Monthly Archives: September 2020

Kingdom!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai


Whose is the Kingdom?
Dear Friends,

We know that Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth, and in the Lord’s Prayer we say “For thine is the Kingdom…”, but who will inherit the Kingdom of God? In this week’s Gospel reading Jesus tells the parable of the Wicked Tenants.  In the past this parable has been used in anti-semitic ways against the Jews, and we must be careful to avoid that for it applies equally to us who were born and raised in the church.

The question is, are we welcoming the message of the biblical prophets, and most importantly of Jesus?  So much of that message is about justice for the poor, yet do we do anything to stand up for the marginalised and those in need?  Who are we in the parable?  The new tenants or the old ones?  Find out more this Sunday at All Saints!

In person worship continues and this Sunday you can again join the congregation in person at 10 a.m., or join live on Zoom with this link, or watch later via the All Saints Audio-Visual page.
 Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:4-14, and Matthew 21:33-46, and our hymns will be Christ whose glory fills the Skies and Take my life and let it be!

Details of the practical arrangements for Face-to-Face worship are below. Face-to-Face Worship at All Saints

 The following measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those attending: The chairs have been rearranged to ensure that social distancing is maintained, people’s temperature will be taken on arrival, masks will be required, and hand gel supplied.  Names and contact details will be recorded.

All the doors and windows will be open and fans will ensure maximum air circulation.  No singing will be permitted but we will be able to listen to the hymns being played on the organ and sing along in our heads.

There will not be a coffee time following the service, but people are invited to lunch, out-doors, at Green O’Clock following the service.

The services will be shared on Zoom so that those who cannot, or do not feel happy to, attend in person, can still join! The protocols can be viewed here!

Harvest Festival – Coming Soon!

This year the All Saints Harvest Festival will be held at the Youth Charity Foundation on Sunday 25th October.  More details to follow!

All Saints’ Wednesday Lunch

The Wednesday Lunch!
This is a weekly event!  Yesterday, a group from All Saints again gathered for lunch!  Why not join next week?  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!)  We will be meeting at the Gymkhana Club at midday every Wednesday!

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.

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.

So, whether you are worshipping face-to-face or watching online we will all worship God together and give thanks for all of God’s many blessings!

God bless,

Father Iain

Authority!


From Father Iain, All Saints, Chiang Mai


Who Decides?

Dear Friends,

In person worship continues at All Saints, and this Sunday you can again join the congregation in person at 10 a.m., or join live on Zoom with this link, or watch later via the All Saints Audio-Visual page.

In this week’s Gospel reading the chief priests and elders of the people question Jesus’ authority.  But where do we get our authority from?  The Bible, the Church, our conscience, the words of Jesus?  It is important that we choose the right source!  Find out more at All Saints this Sunday.

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Ezekiel 18:1-4, Philippians 2:1-13, and Matthew 21:23-32, and our hymns will be Praise to the Lord the Almighty and I have decided to follow Jesus!

Details of the practical arrangements for Face-to-Face worship are below.


Face-to-Face Worship at All Saints

The following measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those attending: The chairs have been rearranged to ensure that social distancing is maintained, people’s temperature will be taken on arrival, masks will be required, and hand gel supplied.  Names and contact details will be recorded.

All the doors and windows will be open and fans will ensure maximum air circulation.  No singing will be permitted but we will be able to listen to the hymns being played on the organ and sing along in our heads.

There will not be a coffee time following the service, but people are invited to lunch, out-doors, at Green O’Clock following the service.

The services will be shared on Zoom so that those who cannot, or do not feel happy to, attend in person, can still join!

The protocols can be viewed here!

Harvest Festival

This year the All Saints Harvest Festival will be held at the Youth Charity Foundation on Sunday 25th October.  More details to follow!

All Saints’ Wednesday Lunch

The Wednesday Lunch!
This is a weekly event!  Each week a group from All Saints again gathered for lunch!  Why not join this week?  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!)  We will be meeting at the Gymkhana Club at midday every Wednesday!

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.

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.

So, whether you are worshipping face-to-face or watching online we will all worship God together and give thanks for all of God’s many blessings!

God bless,

Father Iain

NOT FAIR!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Dear Friends,
God is not fair – that’s the Good News of the Gospel!  God does not treat us as we deserve but in love gives us many blessings!

This week’s Gospel reading is the Parable of the Workers: 

A rich landowner hires a group of men early in the morning, promising to pay them the usual daily rate.  He continues to hire men throughout the day, hiring some at nine in the morning, some at midday, and some at five in the afternoon! When the working day ended at 6 pm, he paid the five o’clock hires the full day’s wage and, understandably perhaps, those who’d worked a full twelve hour day were unhappy that they received the same.  “That’s not fair!”

The landowner explained that they’d got what was fair and agreed, and what was it to them if he wanted to be generous! As well as supporting a universal income, Jesus was making the point that God acts the same way.  God is generous – God doesn’t give us what we deserve, but in overflowing love pours out his blessing and forgiveness upon us!  This is the God we worship!!!

In person worship continues at All Saints, and this Sunday you can again join the congregation in person at 10 a.m., or join live on Zoom with this link, or watch later via the All Saints Audio-Visual page. Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Jonah 3:10-4:11, Philippians 1:21-30, and Matthew 20:1-16, and our hymns for the morning service will be Come Thou Fount of every Blessing and Thou whose Almighty Word!

Details of the practical arrangements for Face-to-Face worship are below.

Last Week’s Zoom Service 

It was great to see friends around the world gathered for last Sunday’s Zoom Eucharist.  The next one will be on November 1st as we celebrate All Saint’s Day! The video of the service can be seen via the Audio-Visual page of the All Saints website!

Lunch at Green O’Clock

 Last Sunday, seventeen people joined the lunch following the morning service – which may be a record!  Great to see so many new people.


Face-to-Face Worship at All Saints

 The following measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those attending: The chairs have been rearranged to ensure that social distancing is maintained, people’s temperature will be taken on arrival, masks will be required, and hand gel supplied.  Names and contact details will be recorded.

All the doors and windows will be open and fans will ensure maximum air circulation.  No singing will be permitted but we will be able to listen to the hymns being played on the organ and sing along in our heads. There will not be a coffee time following the service, but people are invited to lunch, out-doors, at Green O’Clock following the service.

The services will be shared on Zoom so that those who cannot, or do not feel happy to, attend in person, can still join! The protocols can be viewed here!

All Saints’ Wednesday Lunch

The Wednesday Lunch!
This is a weekly event!  Last week, a group from All Saints again gathered for lunch!  Why not join this week?  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!)  We will be meeting at the Gymkhana Club at midday every Wednesday!

So, whether you are worshipping face-to-face or watching on-line, we will all worship God together and give thanks for all of God’s many blessings!

God bless,

Father Iain

Zooming Again!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai


A Special Zoom Service this Sunday at 6 p.m.

Dear Friends,

In person worship continues at All Saints, and this Sunday you can again join the congregation in person at 10 a.m., or join live on Zoom with this link, or watch later via the All Saints Audio-Visual page.

However, we will also be having a special Zoom-only service at 6 p.m. Thai time – that’s midday in the UK, 1 p.m. in Europe, and 7 a.m. on the East Coast of the States!  All Are welcome to join.  I am looking forward to leading worship again and to seeing each other around the world once more!  Click here to join the service at 6 p.m. and here to download the liturgy.

Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 14:1-12, and Matthew 18:21-35, and our hymns for the morning service will be Praise with joy the world’s Creator, and Now thank we all our God!   Details of the practical arrangements for Face-to-Face worship are below.

On Zoom at 6 p.m. we will be singing Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty, Blessed Assurance (Thai), King of Kings Majesty, and Christ, Be Our Light!

Our Zoom 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 Zoom Eucharist bulletin are 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.

Last Week’s Service

It was great to have Father Rick leading our service last Sunday!  We are blessed to have so many talented people as part of All Saints!  The video of the service can be seen via the Audio-Visual page of the All Saints website!

Last Sunday’s Potluck 

Last week, All Saints had its first post-lockdown potluck!  A great time was had by all!  Thanks to Rebecca and Blaine for hosting the event in the MCC compound!

Face-to-Face Worship at All Saints

The following measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those attending:

The chairs have been rearranged to ensure that social distancing is maintained, people’s temperature will be taken on arrival, masks will be required, and hand gel supplied.  Names and contact details will be recorded.

All the doors and windows will be open and fans will ensure maximum air circulation.  No singing will be permitted but we will be able to listen to the hymns being played on the organ and sing along in our heads.

There will not be a coffee time following the service, but people are invited to lunch, out-doors, at Green O’Clock following the service.

The services will be shared on Zoom so that those who cannot, or do not feel happy to, attend in person, can still join!

The protocols can be viewed here!

All Saints’ Wednesday Lunch

The Wednesday Lunch!

This is a weekly event!  Yesterday, a group from All Saints again gathered for lunch!  Why not join next week?  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!)  We will be meeting at the Gymkhana Club at midday every Wednesday!

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service.

Although there is no basket being passed around in our Zoom 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.

So, whether you are worshipping face-to-face or joining us on our Zoom service we will all worship God together and give thanks for all of God’s many blessings!

God bless,

Father Iain

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
Sunday 13th September 2020
Welcome to Worship

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

Hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

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:
Genesis 50:15-21

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

Psalm 103

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 14:1-12

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 18:21-35

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

Sermon

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe 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 believe 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.

Hymn:
Blessed Assurance (Thai)

Prayers of Intercession

Response:     
Lord, whose service is perfect freedom,
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:
King of Kings, Majesty

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

Lord God, the source of truth and love,
keep us faithful
to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
united in prayer and the breaking of bread,
and one in joy and simplicity of heart,
in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Hymn:
Christ, Be Our Light

Blessing and Dismissal

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

Forgive!!!

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY!!!!

Dear Friends,

As Christians we are called to forgive one another, we are even called to forgive our enemies!  In the polarised political landscape around the world, this message is even more relevant!  To forgive is not to excuse or accept wrong doing, but it is to love, to not bear a grudge, and to reach out to bring healing and reconciliation. We must be wise in our dealings, but we must be people of love.  Find out more this week at All Saints!

Father Rick Saint will be preaching and presiding this week!  It is a great joy to welcome him from Bangkok.

Father Rick at Johan and Uni’s Confirmation


This Sunday you can again join the congregation in person at 10 a.m., or join live on Zoom with this link, or watch later via the All Saints Audio-Visual page. Our scripture readings for this Sunday will be Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, and Matthew 18:15-20, and our hymns will be Immortal, invisible, God only wise and They’ll know we are Christians by our love!

Details of the practical arrangements for Face-to-Face worship are below.

Potluck this Sunday!

Immediately following the church service this Sunday, All Saints will hold its first potluck since February at the Mennonite Central Committee compound which is walking distance from our church. Please bring a main dish or salad to share (microwave and oven available). Drinks and dessert will be provided. 

A showing of Hamilton will take place after the potluck for those interested.  The meal will be eaten outside under a roof. The movie will be shown in the MCC office conference room.  

Our next All-Zoom Service


There will be another all Zoom service next Sunday, 13th September, at 6 p.m. Thai time.  I will be leading the service and this will be in addition to All Saints’ regular 10 a.m. in-person service!  Mark will be leading the 10 a.m. service as usual! It will give us all another chance to see our All Saints friends from around the world.

Face-to-Face Worship at All Saints

The following measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of those attending:

The chairs have been rearranged to ensure that social distancing is maintained, people’s temperature will be taken on arrival, masks will be required, and hand gel supplied.  Names and contact details will be recorded.

All the doors and windows will be open and fans will ensure maximum air circulation.  No singing will be permitted but we will be able to listen to the hymns being played on the organ and sing along in our heads.

The services will be shared on Zoom so that those who cannot, or do not feel happy to, attend in person, can still join!

The protocols can be viewed here!

All Saints’ Wednesday Lunch

This is now a weekly event!  Yesterday, a group from All Saints again gathered for lunch!  Why not join next week?  (You don’t need to be a member of the Gymkhana Club to attend!)  We will be meeting at the Gymkhana Club at midday every Wednesday!

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate online, or place your money in the basket during the service. It is wonderful that you will be able to meet together and join in worship once again.  I hope to join you all soon!

God bless,

Father Iain