Good News?

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

The statue of Edward Colston

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Dear Friends,

The message of Jesus is good news, but good news for all?  In our Gospel reading this week, Jesus tells his disciples to go out and preach the good news, but says it is not good news for those who rejects his message.

Few could argue against the toppling of a statue of a slave-trader that we saw in Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the UK this week, but the toppling of the mighty is what Mary declares in Luke chapter one:

He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.

Jesus promises God’s kingdom is an upside down kingdom, it is a place with a servant king and justice for all!  As many around the world continue to march for justice, we, as Christians, must hold them in our prayers and support them with our lives too.  Our God is an awesome God, and each week we pray, Your Kingdom Come!

We will virtually meet again this Sunday at 6 p.m. in Thailand, to worship together.  (7 a.m. in New York, midday in the U.K., and 1 p.m. in Europe and Egypt!)

Click here to join the Service this Sunday!

Worshipping Together!

Last week’s service can be viewed here!

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Exodus 19:2-8, Romans 5:1-8, and Matthew 9:35-10:15, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing, Brother Sister Let me Serve You, We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations, and I the Lord of Sea and Sky!

Our service will consist of our usual Eucharistic worship!  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.

The words of this Sunday’s bulletin is pasted below at the end of this email, or you can download it as a pdf to view or print from this link.    You can then read and join in the liturgy if you wish.

Thursday Discussion Group

This week we will be discussing Richard Rohr’s blog post for 10th June on the theme of “Contemplation and Racism”.  The post can be read here.  The link to the Zoom meeting is here!  Please join us at 8 p.m. Thai time.

Thursday Lunch

Next Thursday, 18th June, we will be resuming our weekly get-together lunch.  The exact location is still to be determined – could be the Gymkhana Club, Green O’Clock, or Bake & Bite.   More details nearer the time!  Let me know what you think.

Weekly Offering to All Saints

Although we are not meeting together face-to-face, the expenses of All Saints remain – indeed, they may increase as we seek to support those in need!

Although there is no basket being passed around in our service, you can still give your offering.  People in Thailand can transfer directly to the church bank account.  (Which is in my name, but managed by our treasurer, Don Williams.)  Thanks to all those who have already given – we are receiving approximately our normal monthly offering!

The details are:

Account Name: Iain Girvin Baxter
Bank: Krungsri Bank
Account Number: 7181-05586-5
SWIFT Code: AYUDTHBK

Those in the UK, or with UK banking, can donate via All Saints Chiang Mai Mission.  Their account details are:

Bank: Coop Bank
Account Name:  All Saints Chiang Mai Mission
Account Number: 65877142
Sort Code:  08-92-99

Alternatively, you can donate with PayPal or with any debit or credit card via the All Saints Website on the Donate Page.

Please email me if you would like a receipt.

Keeping in Touch

At this time of isolation it is important that we keep in touch with each other.  We have an All Saints church directory with a list of many people’s phone numbers, so if you would like a copy please email me, on iain@AllSaintsChiangMai.com and I will send it to you.

Please feel free to share this email.  People may be feeling especially alone and vulnerable at this time.  Let them know that we are there for them and that God is with us!

God bless,

Father Iain

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Hymn:   
Let All the World in Every Corner Sing

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
….

Most merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.

Gloria:             Glory to God

The Collect

Old Testament Reading:
Exodus 19:2-8

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 116

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:
Romans 5:1-8

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.

The Gospel Reading:
Matthew 9:35-10:15

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Youth Charity Foundation Song

Sermon

The Creed
(From the New Zealand
Anglican Prayer Book)

You, O God,
are supreme and holy.
You create our world
and give us life.
Your purpose over-arches
everything we do.
You have always been with us.
You are God.

You, O God,
are infinitely generous,
good beyond all measure.
You came to us
before we came to you.
You have revealed and proved
Your love for us
in Jesus Christ,
Who lived and died and rose again.
You are God.
Amen.

Hymn:
Brother, Sister, Let me Serve You

Prayers of Intercession

Response:     
Lord, you are persistent
in faithfulness
and constant in love:
In your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let our prayers and praises
ill your temple, O Father,
as you send forth your Spirit
into the world
to empower your children
to do the deeds of your Son
and to be signs of your divine presence;
We pray in the name of
our Saviour Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you,
O Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord
be always with you!
And also with you!
Let us offer one another
a sign of peace.

Offering and Preparation of the Table

Hymn:
We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

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
to the Lord our God.
It is right to give
thanks and praise.
…. 

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord
God of power and might,
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.
….

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
….

The Lord’s Prayer

Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
Our Father in heaven…

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

Eternal Father,
we thank you
for nourishing us
with these heavenly gifts:
may our communion
strengthen us in faith,
build us up in hope,
and make us grow in love;
for the sake of
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn:
I, the Lord of Sea and Sky         

Blessing and Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.  Amen.