From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai
Mary washes Jesus’ feet!
Dear Friends,
“Mary washed Jesus’ hair with her feet!”
I said this to my mum as I told her what the Gospel reading was this week.
“I think it was the other way round.” she corrected me, “Mary washed Jesus feet with her hair.”
Of course, I realised my mistake but it made me think. It could be quite a smelly thing for someone to put their feet on your head – quiet dirty, especially in Thai or Middle Eastern culture. But that is what Mary did to Jesus, she put her hair all over his feet to wash them clean.
When we look at the action upside-down it can remind us again of the radical nature of the act. In Thai and Middle Eastern culture you must not point your feet at anyone and you must not even put a hat on the floor. Feet are seen as unclean, and heads as sacred. Even touching a child on the head can be frowned upon.
A friend of mine did some work for the Bible Society in Egypt. A picture book of children’s Bible stories was being translated from English into Arabic. The text was fine, but one of the pictures was not. Jesus was sitting cross-legged and his foot was pointing straight at people’s heads! The offending leg had to be redrawn!
And yet, in this week’s story we see Mary throw culture and convention out of the window. She wanted to show her devotion and worship of Jesus and gave both money – in the form of expensive perfume – and herself – though the extravagant and scandalous us of her hair!
How much are we prepared to give to worship God?
The scripture readings for this Sunday will be Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14, and John 12:1-8, and we will be singing the hymns O Worship the King, Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart, Forty Days and Forty Nights, and When in our Music God is Glorified!
Use this link to join this Sunday on Zoom at 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 548 801 501
Last week’s Sermon!
Last week’s sermon “The Prodigal Son!” can be seen here! Older sermons and services can be seen via the All Saints website!
Easter Services
The Easter season is almost upon us!
Palm Sunday Service 10th April 10:30 am
– with parading of the palms
Good Friday Service 15th April 7:00 pm
– a solemn tenabrae service
Easter Sunday Service 17th April 10:30 am
– followed by potluck and Easter Egg hunt
Palm Sunday – Next Week!
Next Sunday, 10th April, is Palm Sunday. Our worship will include the parading of the palms, and hopefully our choir of children from the Youth Charity Foundation will again be with us!
New Small Groups
Tuesday, April 19th, 12pm– small group at Bella Goose
Thursday, April 21st, 6pm– small group at the Crawford
More details to follow!
Child Protection Training
Following the adoption of our new Child Protection Policy at our AGM in February, we are offering training to all church members. This will be at the church on Sunday, April 24th at 1pm, following lunch.
Chili Night
A few of the group!
Chili night at the Vicarage continues this Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday everyone in Chiang Mai is invited to Chili Night in the New Vicarage. Chili con Carne, rice, chips, ice-cream, and drinks are provided. Just come along! (But let Father Iain know in advance if you can!) All are welcome.
Prayer Meeting
We have a weekly online prayer meeting. Join us at 9 a.m. on Zoom every Tuesday.
Use this link to join the prayer!
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!
God bless,
Father Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 