From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
The Holy Spirit
IN CHURCH AGAIN AT 10 AM
Dear Friends,
The Holy Spirit is perhaps the hardest person of the Trinity to visualize – we can more easily picture God the Father, or Jesus, but the idea of spirit is much more intangible. The Holy Spirit is often pictured as a dove, but does that really help us?
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus talks about “blaspheming the Holy Spirit” and says “”whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” What does this mean?
Firstly, if you are afraid you may have accidentally blasphemed the Holy Spirit then don’t worry – you won’t have! I think it means that you have deliberately said something is from God when you know it is not, or vice-versa. You have deliberately misled someone. Even then, repentance is still possible!
It is all about being honest and truthful, and it’s all about God’s forgiveness once again! We will explore this more on Sunday!
Those who don’t wish to attend in person, can also join us on Zoom and we will livestream our service this Sunday.
Use this link to join this Sunday on Zoom at 10 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
And you can watch last week’s excellent sermon by Christa Crawford here!
Our scripture readings for the First Sunday after Trinity will be 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15, 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, and Mark 3:20-35, and we will be singing the hymns Now Thank We All Our God, Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart, You laid aside Your Majesty, and When we walk with the Lord!
It’s wonderful that we can again be together in person and share the good news that Christ is risen and that God’s love for us, and the world, never ends!
People to Pray for…
Please continue to pray for Bill Moeller and Warren Funnell. Bill has been diagnosed with liver cancer and is in particular need of our prayers at this time. Please pass on any messages you have for Bill via Gene or me.
Also, please pray for those older people in our congregation who are feeling shut-in and isolated as they stay home because of the increase in Covid-19 in Chiang Mai.
Wednesday Lunch – Restarts!
Our weekly lunch at the Gymkhana Club recommenced this week. We will meet again next Wednesday at midday under the trees. You don’t have to be a member and all are welcome!
Meeting Time
For seven years All Saints main service was at 11 a.m. Last August, we began meeting with the doors open due to Covid. The service was then moved to 10 a.m. as it was cooler. With first the pollution and then the heat, we have retreated back into the air-conditioning, and some people have requested that the service move back to 11 a.m.
What do you think? Speak to me or a Church Council member!
Weekly Offering to All Saints
You can still donate in person or online. Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together. God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!
Come Holy Spirit! Hallelujah!
God bless,
Father Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 