From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Heavenly Connections
Dear Friends,
There will be a regular All Saints service at 11 a.m. this Sunday. Rev. Mark Crawford will be leading, and Helga Spring will be preaching. However, that may be the last face to face service for some time.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says:
Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
As we cannot meet in person, we will meet online instead. It is not as good, but it will mean we can stay connected and still encourage and support one another.
In order to do this we are using the Zoom platform.
If you don’t already have a zoom account, click on this link and download the app. It says add your work email, but you should use your personal one! (You will have to say “yes” to lots of questions so that it can work on your phone, laptop, or tablet.)
We will meet together at 4 p.m. Thai time this Sunday, and clicking on this link just before the time, will let you join the group and attend the service. (If you need it, the Meeting ID is 975 214 787)
The service will consist of our usual Eucharistic worship – minus the hymns as singing doesn’t work on Zoom due to the slight time delay. All are welcome to join in the prayers and liturgy, to listen to the readings and sermon, and to receive virtual communion if they feel comfortable.
If you want to receive virtual communion then have a small piece of bread and a small glass of wine or grape juice prepared. Whether “virtual communion” is effective is something for a theological discussion, but I am sure that God will bless our actions at this time if we act in a loving and reverent manner.
The words of the bulletin are pasted below at the end of this email, or you can download them as a pdf to view or print from this link, so that you can read and join in the liturgy if you wish.
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Exodus 17:1-7, Ephesians 5:8-14, and John 4:5-42.
You don’t need to be in Chiang Mai, or Thailand, to join in, and I will be leading our worship from the UK. If you are unable to join us at 4 p.m. on Sunday, or don’t wish to use Zoom, the service will be recorded and will be available on YouTube shortly afterwards.
Following the service we will have “virtual coffee” when people can stay and chat for longer! (Have your coffee ready to go!!!)
This is our first attempt and many things may go wrong – but let’s see how it goes! Also, remember there is a face-to-face service at 11 a.m. this Sunday, but as many are already in isolation we are starting this now and, of course, you can do both!
You can also vie past services and sermons via the All Saints audio-visual page! This is a great place to catch up if you’ve been away! Each sermon only lasts around 15 minutes.
God bless,
Iain
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 22nd 2020
Welcome to Worship
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Greeting
The Lord be with you! And also with you!
Words of welcome
Prayer of Preparation
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Penitence
….
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
….
We confess to you our selfishness and lack of love:
fill us with your Spirit.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
We confess to you our fear and failure in sharing our faith:
fill us with your Spirit.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
We confess to you our stubbornness and lack of trust:
fill us with your Spirit.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Collect
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 17:1-7
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul
and guide me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost,
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be
World without end, Amen
New Testament Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Reading
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
The Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
The Apostles’ Creed
I trust in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I trust in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I trust in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Response:
Lord, give us to drink
from the spring of the water of life:
In your mercy, hear our prayer
Through the living water given to us in Christ, O God,
you have set us free to live.
By the power of the Spirit,
may your kingdom come,
and your will be done,
that we may rejoice in the gift of salvation
Jesus has won for us. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you! And also with you!
Offering and Preparation of the Table
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here. God’s Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks It is right to give
to the Lord our God. thanks and praise.
….
As we prepare to celebrate the Easter feast with joyful hearts and minds we bless you for your mercy
and join with saints and angels for ever praising you and saying:
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the Highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the Highest.
….
We sing: The mystery of faith:
We proclaim your death, O Lord,
And profess your resurrection
Until you come again.
….
Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen
.
Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Giving of Communion
We share in the Body and Blood of Christ
Prayer after Communion
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Saviour
gave his back to the smiters
and did not hide his face from shame:
give us grace to endure the sufferings of this present time
with sure confidence in the glory that shall be revealed;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing and Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
All Saints' Chiang Mai 