From the Rev. Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai
What can we do?
Dear Friends,
Having seen the terrible carnage wreaked by one man in Las Vegas this week, the most frightening thing is the lack of reaction. We would expect the reaction “something must be done”, but instead reactions range from “nothing needs to be done” from the gun lobby, to “nothing can be done” from those who advocate gun control but have given up on any political progress.
By coincidence, our Old Testament reading for this Sunday includes the Ten Commandments, including “Thou shalt not kill”, and in our Gospel reading Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants, who first kill the owner’s servants and then his son. As Christians, we believe that only God can make the world a perfect place, but that we are called to work alongside God to change our world, to build God’s kingdom on earth. Join us this Sunday as we ask the question: what can we do?
Our readings for this Sunday are Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4-14, and Matthew 21:33-46, and we will be singing the hymns Fairest Lord Jesus, To a Place of Celebration, From Heaven You Came, and Let Us Build a House.
The readings can be found via this link !
The Bengali Humanitarian Relief Fund
Last week’s special collection for Rohingya Refugees raised the incredible sum of THB 21,150. Thank you for all who contributed so generously. It has been sent to the Mother Child Concern Foundation who are working on the ground in Bangladesh.
Pledge Cards
This Sunday our treasurer, Richard Murray, will be introducing the idea of pledge cards to All Saints. Those who wish to, can fill in a pledge card, pledging how much they wish to give each week or month. They can choose to give by bank transfer, PayPal via the church website, or through dated envelopes in the weekly offering.
We hope this will help us all to prayerfully consider our giving, and will both increase and stabilise the weekly offering at All Saints, so we can do even more in service of God’s world!
Harvest Festival – Next Week!
On Sunday 15th October, next week, we will journey together to Thung Dong Farm to celebrate our Harvest Festival Eucharist in the midst of nature. We will leave church at 9:30 a.m. This will be followed by a barbecue, please bring salads and deserts to share. There will be a sign-up sheet at the back of the church. Please sign-up this week if you intend to come!
Season of Remembrance
On 29th October we will begin our Season of Remembrance at All Saints. This will include:
Sunday 29th October 11 a.m.
Remembrance of Thailand – in the week of the King’s Funeral
Sunday 5th November 11 a.m.
All Saints Day Service – when we remember all who have died
Saturday 11th November 10:30 a.m.
Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Foreign Cemetery –
Remembering all victims of war
Sunday 12th November 10:30 a.m.
Remembrance Sunday Service at All Saints –
Remembering all victims of war
Sunday 19th November 11 a.m.
Service for Transgender Day of Remembrance
.
Join the Choir
Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held on Saturday 9th December. Lannacapella Choir will be leading the worship. They would love more singers. If you would like to join to sing at this event, please see Chris or email her on christinebaw@gmail.com.
If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.
Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others.
All are welcome to join us as we share the presence of the risen Jesus in our lives! We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,
God bless,
Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 