that help us last
through the day, or endure the night.
There are prayers of friends and strangers
that give us strength for the journey.
And there are prayers that yield
our will to a will greater than our own."
George W. Bush September 14, 2001
National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.
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Music for a Sunday
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Eternal Father (organ)....Joyful We Adore Thee (organ)
The Hallelujah Chorus ...... Ave Maria (Kiri Te Kawana)
How Great Thou Art (Elvis).....Just A Closer Walk (Anne Murray)......
Church in the Wildwood (Charlie Pride).....Faith Like That (Anchormen)
In The Garden (Loretta Lynn).......Our God is an Awesome God (Carman)
Take My Hand (Mahalia Jackson).....We Shall Behold Him (The Ruppes)
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The Children's Corner
Click on child in prayer, to hear Veggie Tunes
(this is over half an hour of music)
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Jesus Loves Me
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Hymns of the Military
Army Hymn: "God of Our Fathers"
Navy Hymn: "Eternal Father Strong to Save"
Air Force Hymn: "Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly"
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We, at the Canteen, offer these prayers
to those serving their country
today. God Bless you all.
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Psalm 59:1,16&17
(Patti Vaillant)
"Deliver me from mine enemies,O my God:
Defend me from them that rise up against me.
But I will sing of thy power;yes I will sing
aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou
hast been my defence and refuge in the day
of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength will
I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of
my mercy."
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Our Prayer
(Celine Dion/Andrea Bocelli)
I pray you'll be our eyes,
And watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer,
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place,
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.
I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are..
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child,
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
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